The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-12
Force of Blue Jackets Landed from
the Big War Ship Before Arrival of
the Transport Panther.
SPANISH SOLDIERS ROUTED
STAMPEDED AFTER FEW SHOTS
FROM THE AMERICAN SHIPS.
Their Camp Promptly Burned by the
Invaders, Who Suffered No Injury
admiral sampson's Report.
Copyright, 1885, by the Associated Press.)

Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press)
OFF GUANTANAMO, Cuba, June 10. via
Port Antonio, Jamaica, June II, z a. m.-The
invasion of Cuba by the American forces
began to-day. Six hundred marines have
pitched their tents about the smoking ruins
of the outer fortifcations, and the stars
and stripes for the first time float from
Spanish Flagstaff in Cuba.
To Captain Clark and the battle ship Ore
gon belong the honor of accomplishing the
first successful landing of the war. Forty
marines from the battle ship went ashore
of the bay until the troop ship Panther ar
rived with six hundred marines. These,
under command of Lieut.. Col r. w. Hunt
ington, arrived at o'clock, and within half
an hour they had burned the buildings of
the Spanish camp and had set fire to the
miserable little village which crouched on
the beach under the hilltop of Guantanamo.
The operation of silencing the guns and
landing the forces was an easy task. The
phin, opened fire on the earthworks yes
terday. The shores to the right of the en-
trance were lined with guns and rifle pits,
but the Spaniards stampeded after firing
few rifle shots.
The city of Guantanamo lies four miles
up the bay and little Spanish gunboat
came down to help the shore batteries.
But she stayed just long enough to turn
around. Numerous shots were fired by the
Spaniards, but not one landed and no
Americans were injured The main fort lies
within the city limits and is still to be re-
duced, but 1t is not in difficult position,
and the American officers say it can be
taken in fifteen minutes when desired.
The Marblehead, Dolphin, Vixen and two
GOLFERS have been off the entrance of the
harbor for several days, and yesterday
morning they sailed into the channel. A
mile further up they opened fire, sending
fifty shots at the fortifcations on the left.
The hills on the right of the entrance were
deserted. There are no defenses on the
land was made until the Oregon steamed
in early this morning. Captain Clark i'm
mediately sent forty marines ashore, and
twenty from the Marblehead followed They
found evidence of very hasty departure
by the Span;ards Watches, hammocks and
ammunition were scattered about the earth
works, and a Spanish flag was found in one
of the rif1epits The little detachment of
marines held the place until the Panther
arrived. when they were recalled and the
work of Decentralization began. The first
boatload had scarcely landed when the viii
lage burst into flames.
Company B, under Lieut.. Hall, was the
first ashore, and without the loss of a mo-
ment, the column started up the steep,
rocky hillside to the earthworks. For an
hour brown column of marines filed up the
narrow path, eventually taking up position
American flag was swung out to the breeze
from the flagstaff of the captured Spanish
camp, the Oregon steamed away to rejoin
the fleet off Santiago. The marines will hold
the position until the arrival of the expect
ed troops in the meantime scouting in the
vicinity. with the Marblehead. Vixen and
Dolphin lying by to protect them.
Rear Admiral Sampson now has harbor
and a base of supplies on the south side of
the island and troops can be landed at will
The troop ship Panther reached the feet off
Santiago early to-day. On her way over
the Yosemite fired dozen shells into the
port of Daigari (BaiquarD. but received no
response.
Guantanamo is forty miles east of SAINT
iagos and Ii splendid location for a base
of supplies for the blockading fieet
It is understood that the Island of Cuba
is entirely cut from cable communication
with the outside world. Report here has 1t
that the cable ship Odria cut the cable at
Santiago or Monday, and that the same day
the st. Louis cut the cable running from
Guantanamo to the Mole st. Nicholas. Haiti.
she was Interrupted in the work by shells