Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-07-13

advance to Santiago was one continuous
success. The Spaniards were strongly in
trenched and fought calamity, but every
stronghold was stormed. Fighting in a
strange land and in Il fcver-laden climate,
wading through streams and piercing cac-
tus jungles, charging up hills on whose
crest the foe lay hidden behind intrench-
ments from which poured a storm of lead,
the dauntless boys in blue earned for
themselves fame as enduring as that of
the glorfied warriors of old.
But the laurels are not ali for the men
on shore. The feet that had been kept
in suspense for months awaiting an op-
portunity to attack the Spanish boats at
last saw the signal to open tIe. The de-
spairing Spanish admiral had made bold
to escape from the harbor and the Ameri-
cans went after him and drove his ships
against the rocks, strewing the Cuban
shore for miles and miles with Spanish
dead. 1t was a picturesque scene-that
Sunday chase along the Santiago shore
and its result will give it a place in the
worlds history of great naval encounters.
1t is more crushing disaster for Spain
than the destruction of Montejo's fleet at
Manila, for Cervera's ships were her
pride and strength at sea.
From July l. the American troops had
been promising Santiago "A Hot Time in
the Old Town Tonight" They sung the
rollicking ditty on the march and in camp,
and they meant it, and though it was inn
possible owing to certain circumstances.
to deliver the goods exactly on the min
ute, Shaft"r's army had n settled deter
mination t, keep its promise.
Truce was declared after Schiey's de-
struction of Cervera's fleet, but the little
rest di1 not do the city any good for the
American fights while he is resting and
rests while he is fighting, and in this case
Sampson and Shafter and Fighting Joe"
Wheeler and the rest of the old war
horses got their heads together and con-
cocted l,lans to take the whole Spanish
army and what was left of the navy.
The trouble at Santiago began Friday
July 1, at 4 O'Clock in the morning, with
the American advance and n feint at
Aguadores TO the south by Gen. Dullield.
and an attack on El Caney, to the north
east of Santiago, by Gen. Lawtons di-
vision.
The first shot was fred by Capt. Allyn
Capron of the First artillery, whose son,
Capt. Allyn X. Capror. was killed in the
charge of the rough riders at La Quasina.
It fell in the center of the town. and it
was followed by a supply from Capron's
battery, and from the Second artillery,
under Capt Grimes, who had taken a
good position at III Paso, until the de-
tenders of Ell Caney were completely
overwhelmed by the generosity of their
visitors and ''vamoosed."
Grimes and Capron then began to shell
the outer defenses of Santiago. Under
cover of thei. fire, Col. Wood, with the
rough riders. started toward the works.
| The advance was rapid and brilliant, and
| the rifle fire Of the cowboys was something
for Spaniards to wonder at for many a
dav. The batteries were silenced, the
enemy retreated and Woods command
occupied bit Of hillside where they could
| he comfortable and shoot Spaniards for
| the rest of the day.
During the fighting on the right Gen.
| Summer had commanded the center, on ac-
| count of Gen. Whecler's Illness, but by
| II 80 o'clock Wheeler decided he couldn't
stand it any longer and started for the
front in an ambulance. On the way he
| met wounded soldiers being taken to the
rear in lt;ers, so he gave up the ambu-
| lance, mounted his horse amid the fran
| tic cheers Of his men, and soon had his
| headuuarters established at the front.
| By night the army had advanced two
| md a half miles ali along the line. Law
/. IONS division had driven the enemy be-
| vond I'll Caney and down the main road
| q Santiaso. aud had occupied the suburb
| # Cabona. Gen. Chaffec had crossed the
;an Juan river. Shafter had sent 1000
| 'ulans on transports to Aserraderos TO
| he west of Santiago hay to cut off Pan
| los advance and prevent the retreat OF
| he Santiago garrison. San .'son's fleet
| nd paunded away at the MORO Castle
| md had pulverized the fort at Aguadores.
| Two thousand Spanish troops were pris-
| ouers. and about 400 Americans had been
| killed and wounded. The only semhlanee
| of repulse was Mt Aguadores on the ex-
| treme left, at the mouth of the San Juan
| river and il is not certain taat Gen. Duff
| Ield intended more than a diversion at
that point.
| Before the second days fight began the
line was shortened so that 1900 Ameri-
/ cans were extended over froLt of three
| miles. Intrcnehments Vert constructed
| and re-enforcements and more ammuni-
ton brought up.
Saturday morning the Spaniards were
/ awakened bright and early, routed out of
/ Aguadores, and pushed along little near
or town Sampson began dropping shells
into the San Juan barracks. Lawton be-
gan crowding the enemy's left, pouring
in fierce ohlique fire. Ccryera's fleet.
now passed into history, got the range OF
the American line and bothered the troops
considerably.
1t was not Skaters object to assail the
1 .o,v, An @ha Sarnu3 day nS he lacked
siege guns, so the army merely stood by
and held its pos.eion, ready for an ad-
| vance In case t.s-ton's fire developed ex-
ceptional opportunities for rush. The
purpose OF the day was more than gained
u xx.1.s-d - Sha ffer II ths