New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-11

mort. r.,at,ns to the heroism displayed by the
marines at Guantanamo, when the first Amer
ican blood was shed on Cuban SOIL They are
as follows:
LIEUT.. COL. HUNTrNGTON'S REPORT.
Headquarters First Marine Battalion.
Guantanamo Bay Cuba. June IL. lSsa
Cir. r,rs,-I have tho honor 10 make the follow
ing renort: The stores Of this battalion were sent
10 the dock at Key West from Camp sampson on
Sunday June g. We broke camp at a. m. on june
and went on boa nj the Panther.
Second-On June at 7io p. m. we sailed from
Kew West and arrived or Santiago de Cuba on
the morning Of the 10th: on the same day at
p m, we arrived In Guantanamo Bay; at D. M
the battalion landed with stores. Company was
landed and deployed up the Hill near the beach on
the right Of the entrance TO the haroor Ihis mn
is about one hundred and fifty feet high. ana Oh
ton was formerly occupied by the Spanish troops
hut when the position was vacated the day before
our landing the blockhouse on top Of the hill was
burned.
Third--On landing all houses and huts iatey
occupied by the Spanish forces were burned
Fourth-The hill occupied by us is a faulty posi-
tion but the best 10 be had at this point the rdee
slopes downward ard TO the rear from tne pay
the space at the top Is very small. ana all the sur
rounding country is covered with thick and almost
impenetrasie brush. The position is commanded
by q nbuntain tho ridge OF which IL about one
thousand two hundred yards TO the rear
Fifthr-On the afternoon Of landing tents "ere
pitched and outposts established
sixth-On the uth. about p. m. an attack was
made uron ono OF the cu,posts. and two prvates.
McColgan and Dunphy. OF Company d. were killed.
each receiving than eight WOUNDS each oA
which would have caused death. THESE TWO men
were patrols. A detachment was sent out from
camp to support the outpost and we Iouho only
faint tracer Of tn. enemy. After nightfali fire was
opened upon our camp by small parties from oif-
ferent directions on Eve different occasions. Tine
men turned out each time under arms WIN
promptitude and courage. About g. m. more
combined attack made, and noisy hre from
SOUTH southeast and southwest was opened Dur
ing this attack Acting Assistant Surgeon John
blair Gibbs United States Navy. killed. From
the best information atta!nable about one hundred
and sixty men engaged in this attack
seventh--On the morning Of the 18th Sergeant c.
H Smith WIS killed and Corporal Glass and
Privates MCGOWAN and Dalton. all OF Company u.
were wounded. but not dangerously
Eiehth-On the morning OF the 18th all tents ana
material were removed from the position and taken
on the bay side Of the hill. and trench was dug
on the south front about forty yards across. and
barrtcade made around the position. which would
enable us 20 hold II. as was Informed that moro
troops were being assembled by the enemy in this
Immediate vicinity.
Ninth-On the night Of tho 18th many persistent
and trinng attacks were made. in reply TO which
we used a good deal Of ammunition. About a M
Sergeant Major Henry Good was killed On tho
18th wo were Joined by sixty tnsurgent troops. and
they being acquainted with the country and ex-
cellent woodsmen. and fearless. were OF tho
greatest assistance
Tenth--On the 18Th about a. m. FIRE was opened
upon the camp and subdued without loss or dim
Guilty. That night passed quietly. About a. m OF
the 18th a rather smart hre was opened for few
m ,ments on the camp. and easily repealed. About
halo no
alarm. but their help was not needed They opened
IRE
Eieventh-At . c. m. on the 18th force consist
ing Of Companies c and d. the native troops above
mentioned with about twenty-five more from
Guantanamo. all under the direction OF Colonel
Tomas Cuban Army. proceeded through the hills
about six miles and destroyed we'll said 70 be
the only ava.ia BILE water supply within nine miles
Twelfth-From the best information can gather
this force was opposed by four regular companies
Of Spanish Infantry and two companies of gueril-
las making total Of little short OF five hundred
men.
Thirteenth-The engagement between these forces
lasted from about II a. m. until 330 p m. Our
troops drove the enemy at every point. being
Obliged to make the first advance for about twenty
minutes under hre which. owing to the lay Of the
land they could not return.
Fourteenth-Captain Elliott reports that the men
IN many coolly estimated distances. borrowed
his field glass TO pick UP parties Of the enemy and
At distance OF one thousand yards often inflicted
damage and caused withdrawal.
/Fifteenth--Second Lieutenant Magill. with nifty
men and ten Cubans Joined Captain Elliott climb
ing the mountain through cactus and brush; this
advance intended to cut Off the retreat Of the
spaniards which. unfortunately. failed Of its prin-
cipal object. owing TO the fact that his advance
was stopped by the fire Of the United States steam
ship Dolphin.
Sixteenth Being apprehensive for the success Of
N~l. Etret ta,ftar Va
honey TO be Joined by First Lieutenant Ingate-
these Officers each having fifty men with them on
picket--this combined force TO proceed TO Captain
Eluott's assistance. Lieutenant Ingate failed
aceountably, to find his way TO Lieutenant Ma
honey. and Lieutenant Mahoney advanced alone.
arriving too late 10 take active part In the
affair.
Seventeenth-Our losses two Cubans killed
and two wounded. and three privates wounded,
not dangerously After the affair. while descend
ing the mountain Lieutenant Neville wrenched his
hip. and probably he unit for service for
month About ten or twelve OF our men and two
Cubans were overcome hy the heat.
Eighteenth-From information received from pris
oners which believe be reliable about sixty Of
the Spanish force killed and something more
than one hundred and City wounded. and one lieu
tenant and seventeen privates were captured. The
forces returned TO camp at p. m. exhausted by
the long hard march through this mountainou
and tropical country.
Ninefeenth-Thix affair was planned by the
Cubsns bu, too much praise cannot be awarded to
the cooiness skim and bravery Of our officers and
men. by which alone its success was achieved.
Twenteth-Captain Elliotts cool advance up
rocky. steep mountain path under fire for twenty
minutes without being able to return II. and the
Gallsntry and skill displayed by him throughout
this affair. were essential 10 the great success at
tained by the expedition and are worthy OF. and
earnestly recommend that he be advanced In rank
-
high praise the conduct OF First Leutenants
Lucas and Neville and Second Leutenants Magtll
and Bannon. Your attention is called to a report
made by Captain Elliott attached hereto. Very
respectfully. r. w. HUNTINGTON.
Lieutenant Colonel. l.. g. NJ. c.. Commanding First
Raffafion