The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-16

Copyright, 1893, by the Associated Press.
United States Camp, East side o
Guantanamo Bay, Tuesday, June "A,
p. m. (by the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Wanda, via Kingston, ia.
maica, Wednesday, June Is, 1890 p
m)-The United States marines, undel
Lieutenant Colonel Robert w. Hunt
ington, made their first aggressive
movement against the Spanish guer-
illas today and completely routed the
enemy. The force of marines was un-
der Captain Elliott, and the cooper
ating Cubans were under Colonel La
borda. The combined forces RACED q
Spanish camp about five miles from
the American position. destroying the
only well in the vicinity and killing
about 40 Spaniards. One American ma
rlne was slightly wounded. Two Gu
bans were killed and four wounded.
1t is impossible TO estimate the num-
Der of Spaniards engaged, owing to the
guerilla methods CT fighting, but it is
believed there were at least 400.
The marines behaved splendidly,
their craftsmanship being excellent,
even under the severe fire of the enemy.
The captured camp lies about five
miles southeast of. the rife pits of the
for the enemy, as it contained the only
well within six or seven miles. Lieu
tenant Colonel Huntington decided on
the attack early in the day, and about
o'clock the force started across the
mountain.
The march up and down the steep
hillside under the glazing tropical sun
was a severe test of endurance for the
marines, and before the battle ground
was reached % men had received med
zeal attention. All were able, however,
to reach the position before the fight
ing ceased. The marines were COM
PEELED to march in single file, follow
ing the mountain trail Meanwhile the
Cubans darted backward and forward
to right and left, on the scout.
1t was noon when, from a hilltop
the Americans caught sight of the
Spanish camp on a ridge below them.
1t consisted of one large house-the
officers quarterS-surrounde by nu-
merous "shacks" and houses, all clus-
tering about the precious well.
IN LINE OF BATTLE.
The Americans began a cautious ad-
vance, and were within 200 yards Of
the enemy before the crack of a rifle
from the Spanish lines announced that
the Spaniards had discovered them.
The troops quickly moved into line of
battle, with the Cubans on the left
flank. The euemy's bullets were whirl-
ing viCiOUsly over the Americans, but
the marines settled down to their work
as unconcernedly as though at target
practice. Very few Spaniards were in
sight. They were laying behind the
huts and the brush, but the puffs of
smoke revealed their positions and en-
abled the Americans to do effective
work.
For 90 minutes both sides maintained
a terrific fire. The Spanish shots We're
generally wild and spasmodic. while the
Am orleans fired away, aiming carefully
and shooting to kill. For the most part
the American firing was done individ-
ually, but at times the officers would
direct firing by squads, always with
telling effect.
Il was beginning to look as though
bayOnet charge down the slope would
be necessary to dislodge the enemy,
when suddenly the latter began to
break for a thicket a hundred Yards
further on. Little groups could be seen
fleeing from the camp. separating, dart
ing through the brush and ZigZagging
TO escape the shots.
A DEADLY FIRE.
It was then that the American fire
became most deadly. Man after man
was seen to fall in a vain rush for shell
ter, and the fire from the Spanish be-
came scattered and almost ceased
Two CubanS lay dead and four
wounded, and Private Walker of com
pany D, had to limp to the rear with
slight wound in his ankle.
The easy victory put the command in
high spirits. The little black Cuban
warriors waved their macheteS and
howled curses at the Spanish in savage
fashion. Their firing had been wild
throughout, but they all displayed the
utmost contempt for the Spanish bull
lets. apparently being absolutely with
out fear.
AS the enemy began breaking camp,
the Dolphin, which lay out at sea, was
signaled, and began pitching shells to-
ward tiie thicket for which the Spas
iards were making.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Magill was
seen coming with 40 men as reinforce
ments, and Captain Mahoney was on
the way with a hundred more, but be-
fore either could reach the scene the
trouble was over.
AS the Spanish retreated the Ameri-
cans moved slowly forward, firing as
they went, and by the time the camp
was reached the enemy had all gone
away, taking their wounded, and prob
ably many OF their dead. Fifteen bodies
were found scattered through the
brush. but the Americans were unable /
" EAdlll41lC llAC StOl MIlClE lIlCil
had been most deadly No time was
lost in burning the building and filing
the well with earth and stones.
The Dolphin landed water and ammu- |
milton, as an attack was expected on |
the return march. but none was made. /
Evidently the Spaniards were too thor /
oughIy beaten to attempt further fight /
ing. The marines did not reach the /
American camp until after nightfail. /
and as they had been without food |
since the early morning, they were
exhausted.
Colonel Huntington believes the de-
struction Of the camp and well viii ser
iously cripple the bushwhacking oper-
atoms Of the enemy.
DYNAMITE GUNS USED.
off Santiago de Cuba, on Monday
night the dynamite guns of the We
suvius were tested with great success.