The Red Cloud chief., 1898-08-05
PONCE is CAPTURED.
American Forces Capture Largest City In
Porto Rico After . Fight


wAsurSeToS. July 3o.--The War de-
partment has received the following
dispatches from General Miles:
| "Port Ponce, Porto Rico, via Ponce.
July 2S. Secretary of War. Washing
ton: On the Goth Garrctson had a
spirited engagement on skirmish line.
| Our casualties, four wounded, all do
ing we'll. Spanish loss, three killed.
thirteen wounded. Yauco occupied
yesterday. IIenry's division there
| to-day.
"Last evening Commander Davis of
| the Dixie moved into this port, fol-
lowed by Captain Higginson with his
| feet early this morning. General
Wilson, with Ernest's brigade now
| rapidly disembarking.
''Spanish troops are rctreating from
the southern part OF Porto Rico.
"Ponce and port have population OF
| so, 900 and are now under the Amcri-
can flag. The populace received our
troops and salute the flag with enthu'
siasm.
1.-The navy has several prizes, also
seventy lighters. The railway stock
that was partially destroyed is now
restored. Telegraph communication
Is also being restored. Cable instru-
ments were destroyed. Have sent to
Jamaica for others.
"This Is n prosperous and beautiful
country. The army will soon be in
mountain region; weather delightful;
troops in best Of health and spirits;
anticipate no insurmountable obstacle
in the future. Results thus far have
been accomplished without the loss Of
"A single ife.--Nelson A. Miles, Major
General"
"PoRT Ponce, Porto Rico, July 2s.-
Secretary of War, Washington: In the
affair of the Goth Captain Edward j
Gibson, Company \, was wounded in
left hip: Captain J. II. Prior, Company
l., slightly wounded In hand; Benja-
min James Drummond, Company X,
two wounds in neck, and Private Ben
jamin f. Bosbick, Company l.. slight
wound in right arm-all of Sixth Mas
sachusetts. All doing we'll.
"The Spanish retreat from this place
was prccipitous, they leaving rifles
and ammunition in barracks and forty
or fifty sick In the hospital.
"Thc people are enjoying holiday
in honor of our arrival.--Miles."
Sr. THOMAS, ID. w. l., July 29.-The
port of Ponce, island Of Porto Rico,
surrendered to Commander Davis Of
the auxiliary gunboat Dixie, Wednes.
day.
There was no resistance and the
| l. Il.
siasm.
The capitulation Of the town OF
Ponce took place ON Thursday after
noon.
: Major General Miles arrived here
this morning Mt daylight, with General
,, Ernest's brigade and General Wilson's
division on board transports. General
Erncsts brigade Immediately startet
for the town Of Ponce, three miles in
land, which capitulated this afternoon
, The American troops are pushing
toward the mountains and will joir
. General Henry with his brigade a
. Guanica, which has been captured BY
' our troops. A fight before Guanic;
. Tuesday was won by the American
volunteers.
The Spaniards ambushed eight com
-" panics Of the Sixth Massachusetts ant
Sixth Illinois regiments, but the en-
I. emy was repulsed and driven back
mile TO n ridge, where the Spanish cav
airy charged and were routed by ou
infantry.
General Garretson led the fight will
the men from Illinois and Massachu
" setts, and enemy retrcated to Yauco
y leaving four dead upon the field an,
several wounded. None of our mel
y were killed and only three wer
- slightly wounded. The wounded ar
Captain Gihon Barret and Private
~ James Drummond and II. Z. Garry.
,. The Porto Ricans are glad the Amer
:. lean troops have landed and say the
- are all Americans and will join ou
= army.
!. Tie roads are good for military pul
- poses Our troops are healthy and Ger
=. eral Miles says the campaign will b
~ short aud vigorous.
"a Ponce ia the first city of Porto Ric
.H In population. 1t has a7.545 inhabi
ants, while San Juan has 23.<l4. tn
3 city is two miles from the coas
:. on a slope. 1t has port calle
"a Playa, which Is one OF the best (
=, tho island. Ships Of twenty-five fc'
draft can enter. There are no d
~ fenses at Playa to speak of. The l.
:. cation Is hcalthtul. The water suppl
-, Is abundant.
From Ponce to San Juan there Is
a., fine military road about seventy-fo'
No. miles in length. 1t runs through Il
% heart of the island
MS BERLIN, July s0-Thc London cc
on respondent Of the Cologne Gazet
lin says: II learn that the United Stat
s.s recently requested Italy 20 absta
to from forcible measures to conn
yic Colombia's compliance with Mr.. Cle'
ms lands award in the Cerruti clai
,er promising american influence to insu