Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-06-16
WON BY THE MARINES
FouoHrwELL AT GUANTANAMO
Eight Hundred Men Drove on 5000 Span.
iartis-PreparinE for the Coming of the
Army-A Good Base for Operations
Against Santiago.

Against Santiago.
Chicago, June 13.-The following in
teresting dispatch from the special
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,
June II. via Mole st. Nicholas. June
12.-About l o'clock this morning the
marines who captured II Spanish fort
on Guantanamo bay yesterday put to
flight column of Spanish troops
which was trying to surprise their
camp. There was some lively work
for few minutes. but the Spaniards
fled through the dark and the marines
We're not permitted to pursue them.
After the capture of the fort Friday
1t was O'Clock in the afternoon be-
fore the first boatload of men landed.
but within an hour all the G3j ma
rines of Lieutenant-ColOnel Hunting
tons command We're on shore, Their
provisions. ammunition and camp
eQuipage quickly followed. and the
men went TO work with will to carry
them up the steep hill to where the
Spaniarls had the fort from which
they ran away with such alacrity.
At the summit Is II level stretch or
1000 acres. Here tents We're pitched,
campfires lighted and all arrange
ments made to establish permanent
camp. Pickets We're posted along the
crest of the mountain which rises
above the camp to the west, and four
three-inch rifles We're dragged into po-
sition where they command the np-
proachcs from the land side. An at
tack was expected. and so the sentries
were vigilant. as II was known that
there were 5000 Spanish troops not
far away.
Shortly after midnight one of the
pickcts on the mountain top discov-
cred IL 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 n position favora-
bic for rapid movement n murderous
fire of artillery and small arms was
poured upon them. Evidently the
Spaniards had expected to surprise
our men. The sudden and well con-
centrated volleys came ms n shock
from which il was impossible TO re-
cover. A few struggling shots and n
vain attempt on the part OF the OIL
GERS to rally their men presently gave
way to mad rush on the part OF the
frenZied mob to get beyond the range
of the American rifles. The marines
started to pursue the retreating force.
but We're recalled by. their officers.
They spent the time until daylight
growing Mt the command which pre-
vented them from eNterminating the
first Spanish army which had faced
n United States land force.
During the skirmish Lieutenant Ne
willie of the marines found set OF
Spanish signals which some fugitive
officer had dropped as he ran. A
search is now being made for n code
book. and II this shall prove success
full the "wigwag" system of the enemy
will be useless as Il secret method OF
communication.
The marines are jubilnnt over the
fact that to the navy must be given
the credit for the first fight waged by
Americans on Cuban soil. Every ofii-
Ger and man here in this new camp Is
happy to have escaped from the troop
ship Panther, in spite of the terrible
scOurge of mosquitoes and the scar
city of water. which are the serious
drawbacks to campaigning this sec
tion of the country. The mosquitoes
must be endured. and the lack of wa
ter to drink will be remedied within n
day or two when the troopship Reso-
lutte arrives with n distilling plant to
make pure water.
To-day the marines began to pre-
pare this camp and the landing place
on the bay as n base of operations Tor
both the naval and military forces.
Commander McCalln of the Marble.
head will have charge of the naval
station. Storeships and colliers will
anchor In the hnrbor and cable sta
ton will be established Mt the earliest
possible moment in order that direct
communication may be hnd
with Washington. Lieutenant-Colonel
Huntington will command the land
force until the first detachment of
General Shaftcr's army arrives from
Tampa. The transports bearing sol
diers from the Florida camps are now
expected here daily. The marines
have already started to clear away
the underground and officers of the
engineer corps are surveying for II
camp capable of accommodating not
less than 10000 soldiers.
The position of Guantanamo Is OK
ccllent for both naval and military OPP
crations. The harbor is large enough
to accommodate the navics of the
world. The channel is wide and deep
and the anchorage Is secure. Wharves
to facilitate the landing of supplies
can be constructed readily from tim
bcr near at hand. A long sandy beach
at one end of the bay makes bathing
luxury which is appreciated by the
troops in this torrid climate. Half
mile up the first range of hills
stretches an almost level tableland,
containing thousand acres. 1t is
naturally well drained and it's paths
may be converted into good military
roads with but little difficulty. Here
dozen army corps can find room to
camp, while few batteries Of artil-
lery on the mountain above will ren-
der nm attack from the land side I'M
possible. The ascent Is easy and
gradual from the sea, but from the
land side the paths nre steep and tor