Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-06-21
WAR NEWS.

The military expedition for the occupa-
ton of Santiago, consisting of about 20,
600 troops. sailed from Tampa and other
Florida points, under a strong convoy.
The brick fort and earthworks at Cal
manera, at the end of the railroad leading
to the city of Guantanamo, were demol-
ished by the bombardment of the Texas.
Marblehead and Suwanee. The bonn
bardment lasted one hour and thirty
minutes.
The dynamite cruiser Versuvious was
put in action at Santiago and performed
admirably. She advanced to within a
short distance of the Notifications and
fired six shells from her pneumatic guns.
doing apparently heavy damage to the
earthworks and masonry walls of the
batteries.
The British steamer Quen Sang, which
arrived Sunday at Hong Kong, reports
that at p. m. last Wednesday, when
less than day from Manila, she sighted
the steamer City of Pekin, one of the
three transports, carrying the first expe-
dition of United States troops TO the relief
of Admiral Dewey.
Admiral Sampson received word that
more than thirty transports, containing
General Skaters army. We're nearing
Santiago He sent word for them to re.
main ten miles south of the harbor until
he could prepare a landing place. A
landing and decisive battle are expected
by the end of this week.
Lieut. Victor Blue, of the gunboat Su,
vance. made perilous trip to the hills
overlooking the harbor and city of Santi-
ago, and ascertained definitely the pres,
ence there of Admiral Cerveras squad.
ron. Lieutenant Blue is South Caro-.
linian. and was highly complimented by
Admiral Sampson upon his daring and
successful mission.
There was practically continuous fight
ing throughout the week in the vicinity
of Guantanamo between the battalion OF
marines under the command of Lieut.,
Col. Huntington, aided by some Cubans,
and Spanish regulars and guerrillas. The
first assault of the enemy was from the
brush and four Americans were killed
and others wounded; after several such
attacks an aggressive movement by the
marines was ordered, and the Spaniards
were routed with heavy losses, while the
Americans escaped practically without
injury; the Spaniards were reinforced in
numbers from Santiago, but sharp work
by the warships guarding the camp
wrought destruction among their de-
fenses. and it was believed that the ma
rines could hold their position until the
arrival of the troops on the transports.
The PHILIPPINE insurgents continued
their activity. and at latest accounts had
succeeded in capturing many prisoners
and threatening the capital itself.
News has been received in Washing
ton of an attempt made by Mariana Saliva,
young member of the Havana volun-
teers, to assassinate Captain-General Ra-
mon Blanco. The general was shot in
the hip, but is still able to confer at the
palace with his officers
General Blanco has notified the block
aiding feet that he will recognize no flags
of truce hereafter, but will fire on every
American vessel within six miles of the
Cuban shore.
The Philippine insurgents have formed
provisional government, under the
presidency of Aguina1do, Notice has
been given Admiral Dewey that the in
surgents want the islands to become an
American colony.