The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-02
SANTIAGO B0MBARDME
Some Details of Tuesdays Fierce As
sauIt on the Enemy.

The correspondent Of the New York
Sun at Cape Haytien teegraphs his pa
per the following account of Tuesday,
bombardment Of Santiago's defences:
A dispatch which has just been received
from Santiago de Cuba says that the
American squadron, under command OF
Commodore Schley, which has been
blockading the port for number OF days,
began to lombard the Notifications al
o'clock this afternoon. the evident in
tention being TO reduce them In order to
get at Admiral Cervera's squadron at
anchor in Santiago Bay.
The American fleet comprised fourteen
vessels, including the Brooklyn the Sag
ship of the squadron; Massachusetts,
Texas. Iowa, Marblehead. NashVAs
Scorpion and two torpedo boats.
The dispatch says that among the at
lacking vessels was one which seemed 10
be the New York, flying the flag Of Ad-
miral Sampson.
There is great excitement at Santiago,
the Spanish residents, notwithstanding the
repeated boasts OF the military and naval
officers. fearing that the Americans will
soon be in possession of the city.
When the firing began many Of the men
in the city whose sympathies have been
with the insurgents started for the insur-
gent lines which are but short dis
lance from the town, 10 offer their ser
vices
The fighting began at just ABOUT
o'clock. when the signal to begin the bat
tie was displayed on the Brooklyn. This
seems to refute the statement that Ad-
miral Sampson was present, for had ne
been with the fleet he would, by his rank,
have been in command.
owing to the height Of the hill on
The MORO Castle is situated az the en-
trance to the harbor. il was impossible
for the Americans 10 run inshOre ana
elevate their guns 10 sufficient helght
10 do any damage 10 the old tortihca-
tions. Consequently the big ships with
the heavy rifles stood some distance
off shore. from where they could pour
I'm a more effective fire. while the smaller
vessels, nearer the shore, devoted them
selves to attacking the sand and mortar
batteries on the shore beneath the
MORO.
By standing off shore the big ships had
plenty of water to manoeuvre in. They
passed to and fro before the entrance,
steadily pouring an awful fire upon the
devoted walls OF the MORO.
Some of the shells from the big rifles
went clear over the MORO. landing in
the Estrell Point battery. Santa
Catalina fort, and the other Notifications
on the same side Of the entrance as the
MORO. but 10 the northward Of II.
Thousands of persons, when they found
that the shells Of the enemy did not
reach the city, went to points Of van
tage where they could witness part Of
the bombardment.
The MORO and the other Notifications,
with the exception of the Blanco battery
cannot be seen from the city proper
owing TO the tortuous formation Of the
waterway. but going TO the hills 10 the
westward a fine view could be had OF
the effect done by the shells that came
sailing over the Moro
The firing was apparently directed
principally against the Moro the Fort
Of La Socapa. on the opposite side of the
entrance. and Punta Gorda, some dis
lance from the entrance. but which
could be reached by an almost straight
fire from the sea.
The forts replied bravely 10 the fire
of the enemy, but. as far as can be
learned. did not appear to do any great
damage.
The sound OF the cannonading was
deafening. The bay is almost entirely
surrounded by mountains and the re-
ports of the guns were echoed and re-
echoed for minutes after the discharge,
making a most terrific din.
The dispatch intimates that some Of
the Spanish warships took part i'm the
engagement, but this cannot be verified.
It was made known some days ago
that two or three OF Admiral Cervera's
squadron were lying some distance be-
low the city, and 1t is possible that they
may have been engaged. They could
not be seen from the city. and this
probably accounts for tho i~"efniteness
of the statement regarding the squad
ron's participation In the fight.
Whether or not the Americans entered
the bay is not known. II Is reported
here that thew did but this is doubted.
as Il Is scarcely 10 be supposed that
Commodore Schley would attempt 10 run
the forts through a channel known to
be filed with both electrical and con-
tact mines. Again had he forced the
passage OF the forts and passed over
the mines II IS certain that he
would have at once proceeded toward
the city and engaged the Spanish war
ships and the batteries in that ncighbor-
hood
Judging from the reports Of the fight
that have been received here. Il Is al
most certain that little. T. any. damage
was done to the Americans.
II may be that Commodore Schlev did
enter the harbor for short distance
COuDtttIilE dS ne went. anu - now await
ing more favorable opportunity FOR pro-
ceeding IN tho bay and engaging the
Spanish warships.
Dur.Ig {" fighting n number Of troops
were hastily DISPATCHED from the city
and II Is judged from this that the Suan-
ish loss In the batteries must have been
heavy and that the artillerymen were
needed 10 man the guns.
The dispatch says that the Americans
were compelled 20 retire after the bat
tie had lasted about two hours. hut this
Is doubted here. as II is known that the
fortincations at Santiago are hardly
strong enough To cope satisfactorily with
such powerful squadron as that COM
manded by Commodore Schley.
1t rs certain. however, that the firing