Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-06-25
WAR NEWS Oh THE WEEK.

SIMPSONS Fleet Utterly Destroys the
Defenses About Santiago.
Washington. June 22.-The dispatches
on Wednesday Of last week brought the
cheering intelligence that the overtaxed
marines on Crest Hill. near Caiman-
era, had been reinforced by a number
of Cuban insurgents, who have proven
most valuable allies. The insurgents
fight bravely, and seem to have SUI
preme contempt for Spanish marks
manship. Aided by their allies the ma
rines made their first aggressive move
on Tuesday, marching on and destroy
ing the Spanish guerillas' camp and
putting the Spaniards to flight, besides
rendering useless the only well within
six or seven miles, the Spaniards' water
supply. 1t is believed that 40 Span
isrds were killed in the short bate.
One American marine was slightly
wounded. two Cubans killed and four
wounded. Orders have been sent to
Admiral Sampson giving substantial
promotions to the heroes Of the Mer-
rimac now confined in MORO Castle
with Lieutenant Hobson. The promo
lions take effect Immediately on their
return to the fleet by exchange.
On Thursday came reports of further
destruction Of Spanish forts at San
tiago by Simpsons fleet. There is but
one fort at Santiago now that is capa.-
BILE of inlicting any damage on our
feet. and that is the MORO, in which
Lieutenant Hobson and seven heroes Of
the Merrimac were SAID TO be confined.
Our ships were ordered not to fire on the
MORO. The other Notifications have
been reduced to dust and splintered by
the big guns of Simpsons feet. There
is little doubt that Admiral Cervera has
made up his mind that his fleet is lost,
for in the forts that tried TO reply to
our bombardment there were undoubt-
edly some of the big guns Of his ships.
They were struck time and time again
by shells from the Texas and New Or
leans and fairly lifted from their po-
sitions and hurled yards away by the
explosions. Simpsons last lombard
ment was the heaviest and most de-
structive of all. 1t is estimated that
over 100000 worth of ammunition and
shells ware used, and that the loss of
life by the Spaniards must have been
comparatively enormous. Not a man
was hurt in all our fleet.
Fridays dispatches told Of renewed
successes for AguinaIdo's insurgent
forces in the Philippines. He has cap
tured the wife and daughters OF Cap
tain General August. and Will hold
them until the formal surrender OF
Manila. Admiral Dewey, in a report to
the navy department, confirms the re.
| ports Of insurgent successes. In an in
terview at Washington General Miles
| told of his communications with Gar
| cha, the Cuban insurgent commander
| General Garcia informed Miles that he
would regard his Cdiles) wishes as
orders. and would see them obeyed.
On Saturday there was nothing OF
Importance to add to the war news
but on Sunday came advices from Ad-
miral SIMPSONS fleet which told OF
the desperate and deplorable condition
of the people Of Caimanera. Starving
and famine stricken. the people have
saturated every house in the town with
oil and other inhammable material
and Will set fire to the place in order tc
/ prevent it's falling into the hands of the
Americans. The gunboat at Caimanera
is also prepared for destruction. The
people are eating horses and mules
and securing the hills for fruits and
berries, while the Spanish troops are
terror stricken and hungry. At Jack.
sonvilie, Fla, James T. Gatewood
! stenographer to General Lee, was kill.
| ed by lightning bolt. Three large car.
goes of supplies have run the Havana
blockade, and supplies are reaching the
city from Cienfuegos and other points
Mondays dispatches told of the ar
rival of General Skaters invading ex
petition or Santiago de Cuba Genera
Garcia, the Cuban commander, had 1
conference with Admiral Sampson OF
board the flagship New York regarding
cooperation with the United State.
troops From Manila comes the new.
that the insurgents under Aguinald,
have forced Captain General August
to take refuge within the walls Of tn,
city. An attempt was recently mad,
to kill Aguinaldo by placing poison il
his food. Aguinaldo declares that 4
any other nation than the United States
attempts to obtain control of the Phil
ippines they must fight for it. Captain
General Blanco, of Cuba, refused to ex
change Hobson and the other heroes o
the Merrimac, and further declared
that any United States vessel ap
preaching under a flag Of truce will b.
fired upon.
The government has decided upol
Lieutenant Hobson's promotion. He i
to be transferred to the line, and will
; be made lieutenant commander Thi
will place him in line for elevation t
rear admiral. Colonel William ]. Bryan
; and the Third Nebraska regiment will
be assigned to the army corps com
manded by General Fitzhugh Lee. !
bill has been introduced in the hous
: FOR a pension Of 500 a month for tn
widow OF Captain Charles V. Gridley
OF Admiral Dewey's squadron.
For a Division of CoIored Immunes.