The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-03

New York, June 1.-An Evening Jour
nal special from Cape Haytien says:
The torpedo boat Porter arrived at
Mole St. Nicholas at 1 o'clock this
morning with a dispatch for Wash
ington. She left Immediately, but be-
fore going to sea the following story
of the bombariment of Santiago de
Cuba, the refuge of Cervera and the
Spanish fleet was obtained by Your
correspondent at the Mole:
The American squadron, augmented
by the torpedo boat Porter, the aux
iliary cruiser ST. Paul and the protect
et cruiser New Orleans, formerly the
Amazonas, approached the entrance to
the harbor of Santiago at about 1890
o'clock p. m, the Iowa leading. In
side the entrance to the harbor was
seen one Of the warships of Cervera's
fleet, stripped for action.
AS the American fleet steamed near,
the New Orleans was detached and
steamed far ahead of the Iowa, Texas
and Massachusetts,. One of the forts
opened on her and she replied, the
other two ships directing their fire at
the battery on the Punta G0rda with
i'm the harbor and to the westward OF the
position occupied by the Spanish ship.
The latter replied to the fire and i'm
mediately became target for all the
| American ships engaged in the battle.
She retired behind a protecting head
land, and was not seen again during
| the engagement.
The Iowa, directed by Captain
ciFighting Bob'O Evans; the
Massachusetts, Captain f. j.
| Hugginson; the Texas, Captain J. w.
| Phillip and the New Orleans. Captain
William Folger; kept up their terrific
| fire against the Moro, Sopoca and
| Punta Gorda forts for two hours, their
| projectiles, of enormous size, doing
| tremendous damage to the defences OF
| the harbor. The masonry on Socapa
| and Morro was battered almost into
| dust and the forms of Spanish artil-
| lerymen and infantry could be plainly
seen flying to safety behind the neigh
boring hills.
| The auxiliary cruiser which Joined
| Schleys fleet just before the battle
took place was hit by shells from the
forts, and it is thought she has been
seriously damaged by them.
| After seeking the protection Of a
| jutting headand, the Spanish warship
continued to fire pyojectiles over the
| hills toward the fleet, but they had no
range. not even direction to their shots
| and the Shell fell harmlessly into the
| sea.
That the number Of killed and wound
| ed on the Spanish side is enormous,
no one doubts for time and again the
American shells hit the batteries
squarely and amid the flying masonry
| and dismantled guns the forms OF men
| were discerned. The damage done to
| the American fleet cannot be learned,
| but it is not thought any person was
| killed, If indeed, anyone was wounded.
THE SPANISH ACCOUNT.
Madrid, June 1.-The following un-
dated official dispatch from Havana
| has been received here:
| The American squadron command
ed fby Commodore Schley, composed of
| large ironclads and cruisers, attack
| ed the fortifications at the entrance of
| Santiago de Cuba. Our ironclad Girls
! tobal Colon, closing the mouth OF the
port and supported by the fire Of the
forts, repulsed the attack, causing dam
'MANTEROLA"
[Admiral Manterola is the officer in
command of the regular Spanish fleet
| in Cuban waters.
| Madrid, June lin the senate today
| Count Casa Valencia asked If 1.-The news
| of the American repulse at Santiago
de Cuba was official?"
The minister OF marine Captain
| Aunon replied affirnatively, adding:
| The news is a good augury for fur
| ther victories, which the courage and
! high merit of our sailors give reason
to hope for"
| The senate then unanimously NOTED
| with satisfaction the brilliant victory
Of the Spanish fleet"
SPANISH BLOCK HOUSE DE-
STROYED.
| Key est Fla, June l. $50 .. IN The
! United States auxiliary gunboat Cncas
| arrived here this morning from the
Cuban coast. She reports that on Mon
| day last. when about q mile and a half
| west of Matanzas light house she sight
| ed a Spanish block-house on shore.
| Taking UP position about 600 yards
| off shore, the Uncas fired two shots at
| the house and the two shells went clear
! through the buiiding which was wreck
ed. During the firing me auxiliary
gunboat Leyden came up and also mr.
ed a couple of shots. 1t Is not known
| whether any Spaniards were killed. but
they probably fed at the first shot.
The bbock-house made no reply.
This action upon the part OF the Un-
cas- and Leyden is in accordance with
the policy OF the patrol boats in she'll
ing any block-house they may come
practice very much.
NO REPORT OF CAPTURE OF THE
ALPHONSO XIII.
Key West, June 1.-4:50 p m.-The