The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-07-01

American officers that II the Spaniards are
forced to evacuate Santiago they will
march northward to Nuevltas to join the
Spanish column which has just landed
there. and later try to effect a junction
with the troops under Gen. Blanco at
Havana. This seems to DO the most natu-
raj move for them to make, and indeed
their only resort in the event Of defeat or
the probability of their being routed.
Spanish deserters who have como into
the American camp from Santiago report
that Admiral Cervcra has everything in
readiness to make a dash out Of the harbor
with his fleet. his object being to try to
sink at least one Of the ships Of the Ameri-
can squadron, and II need bo go down with
his flags flying and bands playing. This
perhaps is not the Spanish Admlral's exact
programme, but IL the information con-
veyed by the deserters is reliable 1t clearly
shows the state of desperation which the
Spanish defenders of Santiago have reached.
The Cuban outposts nearest to the city
have reached a picturesque old stone house
three miles from Santiago. The portfolios
and turrets of the old building were q few
days ago manned by a hundred Spanish
soldiers. Now the house is held by fifty
Cubans. From this position the city Of
Santiago can be distinctly seen below. Red
Cross flags are flying in all parts of the
town, which either mean the recognition
Of the Red Cross in the protection of the
women and children or are intended to
show that there is a great deal of sickness
in the city. The latter. however, is i'm
probable, as all the deserters from Santiago
report that the health of the troops INT
inhabitants of the city is excellent.
The cable line has been repaired to
Siboney, and a telegraph Office will be
opened at hat place tomorrow.
Gen. Wheeler has made his official re-
port of the fight in which the rough riders
participated. He establishes the location
of the fight at a point between Siboney and
Sevilla, three miles from the former place.
His force consisted of the Twenty-third
Regiment, Troops A, B, d, E, I, C, K andL
of the rough riders, Troops A, B, G and K
of the First Cavalry, and Troops A, B, L
and 1 of the Tenth Cavalry, a total of 964
men. OF the strength of the enemy he is
unable to speak more definitely than that
it was much superior to his own.
The Cubans, after the evacuation of ST.
honey, had driven the Spanish to the point
where the fight took place. There they
made a stand at nighttall, and Gen.
Wheeler decided to oislouge them at day.
light the following morning. The rough
riders under Col. Wood were ordered
to approach the enemy on the left OF
westerly side, while Wheeler himself, with
about fifty troopers from the First and
Tenth and three mountain guns, followed
the Sevilla road. The lines were deployed
until the right Of Col. Woods command
almost reached the left of tho regu
lars. Then Gen. Wheeler ordered the mer
at the mountain guns to open fire. Thu
Spanish reply was prompt, and at once the
firing became general. 1t was maintained
holly for an hour; then the Spanish gave
way, and our men followed them over the
line. Exhaustion from fatigue and the
heat prevented a vigorous pursuit.
Gen. Wheeler warmly commends in gen,
eral the gallantry of his officers and men
In particular he mentions Gen. Young
Acting Adjutant-G General Lieut.. A. L. Mills
Major w. d.. Beach, Acting Volunteer Aide
Maestro, Col. Wood. Lieut.-Col. Roose
welt, Capts. W. II. Beck, Robert p. Vain
wright, and Jacob G. Galbraith, Major
James M. Bell, Capt. Thomas T. Knox anG
Lieut.. George e. Brown. The last three. who
were wounded, are recommended for tn,
favorable consideration of the Government
Gen. Wheeler believes that the Spanish
losses in killed and wounded far exceeded
the losses IN the American side. Although
| he did not SEQ the rough riders in action
the General says that he has been assured
that they conducted themselves magnih
) Gently.
The report gives the following list of cas-
ualties:
First United States Volunteer Cavalry
strength 500, killed 8, wounded "a; Firs
United States Regular Cavalry, strength
244, killed z, wounded 8; Tenth UniteC
l States Regular Cavalry. strength 22O
killed /. wounded 10. Total strength 964
killed 10, wounded 80.
3 AT THE FRONT, IA SANTIAGO, Jun
%, via Playa del Este, Jun 30.-The out
posts of the American Army, which ar
now within two miles of Santiago. hav