Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-11
INVASION OF CUBA
Six Hundred Blue Jackets Have
Pitched Tents Among Smoking
Ruins of Guantanamo.
STARS And STRIPES ON CUBA
Shells from American Warships Caused a
Hasty Evacuation Of Earthworks by
Spanish Marines viii Hold Posi-
ton Until Troops Arrive

Copyright by Associated Press-O1
Guantanamo, Cuba, Friday, June 1O
via Port Antonio, Saturday, June II
D. m.-The invasion of Cuba by th
American forces began today. Six hun
dred marines have pitched their tent
about the smoking ruins Of the onter for
tifications of Guantanamo, and the stars
and stripes for the first time float on q
Spanish flagstaff in Cuba.
To Captain Clark and the battleshir
Oregon belong the honor of accomplish
ing the first successful landing of the
war. Forty marines from the battle
ship went ashore this morning and oc-
cupied the left entrance of the bay un-
til the troopship Panther arrived with
600 marines. These, under the COM
|mand of Lieutenant Colonel E. w.
Huntington, arrived at 3 o'clock and
within half an hour had burned the
buildings of the Spanish camp and set
fire to the miserable little village which
crouched on the bench of the hilltop of
Guantanamo. The whole operation of
silencing the guns and ladning the
forces were as easy as placing Sunday
school picnic. The Marblehead had,
backed by the Vixen and Dolphin,
opened fire on the earthworks. The
shores to the right OF the entrance were
lined with guns and rifle pits, but
the Spaniards decamped after firing
few shots.
The city of Guantanamo lies four miles
up the bay, and little Spanish gunboat
came down to help the shore batteries.
But she stayed just long enough to turn
around. Numerous shots were fired by
the Spaniards, but not one landed, and
no Americans were injured. The main
fort lies within the city limits, and is
still to be reduced, but it is not diff
cult position, and the American officers
say it can be taken in Is minutes when
desired. The Marblehead- Dolphin,
Vixen and two Golfers have been off the
entrance Of the harbor for several days.
and yesterday morning they sailed into
the channel. A mile further up they
opened fire, sending so shots at the for
tilications on the left The hills on the
right of the entrance were deserted.
There are no defenses on the right side
of the harbor.
No attempt was made to land until
the Oregon steamed in early this morn
ing. Captain Clark Immediately sent
marines ashore and 20 from the Marble
head followed. They found every evil
dence OF hasty departure by the Span
lsh. Watches, hammocks and ammuni-
tion were scattered about. the earth
works and the Spanish flag was found
in one of the rifle pits. The little de-
marines held the place until
5he Panther arrived, when they were re.
called and the work of disembarking
begun. The first boat had hardly landed |
when the village burst into flames.
Company X, under Lieutenant Hall,
was first ashore and without the loss of
! moment the column started up the
steep, rocky hillside to the earthworks. |
For an hour the brown column of ma
lines filed up the narrow pathway,
eventually taking up position at the |
,op OF the hill. So soon as the American |
lag was swung out to the breeze, from
;he flagstaff captured at the Spanish |
lamp, the Oregon steamed away to re-
DIN the fleet of Santiago. The marines
will hold the position until the arrival |
If expected troops, meantime scouting
n the vicinity, with the Marblehead,
Vixen and Dolphin lying by to protect |
hem.
Rear Admiral Sampson now has the
larbor and base Of supplies on the
outh side of the island, and troops can
,e landed at will.