The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-07-12

midnight the war department gave
out the following dispatch from Gen.
Shafter:
PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 10.
To Adjutant General, Washington:
Enemy opened fire a few minutes
past with light guns which were soon
silenced by ours Very little musketry
firing and the enemy kept entirely in
their entertainments. Three men
Slightly wounded. VIII have consid-
cradle forces Monday, enough TO
completely block all the roads on the
northwest L am quite we'll
SKATER
The news of the bombardment came
at the close of busy Sunday in the
war department. Previous to the re-
ceipt of this dispatch the secretary of
war had heard twice from Gen. Shat
ter. In the early morning came tele-
gram saying that he had ridden over
the American lines and was gratified
at their condition. A second dispatch
reported that the lines were impregna-
bic, thus removing any fear of a sue
| cessful SOrtie by the Spanish troops
should a maneuver of this kind be at
tempted. Both kilograms, which en-
phasized the fact that Gen. Skaters
| physical condition had greatly i'm
president and Occasioned him con-
siderable qualification. When ques-
| toned as to whether he believed that
there had been a bombardment of the
city. Gen. COrbin replied: You know
as much about it as do. l have kept
nothing back. l should say, however,
that the firing Sunday was but the
preliminary to the more serious bust
ness of Monday" This being the case
the attempt to take the city will prob
ably be made Monday.
BEFORE SANTIAGO, July Q, via Port
Antonio and Kingston, Jamaica. July
| 1.-Everything on the firing line is
now ready for the commencement of
hOstilities in case the Spanish gener-
gun which has been in position for
several days. is now in better working
order than at the time of the battle of
San Juan, and it is predicted that its
charges consisting of 20 pounds of gun
cotton and gelatine will work havoc
in the Spanish trenches when it opens
fire.
Twelve mortars in one battery are
mounted and ready to use and they
are relied upon to do effective work in
Smelling the city. Three batteries of
artillery arc now posted on Ell Paso
ridge, 2,+OO yards from the town, and
the Capron and Grimes batteries are
800 yards to the north of the road in
the rear of Gen. Lawton'S division. In
firing, the field guns will be compelled
! to shell the town over the heads of our
own men. but the artillery officers say
it can be done safely and without in
! jury to our soldiers. The dynamite
gun has been so placed that it will be
able to enfilade several of the Spanish
lines
On the other hand. during the truce,
which so far as regards the con tinuing
of pre- parations for defense or attack
has been no truce whatever. the Span
iards have not been idle. They have
been mounting guns and some OF these
are of much heavier caliber than any
the American army can bring into
play. Some of their guns are of anti
quated pattern and not capable of
much damage, but others are differ
ent and capable of excellent work.
One seven-inch gun, which had so per-
feet range during the battle of San
Juan, of many ridges occupied by the
American troops has been located with
especial care by the American gun
ners and it will be the recipient of
much attention when hostilitieS re-
open.
Gen. Bates division. which holds the
extreme left of the line. moved fOr-
ward Sunday to a new position, 400
yards in advance of its former line.
1t was, since the battle of San Juan,
planted along the edge of Il pre-
cipitous ravine, the walls Of which are
about so feet high This ravine is
about 100 yards long and about 400
yards wide.
Gen. Bates has now moved the Goth
infantry to the side Of the ravine near
est Santiago and placed the Sd in
fantry, which with the Goth forms his
brigade. at right angles to the line OF
the goth. The extreme left of his line,
which is the extreme left of the Amer
lean army, is about opposite the upper
end of Santiago harbor and from four
to six miles from the coast line
When hostilities are opened by the
bonn bardment great things are expect
ed from the navy.
Gen. Otis Will Hasten HIS Departure.