Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-23
News That They Are Safe and
Helped by the Insurgents.
The EXPEDITION TO PORTO RICO.
Orders Issued which viii Put 5000 Sol
diers Marching Toward the sss-Mis.
souri, and Kansas Regiments Nay
Now do to the Front

the little band Of American marines
who had planted the flag on Crest hill
and were defending it night and day
against heavy odds, were not only
safe, but were strongly reinforced by
1900 Cubans from the commands Of
Garcia and Rabbi and were now
strong enough to more than hold their
own. 1t was disclosed in . dispatch
from Admiral Sampson and brought
much relief to naval officials The
early reports had indicated that the
marines we're surrounded and 1t was
feared that they might be compelled
to return to the ships before Gen.
Skaters invading army reached
there on Friday. The coming Of
the Cuban forces seems to have
been in the nick of time, and naval Of
fcials give the fullest credit to the
timeliness Of this Cuban cooperation.
The admirals dispatch stated that the
condition Of the marines was entirely
satisfactory" which assurance, al
though brief, was enough to relieve
officials here Of the fears they had en-.
tertained. But probably the most
significant feature Of the sdmiral's
dispatch was the statement that the
Cuban Gen. Rabbi had occupied Acer.
raderos, only eight miles from San.
tiago, and practically suburb Of that
Spanish stronghold. 1t was the execu.
ton Of plan arranged in Washington
some weeks ago when two Of the staff
officers Of Gen. Garcia came here to
confer with Gen. Miles At that time
Garcia and Rabbi were at Bayamo, in
the western part Of Santiago province
and more than 100 miles northwest Of
Santiago de Cuba.
Admiral SIMPSONS dispatch showed
that Rabbi and his force had made
complete circuit Of Santiago de Cuba
and, coming up to the south Of 1t, has
occupied Acerraderos. This is looked
upon as q fine military stroke, for
Acerraderos is port where iron
wharves will afford facilities for un-
loading the heavy artillery carried BY
Gen. Skaters invading expedition.
The news also indicated to the au.
thorities here that the Spanish garri-
son at Santiago has practically re-
treated inside the city proper, giving
up the outlying town.
Admiral Sampson also states that
Gen. Garcia Is cooperating with the
American forces. Whether this means
that Garcia himself has arrived from
Bayamo is not quite clear but If he
has, the joint forces of Garcia and
Rabbi will make 5000 to 5000 seasoned
Cubans, recently armed with Spring
fields, as bushwhacking guerrilla
force to aid the American troops.
From sources other than the dispatch
Of Admiral Sampson, the navy depart
ment has been informed that 500
Cubans were rendering efficient aid to
the marines at Crest hill. Now that
Rabbi and Garcia are on the scene,
this 500 will be swelled to thousands.
The news Of the routing with severe
losses Of the Spanish guerrillas and the
capture of their water supply by the
marines and Cubans had not been re-
ceived up to the close of the depart
ment but 1t is felt here that it will
make the Spaniards very cautious and
enable our forces to get much needed
rest. In making his march, Rabbi has
crossed the line OF communication be-
tween the Spanish commander, Gen.
Pando, at Holguin and the Spanish
forces at Santiago de Cuba. This fact
makes it clear that Santiago is not
likely to get reinforcements from Gen.
Pando In circling around Santiago
to reach Acerraderos Rabbi, it is be-
lieved here, has also established 1t as
fact that the lines Of communication
and relief to Santiago are interrupted
and practically cut off in all directions
THE EXPEDITION TO PORTO RICO.
WASHINGTON, June 16.-The Porto
Rican expedition is to be started with.
out delay. Orders were issued yester-
day which will put $4,000 soldiers
marching toward the sea within the
next three days. OF this number 49,.
900 will 60 from Camp Thomas at
Chickamauga, while 1000 will go from
Camp Alger over in Virginia There
are now at Tampa and camp near Jack
sonville $1,000 troops, one-half Of whom
are regulars. These will form the nu-
cleus of the invasion army. In the Or
ders issued the precise destination of
the troops was not made clear, but 1t
is said to be Fernandina, Fla. This
point possesses decided advantages
over Tampa or Key West, and will
doubtless be used almost exclusively
hereafter. Missouri and Kansas regi.
ments at Camp Thomas and Camp
Alger will now have chance to 20 to
the front They will be sent under
Gen. Coppinger to assist in capturing
Porto Rico. Secretary Alger told Gen.
Graham, the commanding officer at
Camp Alger, to have in readiness every
company which was provided with
guns and rations, tents being unnec.
essary. The same instructions apply
to Camp Thomas and from reports re-
ceived by the adjutant generals office
two-thirds Of the troops at both camps
are ready for service.
A Passenger Train Wrecked.
ROANOKE, Va, June 9O.-Norfolk 4