The Monte Vista journal., 1898-06-18
WON BY THE MARINES
FoUoHrwsLLArouAMrA AN o
Eight Hundred Mon Drove on 5000 Span.
isrds-Preparing for the Coming of the
Army-A Good base for Operations
ARAlnat SantlaR0,

correspondent of the Record tells how
the marines with the aid OF war ves-
sells have opened hostilities on Cuban
soil:
On Board the Records Dispatch
Boat Hercules. Guantanamo, Cuba,
Iune IL, via Mole st. Nicholas. June
12.-About l o'clock this morning the
marines who captured n Spanish fort
on Guantanamo bay yesterday put to
flight column OF Spanish troops
which was trying to surprise their
cnmp. There was some lively work
for N few minutes, but the Spaninrds
fled through the dark and the marines
were not permitted to pursue them.
After the capture OF the fort Friday
II was q o'clock In the afternoon be-
fore the first boatload of men landed,
but within an hour all the G35 ma
rnes OF Lieutenant Colonel Hunting
tons command were on shore. Their
provisions, ammunition and camp
oquIpage quickly followed, and the
men wen, 20 work with u will TO carry
them up the steep hill to where the
Spanlards had the fort from which
they ran away with such alacrity.
At the summit Is IL level stretch of
1.000 acres. Here tents We're pitched.
campiires lighted and all arrange
ments made to establish permanent
camp. Pickets were posted along the
crest OF the nounta in which rises
above the camp to the west. and four
thrcc-inch rifles We're dragged into po-
sition where they command the np-
proaches from the land side. An at
tack was expected. and SO the scntrics
were vlcilapt, us 1t was known that
there We're 5000 Spanish troops not
far away.
shortly after midnight one OF the
pickets on the mountain top discov-
cred column OF Spanish soldiers
making Its way slowly through the
pass leading TO the more open country
In the direction OF Aguadores. The
alarm was given quietly and when
the enemy reached II position favora-
BILE for rapid movement II murdcrous
fire Of artillery and small arms was
poured upon them. Evidently The
Spaniards had expected 10 surprise
our men. The sudden and well con-
centrated volleys came ms shock
from which 1t WIS. impossible 10 re-
cover. a few struggling shots and II
vain attempt on the Part of the OIL
GERS To rally their men presently gave
way to "A mad rush on the part OF the
frenzicd mob 10 get beyond the range
of tho American rifles. The marines
started to pursue the r.treatlng force.
hut were recalled by their officers.
They spent the time until daylight
growing Mt the command which pre-
vented them from exierminatinE the
first Spanish army which had faced
n United States land force.
During the skirmish Lieutenant Ne
VILE OF the marines found Il set OF
Spanish signals which some fugitive
officer had dropped as he ran. \
search Is now being made for code
book. and II this shall prove success
full the ''wlgwng" system Of the enemy
will he useless Ms n secret method OF
communication.
The marines are jubilnnt over the
fact that TO the navy must he given
the credit for the first fight wagcd by
Americans OH Cuban soil. Every OIL
Ger and man here In this new camp In
happy to have escaped from the troop
ship Panther. In spite of the terrible
scourgc OF mosquitoes and the scar
city Of water. which nre the serious
drawbacks to campaigning this Sec
tion of the country. The mosquitoes
must he endured. and the lack Of wa
ter to drink will he rcmcdicd within a
day or two when the ,roopship Rcso-
lutte arrives with n dlstilling plant To
make pure water.
To-day the marines began TO pre-
pare this caHp and the landing place
ON the hay ms u base Of operations for
both the naval and military forces.
Commander McCalla OF the Marble
head Will have charge OF the naval
station. Storcshlps and collicrs Will
anchor In the harlor md cable sta
ton will be established NJ the earliest
possible moment In order that direct
communication may lie had
with Washington. Llcutcnant-C Colonel
Huntington VIII command the lind
force until the first detachment Of
General Shaficr's army arrives from
Tampa. The transports bearing sol
,i!crs from the Florida camps are now
expected here daily. The marines
have already started To clear AWAY
the underground aud officers OF the
engineer corps ARE surveying for II
camp capable Of accommodating not
less ihnn 2o.OOO soldiers.
The position OF Guantanamo is cx-
ccllcnt for both naval and military 'op-
crations. The hnrbor Is large enough
to accommodate the nnvies of the
world. The channel Is wide and deep
md the anchorage Is secure. wharvcs
To facilitate the landing Of supplies
can bc constructed readily from tim.
bcr near nj hand. \ long sandy beach
NJ one end OF the bny makes bathing
n luxury which is appreciated 10y the
troops In this torrid climate. Half n
mile mp the first range Of hills
stretches mn almost level inbleland.
containing u thousand ncrcs. II ls
naturally well drained and It's paths
may be converted Into good military
roads with but little difficulty. Here
u dozen army corps emu iin,1 room 10
emp. while n few batteries of artil.
lcry on the mountain above will rem.
der mn attack from the land slide I'm.
possible. The nsccnt l. easy nnd
gradual from tho sen. hut from tho
lnnd side the paths nrc steel, and tor.
tuous. making II impossible 10 bring
artillery into position nnd practically
prohibiting the MS. of cavalry. A
comparatively small force could hold
the position against mn nrmy. while
one baitlcship could defend the hnr.
bor entrance. The plac~ II high
enough To he hcniihfui. and ns soon No
the wntcr question IN settled satisfac.
torily II promises 10 rival chickn.
inRuga ns n desirable rendezvous.
The Incidents which preceded the
landing Of tho marines have been told
In former dispatches. The little fort
at the top of tho hill covering the
Las Ss1lsS ts0A tN,s,st stas -, ss.sN a..