The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-27
FIRST FIGHT ON PORTO R|CAN SOIL
Landing at Port Guanica-Took
Spaniards by Surprise They Made Feeble Resist
ance Forty of Them Were Killed.

were to be seen Fastening toward the
spot where the Americans had landed.
Lieutenant Huse then threw up lii
tie fort, which he named Fort VAIN
wright, and laid barbed wire In the
street in front of IL in order to repel the
expected cavalry attack. The lieuten-
ant also mounted the Colt gun and sig
nailed for reinforcements, which were
sent from the Gloucester. The associ-
ated press dispatch boat Cynthia IT.
was the only boat in the harbor except
the Gloucester.
While the Mausers were peppering all
around Lieutenant Commander VAIN
wright called to the associated press
correspondent and said:
They fired on us after their flag was
down and ours was up and after had
spared the town for the sake of ths
women and children. The next town I
strike I will blow up"
Presently a few Of the Spanish cav
airy Joined those who were fighting IN
the streets of Guanica. but the Colt
barked to a purpose, killing four or
them.
BY that time the Gloucester had the
range of the town and the blockhouss
and her guns were splitting fire. the
doctor and paymaster helping to serve
the guns.
SDOn dIItTWdTu NHllt-COdleu kdhDp-
ing cavalry were seen climbing the
hills to the westward and the foot SOL
diers were scurrying along the fences
from the town. BY GAS a. ~, with the
exception of few guerrilla shots, the
town was won and the enemy was driv-
en- out of the neighborhood.
The Red Cross nurses on the LAM
passes and a detachment of regulars
were the first to land from the trans
ports.
After Lieutenant Huse had captured
the place he deployed his small forces
into the suburbs. But he was soon re-
inforced by the regulars, who were fol-
lowed by Company G. of the 9Th Illi-
nois and then by other troops in quick
succession. All the boats of the men,
of-war and transports were used in the
work of landing the troops. each steam
launch towing four or five boats loaded
with soldiers. But everything pro-
gressed in an orderly manner and ac-
cording to the plans OF General Miles.
The latter went ashore at noon. after
stopping to board the Gloucester and
thanking Lieutenant Commander
Wainwright for his gallant action
General Miles said to the correspond
ent of the associated press: "Guanica
and Cinga are in the disaffected portion
of the island. Amateo. the insurgent
/ fcduET, lives dI 1duCn. a lew iflifcS VI
land. Had we landed at Cape San
Juan line of rifle pits might have
stopped our advance"
There is no doubt that General Miles
plans are being kept absolutely secret
The spirit of the troops is admirable.
The Massachusetts and Illinois con-
tingents. which have been cooped up on
board the Yale and Rita for a fortnight.
will be delighted to get ashore and will
- 81 49, Iarx h.f0
a serious advance is begun.
Guanica is the most lovely spot yet oc-
cuped by our forces. 1t Is the seat OF
the coffee and sugar industry and large
herds OF cattle are pasturing in the
meadows, which are bordered by cocoa
nut palms. Many head of cattle and a
large number OF horses have been driven
into the mountains by their owners.
Some of them will be captured.
Ponce Is the second city of the island.
has a splendid harbor and will make a
good base of operations. There are Is
large coasters this afternoon at Guam
lea bay. but only two barges were cap
tured. II is likely that the Spanish gar
rison from Ponce may try to surprise
our people tonight. but it will only be
an affair OF outposts.
The town of Ponce is sure to fall
shortly before the combined attack OF
our army and navy. The main fighting
until San Juan is reached will be along
the line of the splendid military road
leading from Ponce to San Juan.
The health OF the troops is excellent.
except among the Massachusetts men,
They have been packed on the Yale for
about Is days and 80 cases of typhoid
fever have developed among the soldiers.
Parker Of the 6th Massachusetts, died on
Friday and was buried at sea.
Later in the day the Dixie spoke the
dispatch boat OF the associated press. It
was then about o'clock at night. and
| the comma nder of the Dixie said he had
been almost around Porto Rico and had
not seen any men-of-war or transports
except the New Orleans, which was
| blockading the port of San Juan. A
| heavy gale was blowing. causing the
| dispatch boat 20 take 19 hours in making
| 125 miles 10 st. Thomas The associated
press boat is the only dispatch boat
( with the fleet.