The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-02
JUST BEFORE THE BATTLE.
Details of the Plan of Attack Mapped
Out

Copyright 1898, by the Associated Press
With the United States Army, Five
Miles off Santiago de Cuba, Thursday,
June 80, Noon.-The American forces,
now numbering nearly 1900 men, still
occupy a position in a long line five
miles east of Santiago de Cuba, but no
forward movement has been made dur
ing the past "a hours, owing to the
difficulty experienced in forwarding
sufficient supplies from the base at Ju-
ragua, and to the fact that it has not
been possible up to the present to send
light artillery and siege guns to the
front from Baiquiri.
Major General Shafter is at the front
and conducting the reconnaissance in
person. The American troops have
made no attack as yet upon Aguadores
or on the coast near EIe left wing of
the invading army, where the new base
may be established later.
The town OF Caney, which commands
the land entrance into Santiago de
Cuba, lies to. the Americans right
wing, and will probably be, taken
without difficulty soon, as it is held
by only a small guard of Spanish
troops. American scouting parties
have been within a thousand yards OF
Caney without being attacked. and the
roads in that vicinity have been re-
dicating that artillery will be moved in
that direction.
1t is believed that the investment of
Santiago de Cuba will follow the cap
ture of Caney.
There are about 5000 Cubans operat-
ing with the American army at the
front, and the Spanish force defending
Santiago de Cuba is estimated ut from
$4,000 to 10000. In addition as already
cabled, General Pando, the Spanish
military commander in the field, is
marching from Manzanillo, some 127
miles west, with 5000 men, and, unless
checked by the small force of Cubans
holding the mountain passes, he ought
to reach Santiago. in his effort to sup
port General Linares, in few days.
The American camps have been soak
ed by the recent rains and the roads
are in bad condition, but our officers
and men are confident they will be able
to make a general attack soon, and
that Santiago viii fall before them
READY FOR ASSAULT.
Off Juragua, Province of Santiago de
Cuba, June 30.-Over 1900 American
soldiers, including all the regular
troops now operating in Cuba, and
three volunteer regiments, supported
by 1000 Cubans under General Garcia,
lie tonight within view of the Spanish
East VI santiago ue Ou-
ba, ready for a forward movement in
the morning, which may lead imme-
diately to a general assault upon the
city.
The advance will be made by General
Lawton's division. forming the right
wing, and if the Spaniards show signs
of retreating, or circumstances other
wise warrant it, his division, with Gen
eral Kent's division, will doubtless join
in the advance and endeavor to drive
the Spaniards before them, and enter
the city. While the movement may
not reach this extent tomorrow. it's
purpose is to force the 5000 men of
General Lawton's command two miles
further forward than they are now,
take the little village of Caney and oc-
cupy the ridge overlooking the city
and harbor from which our artillery
fire can be rained upon the Spanish en- |
in front of the city and
upon the large body of Spanish soldiers |
holding them.
1t may be that the Americans may be
to accomplish this movement |
in one day and then postpone a further
advance until the light artillery and |
siege guns can be placed in position on |
the ridge and preparations can be made |
TO pour a deadly fire of shell and shrap- |
lel into the entrenchme ITS, diSlodging |
he enemy and enabling the main body |
IF the American forces to carry the /
,ity by storm.
1t is believed that at the same time ,