St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-07-02
WAR SPLINTERS.

America is great country.
The sun never sets on its Spanish
possessions.
The ssYankee pigs have broken
through the fence, and are having
a picnic in the Spanish potato
patch.
Spanish tours are quoted as be-
ing quiet at 81. Spanish troops
are quoted as being lively on their
call fours.''
The actual engagement that will
end with the fall of Santiago began
last Wednesday, though 1T will
probably be several days before the
battle reaches its height, as the
American seige guns can hardly be
in position sooner
Last Friday morning four troops
of the First cavalry, four troops
of the Tenth cavalry and eight
troops of the Roosevelt's Rough
Riders, less than 1000 men in all,
dismounted and attacked 1000
Spanish soldiers III the thlckets
within five miles of Santiago de
Cuba. The Americans beat the
enemy back into the city, but lost
% killed and about 20 wounded.
The Spaniards say they will only
consent to an sshonorable peace. Z"
Well, why don't they throw down
their arms and surrender? There
is nothing dishonorable in surren-
dering to formidable and victor
ious foe. We believe this is al
lowed by the rules of civilized war
fare.
Spain would show good sense TO
hurry and sue for peace before
our boys get in the notion of sa-
luting Madrid.
Cuba has at last seen American
soldiers on her soil for the purpose
of driving the Spaniards away and
the day of deliverance to the in
surgents is near at hand. 1t should
not be long now until the object
for which orr country went to war
shall have been accomplished and
the long-suffering Cubans given
their Liberation from Spanish bond
age.
When the Spaniards beheld the
terrible effect of the dynamite guns
Of the Vesuvius on their fortitica-
tions they declared that the Ameri-
cans were firing earthquakes at
them.
From recent press dispatches it
is probable that the government
will soon issue call for 100. 900
additional troops. If SO it will
mean two more regiments from
Louisiana.
A bill has been introduced III
Congress to enlist 100, 200 negroes
to be used as an army of occupa.
ton in Cuba when the island has
been wrested from the Spanish.
Louisiana will furnish three
field batteries. One of those will
come from the famous Warrington
Artillery Battalion, one from The
Louisiona -; and the third from
Donaldsonvii;e.
Letters and stories of passengers
confirm the reports already pub
lished of restitution and suffering
in Havana. The streets are de
serted and dark, except where occa
sional gasoline torches flame fit
fully, while the suffering for want
of food, especially among tn,
lower classes, is appalling. On,
letter expressed the conviction tina
this state of affairs could not las
more than month longer, whel
the city would be forced to capitu
late.
A panicky feeling has beel
created at Cadiz and other Spanisl
ports at the news that an America
fleet is to visit Spain.
The Spaniards are hurrying Vi
their Notifications at Las Palnas
in the Canaries, in anticipation 0
an American visit.
Camara's fleet has been refuse,
coal at Port Said. Various ru
mors are current as to Its destina
ton, the Philippines, Carolines
Hawaii or even San Francisco
with grave doubts whether it vii
go any further than Port SAID.
The Spaniards are strongly en-
trenched at Sevilla, and will offe
bitter resistance when Shafter al
tacks them. They have ereete
bloclhouses on all the hills, con
structed earth works aud dug riff
pits. The picket lines OF the tw
armies are close enough for figh'
ing.
Gen. L,nares, the Spanist con
mander, is thought to have l6 90
men in aud around Santiago. Ger
Shafter has I6. 900 Americans an