Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-18
A FIGHT on SUNDAY.
The ManerOve Engaged Two Span
ish GunbOnts at Caibarien.

KEY WEST, FLA, August 17.--Further
details have been received here as to the
| bombardment Of the port of Caibarien, on
| the north coast of the Province of Santa
| Clara, Cuba, last Sunday, by the Man
grove The Mangrove left here last week
to protect the landing of an expedition
under Colonel BoZas, which had gone
ahead on the schooners Adams and Dellie.
| When the Mangrove reached Santa Maria
Key, near Caibarien, she found the Cuban
party had safely disembarked, but feared
to advance because of the presence Of the
Spanish gunboat Herman Cortes and a
smaller gunboat, which were evidently
making Caibarien their base.
SPANISH GUNBOATS SIGHTED.
Sunday morning Captain Stuart, the
commander Of the Mangrove, decided to
| have a shot at the gunboats. Sounding
her way in inch by inch the Mangrove
crept along the channel, drawing s feet
! of water in an average depth OF S1-2
until about o'clock she sighted both the
Spanish gunboats. The Herman Cortes was
anchored near the shore, about thou
her broadside to the sea. The small gun
boat lay at the wharf.
The Spaniards evidently were antici-
pating a battle. The shore was crowded,
while the roof of every building that COM
manded a view of the harbor was covered
with people anxious 90 see the fight The
Herman Cortes carried two 4.7-inch guns
and four 1-pounders, while her smaller
companion was armed with three l-pound-
ers and a Hotchkiss rapid-fire gun. The
crew Of both, numbering all between
seyenty-five and one hundred men, could
be seen on the decks. Ashore were several
1-pound held-pieccs, while the Spanish
troops were armed with Mauser rifles.
AN AVALANCHE OF SHELLS.
The Nangrove, whose entire battery
consists of only two six-pounders. worked
into a range of 5000 yards. The chan
mel was so narrow that only one gun
could be fired at time AT N:45 A. NJ,
she cot up her port gun at the Herman
Cortes The shot fell short Instantly
the shore line burst into flame. both gun
boats and the field pieces pouring in
heavy fire on the American side. Every
shot Of this volley struck the water
ahead of the Mangroye, which continued
numping away with her port siX-pounder
She concentrated her fire on the Hernana
Cortes and the next five or six shots fell
on the Spaniards' deck, scattering body
of men. Some of the latter must have
heen killed although the Spaniards later
denied that they suffered any loss. soon
the Spaniards got the Mangrove's range
and a perfect avalanche of shot and
she'll was rained on her. II was nothing
less than a miracle that her loss OF life
was not heavy. In the midst OF all this
and while the MangrOve was swinging
cautiously around 10 bring her star
hoard gun into play, the watch shouted,
.Flag of truce" and sure enough not
only one, but three white flags could be
seen one flying from the small gunboat
and two flying over the houses on shore.
PEACE Is PROCLAIMED.
The Mangrove acknowledged the signals,
and presently small boat came, came ou, svarS Win
. spanish officer who clambered aboard
Tho Mangrove. and, In exceedingly nervous
tones announced: Peace is proclaimed
and | have instructions for your COM