The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-06-17
AGGRESSIVE MOVE.
pletely ROut the Spaniards-
Forty Were Killed.

UNITED STATES CAMP, East Sl0e OF
Entrance to Guantanamo Bay, June
IA, via Kingston, Jamaica, June TO-
The United States marines under
Lieut.. Col. Robert w. Huntington
made their first aggressive movement
against the Spanish guerillas to-day
and completely routed the enemy.
The force of marines was under
Capt Elliott and the cooperating Gu
bans were under Col Laborda. The
combined forces RACED a Spanish camp
about five miles from the American
position, destroyed the only we'll in
the vicinity and killed about forty
Spaniards. One American marine was
slightly wounded. Two Cubans were
killed and four wounded.
1t is impossi BILE to estimate the num-
Der of Spaniards engaged, owing to
their guerilla methods of fighting, but
it is believed that there were at least
four hundred.
The marines behaved splendidly,
their craftsmanship being excellent.
The captured camp lies about five
miles southeast of the rifle pits of the
marines and was an important base for
the enemy, as it contained the only
well within six or seven miles. Lieut..
Col. Huntington decided on the attack
early in the day, and at about s o'clock
the force started across the mountain.
The march up and down the steep hill
sides under the glarirg tropical sun
was a severe test of endurance for the
marines, and before the battle ground
was reached % men had received medi-
cal attention. All were able, however,
to reach the posi- ton before the fight
ing ceased.
The marines were compelled to
march in single file, following the
mountain trail Meanwhile the Gu
bans darted backward and forward, to
right and left, on the scout. 1t was
noon when from hilltop the Amer
leans caught sight of the Spanish camp
lying on ridge below them. 1t con-
sisted of one large house, the officers
quarters, surrounded by numerous
''shacks" and houses all clustering
about the precious we'll.
The Americans began a cautious ad-
vance and were within 200 yards of the
enemy before the crack of a rife from
the Spanish lines announced that the
Spaniards had discovered them.
The troops quickly moved into line
of battle, With the Cubans on the left
flank. The enemy's bullets were whirl-
ing viciously over the Americans, but
the marines settled down to their
work as unconcernedly as though at
target practice.
Very few Spaniards were in sight
They were lying blind the huts and
the brush, but the puffs of smoke re-
vealed their positions and enabled the
Americans to do effective work. For
90 minutes both sides maintained ater-
rife fire. The Spanish shots were gen
orally wild and spasmodic, while the
Americans coolly fired away, aiming
carefully and shooting to kill. For
the most part the Americans firing
was done individually but at times the
officers would direct firing by squads,
always with telling effect.
1t was beginning to look as though
bayOnet charge down the slope
would be necessary to dislOdge the
enemy, when suddenly the latter be-
| gan to break for a thicl1et a hundred
yards further on. Little groups could
be seen fleeing from the camp, sepa-
rating, darting through the brush and
zig-zagging to escape the bullets.
1t was then the American fire be-
came most deadly. Man after man
could be seen to fall in a vain rush for
shelter, and the fire from the Spanish
became scattering and almost ceased.
Two Cubans lay dead and four
wounded, and Private Walker, of Com
pany d had to limp to the rear with a
slight wound in his ankle.
The easy victory put the command
in high spirits. The little black Cuban
warriors waved their machetes and
howled curses at the Spanish in savage
fashion. Their firing had been wild
throughout, but they displayed the ut
most contempt for the Spanish bull
lets, apparently being absolutely with
out fear.
AS the enemy began breaking from
camp, the Dolphin, which lay out at
sea, was signaled and began pitching
shells toward the thicket, for which the
Spaniards were making Meanwhile
Lieut.. Magil was seen coming with 40
men as reinforcements, and Capt.
Mahony was on the way with 100 more,
but before either could reach the scene
the trouble was over.
As the Spanish retreated the Amer
leans moved slowly forward, firing as
they went, and by the time the camp
was reached the enemy had all got
away, taking their wounded and prob
ably many of their dead. Fifteen
bodies were found scattered through
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