The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1898-06-17

Americans Killed and Only Two Wound
ed-Americans Assisted by Cubans, Two
Being Killed and Four Wounded.
Mole st. Nicholas, June lin a bold
dash against Spanish guerrillas and
regulars, who have harassed them since
Friday, the American forces encamped
on Crest Heights gained a notable vic
tory Tuesday, having a band of Cubans
as allies. They drove the Spaniards
from their position four miles from
Camp McCalla, killed nearly half a
hundred of the enemy and took eighteen
prisoners. On our side the only losses
were two Cubans killed. Four other in
surgents were wounded. as were two
American marines. Twenty three ma
rines were overcome by the heat.
Splendid advantages have been gained
by the American forces in Cuba during
the last twelve hours. For the first
time since they landed they were free
from attack Monday night. This gave
them a welcome opportunity to rest,
after almost continuous fighting for
three days and nights. 1t also put the
men in good condition for a movement
against the enemy.
strengthened Their Position.
During this lull in activities the
Americans have greatly strengthened
their position, throwing up additional
fortfications and improving those al
ready had. A force OF Cubans, with
three platoons of marines, commanded
by Lieutenants Moses. Hall and Nc
Lemore, were sent to establish strong
outposts a mile inland from the Amer
ican camp. This plan was carried out
successfully and resulted in giving the
overworked battalion a much needed
rest.
When 1t was found Tuesday morning
that the men were so much refreshed
tho commanding officers decided at
once on plans to attack the Spaniards.
The enemy was encamped four miles
inland. where are the only wells within
many miles. If the United States forces
could drive them thence the Spaniards
would have to retreat almost to the
City of Guantanamo to get water Half
OF the marine battalion, with a company
Of Cubans, began the advance against
the enemy shortly before noon. Cap
tain Elliott and Lieutenants Neville
and Mahony commanded the marines,
while the Cubans were under Colonels
Laborde and Tomas.
Grand Rush To Victory.
Our skirmish line discovered the enc
my in the underbrush half a mile from
Fort McCalla. Orders to attack were
given Immediately and the Americans
and Cubans rushed forward in splendid
form. They charged against the enemy
with great boldness. The action was
sharp and spirited. For time the on
slaught of the marines was strongly
resisted, but the enemy was forced to
retreat. Our men pressed on after the
fleeing Spaniards until they had put
the enemy completely to route and
captured and made useless it's only wat
er supply. Near the blockhouse, about
which the enemy made a final stand,
the bodies of forty Spaniards, killed in
the engagement, were found.
In preceding engagements the Span
iards had managed to take their dead,
but their defeat was so complete that
those who lived escaped only with the
greatest difficulty. Their dead, doubt
less, were left on other parts of the
battlefield also, so the total Spanish
loss is believed to have been much
heavier. All the American marines
overcome by heat were found by their
comrades and brought back to camp.
They have entirely recovered.
Many Prisoners Captured.
Lieutenant Francis Batista, one cor
poral and sixteen privates were taken
prisoners by the Americans, and have
been placed on board our warships.
From them it has been learned that the
Spanish forces consisted OF six compa-
MES OF regulars, with two companies
of guerrillas. They were armed with
Mauser and new Remington rifles. The
prisoners say 600 Spanish guerrillas are
arranging to attack Camp McCalla with
machetes. Our men are eager to have
them try it,
At sunset Lieutenant Colonel Hunt
ington asked for reinforcements from
Captain McCalla, apprehending vigor-
Gus night attack. Four armed compa-
nies were sent ashore. and the Marble
head and Dolphin took positions where
they could best defend the camp No
attack had been made up to IL o'clock
at night. The Solace. which came here
on Monday, returned to the fleet off
Santiago the same evening. Captain
McCalla, anxious to care for the wound
ed here requested that a dispatch boat
go to Admiral Sampson and ask to have
the Solace sent back The Smith left
on the errand.
Sends Dispatches to Long.
An American vessel, the Gloucester,
came here from the fleet in the evening.
and proceeded to Mole St. Nicholas with
dispatches for the navy department
from Admiral Sampson. Orders have
come from Washington to hurry the
work of splicing cables, and direct COM
between the American feet
and washington Is expected shortly.
Three hundred Cubans are expected
within q few hours to reinforce the
American marines. They will be brought
across the bay In boats from the
Marblehead. All of the Americans
wounded in engagements about Crest
Heights are doing extremely well, while
the health Of the marines Ia excellent.
-