El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1898-07-29
in PORTO RICO
Gen. Miles May Be planning Sur
prise.

prise.
ST. THOMAS, West Indies, July 29.-
Information received from Porto Ric,
says that the Spanish loss in killed q
the landing of Gen. Miles's troop.
was fifty.
1t is reported that q strong force Of
Spanish artillery is being prepared tG
dispute the American advance across
the island. Guns are being placed in
strong position on high hills, and the
Spaniards declare that they will defend
the road inch by inch to prevent the
Americans from reaching San Juan
Therefore it is quite likely that there
will be some hard fighting in the inte-
rior if Miles leads his army along the
road to the capital.
| 1t is thought however, that he will
land force sufficiently strong to cap
ture San Juan on the north shore of
the island. This would, If necessary,
place the Spaniards in the interior
between two fires, in which case their
resistance would be very brief.
1t is impossible to learn what the
plans of Gen. Miles are, but it is con-
fdently predicted that he will give
the enemy great surprise before ma
ny days, and that before they expect it
they will find an American army in
vesting the city, while q strong naval
force at the entrance Of the harbor
will be ready to batter the forti6cs-
tions o pieces if the city does not sur
render.
WASHINGTON, July GA large
movement of troops to Porto will be
made from Tampa Immediately. Ord
ers have been issued directing that the
regiments be embarked at once. Ar
tillery, the Fifth regiment of infantry,
and the Fifth cavalry are included in
the order.
General Hudson's brigade will also
go to Porto Rico at once. The trans
ports 'Yucstan, Allegheny, Commal,
and San Marcos lett Santiago for Tam
pa yesterday, and the Surgancis,
Miami, and Matteawsn, now unloading
supplies at Santiago, have been order
ed back.
WASHINGTON, July 29.-The follow
ing telegram from General Miles was
received at the war department this sf-
ternoon: Porto Ponce, p. R., via St.
Thomas, July %: to the secretary of
war, Washington: At 30 on the 26th
We had q spirited engagement on the
skirmish line. Our casualties were
four wounded, all doing we'll. Spanish
lost three killed and thirteen wounded.
Yauco was occupied yesterday and
Gen. Henry's division is there today.
Last evening Commander Davis, of the
Vixen, moved into this port, followed
by Captain Higginson with his fleet,
early this morning. Generals Wilson
and Ernst's brigades are now rapidly
disembarkipg. The Spanish troops are
retreating from the southern part of
Porto Rico. Ponce and the Port, hav-
ing population of ), 900. are under the
American flag. The populace receiv-
ed the troops and saluted the Ameri-
can flag with wild enthusiasm.
The navy has several prizes, all told
seventy lighters. Railway stock was
partly destroyed, but is now restored.
Telegrsphic communication is also
being restored. The cable instrum ents
were destroyed. Have the Jamaica
cable or others. This is q prosperous
and beautiful country. The army will
soon be in the mountain regions. The
weather is delightful, and the troops in
the best Of health. MILES.
WASHINGTON. July 29.---The war
department this afternoon received the
follow ing:
Ponce, p. Il. July 29.--Secretary of
War Washington: In the affair of the
Goth Captain L. J. Gibson. of company
A, was wounded in the left hip. j. A.
Prior, company l., sustained slight
wound in the hand. Private Drummond.
company X, received two wounds in
the neck, and Private Bostwick, COM
pany L, slight wound in the left arm.
All are of the Sixth Massachusetts,: all
are doing we'll.
The Spanish retreat from this place
was -precipitate, they 'leaving rifles
and ammunition in the barracks and
40 or so sick in the hospital. The
people are enjoying a holiday in honor
of our arrival. MILES.
ST. THOMAS, d. w. l., July 29.-The
port OF Ponce, island of Porto Rico,
surrendered to Commander Davis of
the auxiliary gunboat Dixie Wednes-
day. There was no resistance, and
the Americans we're welcomed with
enthusiasm. The cspitulation of the
town of Ponce took place on Thursday
afternoon.