The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-29

Z Port Antonio. JAM. June D.-The
American front has been advanced be-
yond the first crossing Of the Gaumo
river about a mile. and thus lies three
and q half miles from the Spanish in
trenchments. General Lawton's brig
ade rests on the road to Santiago. The
third brigade. under General Chaffee,
the Seventeenth. Twelfth and Seventh
regiments. holds the trench. with his
command lying across the road and
river. The first brigade. the Eighth,
Twenty-second and Second Massachu-
sets. under General Clarke. lies on the
left flank. slightly In the rear. and the
second brigade. the First. Fourth and
Twenty-fifth, occupies the opposite posi-
tion on the right flank. General Wheeler.
with the cavalry. is In the rear. between
Sevilla hills and the river. A strong line
Of outposts Is maintained ahead.
The Cubans had several skirmishes
with the Spaniards on the American
right flank, and our auxiliaries occupied
the blockhouses In that vicinity which
were evacuated before daybreak by the
Hpaniards. The latter retreated towards
Santiago. No fatalities are reported.
Pacificos who have skipped out Of the
city and given themselves up in the hope
of getting food report starvation and
disease In Santiago. They say the
troops are on short rations. and that all
the supplies are being held for their use.
The sick in the hospitals are suffering
from want OF food. The prisoners report
that IT cDoc,a I'd uara L;iraA ord 90
wounded as the result of the engage
ment Of Friday last. The most startling
information IL that since the advance
began almost 2o.0 900 Spanish soldiers have
arrived at Santiago. This statement is
made on the authority Of General Law
con. and he IL also of the opinion that
General Pando may be able to effect q
junction with General Linares.
There are two forts OF considerable
Importance within the Spanish lines
Punta Blanco at the southern end Of the
bay and Santa Ursula at the southeast
corner. On the road to Caney. on the
north. is another fort. There are about
$50 men in each OF these fortifications,
and stretching around the whole city
are nine barbed wire fences. 80 yards
apart. while just inside OF these are lines
of rife pits. Outside. to the eastward
about two miles beyond the American
outposts Is line Of entrenchments ex-
tending from the northern extremity of
the city to Morro castle.
The Cubans believe that IL the water
supply OF the city can be cut of, Santi-
ago will have to yield at once They
say that Admiral Cervera's entire fleet,
except the torpedo boat destroyer Terror
is in the harbor. General Lawton is in
clined to discredlt the reports that guns
have been taken from the ships to
strengthen the defenses on land. He
says 1t would be impossible for Cervera
to reach the position of the American
army with hts big guns from where the
Spanish ships lie.
No aggressive move by the Americans
Is anticipated for several days. The
road to the base Of supplies must be
greatly improved before the onward
movement can be safely made. At pres
ent 1t taxes the quartermaster's depart
ment to get provisions and ammunition.
There Is no high ground In the presen,
position where Hotchkiss or Gatline
Boho NOdiu bC put intO pOSitlOn, Dut D
little further on is ground where guns
can be mounted and from which an ef.
fective fire can be directed at the Span.
ish entertainments. There were nc
alarms Monday night. Many of our OF.
ficers are amazed. as they have looked
for resistance to our advance. The
ground over which they have Travelled
could have easily been defended, but the
Spanish have steadily retired. not ever
attempting to harrass our TANKS as the
columns moved on through a natura
ambuscading country. Apparently Gen
eral Linares prefers TO place faith In tn.
defenses of the city and intends to max,
last ditch fight OF II. A few-only Z
few-hold to the theory that he does no
purpose fighting at all.
The Americans are in excellent spirits
and there is a remarkable lack OF sick
ness. Thus far the water supply ha.
been good. and there have been no ba,
effects from the change, except a few
cases Of dysentery.
General Wheeler. who made a recon
Nuisance for half a mile beyond tn
skirmish lines. finding he was unable q
secure the desired view through tn,
tropical foliage, dismounted and climbe,
tree. A major general Of the army Il
the forks Of tree. surveying spanIsl
outposts through his field glasses. wa
a spectacle that gave some idea or tn
wonderful energy OF the dashing ex
Confederate cavalry leader. This fea
OF agility in n man So years OF age put &
blush many younger officer OF his owl
staff.
sHArTER's PROGRESS.