, 1898-07-30
Miles OPERATIONS
RESULTS THUS FAR HAVE BEEN
ACCOMPLISHED WITHOUT
LOSS OF LIFE.
Ponce, With a Population Of $4,000,
Now Under American Flag-Cap-
tain Higginson Captures Eighty
Vessels and a Quantity of Coal.

pOTC OF romeo, Porto htlcO, via 81.
Thomas, d. W. l., July 2S.-The Port Of
Ponce surrendered 20 Commander c. H.
Davis of the auxiliary gunboat Dixie.
There was no resistance and the Ameri-
cans were welcomed with enthusiasm.
Major General Miles arrived here this
morning at daylight with General
Ernest's brigade and General Wilson's
division, on board transports. General
Ernest's brigade Immediately started
for the town of Ponce, three miles in
land, which ~capitulated this afternoon.
The American troops are pushing to-
ward the mountains and will join Cen
eral Henry with his brigade at Yauco,
which has been captured by our troops
A fight before the latter place on
Tuesday last was won by the American
volunteers.
The Spaniards ambushed eight COM
panies of the Sixth Massachusetts and
Sixth Illinois regiments, but the enemy
was repulsed and driven back a mile to
the ridge where the Spanish cavalry
charged, and were routed by our infan-
try.
General Garretson led the fight with
the men from Illinois and Massachu-
sets and the enemy retreated to Yauco,
leaving four dead on the field and sew
eral wounded. None of our men were
killed and only three we-e slightly
wounded. The wounded are:
Captain Ginon Barrett.
Private James Drummond.
Private II. c. Garry.
The Porto Ricans are glad the Amer
lean troops have landed, and say thew
are all Americans and will Join orr
army. The roads are good for military
purposes. Our troops are healthy and
General Miles says the campaign will
be short and vigorous.
General Miles has forwarded IN tho
war department from here the follow
ing concerning the situation:
Port Ponce, Porto Rico, via St.
Thomas. July 29.-Secretary of War.
Washington: On the Goth Garretson
had a spirited engagement on skirmish
line. Our casualties four wounded: all
doing well. Spanish loss. three killed
and thirteen wounded. Yauco occupied
Yesterday. Henry's division there to-
day. Last evening Commander Davis
or the Dixie moved into this port, fol-
lowed by Captain Higginson with his
Meet early this morning. General Will
son, with Ernest brigade, now RAPIDLY
discriminating. Spanish troops are re-
treating from southern Porto Rico.
Ponce and port have population OF So
900. now under American flag. The
populace received troops and salutedth
nag with wild enthusiasm. Navy has
several prizes. also seventy lighters.
Railway stock partly destroyed, now
restored. Telegraph communication al
so being restored. Cable instruments
destroyed. Have sent to Jamaica for
others. This is a prosperous and beau
tiful country. The army will soon be in
mountain region; weather delightful;
troops in best of health and spirits;
anticipate no insurmountable obstacle
in future. Results thus far have been
accomplished without the loss OF a sin
gle life.
In the affair Of the Goth Captain Ed
ward j. Gibson, Company A, was
wounded in the left hip; Captain ]. H.
prinT TnY,, " r1,r6tJ,,
In the hand; Private James Drummond,
Company X. Two wounds in the neck,
n Private Benjamin F. Bosbick, Com
pany L., slightly wounded in the right
arm. All are of the Sixth Massachu-
sets. All are doing we'll. The Span
ish retreat from this place was precipi-
tous, they leaving rifles and ammuni-
ton in the barracks and forty or fifty
sick in the hospital. The people are en-
joying n holiday in honor of our ar
rival.
(signed) MILES"
The Sixth Massachusetts and Sixth
Illinois came to Porto Rico on the
Dixie
General Miles has issued the follow
Ing proclamation:
I'm the prosecution Of the wal
against the kingdom Of Spain by the
people of the United States in the cause
OF liberty, Justice and humanity. its
military forces have come to occupy the
island Of Porto Rico They come bear
Ing the banners Of freedom, inspired
by a noble purpose, to seek the enc
mics OF u government and of yours,
and to destroy o. capture all in armed
resistance. They bring you the foster
Ing arms Of a free people whose great
est power is Justice and humanity to
all living within their fold. Hence they
release you from your former political
relations. and. it is hoped. this will be
followed by your cheerful acceptance
OF the government Of the United States.
The chief object OF the American
military forces will be to overthrow
the authority Of Spain and give the
people Of your beautiful island the lang-
est measure Of liberty consistent With
this military occupation. They have
not come 10 make ,war ON the people
OF the country who for centuries have
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