The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-06

the Columbia. her lead line constantly go-
ing and her commander pointing out out
side the ,ints which embraced the harbor.
the safest anchorage for the big war ships.
AS the Massachusetts and her consorts
let go their anchors Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright headed the Gloucester into the
port and for time she was lost to view.
Shortly afterward the reports of her six
Founders were heard. and then silence fol-
lowed. The dispatch boat thereupon OBJ
tained permission to enter the harbor and
steamed in after the Gloucester AS the
dispatch boat entered the harbor those on
board of her saw the launch of the Glouces-
ter. with a rapid-fire Colt gun in her bow.
land about thirty sailors. under Lieutenant
Huse. The little party promptly advanced
on the run to the spot from which the
Spanish flag was floating. The red and yell
low of Spain was quickly hauled down and
then up went the stars and stripes on tee
Spanish flagstaff. a hearty cheer echoing
over plains and heights.
few minutes later there was a spiteful
spatter of bullets around the Gloucester and
the dispatch boat from a squad of Spanish
soldiers, who were concealed among the
houses up the main street of Guanico which
runs direct from the beach. In less time
rilla-like foes. who had not fired shot
while their flag was up, were fleeing in
every direction before the answering fire
of the Americans ashore, backed up by the
guns of the Gloucester. on board of which
even the doctor and paymaster took hand
in serving the pieces. The four six-pound-
ers of the converted yacht merrily shelled
the blockhouse and the hills to the west,
sending some Spanish cavalry. on their way
to reinforce Guanico, scurrying toward the
mountains like jack rabbits before prairie
fire.
Ashore Lieutenant Huse and his men had
not been idle. ''As much for practice as
anything" as he put it. they threw UP an
intrenchment across the street, mounted the
Colt rapid-fre gun on its center. tangled
some barbed wire in front of the intrench-
ment to repel a possible cavalry charge
signaed for reinforcements and then opened
fire on the Spaniards with the Colt, with
the result that four of the enemy were soon
killed, while not one American was even
wounded
General Miles stopped on his way ashore,
boarded the Gloucester and warmly thanked
Lieutenant Commander Wainwright for
had not the Spaniards been uncovered by
the Gloucester's fire. many American lives
would have been sacrificed in the landing
of the troops which followed Immediately.
The landing of the troops was easily ac-
complished, having been carefully planned.
A strong detachment of troops was sent
to Yauco, small place about five miles in
land, which forms the western terminus of
the railroad leading to Ponce, fifteen miles
distant, due east.
Porto Rico is healthful, if ordinary care
is taken, and fears of yellow fever as an
epidemic need not be entertained.
AT the request of Colonel Whitney of
General Miless staff who made the famous
reconnaissance of Porto Rico, the dispatch
boat of the Associated Press tonight will
take from st. Thomas to Guanico Philip G.
Hanna, consul of the United States at Porto
Rico, who left San Juan at about the time
Gen. Fitzhugh Lee lefts Havana, and who
has been in St Thomas ever since. He will
be able to assist General Miles in number
of ways. He will take with him several
Porto Rican guides for the use of the army.
Mr.. Hanna thinks the only troops to be
feared in Porto Rico are about five thousand
Spanish regulars and seven thousand colon
ial trOonS frs