The Red Cloud chief., 1898-07-08
. Second Massachusetts infantry.

the second MaSsacnuSettS infantry.
Second brigade, commanding officer
unknown, but supposed to be Colonel
Bates, First United States infantry,
Fourth United States infantry and
Twenty-ffth United States infantry
(ucgro).
Third brigade, commanded by Brig
adler General A. X. Chaffec, Seventh
United States infantry, Twelfth
United States infantry and Seven
tccnth United States infantry.
1t thus appears that the entire di.
vision which opened the hostilities Of
the day is composed entirely OF regu-
lar troops, seasoned and experienced in
ond Massachusetts, volunteer infantry,
which Is regarded as ono OF the best
volunteer organizations in the army.
A dispatch was received in the cabi-
net meeting from Colonel Allen, in
charge Of the signal station at Playa
del Este. He said that the fight was
growing furious in all directions. At
Americans and nine Cubans had been
wounded.
The Spaniards were shclling the ad.
vancing Americans and Admiral Samp.
sons feet was holly engaging the forts
at the harbor entrance.
At noon yesterday the American
army occupied IA position in a long line
four miles east Of Santiago de Cuba,
but no forward movement had been
made in twcnty-four hours owing to
the difficulties in forwarding sufficient
supplies from the base at Juragua, as
well as to the fact that il was impossi-
BILE to send light artillery and siege
guns to the front from Baiguiri.
Major General Shafter vas Mt the
front and conducted the reconnois'
ance in person.
Tho American troops had made nc
attack then upon Aguadores or upon
the coast near the left wing Of the in
vading army.
The town of FL Gauey. or Caney
which commands the land entrance
into Santiago de Cuba, was close u
the Americans right wing and was
expected to be taken without difficulty
as it was held by only n small guarc
of Spanish troops. American scouting
parties went within 1000 yards o
Caney without being attacked.
The roads in that vicinity were re
paired and improved by our troops il
order that artillery might be moved il
that direction. 1t is believed that tn,
investment of Santiago de Cuba will
follow the capture of FL Gaucy.
There are about 5000 Cubans oper
ating with the American army at tn,
front and the Spanish force defending
Santiago de Cuba is estimated ut from
$4,000 to 10000. In addition, a
already cablcd, General Pando, tn
Spanish military commander-in-the
field, is marching from Manzanillc
some i27 miles west, with 5000 men
| and unless checked by the small fore
of Cubans holding the mountain
passes he could reach Santiago in hi
| efforts to support General Linares in
Few days.
With telegraphic communication es
tablished near Santiago and n wir
from General Skaters headquarters I
the cable office in Cuba, the Presiden
and General Miles feel as IL Washing
ton was practically as near to the feel
OF operations AS to Tampa, and tn
government assured of hearing of or
, erations as soon Is they take place.
From several sources the War d,
. partment learns that General Shafte
/, has taken tho measure of the foe /
numbers and fighting ability. He III
doubtedly considers that the ability
the Spanish army to fight, in the sens
: that the United States soldiers regar
fighting, has been drcadfully everest
. lmatcd by the Spaniards. The brus
lat La Quasina served to increase tn.
idea on General Skaters part and til
later flight from FL Caney, close I o IL
border Of the city itself, is believed
have impressed him with the idea tn,
they have not much fight left in then
|, Still II is considered not improbab
that the Spanish commander may ha,
some plan of destruction for IL
United States forces not yet suspecte,
a The talk OF mined roads does not quiz
account for the refusal to fight