Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-06-16

Denver, June ia New York spe-
cIal to the Republican says
A cable to the Herald from on board
the Herald dispatch boat of Guantan-
amo, via Mole st. Nicholas, Hayt,
says:
After brief engagement In which
regiment of Spanish infantry was
driven headlong from its position, sou
American marines were landed on the
eastern side of the harbor OF Guam
tanamo yesterday afternoon. The
landing was made under the protection
of the guns of the Oregon, the Marble
head and the Yosemite.
By this stroke the American forces
gained n most desirable base. They
will now be able to seize the railroad
which runs from Guantanamo to Cal
manera, and they can take, without
trouble, several Spanish ships loaded
with coal now lying in the harbor
whenever the coal Is needed for the
American fleet.
This first landing In the vicinity of
Guantanamo was accomplished IN
broad daylight. The Spaniards made
n feeble attempt ut resistance, Dut
they were forced to flee under the
hasty was their departure that, when
the Americans landed their first duty
was to haul down the Spanish EaG
left by the enemy. In its place was
raised the stars and stripes, Mt the
sight Of which the marines became
wildly enthusiastic.
Captain Goodrell. with sixty marines
from the Oregon, landed ut IL o'clock
to select camping place. Crest
Heights, post overlooking the harbor
and the town Of Guantanamo, was
chosen and made ready for the
marines who were coming on the Pan-
ther This is n fine site, the climatic
conditions being favorable, and the
point being impregnable against at
tack by the enemy.
Before Captain Goodrell and his men
had finished their work, the Yosemite
and the Panther appeared OF the
coast. It was then l o'clock In the
afternoon. Awaiting the vessels from
Santiago, besides the Oregon and the
Marblehead were the Dolphin, the NiN-
en- and two colllers, the Sterling and
Kingston. The work of landing the
men from the Panther began Mt once.
In whalcboats, towed by launches. the
entire force of $50 men was quickly
put ashore. They formed under COM
mand of Lieutenant Colonel Hunting
ton, and went up to Crest Heights.
The landing was effected in an hour,
without accident. 1t was known that
5000 Spnniards were assembled with
In i've miles of Crest Heights, and the
work OF fortifylng the base was begun
forthwith.
The spirits OF the Americans We're
high, and the work of mounting the
guns went forward so rapidly that by
half-past three o'clock the camp OF the
Americans was capable of resisting
any force the Spaniards would be able
to send against It,
On Board the Associated Press Dis
patch boat Dauntlcss, or Guantanamo,
Sunday, June 12, via Mole st. Nicholas,
June 12.-Lieutcnant Colonel II. w.
Huntington's battalion of marines,
which landed from the transport Pan
ther on Friday and cncampcd on the
hill guarding the abandoned cable sta
tion Mt the entrance to the outer har-
bor OF Guantanamo, has been engaged
In heading OF n rush attack by Span
ish gucrrillas and regulars since j
O'Clock Saturday afternoon. The fight
Ing was almost continuous for thirteen
hours, until @ o'clock this morning.
when reinforccmcnts were landed from
the Marblehcad. Four Of our men
were killed and one wounded. The ad-
vance pickets, under Licutenants Ne
Vile and Shaw, are unaccounted for.
Among the killed is Assistant Sur
gcon John Blair Gibbs, son of Major
Gibbs of the regular army. who fell In
the Custer massacre. His home was at
Richmond. Virginia. but he has been
pracilcing in New York and entered
the service since the war began. He
was n very popular officer. The others
Killed are Sergeant Charles II. Smith
af SmallwOod; Private William Dun
ply OF Gloucester. Massachusetts. and
Private James McCOlgan of Stoncham,
Massachusetts.
Corporal Glass was accidentally
wounded In the head.
The Spanish loss Is unknown. but Il
is was probably considerable. The
splashes OF blood found at daylight Mt
the positions the Spaniarls occupied
indicate fatalities, but their comrades
carried or the killed and wounded.
The engagement began with desul-
tory firing at the pickcts n thousand
yards inland from the camp. Captain
Splccrs company was doing guard
duty and was driven in. finally rally
Oh tllt camp anu lIlt tlt-
my by > o'clock. The bodies OF Pri-
Yates McColgan and Dunphy were
found, both shot In the head. The
large cavities made by the bullets
which, inside n range Of 500 yards,
have rotary motion, indicated tha, (,
the victims We're killed at close range.
The bodies were stripped of shoes, hats
and cartridge belts and horribly mutt
lated with maChGtCs.
When they were brought In the
whole battalion formed three sides of
hollow square about the camp on the
hilltop. Below in the bay the war
ships were at anchor. Inland from the
camp Is deep rnvlnc and beyond this
are high hills. The adjacent country
is heavy with n thickct growth.
The sky was blanketed with clouds,
and when the sun set gale was blow.
ing seaward. Night fell, thick and I'm.