The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1898-12-15

precGpt Of war. which enjoins the over
coming OF the adversary and the extinc-
the speedy and sure means to win
peace, divided victory was not rermissl-
bic, for no partition of the rights and re-
sponsibilities attending the enforcement
OF a Just and advantageous peace could
be thought of.
Operations on Cuba.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack, powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast to
invade Cuba and Porto Rico Meanwhile
naval demonstrations were made at sew
eral exposed points On May IL, the
cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat
Winslow were unsuccessful in an attempt
to silence the batteries at Cardenas
against Matanzas. Worth Bagley and
four seamen falling. These grevious
fatalities were strangely enough among
the very few which occurred during our
naval operations in this extraordinary
conflict.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara-
lions had been pushed with great ,Vigor;
powerful squadron, under Admiral 1,naa
Verde islands before the outbreak of
hostilities. crossed the ocean. apd by it's
deayed our mary While f
battling the pursuit of our fleets. For
time fears We're felt lest the Oregon +S and
iof v5yage from San Francisco Of over
$4,000 miles, might be surprised by Ad-
miral Cervera's fleet but their fortunate
lent much needed reinforcement. Not un-
til Admiral Cervera took refuge IN the
9arbor Of santiago de Cuba about May t;y
military attack upon the Antillean possess
sioEs Of Spain.
coasts If gSba na ofo Reo the n
e he North Ati S squadron shelled
San On MAN NAN g g ca5n aaS scheys squad
ron bombarded the forts guarding the
mouth of Santiago. harbor. Neither at
dent that well-ordered land operations
were indispensable to achieve decided
advantage.
Hobson's Heroic Act.
The next act in the war thrilled not
only the hearts of our countrymen, but
the world, by its exceptional heroism. On
the night of June Lieut.. Hobson, aided
by seven devoted volunteers. blockaded
the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor
by sinking the collier Merrimac in the
channel under a fierce fire from the shore
batteries, escaping with their lives. as by
miracle, but falling into the hands of
tho Spaniards. 1t is a most gratifying in
cdent of the war that the bravery of this
little band Of heroes was cordially appre-
cated by the Spaniards, who sent a flag
of truce to notify Admiral Sampson Of
their safety and to compliment them upon
their daring act. They were subsequently
exchanged. July Z.
BY June the cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolated the island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted On
June 10. under a heavy protecting fire,
Marbehead and Yankee was effected in
Guantanamo bay. where it had been de-
termined to establish a naval station.
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after severe fight
ing by the marines, who were the first or
ganized force of the United States to
land in Cuba.
The Santiago Campaign.
The position so won was held despite at.
tempts to dislodge our forces. By June III
additional forces were landed and strong
ly intrenched. On June 20 the advance
of the invading army under Maj. Gen.
Shafter, landed at Daiquiri, about fifteen
miles east of Santiago. This was accom-
pl:shed under great difficulties but with
marvellous dispatch. On June % the move
ment against Santiago was begun. On
June "a the first serious engagement took
place. in which the First and Tenth cav
airy and the First United States volunteer
cavalry. Gen. Young's brigade of Gen.
Wheeler's division. participated, losing
within five miles of Santiago was won.
The advantage was steadily increased.
ON July a severe battle took place, our
forces gaining the outworks of Santiago;
on July 2 Ell Caney and San Juan were
taken after a desperate charge and the
investment Of the city was completed.
The navy coop Grated by Smelling the town
and the coast forts.
On the day following this brilliant
achievement of our land forces. July 3.
occurred the decisive naval battle of the
leave the harbor,. was met by the Amer-
can squadron under command OF Commo-
dore Sampson. In less than three hours
an the Spanish ships were DESTROYED, the
Marie Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Viz
caya and Crstobol Colon driven ashore.
The Spanish admiral and over 1900 men
were taken prisoners, while the enemy's
loss OF life was deplorably large, some six
hundred pe;ishing. On our side but one
man man was ya;sd killed on the Brooky, and one
SHIPS We're repeatedly struck not ONE was
seriously injured.
WhSr tha5 all SO eeonspieuously dstin
to the gunners and the unnamed heroes
in the boiler, rooms, each and all contrib
uting toward the achievement of this as
cient nor modern history affords a par
a a,le IN the completeness Of the event and
it would be: invidious to single out any
one for special honor
IN this connection the president SAYS:
Nor can we be unmindful of the achiev-
menrs of our builders, mechanics, and
artisans for their part in the construction
of our war ships"
AS to the success gained by the arms
of me United States in Cuba. the presi-
dent says that the earnest and lasting
gratitude Of the nation is unsparlngiy uus
"Nor should we alone remember the gall
lam:y of the living; the dead claim our
tears, and our losses by battle and disease
must cloud any exultation at the result
and teach US the awful cost of war. how
ever righteous the cause or signal the
With the fall of Santiago. the occupa.
ton of Porto Rico became the next stra-
tegac necessity. Gen. Miles had previous.
~ .Deen assigned to organize an expedi-
tl0n Tor that purpose. Fortuna: ely he was
already at Santiago. where he had ar
rived on the 18th of July with reinforce
ments for Gen. Skaters army.
With these troops. consisting of GALS in
dant,ry "a and artillery, two companies Of
corps Cen. Miles left Guantanamo on on
July q, having nine transports conveyed
by the fleet under Capt. Higginson with
the Massachusetts, (fagship), Dixie.
Gloucester, Columbia and Yale, the two
latter. carrying troops. The expedition
landed at Guanica on July; 25 which mort
was entered with little opposition. Here
the fleet was Joined by the Annapolis and
the Wasp, while the Puritan ana Amphri.
trite went to San Juan and ioinnd tho !