The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-15
THE WAR WITH SPAIN.

Bombardment of Guantanamo. A merican |
Flag Planted on Cuban Soil.-Army Of In |
vasion Leaves Key West.
Although the war news during the past
week has contained nothing OF specially
startling character, yet enough has trans
pired to keep the public interest at fever
heat, and some of the events OF the last few
days have had deep significance. The
American flag has been plated on Cuban
soil, and the land bordering on Guantanamo
harbor has been occupied by American
troops.
The town Of Caimenera, on the bay OF
Guantanamo was first bombarded last We'd
nesday. A division OF the American feet,
consisting Of FIVE vessels, appeared before
the town, which is situated on a long arm
OF land extending into the Bay OF GuantanA-
mo, and opened fire. The Spaniards say
the ships were too far distant to do any
damage to the town proper, their shots fall
ing continually into the bay. The firing
lasted until two o'clock in the afternoon,
| and was heavy throughout. A shore bat
terry defending the town was exposed to
the fire Of the Americans. The Spanish
artillerymen manning the battery replied
spiritedly for long time, but finally the
fire from the ships became so heavy that
they were obliged to retire. Some OF the
American shells dropped into the house
where the French cable lands, completely
destroying it. This temporarily rendered
communication between Caimanera and
Santiago impossible but the break was soon
repaired.
The situation there was somewhat
changed the next day owing to the presence
of the warships Marblehead and Yankee
A Spanish gunboat had the temerity the
next morning to fire upon the American
ships, whereupon the latter poured such g
heavy fire into her that she turned tail and
ran at her top speed to get out of range OIL
the American guns. A blockhouse and
other Notifications ashore then became tar
gets for the American gunners. The Span
ish artillerymen stood by their guns for 8
time and kept up somewhat vigorous fire
but ultimately they abandoned the works
and retreated rapidly. The Americans con
tinued their fire until the Notifications hat
been pounded into unacceptable mssse'
of ruins. The Yankees crew did splendid
WOEh III Juo ouBdBoIuouli duu JuolE dCUlOI
under fire called forth high praise from tn,
regular naval officers.
The most important event of the weel
J was the landing Of marines in Guantanam,
: harbor, and the unfurling of the American
. flag on Cuban soil. The few houses tina
. were found there were burned as a precau
ton against yellow fever germs. A fore
of 600 men effected a landing. They wer
I resisted by regiment of Spanish infantry
but the fire from the American ships in tn
harbor obliged the Spaniards to retire
, leaving the American marines in posses
sion Of the field. This harbor will be use,
as coaling station, and base of supplies
/; The first army of invasion left Key Yves
on Monday for Cuba. 1t consisted Of 10
900 officers and men in thirty-two trans
/, ports. By Thursday at the latest the trans
ports will be off Santiago and large arm
!. | will make its landing on Cuban soil AID
miral Sampson has cleared the way for tn
: undertaking and little danger is az
. pretended in getting ashore. 1t will
after that, when the advance is made, ths
!; the actual dramatic developments may b
= expected. By that time it is likely this
!; the American commanders will be in direC
l cable communication with the authorities 8
Washington. Admiral Sampson has take
: the shore end OF the cable landing at Guar
) tanamo and a force of cable experts ar
, rapidly restoring the line to working order