The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-20
Copyright 1895 by Associated Press.

.
On board the associated press dis
patch boat Dauntless. on Santiago de
Cuba. June Is. noon. via Kingston. June
10. noon.-A careful inspection OF the
fortifications along the crest of the hills
defending Santiago harbor since the
bombardment Thursday morning
shows the American gunners spread
wreck and ruin everywhere. Some OF
the batteries were demolished beyond
repair. The vultues which circled over
the hills as thick as swallows around
chimney for hours after the firing
ceased, furnished gruesome evidence Of
the fatality among the Spanish SOL
dfers. Hundreds OF troops could be
seen from the ships digging In mounds
OF earth piled by the explosion OF the
proJectiles from the heavy guns, for
bodies, while their heads were famed
by the wings Of the black scavengers
OF the battlefield. There were two spots.
one on the east and the other on the
west Of the harbor entrance. which
were denuded OF the foliage. The hill
tops were literally blown away. These
marked the places where the ZOO pound
charges OF gun cotton blown by the ve-
suvius landed.
But the most ominous token of death
1ew from MORO Castle. The saffron
nag OF Spain was half-masted for sew
eral hours. The significance of this Is
not known. 1t Is not customary to half
mast flags. but possibly some Spanish
leader was killed by the heavy fire Of
the guns. though some officers OF the
squadron believe that the flag was half
masted as notification to the Ameri-
cans that Lieutenant Hobson and his
brave men were dead. III such Is the
case they must have been wantonly
murdered. The Spanish might seek to
lay their death to the bombardment,
but not a shot from the Americans
Sampson nor Commodore Schiey be-
lieve that Lieutenant Hobson and his
party have been killed. We have II
prisoners taken at Guantanamo. inciud-
ing Q lieutenant, besides a number in
the United States. for reprisals or ex-
change.
There was evident decentralization
among the Spanish troops during the
Officers could be seen
with drawn swords driving the men to
the guns, but even they could not be |
forced to stay so long as our fire was |
directed at them. The Is minutes work |
or the Vesuvius shattered their nerves
1t fs believed by some that the ls-
inch proJectile fired from the Texas, |
which was reported to have exploded |
The powder magazine In one of the |
western batteries. did not fall in the |
but went beyond and blew up |
)ne of the ships in the harbor.
A dramatic incident Of the lombard |
nent was the act OF a Spanish officer !
Who bravely ran along the parapet, un- |
Ter heavy fire. encouraging his men |
o stand by their guns. Shot and shell /
aimed about him. and after one terrific /
xplosion he was seen no more and the
'arapet disappeared. He could not /
ave escaped death.
From the foretop of the Brooklyn.
900 yards distant. the men in the
rounds could be noticed. but a minute
ater dust and flying debris would take
heir places and when the smoke raised
way only a spot OF red earth could be
cen: guns and gunners had been swept
way. II was the most deadly and de-
tructive bombardment OF the war thus
ar. Scarcely a shot from the big guns
the squadron went astray. The aim
the gunners was superb. and not only
ere the forts annihilated. but the bat
.ries on Cayo Smith. up the harbor,
ere destroyed. Had all the ships used
nokeless powder. as did the New Or
ans. there would remain no signs of
uns or fortifications TO indicate that
iere had ever been any defenses there.
here were no casualties on our fleet.
iough our ships held a fixed position.
he half-stripped ships gunners never
orked with more enthusiasm.
The words Of Rear Admiral Sampson
ere: First silence the batteries on
le shore and then continue firing un-
the fortifications are reduced" This
der was strictly obeyed. IL was the
st time that such instructions had
zen given. and the men responded with
will. In 3S minutes the order was
ven to cease firing and the message
ent to each ship from the admiral. ,
Well done" and the officers nd men
rned In for breakfast. Every detail :
the engagement had been executed
the letter. from the opening of the
e by the New York TO the last shot
ON the Iowa =
The Spanish were evidently surprised :
lille strengthening their fortifications.
lie first shot Of the New York landed :,
ii and fair on the top of the hills to !,
e east. where the gunners were al
ady at work erecting new pieces. The &
rth seemed to rise in a cloud, and s
hen the 12-inch shells OF the Iowa and q
e l2-inch beauties OF the Oregon land =
squarely and fairly a great cheer T
mt up from the ships. The western s.
uadron got into line and began firing +
fore the eastern one did. and the ef- Y
4 Of the shots could be plainly seen. 8
e Spanish gunners at the batteries A
uld be noted and a quick FIRE was Ia
'umed. but only for a brief time did
sy Withstand the terrible assault Of 8