Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-24

half miles west of Ell Moro, to make a
feint at landing troops there. The trans
ports which were to have accompanied the
Texas were still far out of position Sud
denly pun of smoke shot out from the
western battery, showing that the enemy
were devoting attention to the Texas The
battle ship replied promptly. firing at the
six-inch guns and with her smaller guns
at block house IN a small inlet at Caban-
as For an hour the duel between the
Texas and the forts continued
Marvellous Mnrksmnnship of Texas.
The most spectacular event so far in the
war 1t was. The craftsmanship of the
Texas was marvellous. Though over two
miles away and In an awkward position,
she dropped shell after shell right on the
ridge of the hill where the enemy's guns
lay. Clouds of yellow earth rose high in
the air.
The crew on the flag ship greeted each of
these with loud cheers. Puffs of white
smoke shot through the yellow CANYON
These were shots from the enemy They
stuck to their guns well, but their aim was
wild, the shots falling some a mile ahead
and some a mile astern of the Texas. Fin
ally the enemy's shots became few and far
between.
They had probably been driven from their
guns. All the other battle ships in the
United States navy lay in semi-circle
watching the wonderful work of the
Texas, and not wishing to distract the
enemy's attention from the successful feint
On land still further to the westward
General Rabf, with 800 Cubans. was MAX
ing a military demonstration to assist in
making the Spaniards concentrate their
troops to the west of Santiago.
Meanwhile a lively naval attack was in
progress east of the harbor at Aguadores,
village two or three miles east of Ell Nor
TO. The Eagle and Gloucester commenced
to fire at the block house there shortly af-
ter 8 clock.
The bluff was peppered with the smoke
clouds of their exploding shells.
Fire at Two Block Houses.
A few miles further to the east the Hor-
net. Helena and Bancroft vera in the pic
turesque harbor of Ensenada de los AL
tares, banging away at two block houses
on the side of a hill which rose above the
deserted village. Thu heavy swell caused
these craft to roll considerably, and the
surf broke viciously against the rocks. The
sun shone bright, light breeze blew, and
the gunboats, half envelopad in white
smoke, nestled in these fine harbors, form
ing a picturesque sight. They were feint-
ing more than fighting.
From Cabanas to Baiquiri, along fourteen
miles of coast, the ridge was dotted with
the smoke of American shells. The battery
west of Ell Moro was the only point where
the enemy appeared to make any serious
attempt to reply. The sharp reports of the
batteries of the smaller boats filled the air,
behind. A faint odor of saltpeter drifted
out to sea.
The officers and crews of the ships not
engaged watched the shore eagerly. At
1890 the New York ran down from Ell
MORO to Baiquiri, the real seat of opera
lions.
Just as she arrived the first boatload of
troops was landing at the iron company's
wharf. the transports ha6 been slow in
coming up. When Admiral Sampson ar
rived the Suwanee, Detroit and Wasp were
banging away at bluff to the west of
Baiquir, where the Spanish troops were
believed to be in ambuscade.
Scene at Landing Point.
Around the wharf launches and boats
were thickly clustered, some black with
troops. others half 4erfipty and their former
occupants climbing lip like ants. The fir
ing of the gunboats was soon discontinued.
Flames broke optuI@here the shells had
been directed. and "a long low, white house
was soon burned npe No shots were seen
to come from any points on shore.
The waters around; Baiuuiri were black
with small craft of all sorts. plying quickly
between the transports and the shore
Smoke curled up from various spots around
the village, marking the fires caused by
the shells. ligy
The landing continued quietly, until bv
noon 5000 troops Were ashore - The aG-
miral and his staff watched the debarka-
ton closely. ~. ~
Many of the soldiers were seasick while
making the passage from the transports TO
Gen. Van Horn, In command of the first
DIVISION, while clambering from the Seneca
into small boat, fell into the thwarts of
the latter and was somewhat injured He
could not Land with the division
The landing boats had hard time in the