The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-05-04
AFFAIRS AT
KEY WEST.
Activity of Cuban Colony
Another Spanish Prize Ar
riVes.

Key West, Fla }, May 2-More
naval officers from the big ships were
ashore to day than at any time since
the feet sailed for Cuban waters.
Although the blockade is still being
maintained by the smaller cruisers,
and important movement is being
planned. What it is, however, can
only be conjectored. The day has
been barren OF actual news
The Cuban colony here is develop
ing great activity. A mass meeting
was held'this afternoon to perfect az
rangements for the departure of about
200 patriots, who will go to Tampa
and thence to Cuba, when the army
moves over to the island This party
will act in concert with the United
States regiments, but it's members
will serve more in the capacity of
scouts. though members Of the regu
lar army The party will be under
the direction of Col Mendez
The officers and men of the fleet
here are jubilant at Commodore
Dewey's daring in running the bat
teries and achieving what is consid-
cred likely to he the greatest tri
umph of the war but they long for
similar opportunity, aud hope the
significant conferences and move
ments of the past "a hours indicate
that it is NOT far distant.
The cruiser Marblehead is bring
ing in the Spanish steamer Argonauta,
captured by the gunboat Nashville,
off the South coast of Cuoa, last Fri
day The Argonauta was bound for
Havana and had on board colonel
Of the Spanish army, q surgeon, six
officers and three non commissioned
officers.
The auxiliary cruiser Eagle, a
transformed yacht was occurring
along the Southern coast of Cuba
near Cienfuegos, when she sighted
the Argonauta and started in pur-
suit. She was fred upon from the
shore, but continued the chase and
drove the big steamer along the
coast toward the Marblehead and the
Nashville They put q couple of
shots across her bows and she quick
ly hove to and surrendered. The
Nashville took the Spanish army
officers on board as prisoners of war
and brought them into Key West.
She lies out in the stream. and no
further particulars of her capture
can be learned from her.
The Spanish officers on the Argo
nauta were Col Corijo of the Third
Spanish cavalry, his first lieutenant,
surgeon major. seven other lieuten-
ants and ten privates and non-com-
missioned officers All we're held as
prisoners of war
The steamer also carried large
cargo of arms and Mauser ammuni.
tion.
FLAG OF TRUCE FIRED ON.
Arrangements were then made to
transfer the passengers and non-con-
batants to the shore The women
and children were placed in the first
boat. and under cover of flag of
truce were soou bound toward the
entrance of Cienfuegos. A second
crew took the other passengers and
landed them about II 10 O'Clock
The Eagle hoisted signal convey
ing the intelligence that she had been
fired upon by Spanish boats coming
out the river The Eagle immediate
Iy returned the fire with her six
Founders and held her ground until
the Marblehead came up. Both yes
sels then fired brosdside after broad
side up the entrance to the river.
The boats coming down were two
torpedo boats and one torpedo boat
destroyer After twenty minutes
firing by the Eagle. the last two of
which were participated in by the
Msrblehad, the Spanish boats ceased
firing. Il ia considered certain they