Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-11
ANOTHER AMERICAN SUCCESS.


Tho Town OF Goa mo Taken by General WILL
sen-Seyen Americans Wounded.
Coamo, Porto Rico, Aug. 9, via st.
Thomas, d. w. I-General Wilson
took the town of Coamo this moraing
with loss of only seven men wound
ed, all members of the Sixteenth Penn
sylvania regiment.
Corporal Barnes, of Company B, was
mcrtally wounded. Sergeant Wishart
was slightly wounded, Private Frank
Whitlock was struck in the groin and
Private Clyde Frank was struck in the
leg jolly and Herbert Lubold. both
of whom were shot in the arm, were
the other injured.
The Spanish are known to have lost
their commander, Major Yellescas,
Captain Ecante, Captain Lopez and
nine privates, all killed, and to have
had thirty-five wounded.
The Americans captured $50 prison
ers, practically the whole force OF
Spaniads, except the cavalry.
The capture of the town and garri-
son was neatly planned and splendidly
executed. The Sixteenth Pennsylvania
Volunteers moved to a point on the
north of the town last night and by
forced marches of eight miles across
the mountains, arrived at the rear OF
the town about O'Clock this morn
ing, just in time to cut off the enemy 5
retreat.
At daylight the Third Wisconsin
and troop c, New York, moved by the
right flank; and the artillery, support
ed by the Seccad Wisconsin, advanced
to the center. The Fourth CaVa4Ty
took I'D a position from which 1t could
GALLON to the field and sweep the Vaaley
into the town.
At 7 o'clock fire was opened upon
the blockhouse, which was hammered
with shell and shrapnel. The Span
iards replied with a few shots from
their Mausers and then fed. The
blockhouse was soon ablaze, and the
artillery fire in front ceased at I:4o
A. NJ
Almost Immediately volley firing
was heard in the rear OF the town.
The Spaniards, in seeking to escape,
ran straight into the arms OF Col.
Hulings regiment, posted On the hlHs
commanding the road. The enemy
sought protection in trenches, but
they could not withstand the deadly
fire With their commander and two
captains killed they were compelled
to surrender A troop OF fifty Spanish
cavalry escaped through the noun
tains, our cavalry being unable to
pursue them.
The Spaniards had destroyed the
stone bridge across the river CaOmo,
leading mo the town, but 1t was evil
dent that they were not prepared to
make a strong resistance, as no artll-
lery was posted there. The natives
received the Americans with delight.
General Wilson, Immediately after
taking the town, pushed the Wiscon-
sin troops cut mile beyond, where
they will camp for the night
Troop C, of New York, pursued the
party Of fleeing Spanish engineers af-
ter the capture of Coamo distance of
four miles along the road to Aibonito
The Americans were checked at the
Cuyon river, where the Spaniards had
blown up the bridge, and were shelled
from Spanish battery on the crest Of
Asoninte mountain. The dismounted
cavalry returned the fire, receiving no
damage and holding the position. A
battalion of the Third Wisconsin vol
unteers came to their support.
To-day Gen Wilson's column is rest
ing, repairing the bridge and recon
noitering the enemy's position. There
are formidable gorges on either side
and the Spanish works on the crests
of the mountain commanding the road.
The Spaniards have several guns
mounted, among them two machine
guns sent back into the country from
the torpedo boat destroyer Terror at
San Juan. These positions, it will be
difficult to flank.
All the men wounded in yesterdays
| fighting will recover.