The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-03

The Advance on Santiago by General
Skaters Forces.

Skaters Forces.
NEW YORK, July "A dispatch to the
Herald from the headquarters of the Amer
lean army before Santiago July 1, via-Playa
del Este, says: Major General Shafter this
morning began with great vigor the attack
on the outer defenses of Santiago. From
three directions, the American forces adj
vanced toward the doomed city. While
General Lawton and General Wheeler were
attacking Caney northeast of Santiago,
General Kent was advancing toward Aqua
dores. General Garcia, with his Cuban
troops, at the same time approached Caney
from the southeast, and the other divisions
of the American army pressed toward San
tiago from the east, our forces thus pre-
senting solid front from the coast to Gen.
Linares's northern defenses. -Four members
of the Twenty-first Regiment of regulars
were killed in the fighting between Sevila
and Aguadores, while sixteen Americans, all
members of the Twenty-first, were wounded
Both the American and Spanish fleets
early joined in the battle. While Admiral
SIMPSONS men were reducing the recently
emplaced batteries at Aguadores, Admiral
Cerveras fleet was hurting shells in the di-
rection of the American and Cuban lines.
Two batteries of light artillery, acting
under orders from Major General Shafter,
who went to the front at the head of the
troops, began the battle of Santiago by at
lacking Caney. From this village a direct
road leads into Santiago and the advance
of our forces will be irresistible when they
gain possession OF this road. Gen. Joe"
Wheeler, with a detachment of his cavalry
command, and General Garcia with his
Cuban troops, quickly joined General Law
toms men in the advance upon Caney.
The Spaniards for a time fought desper-
ately to prevent Caney from fallink into
the hands of our forces. 1t was a vain
effort. Before the fighting had been long
under way the Americans and Cubans
gained advanced ground Foot by foot the
enemy was driven back into the village 1t
was evident after the first hours fighting
that General Shafter accurately had
gagged the strength of the enemy, and that
he would be able to drive the Spaniards
into Santiago at his pleasure
1t was with difficulty that the command
ing officers restrained the ardor of our
troops until the hour for beginning the at
tack came. The enthusiasm of the Amer
lean forces was intense, and their spirit
quickly fled to the Cuban troops. All have
shared the belief of General Shafter that
Santiago could be taken by a sharp, per-
sistent attack, and they have been impatient
to advance.
Brigadier General Kent, who commands
the center of the general line of attack.
started the Twenty-first Regiment of the
regulars toward Aguadores at the same
hour General Lawton's men advanced to-
ward Caney. Upon these troops fell the
brunt of the battle to the southeast of Sam
tiago during the early hours of the day.
There was desperate lighting about Aqua
dores- Acting under orders from General
Linares TIE Spaniards at that point returned
the American fire with fury that aroused
our men to the fiercest determination. They
boldly faced the enemys fire. holding the
ground tenaciously and pressing forward