Semi-weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings Co., S.D.) 1894-1898, 1898-06-17
CUBANS LEND ASSISTANCE
Cooperate With the Amerl-
cans and Do Some Excel
lent Work.
Two of Their Number Killed
and Four Wounded in
the Fight.

GUANTANAMO BAY. juno IA, via
Kingston, June 16.-The United States
marines under Lieutenant Colonel
Robert w. Huntington made their
first aggressive movement against the
Spanish guerrillas during the day and
completely routed the enemy.
The force of marines was under Cap
tain Elliott and the oo-opetatins Gu.
bans were under Colonel Laborda.
The combined forces razed Spanish
camp about five miles from the Ameri.
can position, destroyed the only well
in the vicinity and killed about 40
spaniards. One American marine was
slightly wounded. Two Cubans were
killed and four wounded.
1t is impossible to estimate the mum.
ber Of Spaniards engaged owing to
their guerrilla methods of fighting. but
it ia believed there were at least 400.
Marines Behaved splsndidIy.
The marines behaved splendidly.
their craftsmanship being excellent,
| even under the severe fire Of the en-.
envy.
The captured camp lies about Eve
miles southeast of the rifle pits Of the
marines, and was an important base
for the enemy, as it contained the only
well within six or seven miles. Lieu.
tenant Colonel Huntington decided on
the attack early in the day, and at
about o'clock the force started across
the mountain. The marines were COM
pelled to march in single file, following
the mountain trail. Meanwhile the
Cubans darted backward and forward.
to right and left, on the scout. It was
noon when. from hilltop. the Amer.
leans caught sight Of the Spanish camp
lying on q ridge below. It consisted Of
one large house, the officers quarters,
surrounded by numerous "shacks" and
huts, all
Clustering About the Precious Well
The Americans began o cautious ad.
vance and were within 200 yards Of the
enemy before the crack of O rifle from
the Spanish lines announced that tho
Spaniards had discovered them.
The troops quickly moved into line Of
battle, with the Cubans on the left Of
the flank. The enemy's bullets were
whirling over the Americans, but the
marines settled down to their work as
unconcernedly as though at target
practice.
Very few Spaniards were in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
in the bush. but the puffs Of smoke re.
vealed their positions and enabled the
Americans to do effective work. For
20 minutes both sides maintained O ter.
rife fire. The Spanish shots were gen.
orally wild and spasmodic, while the
Americans coolly fired away.
Aiming Carefully and Shooting to XIII.
For the most part the Americans firing
was done individually, but at times the
officers would direct firing by squads,
always with telling effect. AS the
Spanish retreated the Americans moved
slowly forward, firing as they went,
and by the time the camp was reached
the enemy had all got away, taking
their wounded and probably many of
their dead. Fifteen bodies were found
scattered through the brush. No time
time was lost in burning the buildings
and filling the well with earth and
stones.
The Dolphin landed water and am.
munition as an attack was expected on
the return march, but mono was made.
Colonel Huntington believes the de-
struction Of the camp and well will 90.
riously cripple the bushwhacking oper.
ations of the enemy.
CEDAR RAPIDS, la, June 16.-Re-
publicans Of the Fifth congressional
district renominated Robert G. Cousins
for congress by acclamation.