The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-21
SNARM|NG WITH Spanish
Our Launches Run Into
Close Quarters.
A HOT FIRE FROM SHORE
Two Launches While Accommodating
for Suitable Place for Landing Troops
Run Into a Verita ble Hornets, Nest
The Texas and Vixen Came TO Their
Rescue and RePulse the Enemy-Re.
markable Goodness Of Our Wen Under
Severe Fire.

Copyrighted by Associated Press)
Off Santiago de Cuba, Saturday, June
10, 4 p. m.-Several attempts to find
landing places for the United States
troops, within a distance of two miles
west of Santiago, have demonstrated,
along with previous inquiries to the
eastward, that the shore for fifteen
miles is lined with Spaniards. While
this will not prevent landing close to
Santiago it may entail considerable
delay as the surrounding country must
be thoroughly SHIELDED and cleared be
fore the troops can land in safety
When Rear Admiral Sampson yes
terday received advices that upward
of thirty transports would he here to-
day Saturday he sent word that they
should sail to the south ten miles and
lie there until a landing place had
been secured
Yesterday at day light the launches
of the New York and the Massachu-
setts recOnnoitred the shore between
CabanaS, two miles west of the en-
trance to Santiago harbor, and Quay
anganacO, two miles further west both
of which points lie east of the range of
mountains surrounding Santiago bay
The launches pushed their noses into
hornets nest. The brush was fairly
alive with Spanish troops, infantry and
cavalry and the fire opened upon the
launches was so fierce that their re-
treat. had to be covered by the Vixen
and the Texas.
When the Texas asked permissi
of Commodore Schley to take a hand
the commodore seized the megaphone
and shouted to Captain Philip, Yes, go
in and give 'em - jack" The
Texas landed several 4-inch shells on
the batteries at Cabanas, completely
denfolishing it. Lieutenant Sharpe, of
the Vixen, and lieutenant Harlow in
command of the launches were both
complimented by Admiral Sampson for
gallantry.
1t is believed the insurgents who are
in force and under the command of
General Garcia about fifteen miles
west, will render effective aid in driv-
ing the Spanish skirmishers off the
shore.
The following is the abstract of Lieu
tenant Harlows report to- the COM
mander of the Vixen, dated June 18th:
''The expedition consisted of a steam
launch from the Massachusetts, in
charge of Cadet Hart and a launch
from the New York in charge of Cadet
Powell. I took passage on the Massa-
chuSettS' launch, leading the way.
SOundings were taken on entering
the bay close under the old fort and
we were preparing to circumnavigate
the bay at full speed when fire was
opened from the fort and rocks on
shore. The Massachusetts launch was
some distance ahead and about forty
yards off the fort. There was no room to
turn and our one pOunder could not
be brought to bear, so we backed and
turned under heavy fire.
GOODNESS UNDER FIRE.
Cadet Hart operated the gun as
soon as it could be brought to bear
sitting exposed in the bow and work.
ing the gun as coolly and carefully as
at target practice. Cadet Powell had
been firing since the Spaniards open
ed. He also was perfectly cool. Both
launches ran out under a heavy fire
of from six to eight minutes. I esti
mate that there were twenty-five
Spaniards on the parapet of the old
fort. The number along shore was
larger, but indefinite. The launches,
as soon as was practicable, sheered to
give the Vixen the range of the fort.
The Vixen and the Texas silenced the
shore fire promptly.
Il strongly commend Cadet Hart
ana CdOel FOWell tut lHelT Cooi HAIL
agement of the launches One launch
was struck seven times. Nobody in
either was hurt. "A bullet struck a shell
at Cadet Hart's feet between the pro-
jectile and the powder, but failed to
explode the later.
"Coxswain O'Donnell and Seaman
Bloom are commended, as is also the
coOlness with which the marines and
sailors worked under the Spanish fire.
Nothing was learned at Cabanas bay;
but at Guayanganaco it is evident a
landing is practicable for ships boats.
The same is true of Rancho Cruz, a
small bay to the eastward. Both would
be valuable with Cabanas, but useless
wit ho,,+ s. 7 am In - P.sed that tole1al
north and westwar of Cabanas bay
there is a large clearing with plenty
of grass and water / think stimuli
xalsacasS