Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-14
NEGOTIATIONS END.
SANTIAGO, 1T APPEARS, MUST FALL
BY THE SWORD.
PREPARATIONS FOR FINAL ATTACK.
Our Heavy Guns Being Taken to the
Front, Under observation-disclosures
or spnniards, Except by Water,
Cut on.

bo'idtlohs Tor peaceful surrender OF San
uago de Cuba ended in utter failure to-
day, and the city must fall by the sword.
General Toral, the Spanish commander,
mas finally and definitely refused General
Shafters proposal for an unconditional
surrender. and the American army now
only awaits the word of its general to
begin the final struggle.
Just when the attack will be made de-
pends upon the time which will ensue be-
lore General Randolph can land his bat
teries at the front, as It is definitely set
tied that the forward movement will not
begin until the army is fully backed up
by the big guns, the absence OF which
cost so many lives during the previous
| engagements. General Randolph's move
ment began early this morning, but to-
/ night, OF the ten batteries, only one out
! or every four guns had succeeded in
making its way over the almost impassa.
Die trail TO the trenches at the front. This
force, with the four batteries already
there, is not considered by the American
commander as sufficient, and probably
tWenty-four hours more will elapse before
SPANISH RETREAT CUT OFF.
General Lawton's entire division was
moved to the northward a mile and a
half, his extreme riglN being placed at
Caimanes, on the border of the harbor.
This movement places the American
forces in a semi-circle entirely surround
ing Santiago, and cutting off the retreat
OF the Spaniards, except by water as our
TANKS rest at the waters edge. The late
arrivals Of volunteers were moved I'D
from Juragua, and the First Illinois. the
Eighth Ohio, and the regiment from the
District Of Columbia were located i'm the
trenches vacated by Iawton's men.
Illness battery was swung around 10 the
north, closely connecting with Lawton's
forces, and now occupies bluff from
which IL can fire directly into the heart
OF the city. This is a most important
move, as it enables the American forces
TO shell the city without injuring the hos
pitals and public buildings, which are fly
ing the Red-Cross flags, the present DO
sition being such that shells can be
thrown over all the buildings thus pro-
tected from assault.
The little town Of Caimanes was evacu-
ated by the Spanish troops yesterday. and
Is now occupied by the Cuban troOps.
with few companies OF regulars. It's oc-
cupation is most important to the Amer
lean forces as it completes the semi-cir-
Gle from water-line to water-line. and
hens the city i'm.
a SPANISH BLUNDER.
il was a great blunder on the part Of
the Spanish to desert the place without
a struggle. as with it General Iawton
flanks them completely. Near this point
the Spanish left lies, and this flank has
been known to be the weakest portion Of
their line. During the weeks truce they
have been strengthening it, but their
entrenchments at this point have been
constructed raggedly, and apparently
without definite plan. General Lawton
anticipates little difficulty in driving the
Spaniards from their positions.
Under the present plans the American
army and navy will begin the attack at
the same time. The feet will hurl shells |
into the city, while the great coil of |
American soldiery will gradually tighten |
about the Spanish positions. the divisions
all along the line. As the semi |
circle narrows, the batteries in the rear |
will maintain a heavy fire. The American /
officers feel confident the city can with
stand this terrible assault but q short |
time.
MILES AT THE FRONT.
General Miles went to the front to-day,
and will probably remain there the great
er part OF tomorrow. The General was
accompanied by Troop \, Of the Second
Cavalry, the only mounted troops of Cen
aral Skaters army. 1t was raining heav-
lily when the start was made. Owing TO
the deep mud, it was almost dark when
he reached the front. TO "A correspondent
IF the Associated Press who accompanied
him to the front General Miles said: II
have not come down here 10 take COM
mand, and shall probably remain but
few days 1t is too late to make any
in the plan Of campaign. even
If I desired to make any, but l have no
complaint to make. Things seem TO be
moving in good shape. l intend 10 look
over our lines and positions, and study
the situation thoroughly, but l will not
interfere in the conduct of the campaign.
This is likely TO be the only trip 1 shall
make TO the front"
The last two days have been the worst
If the campaign, so far as weather is
Fierce tropical thunder
storms have been frequent, with an al
most continuous downpour of rain. The
'ifle-pits and trenches at the front have
,een flooded, and last night few mon in
he besieging army were able to sleep
wing to the amount of water on the
ground.
HEAVY HARDSHIPS. Z
The already heavy hardships endured ,
ave been greatly increased, an much Ill
ess is likely 10 result, as no adequate
helter is possible.
The trail TO the front is in frightful
hape. The streams at the fords are
wollen, and the soft soil is cut by the !
heels of the supply wagons. Randolph's 7
ght battery occupied whole day in f
citing TO the front. Rain is coming down
/ torrents tonight, and a thunderstorm
raging along the coast If the storm
ontinues it is likely to delay operations
eriously. ?
Troops from the auxiliary cruisers Yale