The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-10


Il is reported that the commander or
the Reina Mercedes. second in COM
mand in the Spanish feet, under Ger
vera, was killed during the engagement
The combined American and insurgent
forces are entrenched near Daiquiri,
with guns mounted in preparation for
a further movement. From Spanish
sources comes report that a party Of
Americans banded at Aguadores but
wheteher it IS true or what the result
was is not known here.
THE SPANISH VERSION.
Madrid, June II p. m.-The follow
ing official dispatch has been received
from Admiral Cervera:
Six American vessels have lombard
ed the fortificatio at Santiago and
along the adjacent coast. Six were
killed and seventeen wounded on board
the Reina Mercedes; three officers were
killed and an officer and seventeen men
were wounded among the troops The
Americans fired 1,500 shells of different
calibre. The damage inflicted upon the
batteries of La Socapa and Moro cas-
tie was unimportant. The barracks at
Moro castle suffered damage. The
enemy had notable losses.
ANOTHER SPANISH VICTORY"
copyrighted by Associated Press)
Havana, June 6.-10 p. m.-(Delayed
in transmission)-Det from Spanish
sources received here today of the bonn
bardment this CMonday) morning of the
forts of Santiago de Cuba by the Amer
lean fleet say the warships of the
United States fired about 1,500 prOjec
tiles of all kinds. This fire, the Suan-
iards add, was answered by Morro
castle and the batteries at Socapa and
Punta Gorda. AT noon it is added, an
ln, y H.
Aguadores, east Of Santiago de Cuba,
the firing lasted one hour Both at
tacks the Spaniards assert were re-
pulsed.
MOrro castle is admitted to have been
damaged as was the exterior head
quarters, built during the time of peace
at Cayo Smith and, in addition, the
Spanish cruiser Reina Mercedes is ad-
mitted to have been slightly dam
aged
The Spanish commander at Santiago
reports that the American fire did not
dismount one piece Of artillery and he
says lhat min of the American ships
"disapp -ared from sight before dark"
The Spanish army losses, according to
the official reports, are one soldier
killed and one chief, four officers and
twenty One-soldiers wounded. The
Spanish navy losses are reported to be
one officer and twelve sailors wounded.
=, Finally the Spanish version Of the
affair says: THE American losses are
supposed to be considerable
Captain General Blanco has congrat-
ulated General Linares the Spanish
military commander at Santiago de
Cuba, and those who took part in the
fighting, saying he will call the atten-
tiOn of the Spanish government to the
"heroism exhibited by all the Spanish
forces in such an unequal combat
WORK ON HAVANA FORTS.
Work on the Notifications about Ha-
vana is being rushed without an hours
intermission. Even the civil governor
of the city and all the employees of the
government are at work on the forts or,
batteries and all persons out of work
are finding similar employment.
The cultivation zones are turn ing out
very successful and are a great relief
to the poor.
Copyright by Associated Press.)
Cape Haytien, Hayti, June $40 p.
NIT is reported here that a great
battle has taken place at Caimanera,
in the bay Of Guantanamo. At $50
o'clock yesterday morning (Tuesday)
five ships of the American squadron
opened a heavy bombardment on the
Notifications Of the town. There was
a perfect hail of bombs in the bay,
striking and demOlshing many houses
beyond the Notifications. On the
Spanish side the artillery replied vig-
orously, maintaining for sometime a
stout resistance. The fire from the
WarshipS however, never slackened for
an instant. 1t was regular and care
fully directed and a great majority Of
the shots proved effective. The Span
iards were forced to abandon their po
sitions on the shore and retreat to the
town of Caimanera proper. 1t is sup
posed that, later, they fed from that
position also, with the inhabitants.
PREPARING FOR A DESPERATE
STRUGGLE.
Information has reached here that
the Spanish at Santiago and Caima-
nera are preparing for a final, desper-
ate struggle, and are determined to
resist the assaults of the Americans to
tb 1St extremity.
e commander of the district issu-
e, orders yesterday to burn Caimanera
before yielding it into the hands of the
Americans. The latter forced the en-
trance of the bay Of Guantanamo and,
according to the latest advices from
Caimanera, it was feared that the
Americans WOulQ make an e1IOrC 10
land forces there this Wednesday af-
ternoon. Measures to prevent this, if
possible have been taken by the Span
iards. The American fleet was still
maintaining its position.
CABLES CUT.
Gable communication with Cuba,
which has been interrupted for many
hours, was partially restored this af-
ternoon, but it is still difficult and pre-
carious. The report of the lombard
ment at Caimanera came by cable.
The bombardment destroyed a little
house which sheltered the shore con-
nection of the French cable at Caima-
nera, though whether by the explosion
OF bombs from the water Or.by explos-
ives used by a party sent for that pur-
pese, is not known. The cables unit
ing the main cable with the office at
Cainnanera and the town of Caimanera
with Santiago were cut, thus account
ing for the prolonged absence of in
telligence here as to operations in that
vicinity. 1t is also believed that the