The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-16

(Copyright, lS1S, by the Associated Press.)
UNITED STATES CAMP, east side
OF entrance 10 Guantanamo Bay, Tues.
day, June II, s p. m, by the Associated
Press dispatch boat wanda, !" via King
ston, Jamaica, Wednesday, June Is,
1890 p. m.-The United States mariaes
under Lieutenant Colonel Robert ".
Huntington, made their frs. aggressive
movement agains. the Spanish guerrilias
to-day and completely routed the enemy.
The force OF marines was under cgp-
tain Elliott and the cooperating Gu
bans were under Colonel Laborda. The
combined forces razed q Spanish camp
about five miles from the American
position, destroyed the only well In the
vicinity and killed about forty. Spun
iards. One American marine was slight
ly wounded. Two Cubans wfre killed
and four were wounded. ~
It Is impossible to estimate the num-
Der OF Spaniards engaged owing to their
guerrilla methods Of fighting. But 1t Is
believed there were at least 400. K.
The marines behaved splendilly, their
craftsmanship being excellent even uE-
der the severe fire of the enemy.
The captured camp lies about I've
miles southeast OF the rifle pie Of the
marines and was an important base; for
the enemy as 1t contained the only well
within six or seven miles. S}si
Compelled TO March Single File.
The MARINES were compelled to march
In single file, following the mountain
trail. Meanwhile the Cubans darted
backward and forward, to right and left,
on the scout. 1t was noon when from a
hill top the AMERICANS caught sigh. OF
the Spanish camp lying on ridge below
them. It consisted of one large house,
the officers quarters, surrounded by
tering about the precious well. IS
The Americans began a cautious AL
vance and were within 200 yards OF the
enemy before the crack OF rifle from
the Spanish lines announced that the
Spaniards had discovered them Is
The troops quickly moved into line OF
battle with the Cuoans on the left flank.
The enemy's bullets were whir.lng VIC
iously over the Americans, but: the ma
rlnes settled down to their work as
though at target practice. Very few
Spaniards were in sight. They were
laying behind the huts and, In the brush,
but the puffs of smoke revealed their
positions and enabled the Americans 10
do effective work. For. twenty min
utes both sides maintained q terrific fire.
The Spanish shots were generally wild
while the Americans coolly fired away,
acting carefully and shooting to kill.
For the most part the Americans firing
was done individually, burt st times the
officers would direct firing by squads. al
ways with telling effect. 81.
Tho spnninrds Flee.
1t was beginning to lnok rs though a
bayonet charge down the slope would be
necessary to dislodge the enemy, wher
suddenly the latter began to break for
a 1hlcxct o hundred yards further on.
Little groups could be seen fleeing from
the camp, separating, dnrting through
the brush and zig-zagginG to escape The
bullets, !.
1t was then the Americans fire became
most deadly. Man after man could be
seen TO fall in vain rush for shelter;
and the fire from the Spanish became
scattered and almost, stopped.
Two Cubans lay dead and four
wounded, and Private Walker. of Com
pany D. had to limp TO tho rear with 4
slight wound in flls ankle. t.s5, isl1
The easy victory put the command in
high spirits. The little black Cuban war
riurs waved their machetes and 4lowled
curses at the Spaniards in; savage fash
Ion. Their firing had been wild through
out. but they all displayed the utmost
contempt for the Spanish bullets. ap-i
parently being absolutely without fear.
Col. Huntington believes the destruc-
,tion OF the camp and the well will ,serl-l
ously cripple the bushwhacking opera
tlons Of the enemy.