The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-30
ARRIVAL OF GENERALS
MILES AND WILSON

On The Morning Of the 28lh Higginson Came
from Guanico with these Officers and Trans
ports Under Convoy Of the Massachusetts and
Cincinnati, and Commenced Larding Army
Ths Inhabitants Welcomed the Troops with
Ardor and SaIuted The Flag with Enthusiasm
1.-The Spanish Rereated Precipitately, leay-
ing Army, Ammunition and Their Wounded
Behind in Their Mad Haste.
Copyright 1898 by Associated Prcss.)
Port of Ponce, Porto Rico. via the Is
land of st. Thomas, ID. w. L., july IS
The port of Ponce surrendered TO Com
modore c. III. Davis, of the auxiliary
cruiser Dixie, yesterday. There was no
coined with enthusiasm. Major General
Miles arrived here this morning at day
light with General Ernst's brigade and
General Wilson's division on board trans
ports. General Ernst's brigade imme
diately started for the town of Ponce,
three miles inland which capitulated this
afternoon.
The American troops are pushing to-
ward the mountains, and will join Gene
raj Henry with his brigade at Yauco,
which has been captured by our troops.
f,rhf bn
Tuesday last was won by the American
volunteers. The Spanish ambushed eight
companies of the Sixth Massachusetts
and Sixth Illinois regiments, but the
enemy was repulsed and driven back a
mile to ridge, where the Spanish cav
airy charged and were routed by our
infantry.
General Garretson led the fight with
the men from Illinois and Massachusetts.
and the enemy retreated to Yauco, leav-
ing four dead on the field and several
wounded. None of our men were killed,
and only three wounded slightly. The
wounded are:
CAPTAIN GIHON BARRETT.
PRIVATE JAMES DRUMMOND.
PRIVATE III. c. GARY.
The Porto Ricans are glad the Ameri-
can troops have landed and say they are
Americans and will join our army.
The roads are good for military pur
poses. Our troops are healthy and Gen.
eral Miles says the campaign will be
short and vigorous.
General Miles has issued the follow
ing proclamation:
''In the prosecution of the war against
the Kingdom of Spain by the people of
the United States. in the cause of lib
erty. justice and humanity, its military
forces have come to occupy the Island
OF Porto Rico. They come bearing the
banners of freedom, inspired by noble
purpose. to seek the enemies of our Gov
ernment and of yours and to destroy
or capture all in armed resistance. They
bring you the fostering arms of free
people whose greatest power is justice
and humanity to all living within their
fold. Hence they release You from your
former political relations, and it is
hoped that this will be followed by your
cheerful acceptance of the Government
of the United States.
THE chief object of the American
military forces will be to overthrow the
armed authority of Spain and give the
people Of your beautiful Island the larg-
est measure of liberty, consistent with
this military occupation. They have not
come to make war on the people of the
country. who for centuries have been
oppressed. but, on the contrary, they
bring protection not only to yourselves,
but to your property, promote your pros
perity and bestow the immunitics and
blessings of our enlightenment and lib
eral institutions and government.
1t is not their purpose to interfere
with the existing laws and customs,
which are wholesome and beneficial to
the people long as they conform to
the rules of the military administration,
order and justice. This is not Il. war
of devastation and desoIation. but one
to give all within the control Of the
military and naval forces the advantages