The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1898-06-30
VAR NEWS.
What Has T1anspired on Cuban Soil
Within a Week.
TROOPS LANDED.

TROOPS LANDED.
The Decentralization of forces COM
manded by General Shafter, commenced
last Wednesday. The entire army was
safely landed at Diaquiri, point seven
teen miles east of Santiago. The more
dangerous part of this work is now end
ed it only remains to bring ashore the
Leavy artillery, commissary and quar-
termaster supplies. It is fact we'll
worthy of remark that such large ar
my, consisting of over 5000 men, was
landed in an enemy's country without
the loss of single man. Military au-
thorities say that from now on the war
Is to assume an aggressive aspect.
General Shafter will first throw cres-
cent shaped Gordon around Santiago !;
then his lines will be contracted until
positions are secured which Will force
the surrender of the city.
RE-INFORCEMFNTs.
The home department is making &C
tive preparations to reinforce those
troops which have already been landed
in Cuba. The first detachment COM
posed of the entire thlrty-third Michi-
gan and one battalion of the thirty
fourth Michigan, left Camp Alger for
Newport News last Wednesday. Thence
I they will proceed to Cuba. At very
early date another expedition is expect
ed to leave Tampa. This is to be COM
posed of about six thousand men. 1t
will comprise the command of Briga-
der General Snyder, the third division
of the First Army Corps. We do not
know just what warships will convoy
the transports. In all, re-inforcements
from Newport News and Tampa, will
amount to about twelve Or fourteen
thousand men.
BATTLE NEAR SANTIAGO.
Friday evening about four miles
northwest of Juragua and seven miles
east OF Santiago, very fierce battle
was fought between the Spaniards and
Americans. The American troops EN-
gagged we're the Rough Riders, under
Col. Wood, and part of the regulars
commanded by General Young. Our
entire force was not moro than one
thousand men. while there we're about
two thousand Spaniards. Although this
was their first battle the Rough Riders
displayed great GOODNESS and bravery.
They were first made aware of their
closeness to the enemy by the low
cukoo call of the Spaniards at point
about four miles from the coast. A
short while after the heads OF several
Spaniards were seen lodging about In
the underbrush. Col. Wood now halt.
ed bis men and ordered them to load
which they did with alacrity. Mean.
while General Young's troops having
been led by different route had met
the enemy and could be heard firina
several miles off. Private Colby, d
the Rough Riders, catching sight Of
the enemy, fired the opening shot al
them. The Spaniards were concealed
In the underbrush so they had our men
at disadvantage. The first to fall was
Lieut.. Fish. Pierced through the heart
he died instantly. Shortly after Capt
Capron, courageously discharging his
duties as an officer and at the same
time coolly firing upon the enemy with
his revolver, was pierced through the
body by bullet. He fell encouraging
his men. "Don't mind me, boys" he
said, ego on and fight" Lieut.. Thomp
son., of the same troop, was seriously
wounded. After while certain troops
who had been sent into the thicke
after the Spaniards came up with them
and had sharp fight. It soon became
evident that the enemy we're falling
back. Col Wood followed them for a
short distance and them ordered halt
In this battle thirteen Americans
were killed outright and fifty were
wounded. Only twelve Spanlards wert
found dead, but 1t Is believed that there
were at least fifty killed.
The regulars under General Young
also fought we'll and drove the enemy
back.
! LIEUT.. HoBsON.
| Lieut.. Hobson and his men have moi
been exchanged yet. IT'S thought by
some that the Spaniards will not ex.
exchange them as Hobson has had
chances to acquire information which
he could use to their detriment. How
ever 1t is gratifying to know that they
are not confined in Moro Castle. The
following cablegram was received June
"a:
"Playa del Este, June 23-Under /.
flag of truce / learned today that Hob
son and his men are all we'll and now
confined in the city Of Santiago, at {