Stikeen River journal., 1898-07-09
SANTIAGO OUR MEAT
Terrific Battle Between American,
and Spanish Soldiers in
Which the Latter
Over 1000 Americans Lose Their
Lives During This Battle.
GEN SHAFTER IN COMMAND.

The battle of Santiago has been
fought. and. after three days of hard
fighting during hich time the entire
command of Gen. Shaftcr has been EN-
gagged. the victory rests with American
arms. Gen. Shafter now occupies IA
the outposS of Santiago dc Cuba, and
at this writing the Stars and Stripes in
all probability wave triumphant over
the city itself The American loss was
very heavy but in vicI, If the re ,ust
there will be no figuring thee st.
The battle began at noon, July
|, and continued almost without inter-
ruption, except for short sleep. until
the night of July ;. hen, it appears.
Gen. Shafter ceased active operations
in order 10 permit tie retirement from
Santiago of all non-eon,hatants. women
and children.
Thursday, June 30. found >'laftcr's
army campcd within view of the Span
of Santiago, ready for the forward
movement next morning. when an ad-
vance was made by l.aVton's division
forming the right wing with the view
of forcing his command of 1000 men
two mile, further forward. taking the
village of tanry and occupying the
ridge overlooking the city and harbor,
from which our artillery lire could be
rained down upon the Spanish intrcnch-
ments in front of the city. and upon TIE
large body of Spanish soldiers holding
them.
simultaneously with T.awton'S add
vance Capron's battery. assisted by
Grimes battery. opened fire on the
Spanish troops to the right of the San
Juan block-holl,e. Promptly the Span
ish began to answer the challenge from
forts and trenches The common pow
der used by our troops smoked and was
Il fine target for the Spanish battery,
which Used slnokeicss powder and was
probably served 10y Cevela's marines,
judging 10y the accuracy of the aim.
Our men worked like mad and the
Spanish fire gradually sackcacd and
in less than an hour it had ceased al
together.
Gen. I.awton's division and Ba cs'
brigade fought all day. finally succeed
ing in carrying FL Cancy, and went
into camp for the night in front of SAN
tiago. After driving the enemy out of
FL Cancy the troops took possession of
the village and destroyed the Spanish
forts 10y which it had been defended
The fighting on the right extended
along the line and finally brought on Il
general engagement. San Juan hcighls
were occupied hy Skaters forces and
the way opened for an advance on Moro
Castle.
1t was IL glorious victory but very
dearly purchased. The place was the
strongest Spanish outpost. we'll FORTH
and valiantly defended. The position
was an excellent one. 1t WAS also oc-
cupicd by barracks and other buildings
but the American troops stOrmcd the
height. and Spanish valor had to yield
to the bulldog tenacit, and courage of
the Anglo-Saxon,
Adjt. Gen. Corbin put the situation
picturesquely Saturday morning while
speaking of the tenacit> of Gen. Shat
ter: 1.-The Old Bulldog" said he. re-
ferrlnS thus half a1cctlOnatelV to the
commander of the Fifth Corps, lis ~
ing right there with his teeth in their
neck, only waiting the coming of day
light to finish the work he has so mag
nificently begun
The American losses in killed and
wounded amounted in the first day.
fighting to over 300 men.
Saturday, July ,, opened clear and
and his army of Americans would cele-
brate the Fourth of July in Santiago
were very good. Their victorious pro-