Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-08-04
The Progress of Gen.
eral Miles Army
in Porto Rico.
THE CITY OF PONCE IS OURS
Sharp Engagement With Spanish Troops
Before YancO-Enemy Was Kepulsed
with LOss-General Miles Issues IL
Proclamation to the People.

Proclamation TO the ieOple'
Port of Ponce, Porto Rico, via the
island of St. Thomas, Aug. 1.-The
port of Ponce surrendered to Com
mander G. II. Davis, OF the auxiliary
gunobat Dixie. There was no resist
ance, and the Americans were well
coined with enthusiasm.
MaJor-General Miles arrived here
this morning at daylight, with General
Ernst's brigade and General Wilson's
divisions on board transports. General
Ernst's brigade Immediately started for
the town of Ponce, three miles inland,
which capitulated this afternoon.
The American troops are pushing to.
ward the mountains, and will join Cen
eral Henry, with his brigade, at Yanco.
which has been captured by our troops.
A fight before the latter place last
Tuesday was won by the American
companies of the Sixth Massachusetts
and Sixth Illinois, but the enemy was
repulsed and driven back mile to the
ridge where the Spanish cavalry
charged, and was routed by our in
fantrv. General Garretson led the
fight with the men from Illinois and
Massachusetts, and the enemy retreat
ed to Yanco, leaving four dead and
several wounded. None of our men
were killed. and only four were slightly
wounded.
The Porto Ricans are glad the Amer
lean troops have landed, and say they
are all Americans and will join our
army. The roads are good for military
purposes. Our troops are in good
health, and General Miles says the
campaign will he short and vigorous.
General Miles has issued the follow.
ing proclamation:
Sin the prosecution of the war against
the kingdom Of Spain by the people Of
the United States in the cause OF lib
erty, justice and humanity, its military
forces have come to occupy the island
of Porto Rico. They come bearing the
banners of freedom, inspired by noble
purpose, to seek the enemies of our gov
eminent and of yosrs, and to destroy OF
capture all us dIlHtti IeSlstdHCt 1!lCN
bring you the fostering arms of a free
preople, whose greatest power is justice
and humanity to all living within thei,
fold. Hence they release you from
your former political relations, and it
is hoped this will be followed by your
cheerful acceptance.
1.-THE chief object of the American
military forces will he to overthrow the
authority OF Spain and give the people
of your beautiful land the largest meas.
ure of liberty consistent with this mill.
tarv occupation. They have not come
to make war on the people of the coun.
try, who for centuries have been op.
pressed, but, on the contrary, they
come to protect not only yourselves,
but your property. promote your pros
perity and bestow the lmmunities and
blessings of our enlightened AMI liberal
institutions and government. 1t is not
the purpose to interfere with the exist.
ing laws and customs which are whole.
some and beneficial 10 the people. SC
long as they conform to the rules of
the military administration, order and
justice. This is not war OF devasta.
ton and desolation, but one to give all
within the control of the military and
naval forces the advantages and bles.
sings of enlightened civilization"