The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-12
SCHLEY OPENS FIRE UPON SANTIAGO
At the Request of Shaer He Bombad the Town, Keeping Up the
Fire for One Hour but the Shells Fell Short

Press Dispatch Boat Dandy. to Port
Antonio. jamaica. July II. via Kingston,
Jamaca. July 11.-9:3O II. m.-Thc
shores of this little cove were the busiest
place in Cuba this evening. Five thou
sand men were either diScmbarking from
steamers or preparing to take up the
march 10 General Shaftcr's headquarters
near Santiago. There was as much
confusion as if ten circuSeS We're prepar-
ing to make camp. The officers were
looking for horses and mules, trying to
keep their men together. sending sick
men to the hospital. and attending to ra-
tions and baggage The engineers were
building Il rough wharf Of heavy timberS.
to be used in landing artillery from the
lighters.
The First Illinois infantry. numbering
$50 men. which arrived here yester-
day and began diSembarking last night
will probably be the first of General
Shafters reinforcements to reach him.
About $40 recruits for the regular regi-
ments in the field were also well under
way to the front
The District of Columbia infantry, CON
sisting of 90 men. arrived here this
morning, on the Catania, and began
landing ut once.
The auxiliary cruiser st. Paul has also
arrived here with the Eighth Ohio in
fantry. 800 men. The steamer IS at
anchor quite Il distance from the shore,
which necesSitates a long pull in the
boats in order to get the men ashore.
The landing of troops here is neces-
sarily made in small boats. carrying
fifteen to twenty men each. The boats
run through light surf, and the land
in" is as safe as at wharf, though the
men often get wet.
1t takes a long time to unload regl-
mental stores, horses and mules. which
are taken ashore on lighters The ar
tillery will be landed when the wharf
is extended Six batteries Of light artll-
lery and siege guns, if fully manned.
will require more than 1000 men and
as many animals.
When the Dandy left Juragua it was
expected that the whole expedition
would ne soon strung along the ten
miles between the landing -place as4xi
the front. the infantry going in light
order. with three days rations and rain
coats.
At five o'clock heavy rain was fall
ing and threatening to make the road
disagreeable for the infantry and very
bad for the artillery.
The Cuban auXiliaries. with rifle and
machetes were ont in large force. draw
ing rations. They seem to have recover
ed from their state Of semi-staryation
and are getting fat.
In spite of the doctors orders Ouri
soldiers on landing bought and ate man
groves and other pulpy fruits. Cocoa
nuts were very abundant and the sol
diers feasted on them.
During the afternoon the hospital ship
Solace arrived here, and all the sick who
were able to be moved were taken from
the tent hospital and placed on board
her. The sight of the wounded men
had depressing effect on the volun-
teerS.
1t is rumored here that General Shat
ter strongly advised the acceptance of
General Toral'S offer to surrender if
allowed TO leave with the troops wear
ing their side arms and the American
commander is said to have sent ii long
dispatch to President McKinlye mrk-
ing arguments in favor Of the accept
ance of the Spanish commanders offer
General Shafter is said TO have urged
the importance of gaining immediate
possession of Santiago harbor and city
so as to leave our fleet and army free
to undertake other work.
According to report, General Shat
ter said the acceptance of General
TOrafs offer would save the lives Of
our soldiers and enable us to begin the
relief of the starving Cubans immediate
". The advantage to the Spaniards
General Shafter is also said to have
nointed out. will not be large Presi-
dent McKinley's response. it is rumored
was as laconic as was General Grants
upon Il similar occasion