The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-06-16

Kingston. Jam, June 16.-Tuesday the
United States marines under Lieutenant
Huntington and Cubans attacked
Spanish camp five miles from the Ameri-
can entertainments. They completely
routed a force of 400 S~paniards, break
ing up the camp and destroying a well
which supplied them with water. one
American was slightly wounded; two
Cubans were killed and four Cubans
wounded. The Spanish loss Is believed
to be 40 men killed. Fifteen bodies have
already been discovered.
The captured camp lay about v miles
southeast of the rife pits Of the marines
and was an important base for the
enemy, as 1t contained the only wen
within six or seven miles. Lieutenant
Colonel Huntington decided on the at
tack early in the day, and the force
started across the mountain. The march
up and down the steep hillsides under the
glaring sun was a severe test of endur-
ance. and before the battle-ground was
reached % men had received medical at
~tention. All were able. however, to reach
the position before the fighting ceased.
Ine IHdIlUtS NCiC tVAAhRtAtS1 ~
in single file, following the mountain
trail. Many Cubans darted backward
and forward, to right and left. on the
scout. II was noon when from a hilltop
the Americans caught sight OF the Span
ash camp lying on a ridge below them.
1t consisted OF a large house-the of1-
GERS Understandable by numerous
"shacks'' and huts. all clustering about
the precious well.
The Americans began a cautious ad-
vance and were within 200 yards OF the
enemy before the crack OF a rine from the
Spanish lines announced that the Span
iards had discovered them. The troops
quickly moved into line of battle with
the Cubans on the left flank The
enemy's bullets were whirling viciously
over the Americans, but the marines
settled down to their work as uncon-
cernedly as though at target practice.
Very few S%paniards were In sight.
They were lying behind the huts and In
the brush, but the puffs of smoke re-
vealed their positions n enable the
Americans to do effective work. For 20
minute both sides maintained a terrific
fire. The Spanish shots were generally
wild and spasmodic, while the Americans
cooHy fired away, aiming carefully and
shooting to kill. For the most part our
firing was lone individually; but at
times the officers would direct firing by
squads, always with telling effect.
II was beginning to look as though
bayonet charge down the slope would bs
necessary to dislodge the enemy, wher
suddenly the latter began to break for q
thicket 100 yards further on. Little
groups could be seen fleeing from tn
camp, separating, darling through tn
brush and ~zigzagging to escape the bull
let's. 1t was then the American fire be
came the most deadly. Man after ma
could be seen to fall in a vain rush 70
shelter; and the fire from the Spanisl
became scattering and almost ceased
Two Cubans lay dead and four wounded
and Private Walker Of company d ha
TO limp to the rear with a slight woun
in his ankle. The easy victory put tn
command in high spirits. The Cuba
warriors waved their machetes an
howred curses at the Spanish In savae
fashion. Their firing had been VIII
throughout, but they all displayed III
utmost contempt for the Spanish bu
let's, apparently being absolutely witho'
fear.
AS the enemy began breaking from tt
camp. the Dolphin. which lay out at Sc
was ~signaIled and began pitching shel
toward the thicket for which the Spar
Vards were making. Meanwhile Lieute
ant Magill was seen coming With 40 mi
as reinforcements; and Captain M
honey was on the way with 100 NOR
but before either could reach the see
the trouble was all over. AS the Spani
retreated the Americans moved SLOW
forward, firing as they went. n by
time the amp was reached the enen
had all got away. taking their wound
and probably many of their dead. !
time was lost In burning the buildin
and flling the well with earth q
stones. The Dolphin landed water q
ammunition. as an attack was expect
on the return march; but none was ma
Evidently the S%paniards were too thu
oughly beaten to attempt further fgl
ing. The marines did not reach
American camp until after nightf'
and as they had been without food sir
the early morning they were thorous
LIZ exhausted. Colonel Huntington
- - r.