The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-02
FIVE HOURS TERRIBLE FIGHTING
The First Great Battle Of the War this Hemisphere Has Begun
Just Two Months After Deweys Glorious
Victory at Manila.

by the road to El Cobrie;
Sabanilo and Marato Railroad. The
more likely line of retreat will be along
the line of the railroad crossing, the
Sierra Maestro. at El Cristo. a pass 600
feet above the sea. 10 miles north of
Santiago. which is the lowest pass
through the Sierra Maestro for many
miles. The country back of this is a
rolling plateau of rich agricultural land.
At Manacas, on the railroad two miles
north of the pass. is an iron bridge, con-
sisting Of series of 30 foot spans on
iron trestles. This point is about two
miles beyond the Cristo summit and just
beyond this bridge would be the most
feasible method of preventing the ap-
proach of Gen. Pando's Spanish troops
TO relieve Santiago. 1t is probable that
if the Spaniards retreat by this road
they will make Il stand ON the platenn
at E,l Cristo and hold the pass of lei
Cristo. The only other pass through the
mountains near this point, Escandel.
about six miles in II straight line east
of El CriSto Pass and Escandel Sum
nit is | 200 feet above the sea and is
reached from Santiago via Caney. The
road from Santiago 10 Caney is fairly
good, being wide enough for vehicles.
Between Caney and Escandel the road.
which is no more than II trail. ascends
the mountains and is very winding and
broken. Beyond Escandel, across the
range. the country is heavily timbered
and broken, and the roads are not good.
II is an ideal country for ambush. This
is probably the only pass through which
the Spanish position could be turned
should the Spanish troops occupy the
Cristo plateau and pass.
The railroad has been fortified by n
line of blockhouses, protecting the
bridges, and certain zones of cultivation
inclosed between these forts have f-en
planted during all the time of the war
and would afford supply for the army
for certain time In the meantime
sweet potatoes could he planted, which
in three months would ripen. These
zones of cultivation exist along the road
ms far as San Luis, at which point
there is considerable country in cultiya-
ton. On the other branch (thc Safa
nilla branch the zones Of cultivation ex-
tend as far as Songo.
Admiral Dewey loses no opportunity TO
keep the Navy Department informed of
the state Of affairs at Manila. n dis
patch came from him to-day dated Ca
vite June 9th. reporting that the con-
ditions remain practically unchanged but
not recording the arrival of his rein
forcements. He had some other matters
of interest to communicate, but they
were not of character that could be
properly made public Mt this stage.
For one thing it can be stated that
Dewey has been particular to avoid com
mitting his government to any particular
line of action respecting the future Of
the Philippines or to do anything that
would embarass General Merritt in
framing Il policy to meet the needs OF
the case when he arrives He has made
no official pledges 10 the insurgent
leader. although he has not hesitated TO
openly praise his good politics, and his
accomplishments.
SO far as the Navy Department knows
the Cadz fleet is still at Port Said UNI
able to coal, but it is taking no chances
ON their course and is steadily pressing
the arrangements for the dispatch to
the Mediterranean Of the stearm squad
ron under Commodore Watson. An evil
dence Of this purpose was made visible
to-day in the packing and forwarding Of
boxes of charts Of all the waters likely
to be traverscd by Watson's squadron
directly to the ships off Santiago.
THE SECOND DISPATCH
WASHINGTON. JULY 2.-THE
WAR DEPARTMENT HAS RE
CEIVED THE FOLLOWING FROM
GEN. SHAFTER, DATED AT SIBO-
NEY:
HAD A VERY HEAVY ENGAGE
MENT TO-DAY WHICH LASTED
FROM A. NJ. TO SUNnOWN. WE
HAVE CARRIED THEIR OUT
WORKS AND ARE NOW IN POS
SESSION OF THEM. THERE Is
NOW ABOUT THREE-QUARTERS
| OF 4 MILE OF OPEN BETWEEN
| MY LINES AND THE CITY BY
MORNING TROOPS WILL BE EN-
TRENCHED AND CONSIDERABLE
AUGMENTATION OF FORCES
WILL BE THERE GEN. LAW
TONS DIVISION AND GEN BATES
BRIGADE HAVE BEEN ENGAGED
ALL DAY IN CARRYING Ell CA
NEY, WHICH WAS ACCOMPLISH
ED AT 4 =. NJ WILL BE IN LINE
AND IN FRONT OF SANTIAGO
DURING THE NIGHT. | REGRET
TO SAY that OUR CASUALTIES
WILL BE ABOVE FOUR HUN
DRIED. OF THESE NOT MANY
KILLED.
"CSIGNED) SHAFTER."