The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-08-03
PORTO RICAN SOIL.
Our Soldiers Take Possession of
Port of Guanica.
ENEMY TAKEN BY SURPRISE.
The Spaniards Were Routed and
Fled. The First and Complete
Details Of the Landing Of
Our Troops on the Island.

Our Troops on the Island.
The United States military expedi-
ton under Gen. Miles landed on the
coast Of Porto Rico at the port Of Gu
anica on the south side of the island on
July 26. after ii skirmish between a de-
tachment Of Spanish troops and crew
Of thirty men belonging to the launch
Of the gunboat Gloucester. Four Of the
Spaniards were killed, but no American
were hurt. The troops were pushed
forward in order to capture the railroad
leading TO Ponce, which is only 10
miles east of this place. From Ponce
there is an excellent military road run
ming s. miles north to San Juan. GU
anica Bay is Il quiet place. surrounded
by cultivated lands. In the rear are
high mountains. and close to the beach
nestlcs a village Of about twenty houses.
The Spaniards were taken by sur
prise Almost the first they knew Of
the approach Of the army Of invasion
was in the announcement contained
in the firing Of 4 gun from the Glouccs-
ter. demanding that the Spauiards haul
down their flag. which was floating
from a flagstaff in front of blockhouse
standing to the east Of the village. The
first couple of 3-poundcrs were fired
into the hills right and left Of the bay.
purposcly avoiding the town. lest the
proicctiles hurt women and children.
The Gloucester then hove 20 within
600 yards of the shore and lowered a
launch having on board a Colt rapid-fre
gun and 30 men under the command of
Lieut.. Huse, which was sent ashore
without ercountering opposition. Quar-
tcrmastcr Beck thereupon told leoman
Lacy to haul down the Spanish flag,
which was done. The first United
States flag to float over Porto Rican
soil was raised on the flagstaff.
Suddenly about thirty Spaniards
opened fire with Mauser rifles on the
American party Lieut.. Husc and his
men responded with great gallantry the
Colt gun doing effective work. Norman,
who received Admiral Cervera' surren-
der, and Wood, volunteer lieutenant,
shared the honor with Lieut.. Huse,
Almost Immediately after the Spani-
ards fired on the Americans, the Glou-
cester opened lire on the enemy with all
her and Founders which could be
brought to bear. shelling the town. and
also dropping shells into the hills to the
west of Guanica. where number of
Spanish cavalry were seen fastening
toward the spot where the Americans
had landed. Lieut.. Huse then threw
up little fort, which he named for
Wainwright, and laid barbed wire in
the street in front of it, in order to re-
pei the expected cavalry attack The
lieutenant also mounted the Colt gun
and signallcd for reinforcements, which
were sent from the Gloucester.
Presently a few Of the Spanish caval-
ry joined those who were fighting in
the street of Guanica, but the Colt
barked to purpose. killing four of
them BY that time the Gloucester
had the range Of the town and the block
house and all her guns were splitting
fire, the doctor and the paymaster help
ing to serve the guns. Soon afterwards
whitecoatcd galloping cavalrymen were
seen climbing the hills to the westward
and the foot soldiers were scurrying
along the fences from the town. BY
9.43. with the exception Of few guer-
rilla shots. the town was won and the
enemy was driven out OF Its neighbor-
hood The Red Cross nurses on the
Lampasas and detachment of regulars
were the first to land from the trans
ports. After Lieut. Hu>e had captured
the place he deployed his small force
into the suburbs But he was soon re-
intorccd by the regulars, who were fol-
lowed by Co. G Of the Sixth Illinois and
all other troops in quick succession.
All of the boats Of the mcn-of-war and
transports were used in the work of
landing the troops, each steam launch
towing four or five boats loaded to the
rails with soldiers:
Everything progressed IN an orderly
manner and according to the plans of
Gen. Miles. The latter went ashore at
about noon, after stopping to board the
Gloucester and thank Lieutenant Com
mandcr Wainwright for his gallant ac-
ton. Guanica is the most lovely spot
Yet occupied by our forces. 1t is the
seat Of the coffee and sugar industry.
and large herds Of cattle are pasturing
in the meadows. which arc bordered By
coacoanut palms Many mead Of cattle
and a large number OF iorses have been
driven into the mountains by their own
crs. Some Of them will be rccapturad.
Ponce is the second city of the island,
has splendid harbor. and will make a
good base Of operations. 1t IS likely
that the Spanish garrison from Ponce
may try to surprise our people. But It
will only be an affair Of outposts.
The Victorious Americans.