The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-24
An EngageL,entin Sight ofthe Block
aiding Fleet,
EXPLOSION OFF CAPE ANTONIO.
III Ought 20 Have Been Violent Earth
quake - Settling the Question OF
the Spanish Prizes - Troors
Steadily Drilling at Chicka-
manga Park-A Spicndid
Spectacle Presented.

NEW YORK. May 23.--A Key west ape-
cial says: The Cubans are lighting their
way to the coast. where they will Join
our forces OF invasion.
Three hundred Cubans engaged a squad
OF Spanish cavalry on Thursday fifteen
miles west Of Matanzas. The battle @as
fiercery wagcd In sight OF the ships OF
the blockade station.
The firing continued after dark and FRI
day morning the Spanish cavalry, wbsrh :
had been reinforced during tho night by
a battalion Of infantry we're seen re-
treating along the beach In the direction
Of Havana. 3
A TERRIBLE EXPLOSION.
KEY WEST. FLA. May 23.-The Of
ficers OF one OF the United States cruis-
ers which arrived to-day say that while
or Cape San Antonio (thc western ex-
vremity Of Cuba) yesterday afternoon
scrriace explosion was heard from the
direction OF the shore. but apparently
smany miles away There was an up
hcaval OF water all about the ship. and
tho cruiser herself yibratcd with the
shock from stem 10 stern. Many are In
clined to think that tho phenomenon
was an earthquake. There are no bat
teries near enough TO Cape San Antonlo
To account for a detonation OF such vol
ume. and II Is thought that II any naval
disaster had occurred news OF IL would
have reached here.
PRIZES or WAR.
Judge Locke. In the United States Dit
trict Court, to-day heard argument IN
three OF the most Important cases-those
Of the Buena Ventura. Miguel Jover ana
Kateina. number OF counsel appeared
and II was contended on an extended cita-
ton OF authorities that all three vessels
should be condemned as lawful prizes.
Arguments against this contention were
made by an array Of counsel represent-
ing the various interests. Including the
owners OF the vessels and their corgo~s
Judge Locke reserved his decision.
TROOPS REVIEWED.
CHIcKAMAUGA NATIONAL PARK.
GA. May 23.-Major General !. Wade.
until RECENTLY in command OF the fffth
Corps. az Tampa reported here to-day 30
General Brooke. having been assigned by
the War Department 10 the command oi
the Third Corps, now being formed here.
The first division OF the First army Corps
was reviewed to-day by its COMMANDER
Major General James II. Wilson. Al
though no particular demonstration was
made yet It was a spectacular scene.
made doubly interesting because II VIII
80 IN history as ,he FIRST great formal
movement by large body OF troops or
ganized for the American-spanlsh war.
II Is. moreover said TO be the first re-
view OF the kind had since the civil war.
IL began early I'm the cool OF the day
before o'clock The three brigades ot
the First Division. nine regiments. prAc-
tlcally 1000 men. formed a line Of battle.
the right resting north OF the historic
Kelly field. thence II ran mile perhaps
along the ridge, a portion OF the COM
mand forming In the rear, second llno.
as N for reserve In an assault. After
the usual formal inspection Of the line,
which took some time. the division FORM
ed and moved IN column of fours, chang
ing direction twice until on line parallel
with General Wilson. who sat on a mag
nlfcent horse IN front Of a group OF bril-
liant stan officers The lines were form
ed with remarkable rapidity and preca-
ion. Then IA a column OF companies tho
division advanced I'm splendid form. IL
was a grand sight. The marching was.
as a rule, IN excellent time. the riien-
ments accurate and the distances well
maintained.
DRILLED LIKE VETERANS.
General Wilson expressed himself as
delighted and very proud of the fact taat
the division when manoueyred together
for the first time should act so much
like regulars and veterans. The regi-