The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-11

Playa Del Este. July f1.-As Skaters
demand Saturday for the unconditional
surrender of Santiago was not complied
with. he began to make preparations
Tor hostilities Sunday the moment the
hour of was past Much to the sur
prise Of the Americans the spaniards
did not wait for the attack. Desperate
as their condition was. they evidently
wanted to show pluck to the last. Even
though they must have known they
were doomed. they showed surprising
spirit Of dogged resistance. Just as
Shafter was about to give the signal for
the attack. the roar Of artillery was
heard along the Spanish lines. and light
guns began to throw shells toward the
American entertainments. This only
hastened matters. and the signal was
given to Grimes and Capron's batteries
to reply to the enemy's fire.
Our men we're only eager for the word,
and In q few moments they were pour
ing destructive fire into the positions
occupied by the Spanish batteries. The
fire on our side was most effective. All
along the line everything was In readi-
ness for the attack
The truce of the last few days had
been utilized by Skaters men to
strengthen their positions and plant
their batteries so that they would COM
mand the Spanish lines to the best ad-
vantage. Not only that, but every day
saw them still. further advanced to-
wards the enemy's lines. They kept
creeping forward all the time and every
morning the dazed Spaniards saw Amer
lean entertainments much nearer to them
than they were the night before. They
evidently did not dare to resent this en-
croachment by firing, but seemed to be
glad to be let alone.
The dynamite gun had been placed In
d position where IL could throw shells
into the city, and In alother place IL
mortars were mounted in one battery
In a position which commanded an i'm
portant section of the city. Three bat
teries posted on El Poso ridge were so
placed that they formed splendid sup
port for the Grimes and Capron bat
teries. In some places the field guns
were so placed that they had to be fired
over the advance American line, and
careful instructions had to be given to
avoid accidents in case any further
advance by the first lire of troops was
necessary.
On the extreme left Of the line was
General Bates division. which included
General Duffields command and the
Ninth Massachusetts,. This division
had made a marked advance during the
past few days 1t was since the battle
of San Juan planted along the edge of
a precipitous ravine, the walls of which
ore about so feet high. This ravine
is about 700 yards long and about 400
yards wide. General Bates moved the
Twentieth infantry to the side Of the
ravine nearest Santiago and placed the
Thirteenth at right angles to tire line
Of the Twentieth. To the right of the
line was the division commanded by
General Lawton; this included the Sec
ond Massachusetts,. Between the ex-
treme ends Of the lire the American
forces were disposed in a huge semi
circle, every mound or hill and every
natural configuration of the landscape
being utilized TO give them all protection
possible. Our forces were thus in ex-
cellent condition to begin the attack,
and the result was that soon after the
opSnSu IRE tucfT
began to grow fewer and fewer.
Up to this time n was almost alto
gether an artillery duel. There was
scarcely any musketry fire. Our forces
could therefore keep themselves well
uaheltered, and the result was that after
we had silenced the enemy's guns we
found that we had only three men
wounded. General Shafter made no at
tempt to follow up with a general ad-
vance. Having silenced the enemy's
guns he decided to wait until today
for the final attack. One reason for this
was that reinforcements have just ar
rived. and Shafter wished to have them
properly placed and provided for He
also wished to perfect plans which he
has arranged looking to the complete
surrounding and crushing of the enemy
when he makes the final attack. Every |
road from the city will be guarded. and |
after the Spaniards find themselves !
bemmed in there will be no chance for |
them to escape from the city.
Admiral Sampson is quoted through |
out the army as saying that he will drop |
one shell into the city every Ave minutes.
and IL that ~ not sufficient To do the |
work he will drop one into the city every |
two minutes. This fire. In addition 70 |
what the land forces will turn i'm. II Is |
thought. will be sufficient TO reduce the |
Bpaniards to point where they will |
surrender
General Hawkins, commanding the |
First brigade Of Genera. Kent's division.
who was wounded In the foot during the |
attack made on our lines a week ago. |
has returned 20 the United States. and |
Colonel Theaker of the Sixteenth In |
santry has succeeded In the command |
81 the brigade. Colonel Wood of the |