The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-02
And the American Troops Now IntrenChed
Less than Mile from the City.
Ell Caney Taken by Gen. Lawton's Division and Batess
Brigade Put by Shafter at Over
Four Hundred, but Not Many Killed

erations was received by General Corbin
from General Shafter. AS had been expect
ed by the officials of the War Department,
the fight lasted until sundown. During the
day, probably, it was not possible for Shaf-
ter to stop in the midst of the performance
of his onerous duties to send dispatches to
the department. He was seriously occupied,
and the work accomplished, as indicated
concisely in his dispatch. clearly shows that
not much grass grew under his feet during
the day.
The President and the war officials are
immensely pleased at the information con-
veyed in Skaters message. While they
learned with sincerest regret that so many
of the American troops had fallen in the
fight, the ground gained by the days con-
flict is regarded as a great victory. The
battle establishes pretty conclusively that
the Spaniards are no match for the enthusi-
astic and aggressive United States troops.
They were driven from their strong in
trenchments in front of Santiago back into
thO NAlyy anu TIC <ALlcIlCdIS dIG NOW OCGu~
pying the intrenchments and awaiting only
the dawn to resume the greater battle,
which will result, it is confidently believed
by the war officials, in the fall of Santiago
before Sunday night. and perhaps before
nightfall to-day.
Adjutant General Corbin put the situation
while speaking briefly of the aggressiveness
and tenacity of General Shafter: THE old
bulldog" said he, referring thus half affec-
tionately to the distinguished commander Of
the Fifth Corps, lis lying right there with
his teeth in their neck, only waitingl the
coming Of daylight to finish the work he
has so magnificently begun. The engage
ment yesterday was very heavy for a pre-
lminary fight, but it scores decided vic
tory for us. l regret to know that
Shafter has sustained SO heavy
are not, as he says, many killed. lis.
however, pretty certainly to be true that the
loss of an army in an engagement like that
of yesterday where the battle line extend
ed over several miles will be much heavier
than is indicated by the first reports. 1t is
manifestly impossible, in cases where the
battle has ragged all day and until dark to
ascertain with defniteness the loss sus-
tained'
During the early night there was much
speculation concerning the reasons for the
delay in receiving news from the battle
Captain Nesmith, who is acting as chief
signal officer during the temporary absence
of General Greely, feared that cable COM
munication with Cuba might have Deen in
terrupted, and none of the other officials
would offer a suggestion as to the reason
for the delay.
Early in the evening Secretary Alger went
to the White House and remained with the
President until the dispatch from General
Shafter had been received. During the
evening many prominent officials and men,
bers of Congress were at the White House,
but only few of them remained for longer
than few minutes They called merely
to ascertain whether any news had been
received from Cuba