St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-07-06

Santiago at his pleasure.
There was desperate fighting about
Aguadores. Acting under orders from
Gen. Linares, the Spaniards at that
point returned the American fire with
fury that aroused in our men the 6ercest
determination. They boldly faced the
enemy's hre, holding their ground tena.
ciously, and pressing forward whenever
an opportunity to gain an advanced
footing presented ITSELF
In their operations about Aguadores
the Americans were greatly encouraged
by the work of the feet which poured
heavy fire into the lines of the Spaniards.
Admiral Sampson ordered the New York,
Gloucester and Suwanee to attack the
batteries recently placed to the east of
Moro. The vessels engaged the batter
les at short range, and left only the
SCARED hillside to show where the batter
les had been located.
The Massachusetts and the New York
then opened with their big guns, plung-
ing heavy fire into the enemy's lines.
Common shell and reduced charges were
used for this purpose. and they democrat.
izcd the enemy's ranks. The shells were
fired at high elevation, so as to clear
the towering coast line ridge.
Gen. Miles says the result at Santiago
appears to be drawn battle. He also
said that the withdrawal of Gen. Shafter
to the highlands OF Siboney near the sea
would be temporary, enabling the troops
to prepare for future work. Gen. Shafter
would probably give up Ell Caney aud
the plain not Tar from Santiago.
The dispatch speaks for itself, and as
Adjt. Gen. Corbin said, tells what des.
perate fight the gallant troops have been
in. AS soon as it became known that
the commander had reported the defences
. so strong that it would be impossible to
carry them by storm with his present
force, there was momentarily wave O
deep apprehension. But this was not
shared by military authorities here. AL
their energies, all their attention wa,
turned to meeting the situation as pre-
sented by Gen. Skater. There wa
neither time nor disposition to TAX
account of what had gone before whel
the fact was placed that the Amer ical
army had fought its way inch by incl
under blazing sun, through a dens
tropical vegetation, the foe taking pos
ton after position, until as Gen. Shafte
reported that the town was invested o.
the north and east by the long. draw
out line of American troops. That wa
a sufficient tribute to the valor OF on
brave men and it silences all cavil owe
the conditions now presented by Ger
Skater.
1t was time for re-enforcements, an
to the execution of this every effort of tn
administration was at once turned. TIL
American army was not alone feeling tn
effect of those three days shock of arm.
Definite, positive information was a
hand that Santiago had been torn t
pieces and that the Spanish loss number
fully 1000.
The president and his war advisers r,
manned calm throughout the trying e,
periences of the day. All their attentio
was directed to the task of preparation
The future movements of Gen. Skater al
well established, but it was deemed a,
visable not to make this portion publ
as it would serve to advise the enemy
the American plans. 1t can only be sal
that Gen. Skaters forces will be strongl
and iavorably located with the guns
the American warships serving as a
additional protection to their front. r
Inducements will be hurried to then
which will be able for an emergenc,