The daily morning journal and courier., 1898-06-16

FORTY SPANIARDS KILLED CUBANS UNDER COL. LABoRDA CO.,
 OPERATED WITH AMERICANS. One Marine Slightly Wounded, Two
 Cubans Killed and Four Wounded The Marines Behaved splendidly,
 Their Craftsmanship Being Excellent
 Even Under Severe Fire-CoIoneI Huntington's Command i'm High Spirits Over the Easy Victory.
 Copyright, 1898, The Associated Press)
 United States Camp, east side of en- trance to Guantanamo Bay, Tuesday, June IA, p. m., by the Associated Press dispatch boat Wanda, via King ston, Jamaica, Wednesday, June 15- 12:30 p. nl.-The United States marines, under Lieutenant Colonel Robert w. Huntington, made their first aggressive movement against the Spanish gueril- las to-day and completely routed the enemy. The force of marines was un- der Captain Elliott and the co-operat- ing Cubans were under Colonel Labor da The combined forces razed a Span- ish camp about five miles from the American position, destroyed the only well in the vicinity and killed about forty Spaniards. One American marine was slightly wounded. Two Cubans were killed and four wounded. It is impossible to estimate the number of Spaniards engaged owing to their guer- fila methods of shooting, but it is be- lieved that there were at least four hundred.
 The marines behaved splendidly, their marksmanship being excellent, even under the severe fire of the enemy. The captured lay about five miles southeast of the rifle pits of the ma rines and was an important base for the enemy, as it contained the only well within six or seven miles. Lieutenant Colonel Huntington decided on the at tack early in the day. and about eight o'clock the force started across the mountain. The march up and down the steep hillsides under the glaring tropical sun was a severe test of en- durance for the marines, and before the battle-ground was reached twenty-two men had received medical attention. All were able, however, to reach the po- sition before the fighting ceased.
 The marines were compelled to march in single file, following the mountain trail. It was noon when from a hilltop the Americans caught site of the Span- ish camp lying on ridge below them. The camp consisted of one large house, the officers quarters, surrounded by numerous "shacks" and huts, all clus- tering about the precious well. The Americans began a cautious advance, and were within two hundred yards of the enemy before the crack of a rifle from the Spanish lines announced that the Spaniards had discovered them. The troops quickly moved into line of battle, with the Cubans on the left flank The enemy's bullets were whirI- ing viciously 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 brush, but the puffs of smoke re- vealed their positions and enabled the Americans to do effective work. For twenty minutes both sides maintained 8 terrific fire. The Spanish shots were generally wild and spasmodic, while the Americans colly fired away, aiming carefully and shooting to kill For the most part our firing was done individ- ually, but at times the officers could direct firing by squads, always with telling effect.
 It was beginning to look as though a bayonet charge down the slope would be necessary to dislodge the enemy, when suddenly the latter began to break for thicket hundred yards further on. Little groups could be seen fleeing from the camp, separating, darting through the brush and securing hiding places.
 It was then the American fire be- came most deadly. Many men could he seen to fall in vain rush for shell ter and the fire from the Spanish be- came scattering and almost ceased Two Cubans lay dead and four wound- ed and Private Walker of company D, had to limp to the rear with slight wound in his ankle. The easy victory put the command in high spirits As the enemy began breaking from the camp, the Dolphin was signalled and bapan firing shells toward the thicket for which the Spaniards were making. Lieutenant McGill was sent to rein force the marines. Before the Span iards retreated the Americans moved