The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1898-07-08
DEFENSES OF ENEMY
WERE ALL TAKEN.
VICTORIES DEARLY BOUGHT.
The Spanish Loss Placed
at 6,000-Gen. Shafter
Demanded Surrender.

Advices received from the headquar-
ters of the American army in Cuba
state that Friday morning Major Gen
eral Shafter began with great vigor
the attack on the outer defenses Of
Santiago.
From hree directions the American
forces advanced toward the city. While
General Lawton and General Wheeler
were attacking Caney, northeast Of
Santiago, General Kent was advancing
toward Aguadores. General Garcia,
with his Cuban troops, at the same
time approached Caney from the south
west, and the other divisions of the
American army pressed toward Santi-
ago from the east, our forces thus pre-
senting a solid front from the coast to
General Linare's northern defences.
Four members of the Twenty-frst
regiment of regulars were killed in
the fighting between Sevilla and
Aguadores, while sixteen other Amer
leans, all members Of the Twenty
first, were wounded.
Both the American and Spanish
fleets early joined in the battle. While
Admiral Sampson was reducing the
recently emplaced batteries at Aqua
dores Admiral Cervera's feet was hurl-
ing shells in the direction of the
American and Cuban lines.
Two batteries of light artillery, act
ing under orders from Major General
Shaf'er who went to the front at the
head Of troops, began the battle of
Santiago by attacking Caney.
From this village direct road leads
into Santiago and the advance of our
troops was irresistible when they
gained possession of this road
General Joe" Wheeler, with a de-
tachment of his cavalry command, and
General Garcia, with his Cuban troops,
quickly joined General Lawtons men
in the advance upon Caney.
The Spaniards for time fought des-
perately to prevent Caney from falling
into the hands of our forces. It was
vain effort. Before the fighting had
been long under way the Americans
and Cubans gained an advantage and
were soon in possession of the place.
There was desperate fighting about
Aguadores Acting under orders from
General Linares the Spaniards at that
point returned the American fire with
a fury that aroused our men to the
fercest determination.
They boldly faced the enemy's fire
holding the ground tenaciously and
pressing forward whenever an oppor-
tanity to gain an advance in the foot
ing presented itself. In their opera
tions about Aguadores the Americans
were greatly encouraged by the work
of the feet, which poured heavy fire
into the lines Of the Spaniards.
FEARFUL Loss OF LIFE.
The first reports Of the fight receiv-
cd from Siboney, province of Sahtiago
de Cuba, from Gen. Shafter was dated
at o'clock Friday night, and stated
that the battle was still on and that
our killed and wounded was estimated
at over 1000. Shells from Spanish
feet did heavy execution among our
troops. During a lull in the fighting
an impressive incident occurred. The
Twenty First infantry was out in front
and suffering loss from the Spanish
fire, but the men sang the Star Span
gled Banner, even the wounded join.
ing in the singing
Adiutant General Corbin Saturday
morning received dispatch from Gen
eral Shafter as follows:
81 fear / have underestimate oul
loss. MIST have a fully equipped hos
pital ship, more medical officers auo
additional hospital supplies. Also {
steam launch