The Portland daily press., 1898-08-06
TAKING OF GUANICA.
How First Landing at Porto Rico
Was Made.

Guarico, Island of Porto Rico, July 25
via ST. Thomas, ID. w. l., July 25.-
When the Associated Press despatch boat
Cynthia arrived at Guantanamo bay July
81, at 6 p. m., and reported to Com
mandsr McCalla of the Marblehead and
was promptly ordered to hoist the yell
low flag, as she had touched at Santiago
de Cuba, those on board of her had no
idea of going to Porto Rico. But some
ships having been noticed in the offing,
the despatch boat hailed the flagship
New York, asking for their identification,
which brought back the reply by mega.
phone: 'sThat is General Miles and his
squadron. They have started for Porto
Rico"
Thereupon the despatch boat promptly
put to sea and followed the transports
and their conveying warships to Porto
Rico.
For four days and nights. through
stormy weather abreast of the Gloucester,
the despatch boat pitched and tossed into
head sea.
There was great feeling of relief when
General Miles on Sunday morning,
headed south by west, into the Mona
passage and it became known that the
southern and not the northern coast of
Porto Rico was to be the scene of the
landing of the American army on the
island Of Porto Rico.
EARLY Monday morning the Gloucester
turned boldly towards the Porto Rican
coast and steamed into harbor which
the chart showed to be that of Guanico.
chusetts che Yale and the Colu mbia, not
to mention the tardy transports, her. lead
line constantly going and her commander
pointing out the safest anchorage for the
big warships outside the points which
embraced the harbor.
As the Massachusetts, and her oonsorts
let go their anchors, Lieut.. Commander
Wainwright headed the Gloucester into
the port and for time she was lostto
view. Shortly after, the report Of her SIX
Founders were heard and then silence
followed. The despatch boat thereupon
obtained permission to enter the har Dor
and steamed in after the Gloucester.
The harbor of Guanico is an exquisite
place, veritable heaven of rest, with
high mountains for back ground, bay
of considerable extent, a plateau Of culti-
waited meadow land stretching from the
beach to the mountains. score or SO of
prettily painted hoEses on the line of the
shore, q sugar mill on the right, a block.
house distant a couple of miles on the
left, and, directly in front of the place
a small log house before which hoated
the Spani sh flag. AS the despatch boat
entered the harbor those on board of her
saw the launch OF the Gloucester, with
rapid fire Colt gun in her bow, land
about thirty sailors under Lieut.. Huse.
The little party promptly advanced on
the run to the spot from which the flag
was floating, the red and yellow OF Spain
was quickly hauled down and then up
went the Stars and Stripes on the
Spanish flagstaff, as hearty cheer re-
echoed and heights.
A few minutes later there was spite
full spatter of bullets around the
Gloucester and the despatch boat from
SQUAD OF Spanish soldiers who were con-
cealed among the hoIses up the main
street of Guanico, which runs direct from
the beach. In less time than it takes to
tell it, ths treacherous guerilla-like foes
who had not fired b shot while their Gag
was up, were fleeing in every direction
before the answering fire Of the Aineri-
cans ashore, backed up by the guns OF the
Gloucester. The four siX-pounders OF the
converted yacht shelled the blockhouse
and the hills to the west sending some
Spanish cavalry. on their way to reinforce
Guanico, sourrying towards the noun
tains like jack rabbits before prairie
fire.
Ashore Lieut.. Huse and his men ad
not been idle. GAS much for practice as
ANYTHING" as he quietly put it, they