The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-27

Copyright 1898 by Associated Press.)
Port of Guanica, Island of Porto
Rico, July 25.-(2 p. m.)-Via the Island
of st. Thomas, ID. w. I.,July 26.-(Morn-
ing.)-The United States military expe-
dition under the command of Major
General Nelson A. Miles, commanding
the army of the United States which left
Guantanamo Bay during the evening of
successfully today after Il skirmish with
Il detachment of Spanish troops and Il
crew of thirty belonging to the launch of
the United States auxiliary gunboat
Gloucester formerly Mr.. j. PierpOnt
Morgan's steam yacht Corsair. Four of
the Spaniards were killed, but no Ameri-
cans were hurt. The troops We're pushed
forward promptly in order to capture the
railroad leading to Ponce. which is only
about ten miles east of this place. From
Ponce there is an excellent military road
running eighty-fye miles north to San
Juan.
The whole of General Brookes force,
with the New Orleans, Annapolis, Gin
cinnati. Leyden and Wasp, are expected
here within twenty-four hours.
The ships left Guantanamo Bay sud-
denly on Thursday evening with the
Massachusetts, commanded by Captain
Il. j. Higginson, leading. Captain Hig-
ginson was in charge of the naval expe-
dition. which consisted in addition to the
Massachusetts, of the Columbia. Dixie,
Gloucester and Yale. General Miles was
on board the last named vessel. The
troops were on board the transports Nue-
ces, Lampasas, Comanche. Rita, Union
ist. Saltwater, City of Macon and Speci-
alist This was the order in which the
transports entered the harbor here.
The voyage from Guantanamo Bay to
this port was uneventful.
At noon yesterday General Miles called
4 consultation, announcing that he was
determined not to go by San Juan Cape
but by the Mona Passage instead. land
here. surprise the Spaniards and deceive
their military authorities. The course
was then changed and the Dixie was
sent to warn General Brooke at Cape
San Juan. Port Guanica has been fully
described by Lieutenant Whitney Of
General Miles staff. who recently made
an adventurous tour of Porto Rico
Ponce. which is situated ten or fifteen
and n harder place to take. I'm addition,
and a harder place to take. In addition.
the water at Ponce is too shallow for the
transports to he able to get close in shore.
Then again, Ponce itself is some little
distance from where the troops would
have been able to land if that point had
been selected for the debarkation of the
expedition.
One advantage of this place is that it
is situated close to the III lroad connect
ing with Ponce. which means easy trans
portation of our troops. Early this morn
ing the Gloucester, in charge Of Lieu
tenant Commander Wainwright steamed
into Guanica harbor in order to recon
noiter the place. With the fleet waiting
outside the gallant little fighting yacht
braved the mines which were supposed
TO be in this harbor. and found that there
were five fathoms of water close in
shore.
nanica Bay is a quiet place, sur
rounded by cultivated lands. In the
rear are high mountains and close to the
beach nestles Il village of about twenty
houses.
The Spaniards were taken by sur
prise: Almost the first they knew of
the approach of the army of invasion
was III tit contained IN
the firing of gun from the Gloucester.
demanding that the SpaniardS haul down
their flag. which was floating from a
flagstaff in front of a block house stand
Ing to the east of the village. The first
couple of three Founders were fired into
the hills right and left of the bay, pur-
posely avoiding the town. lest the nro-
1ectlles hurt women or children. The
Gloucester then hove to within about
six hundred yards of the shore and
lowered launch, having on board n
Colt rapid-fire gun and thirty men under
the command of Lieutenant Huse. which
was sent ashore. without encountcrinc
opposition.
Quartermaster Beck thereupon told
1eoman Lacy to haul down the Spanish
flag. which was done. the first United
States flag to float over Porto Rican soil
was raised on the flagstaff.
Suddenly about thirty Spaniards OPEN
ed fire with Mauscr rifles on the Ameri-
can party. Lieutenant Huse and his
men responded with great gallantry, the
Colt gun doing effective work. Mormon.
who received Admiral Cervera's surren-
der. and Wood. volunteer lieutenant,
shared the honors with Lieutenant Huse.
Almost Immediately after the Span