The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-15
VESUVIUS OFF SANTIAGO.
HarbOr May BE Entered on Arrival
of Troops.

of Troops.
Copyright 1898, by the Associated Press.
On Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dandy, Guantanamo Bay. June 1S,
p. m, via Kingston, Jamaica, June IA,
11:SO a. m.-The dynamite cruiser Vesu-
vius, which Joined Admiral Sampson S
fleet off Santiago this morning, is to be
followed by the Ericsson, the Foote and
other torpedo boats.
The arrival of the torpedo fleet will con-
firm the opinion that Admiral Sampson
intends to force the harbor on the coming
of the troops.
Every man in the fleet is anxiously
awaiting the soldiers, for 1t is recognized
that no decisive movement is possible
until the troops effect a landing.
Everybody is desperately tired of the
present dlsheartening condition. The te-
dious maneuvers, the ceaseless watching
and the exhausting inactivity are telling
on officers and men.
AT no place are the troop ships more
anXiously watched for than on the sun
blistered hilltop where Lieut.. Col. Hunt
ington's GOO marines lie in rifle pits under
an almost continuous hail of Spanish bull
let's Forty-eight hours of practically cease
less fighting has well-nieh wrecked the
men who arrived here incapacitated for
active field duty by the long wait on the
Panther.
With few exceptions, however, the ma
rtnes showed spirit under the persistent
fire of the Spanish bushwhackers, the Off
GERS particularly exhibiting the coolness
and nerve of seasoned campaigners.
To-day the work has been the lightest
since the landing on Friday, the Spauiards
having fired few shots since daybreak.
Whether the enemy has been driven back
to the city fortifications or have merely
retired for the day cannot be told until
darkness has arrived.
The guerilas show little liking for the
sunlight. A grim touch of realism was
added to the war like scenes when the
flags on land and on the warships were
placed at half-mast at noon to-day and
the gallant Sergt-Maj. Goode was buried
on the stony hillside, scarcely twenty
PAGES from the spot Where he fell last
night
The burial service was impressive, as
the men felt that their situation was des-
perate, and openly said that they expect
ed to be gradually slaughtered until the
arrival of the troops.
The men freely crlucise a policy which
compels them 10 hold q post that could De
retaken. they say, by half an hours she'll
ing, but not the faintest disposition is
manifested to do otherwise than to fight
it out.
The Texas Marblehead and Porter have
been lying close to the marines and fortih-
cations all day. taking advantage of the
opportunity 10 coal
The Dolphin arrived late last night and
spent the greater part of the forenoon
in pitching shells into the Spanish block
house, believed to be the rendezvous of
the Spaniards on a hill mile and a half
east of the American position. What
damage was done it is impossible to learn.
Last night Lieut.. Anderson of the Mar
behead, in a steam launch, dragged the
harbor channel for mines and went with
In forty yards of the fort and city limits
Although he did the work with the great
est care he found not the slightest in
dcation of explosives. He is highly COM
mended for the clever execution of a peril
Gus duty. The sounding gave eighteen
feet in the most shallow spot in the chan-
neil
Despite the heat, the health of the mar
ines ashore is excellent aside from ex-
haustion On board the ships in the har-
Dor the weather is delightfully."- cool and
the sailors here, like those off Santiago,
are in general good health.
There is a good deal of complaint as to
the insufficient supply Of food on the
ships. The ward room mess on one ship
here sat down to-day to corn beef and
hard tack. The officers of many vessels
complain of the shortage of necessaries,
like flour, potatoes and ice.