Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-07-29
MILES SOFT SNAP
Port of Ponce Surrendered Without
Observation-Disclosures Given
Enthusiastic Welcome.
PUERTO RICANS PLEASED
Spanish Troops Left in Great Haste Re
suits Accomplished Without Loss of
Life-General Miles Report of
His Campaign.

Copyright by Associated Press-Port
OF Ponce, Puerto Rico, via st. Thomas
ID. w. l., July 2s.-Port of Ponce has
surrendered to Commander G. H. Davis
of the auxiliary gunboat Dixie. There
was no resistance and the Americans
were welcomed with enthusiasm. Maiol
General Miles arrived here this morning
at daylight with General Ernsts brig
ade and General Wilson's division on
board the transports. General Ernst's
brigade Immediately started for the
town of Ponce, three miles inland, which
capituated this afternoon. The Amer
ican troops are pushing toward the
mountains and will Join General Henry
with his brigade at Yauco, which has
been captured by our troops. A fight
before the latter place on Tuesday last
was won by the American volunteers.
The Spaniards ambushed eight com
panies of the 9th Massachusetts and
9th Illinois regiments, but the enemy
was repulsed and driven back "a mile to
a bridge where the Spanish cavalry
charged, and were routed by our in
fantry. General Garretson led the
fight with the men from the 9th
Illinois and the 9th Massachusetts, and
the enemy retrcated to Yauco, leaving
four dead on the field and several
wounded. None of our men were killed
and only three slightly wounded. The
Puerto Ricans are glad the American
troops have landed, and say they are
all Americans, and will join our army.
The roads are good for military pur-
poses.
General Miles Report.
Washington, July 20.--Thc War de-
partment received the following from
General Miles:
Port Ponce, Puerto Rico, via st.
Thomas, July 29.-On the 26th General
Garretson had spirited engagement on
the slirmish line, our casualties being
four wounded, all doing well. The
Spanish loss was three killed and 13
wounded. Yauco was occupied yestcr-
day. General Henry's division is there
today Last evening Commander Davis,
of the Dixie, moved into this port, fol-
lowed by Captain Higginson with his
feet early this morning. General Will
sons, and General Ernst's brigades are
now disembarking. The Spanish troops
are retreating from the southern part of
Puerto Rico. Ponce and the port have
a population of 5000 now under the
American flag. The populace received
the troops and saluted the flag with
wild enthusiasm. The navy has several
prizes, alse 70 lighters. The railway
stock, partly destroyed, is now restored.
Telegraphic communication is also
being restored. The cable instruments
are destroyed, but have sent to Jamaica
for others. This is prosperous and
beautiful country. The army will soon
be in the mountain region; weather de-
lightful; troops in the best of health and
spirits: anticipate no insurmountable
obstacles in the future. Results thus
far have been accomplished without the
loss of a single life. Later, in the affair
of the 96th, Captain Edward j. Gibson,
Company X, was wounded in the left
hip; Captain J. II. Prior, Company l.,
slightly wounded in the hand: Private
James Drummond Company X, two
wounds in the neck; Private Benz. +.
Bosbick, Company l.. slight wound in
the right arm, all of the 9th Massachu-
sets. All doing well. The Spanish re-
treat from this place was precipitous,
leaving rifles and ammunition in the
barracks and 40 or so sick in the hos
pital. The people are enjoying holi-
day in honor of our arrival.
(Signed) MILES.