The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15
SANTIAGO
The Situation as IL stood at the Close
Of Sunday-A Light Engagement on
Land-The Enemy's tGuns Quickly
SIleUeed.

SIleneed.
Washington Post, July III
News reached Washington last night
through oficialehannels, that the bonn
bardment of Santiago..de Cuba by both
u army and navy, had begun short
~ before 5 o'clock Sunday afternoon
Tidings Of the results Of this combin-
ed onslaught upon the enemy, which
would necessarily mean the fall and
almost complete destruction of the
city, were eagerly awaited, but adj
vices received several hours later
tended T. cast some doubt on the re-
port that the bombardment was really
in progress, although bringing news
Of a renewal of the land fighting.
Major General Shafter cabled to the
war department, via Hayti, hat Cen
eral Toral had again refused to sur
render. His demand had been that
the Spanish troops be allowed to
~evacuate Santiago, marching out with
flying colors. General Skaters dis
patch added hat the b~ombardment
of the city by both the army and navy
would begin as lear 4 o'clock as pos
sible.
The dispatch, as posted at the war
department, was as follows:
"Siboney, Cuba, via Haiti, 5:55 p. m,
July 10.
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps,
July 10.
"Adjutant General, Washington, D. C.
Il have just received letter from
General Toral, declining unconditional
| surrender. Bombardment by my
army and navy will begin at as near
4 p. m. today as possible.
"SHAFTER,
Major General"
In the absence of particulars, the
theory was entertained that General
Toral had made an attempt to take
his army out of the c~ity-prObably
under orders from Blanco-and that
this had precipitateI the attack by
the American forces. This view was
strengthened by the fact that earlier
press dispatches indicated that, while
the truce would expire at moor Sun
day, the bOmbardment would again
be deferred. Officers and men in our
lines did not look for a renewal of
| battle until the arrival of Major Gen
eral Miles on Monday or Tuesday.
At midnight the following dispatch
was received:
playa del Este, Cuba July II.
Headquarters Fifth Corps, July 10.
"Adjutant General, Washington:
Enemy opened fire a few minutes
past 4 with light guns, which were
soon silenced by ours. Very little
musketry firing, and the enemy kept
entirely in their trenches. Three men
slightly wounded. Will have consid-
cradle accession to force tomorrow
enough to completely block all the
roads on the northwest. | am quite
we'll. General Garcia reports enemy
evacuated little town called Dosca-
minos, about three miles from San
tiago, and near the bay.
"SHAFTER,
Major General"
When questioned as to whether he
believed that there had been a bonn
bardment Of the city. General Cor
bin replied: You know is much
about it as I do. I have kept moth
ing back. l should say, however, that
the firing today was but the prelimi-
nary to the more serious business Oh
tomorrow" This being the case, the
attempt to take the city will probably
be made today.
The wal department received early
last night some details about the prep.
arations for the bombardment, which
were of a very satisfactory character
The arrival of reinforcements had
enabled General Shafter to complete.
1y invest the city on the land, so that
it was regarded as impossible for Gen
eral Toral's force to escape. Besides
additional reinforcements, Genera
Shafter had been able to get his siege
guns in position. He now has forty
81 inch guns of this kind, not men
tioning the many heavy Z inch NOR.
tars. All these are in range to shoe
into the city.