The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-02

Siboney. via Playa Del Este, July g.
0eneral Shafter. just before 10 O'Clock
Friday morning. submitted a dispatch
for transmission to Washington an
nouncing the formal opening OF the
siege OF Santiago. which took place just
>two hours earlier. At the close of the
day he reported that the engagement
had been heavy. with all OF the advan-
tage on the side of the besiegers. for the
American forces now occupy the outer
works OF Santiago.
General Lawton's division had the
advance. This division was composed
of three brigades. one Of which included
the Second Massachusetts,. The first
advance was on Ell Caney, strong posi-
tion on the northeast of Santiago. This
position was soon captured.
At the same time Eampson's fleet bs-
gan fierce bombardment of the har-
Dor and defenses. The Spaniards nads
stubborn resistance, but after Ave
hours fighting they began to retreat
from their entertainments and fall back
on the city. Still they fought as they
reured, and every inch Of ground was
e'opoorniy contested. Our troops
Fought with the utmost bravery, and
with dash which sometimes seemed
10 border on recklessness.
Some estimates place our loss at 500
IN Killed and wounded. One man had
Doth arms shot OF. and was wounded IN
tne hip. but he was laughing when
Drought to the rear. The enemy
must have suffered terribly. for the Are
OF the Americans was accurate ana
deadly. Their losses in killed and
wounded must have gone into the thou
sands. ~.
Our men were fun OF snap and eager
1or the big fight. In preparation for tbe
assault 80 tried men in each BRIGADE
non-commissioned officers and priyafes
were promoted to be wire cljppers
ana tney preceded the first firing line
ABOUT zoo or 300 yards. for the purpose OF
cutting the wire fer >es that obstr,cted
the way to the city. Their mission was
most hazardous one, as they were ex-
posed to the fire OF our own men as wen
as that OF the enemy.
A two days visit to the Cuhsr ,r..
.no outposts by correspondent of the
associated Press developed situation
wnicn' II not broken by Vigorous and
successful attack on Santiago, might re-
SUIT In causing much more serious work
tnan was anticipated with the Spanish
lorces that retired from the vicinity Of
Asorraderos and Baiquiri to Join General,
ASinares. The forces in Santiago and
WITHIN the fortified defenses of the citv
numbered 11.0oo-7Oo0 regulars and 1000
volunteers. Concerning the latter. the
Suoans alleged that they would not
nsnt with any heart, but would Law down
sneir arms. According to Spanish SOL
Hers captured and held in the camn a,
nenerai Perez, near Guantana mo haIs |
OF the force OF men on the Spanish war
ships had been landed with all the ranId-
nre guns. This made total force I'm
the city or 1850 men, In addition To tho
projection from the earthworks and 1
iorts, and the assistance OF the ships I'm
tne narbor. To meet this force. or M
heast TO Invade its strongholds. the
american commanders had IL. 500 men
and about 1000 Cubans, the latter TO pre-
vent. II possible. flank movements at the
expense of the Americans.
Here was the dangerous and most sig
ing from Manzanillo. 120 miles west OF
Santiago and having been on the road
Tor six Days. quite well advanced now
In his progress. is General Pando with
seven battalions, aggregatins s40o men.
To oppose him is General Jesus Rabi.
With force of 200 Cubans. lying in wait
Ia miles from Santiago and on two roads.
of course 1t would be perfectly possible
Tor General Pando to take his column
Tar to the north and make a junction
with the Spanish troops supposed to be
'n the way from Holguin and number
Ing, 1t is said, 5000 men. This advance
rom the north 10 being held in check
BY about 1000 Cubans under General
Castillo. who claims to hold the passes.
General Castillo admitted In camp that
lis method was to do Indian fightlnR I'm
he nountain passes. When he was
lsked what his forces would do IL
ianked. he gravely said ne had not
thought of that, but he supposed he
would have to retire. The object OF the
spanish advancing from Manzanillo