Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-08
tIon % bombarding DIE spaulsh IIeet in

! ton TO bombarding the Spanish hect "
the harbor. The percentage Of effective
| projectiles was very large.
1t appears from the best Information
obtainable at this place. the cable sta
tion connecting with Santiago de Cubs,
that immense damage was inflicted on
! the enemy. The Spanlards admit that
the bombardment from the American fleet
was most destructive. About sixteen hun
dred projectiles are said TO have been
| fired by the American warshps, and II
| seems that the responsive fire from the
Spanish forts and ships was scarcely felt
at all by the Americans.
FoRTIFICATIoNS SHATTERED.
The fortifcations near the entrance of
the harbor are described as being rid
| died with solid shot and shattered by the
| explosion Of the immense shells fired by
the American battleships. The Spanish
batteries are understood to have been
fortifications at Socapa and Punta Gorda
are reported to have been demolished by
the three hours uninterrupted hammer
ing OF the American fleet.
The American attack Is said to have
been especially against Aguadores, a
small town to the east of the entrance
of Santiago Bay. The idea of the Ameri-
can Admiral it appears, was TO land
troops and siege-guns there, after re-
ducing the defences of the place, and then
make close assault upon Santiago.
which, in view of the present condition
yield very soon after the beginning of
such an attack.
Heavy cannonading was opened upon
Aguadores at about midday yesterday
The latest advices received here from
Spanish sources do not indicate the dura-
tion of the fire, or whether American
troops and siege-guns were actually land
ed at Aguadores, but from the best infor-
nation obtainable it cannot be doubted
that the result of Mondays firing was
extremely disastrous to the Spanish de-
fences.
CUBAN ATTACK ALSO.
1t is also understood here that the Gu
ban troops maintained throughout the
greater part of yesterday an attack by
land on Santiago, and the Spanish reports
say the garrison lost heavily in killed and
wounded.
The military commander Of Santiago
de Cuba acknowledges that the following
were severely wounded, among the land
forces: Colonel Ordonnez, Captain SAM
chez. Lieutenant Yrzar, OF the artillery,
and Perez and Garcia, both Spanish Off
GERS, whose rank is not mentioned. The
spaniards also admit the loss of twenty
one infantry soldiers, severely wounded.
and say one soldier was killed But it is
believed the losses Of the Spanards were
much heavier. In the naval force the
Spanlards say that the officer who was
second in command OF the partly-dis-
mantled Spanish cruiser, Reina Mercedes,
the five sailors. and an ensign were kill
ed. The Spanish sailors wounded, It is
asserted, number sixteen men.
The loss on the American side, the San
tiago reports say, Is not known.
The Spanards acknowledge that a great
deal of damage was inflicted on the Span
ish cruiser Reina Mercedes and they say
Moro Castle shows great gaping breach
es in its walls.
LANDING OF AMERICANS.
Later in the day, it appears, a landing
of American troops was effected near
Daiquirl, some distance east of Aqua
dores. and near the railroad station con-
Meeting with Santiago. Later an engage
ment took place between the American
forces and a column of Spanish troops
which had been sent against the landing
party. The accounts of the battle obtain
able here, being from Spanish sources,
do not set forth the result, and. there
fore, It is to be inferred that the Ameri-
cans were victorious. and that is the be-
lief which prevails here.
SPANISH CRUISER SUNK.
There is a report current at Cape Hal
tien that the irst-class armored Spanish
cruiser Maria Teresa was sunk yesterday,
by the fire of the American ships.
1t is said that only 500 American troops
were landed at Daiquiri, or possibly at
Aguadores, the two places being SEEM
ingly confused In the reports received
here.
II seems to be admitted that the fire OF
the American soldiers was so effective
that the Spaniards were compelled to flee
from the fortihcations they were defend
ing.
JUNCTION WITH CUBANS.
Copyright, 1893 by Associated Press)
CAPE HAITIEN, HAITI, June TO p.
M.-According to the latest direct ad-
vices from Santiago de Cuba. dated Mon
day at midnight, the bombardment,
which began at 7:45 A. NJ. yesterday and
continued until half past 10 in the morn
ing, was resumed again for short time
about midnight. 1t was then believed
that the Americans had effected a june
tion with the Insurgents near Daiquiri,
some distance east Of Aguadores, and |
near the railway line 10 Santiago.
CITY WILL EASILY YIELD.
LONDON, June IA dispatch to the |
Daily Mail from Cape Haitien says:
'@The American victory at Santiago de |
Cuba has cleared the way for the entrance |
Of Admiral Sampson and the destruction |
of the Spanish fleet. AS Santlago's land |
defences are reported weak. it is likely |
that the city will yield to vigorous at
tack.
HIGH SPANISH OFFICER KILLED.
1T is reported that the commander Of |
the Relna Mercedes, second in command |
in the Spanish fleet under Cervera, was
killed during the engagement. The COM |