The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1898-06-20
THE SHORE IN THE VICINITY OF
SANTIAGO DE CUBA.

United States Troops-Country VIII
Have to be Thoroughly She1Ied and
Cleared Before Debarkation Can be
Made with safety--Efective Assistance
Expected From the Insurgents.
Copyright, 1893, The Associated Press.}
Off Santiago de Cuba, Saturday, June
Is, 19 a. m.-Kingston Jamaica, Sun
day, June 10, p. m.-Several attempts
to find landing places for the United
States troops within a distance of two
miles west on Santiago have demon
strated, along with previous inquiries
to the eastward, that the shore for f1f-
teen miles is lined with Spaniards.
While this will not prevent landing
close to Santiago, it may entail con-
siderable delay as the surrounding
country must be thoroughly shelled
and cleared before the troops can land
in safety. When Pear Admiral Samp-
son received advices that upwards of
thirty transports would be here to-day
Saturday he sent word that they
should stand to the south ten miles and
lie there until a landing place had been
secured.
Yesterday at daylight the launches of
the New York and the Massachusetts
reconnoitered the shore between 'Caba-
mas, two miles off the entrance to San
tiago and Guayaganaco, two miles fur
ther west, both of which points lie east
of the range of the mountains sur
rounding Santiago bay. The launches
pushed their noses into a hornets nest
The brush was fairly alive with Span
ish troops, infantry and cavalry, and
the fire opened upon the launches was
so fierce that their retreat had to be
covered by the Vixen and Texas. When
the Texas asked permission of Commo-
dore Schley to take a hand, the com
modore seized the megraphone and
shouted to Captain Phillips: Eyes, go
in and give 'em '' The Texas
landed several four inch shells on the
battery completely demo1ishing it.
1t is believed that the insurgents who
are In force and under the command Of
General Garcia, about fifteen miles
west, will render effective aid in driv-
ing the Spanish skirmishers off the
scene. The following is an abstract of
Lieutenant Harlow's report to the COM
mander Of the Vixen, dated June 1S:
"The expedition consisted Of steam
launch from the Massachusetts in
charge of Cadet Hart and a launch
from the New York in charge of Cadet
Powell. I took passage on the Massa-
chusetts' launch, leading the way.
Soundings were taken on entering the
bay close under the old fort and we
were preparing to circumnavigate the
bay at full speed when fire was opened
from the forts and rocks on the shore.
The Massachusetts launch was some
distance ahead and about forty yards
off the fort. There was no room to
turn and our six FOUNDER could be
brought to bear. We backed and turn
ed under a heavy fire.
"Cadet Hart operated the gun as soon
as it could be brought to bear, sitting
exposed in the bow and working the
gun as coolly and carefully as at target
practice Cadet Powell had been firing
since the Spaniards opened. He also
was perfectly cool. Both launches ran
out under heavy fire. I estimate that
there were twenty-five Spaniards on
the parapet. The number along shore
was larger, but indefinite. The launch
es, as soon as was practicable, sheered
to give the Vixen the range Of the fort.
The Vixen and the Texas slenced the
shore fire promptly. 1 strongly COM
mend Cadet Hart and Cadet Powell for
their GOODNESS. Nobody in either launch
was hurt. A bullet struck a shell at
Cadet Hart's feet between the projectile
and the powder, but failed to explode
the latter.
"Coxswain O'DonneIl and Seaman
Bloom are commended, as 1t also the
GOODNESS with which the marines and
sailors worked under the Spanish fire.
Nothing was learned at Cabanas bay,
but at Guayaganaco it is evident that
a landing is practicable for ships boats.
The same is true of Rancho Cruz, a
small bay to the eastward. Both would
be valuable with Cabanas, but useless
without it. I am informed that to the
north and westward of Cabanas bay
there is a large clearing with plenty of
grass and water. I think simultane-
Gus landing at the three places named
would be practicable if the ships shell
the adjoining woods"