The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-02


WASHINGTON. July l.-Just two
months after the battle Of Manila, and
on the frst day Of the month, like that
glorious engagement, began the tirst set
battle of the war in this hemisphere.
what the result will be was not known.
when the departments closed Never
before since the declaration OF war has
there been such feeling of intense in-
terest and anxiety manifested. The
ohiclals here are confident that they
have done everything possible 20
strengthen Skaters hands for the great
conflict ne Is waging, and they have an
unlimited confidence In his discretion,
his bravery and his energy. The attack
to-day, several days before the public
mAnd expected the battle, Is q tribute
to his energy, as well as to his judg-
ment. for ne undoubtedly found II nee
essary to crush the foe IN detail, follow
ing Napoleon's favorlte maxim, instead
Of allowing them TO consolidate and out
number him.
Fighting, net Writing.
As the day wore along without bring
Ing any news the anxiety increased, and
the question was in every ones mouth.
''Why did ne not report7" Adjutant
General Corbin's response was brief but
pointed: 'He 10 fighting. not writing"
and this was accepted as a sound and
likely explanation. Just before Z o'clock
brief dispatch from Playa Del Este,
the cable station near Santiago. But
It was from an engineers office to Gem
eral Miles, and made no reference 20
the progress Of the battle, merely re-
ferrinR to certain necessary material
and live stock. 1t was nearly o'clock
when the signal ONCE received the well
come news thai the enemy was retreat
Ing. -.
ehe action OF to-day was in the nature OF
\ heavy sltlrmish along the American
6ront, particularly on the right, and that
Its main purpose was 70 develop the
strength OF the enemy, and, II possible,
learn the vulnerable point along the
Spanish front This. however, was
based only on the lack Of definite I'M
formation; and General Miles felt that
any hour might bring word OK q general
engagement. BrigadIer General Stone
was Inclined to believe that after main
tanning their stand to-day the Span
iards would retire during the night,
leaving the city evacuated.
Possible spanish Retreat.
The military authorities here are fully
considering the chances OF such re-
treat OF the Spanish army from Santiago
and are endeavoring to shape events
that General Skaters forces will not
only take Santiago. but will capture the
10. 900 spaniards before they get away
nnrthYard 10 effect q juncture with
General Pando. One OF the most inter
estlng statements Is that Of General
Manager Cox, OF the Spanish American
Mining Company, at BRlquiri, who Is
thoroughly acquainted with the country
surrounding Santiago. He shows that
the two possible lines OF retreat are:
FIRST. BY the road to El Cobre; or sec
ond. by following the line Of the Sab
aniilo and Marato railroad.
The frst line will be easy for about
the first ten miles, or as far ae FL Cobre,
mt after that the country Is mountain
Gus and barren. and would not attord
gubBlstence, and the pass to reach the
central plateau Of the island would be
difficult.
The Moro LItsIy Route.
The more likely line Of retreat win be
along the line of the mountain above
mentiohed railroad, crossing the Sierra
Maestro at Ell cristo, pass elk hundred
feet above the sst, ten miles north Of
santiago, which Is Che lowest pass
through the Sierra Maestro for many
miles. The country back Of this 6 q roll
inc plateau Of rich agricultural land. At
Nfanncas, on the railroad, two miles
north of the pass, is an iron bridge,
constgtinR of a series OF thirty foot spans
IN iron trestle bents. This point 10 about
tU,o miles beyond the CriBto summit,
and iust beyoed the bridge the rail-
road divides into two branches. The
destruction OF the bridge would be the
most feasible method OF preventing the
approach OF General Pando's Spanish
troops to relieve Santiago. It b proba-
ble that Il the SpanIards retreat by this
road they will make stand on the
plateau at FL Cristo, and hold the pass
81 FL Crlsto. The only other pass
through the mountains near thts point .
Al E8cRudel Summit, about elk miles IN
a Gtralght line east Of FL CristO pass.
Escandei Summit Is 1900 feet above tho
eea. and Is reached from Santiago via
Caney, The road from Santiago TO Ca
ney is fairly guod, being wide enough
for vehicles.
Rstweeu Caney and Escandel the
road, which Is no more than q trail,
aecends the mountain, and Is very Wind
Inc and broken. Beyond Escandel,
across the range, the country Is heavily
tinbered and broken, and the roads are
not good.
Ideal Country for AmbHnh.
II tisan ideal country for ambush, This
IS probably the only pass through which
the Spanish position could be turned
should the Spanish troops occupy the
Cristo plateau and pass,
The railroad has been fortified by a
line of blocIhouses, protecting the
bridges, and certain zones of cultivation
Enclosed between the forts have been
planted during Mi the time OF the war
and would AFFORD a supply for the army
for certain time. In the meanwhile,
sweet potatoes could be planted which,
in three months, would rlpen. These
zones OF cultivation exist along the road
az far as San Luis, at which point there
Is considerable country in cultivation.
ON the other branch, (the Salbanllla
branch). the zones Of cultivation extend
as far as sangJL
A hIAn OF Few Words,
While not prolix IN his utterances,
Admiral Dewey loses no opportunity to
keep the navy department Informed OF
the state Of affdlrs at Manila, A dispatch
came from him To-day dated CRvlte.
June "a, reporting that condidtlons re-