The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-07-07
ABOUT THE VAR.
Three Fierce Battles Fought During
The Last Week.
CERyERA's ELECT DESTROYED AND GER
VERA HIMSELF CAPTURED.
SITUATION AT MANILA.

SITUATION AT MANILA.
July 4.-The war situation at Manila
has remained unchanged for the past
two weeks. Dewey still holds the har-
Dor, while the insurgents under Gener-
al Aguinaldo are closely beselglng the
city by land. The Spaniards are daily
losing ground, but seem determined to
hold out to the bitter end. The peo-
pie in Manila think that the Germans
will prevent bonn bardment, but the
German government has announced
that it will take no active
part in the war:
The Charleston left San Francisco
Nav 23rd with re-:nforcements and
reached Manila July 1st.
Something may be expected from
Dewey soon.
DEWEY CABLES.
The following cablegram was receiv-
ed at Washington from Dewey July 4:
Hongkong, July 4, Cavite, July L.
Three transports and the Charleston
arrived yesterday. The Charleston
captured Guam, Ladrone Islands, on
June 2Ist. No resistance. Brought
Spanish officers from the garrison, SIX
officers and 81 men. to Manila. On
June 29th the Spanish gun vessel Ley
te came out of river near Manila and
surrendered to me, having exhausted
ammunition and food In repelling at
tacks by insurgents. She had on
board So officers and 81 men, naval
and military.
(Signed) "DEWEY."
THE CADIZ FLEET LEAVES SAID.
The following cablegram from Mr..
Watts, the deputy consul OF Cairo, who
has been at Port Said for sometime,
was posted on the bulletin at the State
Department Saturday:
"The Spanish ships Colon and Con-
donga entered the Suez canal yester-
day. The rest of the ships, with the
exception of one, which is repairing,
left the harbor coaling from their trans
ports"
(signed, "Watts''
Should these ships reach Manila,
Admiral Dewey will be able to cope
with them.
THE BATTLE OF sIBoNEY.
The following Is an abstract OF Gen.
Wheeler's report of the Battle OF Sib-
oney, fought on June 24th.
The Spanlards having taken a posi-
tion at S1boney, near Santiago, Gen
Wheeler with a force OF 96f men de,
termined to attack them on the morn
ing of June oath. So Col. Woods reg
i1nent Of Gen Young's command was
sent to approach the enemy on the
west wardly road, while Gen. Wheeler
ordered Gen. Young to deploy his Other
men and attack the army with the
Hotchklss guns. The enemy returned
fire, Col. Woods detachnents came Up
AMI the fight became general. After
a hot fight the enemy gave way, but
our men being physically exhausted
were unable to maintain the pursuit
very far Throughout the battle the
Americans behaved with great bravery
Gen. Wheeler says OF them,"I cannot
speak too highly OF the gallant, anc
excellent conduct OF men and officers
throughout my command" OF Col
| Woods regiment he SAID;
Colonel Woods Regiment was OF
the extreme LETT Of the line and too fa
distant for me to be a personal witnes:
Of the individual conduct Of the officer:
and men, but the magnificent bravery
shown by the regiment under the leac
OF Colonel Wood testifies to his cour
age and skill and the energy and deter
mination of his officers, which has
been marked from the moment he re
ported to me at Tampa, and have
abundant evidence of his brave ans
| good conduct on the field, and | re
commend him for the consideration 0
the government, I must rely upon hi
report to do justice to his officers ant
men. 1 desire personally to add tina
all I have said regarding Col. WOOD
applies equally to Lieut.. Col. Roosevelt
The exact size Of the Spanish force
and their casualties are unknown, blu
were both greater than those of th'
Americans.
AMERICANS SURROUND SANTIAGO.
For a week the country arount
Santiago De Cuba has been Il scene 0
almost continual battle. Position ate
position has been stormed and taken
The cool daring with which our troop
march into the very jaws of death
shows that the spirit of '76 still lives
In storming Ell Pozo, last Friday 200
yards from Santiago, occurred tn
bloodest fighting of the war. The fiji
ing was begun by'a battery in charg
of Gen. Grimes. The Spaniards di
not reply until the tenth shot. Th
first and tenth regiments and Roug
Riders were concealed in the bushe
along the hillside, but did not seem t
heed the shot falling around then
AS the fight became hotter the Spar
. iards reIinquished their position; S
j the regiments in concealment wel
/ ordered to make detour and captuI
the hill. The following graphic d'
} scrlptlon of their work Is given in di
, patches to the Raleigh Post:
} "When they came to the hillsid
there was no protection. There was
moments hesitation, and then cam
the order forward charge Lieute,
ant Colonel Roosevelt led, waving hi
Esword. Out into the open the men wer
up and up the bill. Death to eve,
: man seemed certain. The crackle {
\ ! 60 4