Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1898-06-16
!. WAR!

Key West for Santiago to besiege and
capture that town.
The army transports, thirty in num-
Der, left Port Tampa Saturday and
went to Key West. The conveying
warships, believed to number between
l6 and 10 were ready for the voyage
and with this powerful force there was
no longer reason for apprehension
that the transports could be attacked
successfully by Spanish warships, even
if such ships should have escaped the
vigilant search Of the naval command
ers at Key West and off Havana.
1t is believed that the sally out OF
Havana of three Spanish gunboats
was intended to create the impression
that they were prepared to attack the
transports. If SO, the plan miscarried,
for the crafts were detected by Com
modore Watton's cruisers and driven
bace pell-meil into Havana harbor I'M
der the protection of the guns of the
shore batteries.
Even il these boats had escaped
they could have done no damage, for
the size of the convoy furnished for
the troop ships is sufficient to warrant
the belief that the Spanish vessels
would have been speedily destroyed-lf
they had the courage to attack the
feet of American ships. The Spanish
gunboats are not of formidable char
acter, not one of them being the equal
in power of the smallest of the Ameri-
can cruisers or even of such gunboats
as the little Bancroft.
Every precaution has been taken by
the government to ensure the safety
Of the troops. The transports will be
kept as closely together as safe navl-
CATION will permit and the warships
will be disposed ahead, astern and on
each flank. The fieetest scouting YES
sells will be thrown far out in advance
in order to provide against an attack
and the st. Louis will linger far astern
ready to signal the armed cruisers at
the first sign of an approaching foe
! The stately battleship Indiana led the
procession, which was the most nu-
merous gathered in American waters
since the civil war.
The troops should have arrived OF
!, Santiago last night. supposing thai
the fleet proceeded at eight knots
speed. Landing operations will begir
today for Gen. Shafter will not keep
3 his men cooped up on shipboard
, moment longer than is necessary.
r 1t is not believed that they will b'
} landed at Caimanera, the place OF
t Guantanamo bay where the American
e flag now flies over the heads Of Samp
r sons marines. The place, while wei
] adapted to serve rs a naval base an
0 as a harbor of refuge for the America
t warships, is not particularly suited TO
t the beginning of military operations
, In ten days, unless unforeseen obsti
8 cles are encountered, the movemen
O upon Porto Rico will begin. In
8 Navy Department has been advise
n of the purpose of the army, and tn
G war board is making arrangements IL
If the supply of the conveying feet tbs
q will go to Porto Rico. This will be
d q more formidable character than tht
d which goes with the Santiago exped
If ton. for the plans contemplate JoiI
"a attack upon the San Juan fortifici
It lions by the army and navy, AID til
If Notifications are SO powerful tina
a heavily armored ships only can /
d sent against them at the beginning
Ie Therefore it is believed that Admir-
SIMPSONS battleships will lead tt
fleet.
r Now that Admiral Sampson hs
" taken a position ashore in Guam tan
m mo bay, it is expected at the Nav
Department that he will be in dire
communication with the department
which will greatly facilitate the col
ID bined operation of the army and nav
:, The cable which he cut just befo
landing the marines WAS buoyed al
III as 5000 as cable operators and instr
i'll ments can be gotten over from Hay
the cable will be opened again.
Lieut.. Col. r. w. Huntington's bai
talon of marines. which landed fro
the transport Panther Friday and e
camped on the hill at the entrance
ne the outer harbor of Guantanamo, ha'
been engaged in beating OIL a oui
attack by Spanish guerrillas and reg
ne lars. The attack began at o'clo,
a ao Saturday afternoon and the Eighth
NV was almost continuous for thirte'
lhours. Sunday morning reinforc
co ments were landed from the Marbl
is- head and the Spanish retired.
We Four of the Americans were kill
and one wounded. The advance pic
cts under Lieutenants Neville al
H. Shaw are unaccounted for.
"a Among the killed is Assistant ST
y geon John Blair Gibbs of Richmon
Va. Sergeant G. H. Smith of Sma
N. wood. Nd. VIM. Dunphy of Glouc'
at ter, Mass. Jas. Michigan of Ston
to ham, Mass. Corporal Glass was woun
III ed in the head.
The Spanish loss is unknow
~ Splashes OF blood found at daylight
io the positions which the Spaniards b
-, occupied indicate fatalities. but thu
~ comrades carried off the dead q
aas wounded.
00 The engagement began with des
tory firing at the pickets, thousa
ISo wards 1nlaHQ from lie cdtDp. va
mt Spicer's company was doing qua
70 duty and was driven in, finally raj
re ing Mt the camp and repulsing
ar enemy.
The bodies Of Privates McColg
tv and Dunpby were found, both shot
ba the head. Both of the bodies W.
srn stripped Of shoes, hats and cartrid
jad belts and were horribly mutilated W
M machetes.
tn AS night came on the sky was hlal
OH eted with clouds and gale was bic
HE ing geaward. The Spanish squi
nm concealed in the underbrush had
advantage, the Americans on the rio
furnishing fine targets against
md white tents. The Spaniards fout
led from cover, o.sootel "o1o 10y
volleys. The ships threw their scar
lirb 70 ashore the DOWerful elect