The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-16

Copyrighted 1898, by the Associated Press.
UNITED STATES CAMP, EAST SIDE OF
GUANTANAMO BAY. June II. s D. ln.. by the AS
sociated Press dispatch boat Wanda via Kingston,
Jamaica, Wednesday. June il. 1880 p. m.-The
United States marines under Lieut.. Col. Huntington
made their first aggressive movement against the
Spanish guerrillas today. and completely routed the
enemy The force of marines under Capt Elliott,
and the cooperating Cnbans were under Col La
borda. The combined forces RACED Spanish camp
about five miles from the American position destroy
ing the only we'll in the vicinity and killing about
forty Spaniards. One American marine was slightly
wounded Two Cnbans killed and four wound.
ed. 1t is impossible to estimate the number of Span.
iards engaged, owing to the guerrilla methods of
fighting, but ii is believed there were at least 400
The marines behaved splcndidly, their marks
manship being excellent under the fire of the
enemy. The captured camp lies about five miles
southeast of the rifle pits of the marines and
important base for the enemy, it contained the
only well within six seven miles.
Lieut.. Col. Huntington decided upon the attack
early in the day and about o'clock the force started
across the mountain. The march mp and down the
steep hlsides under the garng tropical sun was IL
test of endurance for the Marines and before
the battle-ground was reached twenty-five men had
fedlc3l All were able. however,
to reach the position before the fighting ceased The
marines We're compelled to march in single file fol.
lowing the mountain trail Meanwhile the Cubans
darted forward, to right and left, on the scout.
1t was noon when. from hilltop the Americans
caught sight Of the Spanish camp ridge below
them. 1t consisted of one large house. the officers
quarters, surrounded by numerous "shacks' and
houses, all clustering aoout the precious.well.
hoo. .Ir
within 200 yards of the enemy before the crack
of rifle from the Spanish lines announced that the
Spaniards had discovered them. The troops quickly
moved into line of battle. with the CuDans on the
left flank The enemys bullets whirling vi
ciously the Americans, but the marines settled
down 10 their work rs unconcernedly as though at
target practice.
Very few SpanaFds in sight. They were
lying behind the hus and the brush but the puffs
Of smoke revealed their positions and enabled the
Americans 10 30 effective work. For twenty min
ues both sides maintained Il terrific fire. Tie Span
iards shots generally wild and spasmodc. while
the Americans fired away aiming carefully and
shooting to kill. For the most part the Americans
firing done individually. but at times the officers
would direct firing by squads always with telling
effect.
II was beginning to look rs though bayonet
charge down the slope would he necessary To dis
lodge the enemy when Suddenly the latter began to
break for hcket a hundred yards further on Little
groups could bc fleeing from the camp separat.
ing. darting through the brush and zigzagging TO
escape the shots Ii WAS then that the American fire
became most deadly. Man after man seen 10
fall in vain rush for shelter, and The fire from the
Spanish became scattered and almost ceased.
Two Cubans lay dead and four wounded and
Private Walker, Of Company ID, had TO limp TO the
rear with slight wound in his ankle.
The easy victory put the command in high spir-
lis The little black Cuban warriors waved their
machetes and howled curses at the spanish in saw
age fashion Their fire had been wild throughout
but they all displayed the utmost contempt for the
Spanish bullets, being absolutely without fear.
rs the eneiuv began breaking camp, the Dolphin,
which lay out sea, was signaled, and began pitch.
ing shells toward the thchets for which the Span
iarls were making
Meanwhile Lient. Magill seen coming with
forty men az reinforcements and Capt. MaIoBey was
ON the way with hundred more. but before either