Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-05-05

Key West, May 3.--one of the most
important captures made since the out
break of hostilities was that of the
Spanish steamer Argonauta by the gun
boat Nashville last Friday. news Of
which reached here last night, when the
warship arrived here. The Argonauta
had on board Colonel Corijo of the Third
Spanish cavalry, his first lieutenant,
surgeon major, seven other lieutenants
and ten privates and noncomHlissioned
officers. All were held as prisoners Of
war.
The steamer also carried a large car
| go of arms and Mauser ammunition.
She was bound from Batabano, Spain.
FOR Cienfuegos, stopping at Port Louis,
| Trinidad and Manzanillo. Her capture
was exciting and occurred In this way:
| The Nashville. the Marblehead and the
Eagle left the station on the north coast
| last Monday to blockade Cienfuegos.
| arriving at the the latter place on
Thursday. They spent the day recon-
| noiterng, and the next morning in or
der to get better information steamed
close to the mouth of the harbor of Ci-
enfuegos. The Eagle was to the east
ward and in the van. The Marblehead
was slightly in the rear and the Nash
| vile to the westward. All were cleared
for action.
| At about 10 o'clock in the morning
smoke was seen rising on the western
horizon and the Nashville. because of
| her position, put on all speed and steam-
| ed in that direction. Twenty-Five min
utes later she put two shots across the
bow of the coming steamer, which
promptly hove to. Ensign Kuenzli was
sent with prize crew OF nine and took
possession Of the Spaniard. Learning
that Spanish soldiers were on board,
word was given to send them to tho
Nashville Immediately as prisoners Of
war, and this was done.
Noncombatants Released.
Arrangements were then made to
transfer the passengers and ,noncom-
batants to the Shore The women and
children were placed in the first boat
and under cover of flag Of truce were
soon bound toward the entrance to Ci-
enfuegos. A second crew took the other
passengers and landed them about 1910
o'clock
The Eagle hoisted a signal conveying
the intelligence that She had been fired
upon by Spanish boats coming out of
the river. The Eagle Immediately re-
turned the fire with her 6 Founders and
held her ground until the Marblehead
came up. Both vessels then fired broad
| Sl0e utter DTOdublue lUG tHlTdnCc u
the river. The boats coming down were
two torpedo boats and one torpedo boat
destroyer After 20 minutes firing by
the Eagle. the last two of which were
participated in by the Marblehead, the
Spanish boats ceased firing, and II is
considered certain they were damaged.
The Nashville brought in the prison.
ers of war last night, and the Marble-
head, conveying the prize, came in early
this morning.
The report that C. Yglesias. the sus-
pected sailor on the Puritan, had been
court martialed and sentenced to be
shot is an invention from whole cloth.
This Is stated on the authority of high
officer of the ship. who gave the infor-
nation to your correspondent last even-
ing. According to this officer, full in
vestigation was made and no evidence
of criminality was found. Yglesas was
seen near the magazine, butfhe made
no overt attempt. He had made, how
ever, indirect threats against the ship.
and the crew were much incensed
against him. For this reason 1t has
been decided to put him ashore quietly
at the time the steamer leaves for the
north advising him to sail on her. This
is done to avoid possible violence on the
part of the crew, who firmly believe the
treason story and to whose exagger-
ated stories the sensational accounts
printed are due. Yglesias is regarded
as irresponsible, but harmless.
Sampson Ready to Strike.
II There is feeling here that some inn
portant and decisive movement of Adj
miral Sampson's fleet Is pending. There
has been an unmistakable hustle of
preparation on the vessels in the har-
Dor.
officers ashore do not conceal their
elation over the prospect of breaking
the monotony of the blockade. The
news of Admiral Dewey's brilliant vic
tory has fired them with spirit of en-
ulation, and the Spanish battery or ship
which comes within range of their guns
will suffer.
In the coming movement sufficient
force will be massed to crush the oppo-
sition. From now on the war in these
waters will probably be conducted more
vigorously. Spain has had chance to
peaceably withdraw from Cuba and per-
init the starving reconcentrados to be
relieved. She must now soon face the
consequences. There is great activity
about the government coaling docks.
More than 200 Cubans have volun-
teered to Join the army of invasion at
Tampa. There was an enormous crowd
at the dock to bid the patriots farewell.
and much enthusiasm was displayed.
The volunteers marched from San Car
los hall to the steamer in a body. carry
ing their baggage. At the. hall they
were addressed by General Nunez and
other Cuban leaders.