davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
THE BATTLE in AMERICAN WATERS.
Spanish Fleet Is Expected to Give Sampson an
Opportunity Within Ten Days

Washington, May l.--(Special TO The
fost)--The naval battle in American
waters will very probably come within the
next ten days. SPANS formidable fleet
OF cruisers and torpedo boa, destroyers,
II is now pretty we'll assured. Is crossing
the Atlantic. probably to Porto Rico The
fleet was followed by a swift boat, and the
report is that the Admiral Villomi kept
straight on In a westerly course II this
fleet comes to Porto Rico 1t will not be
there before next Sunday. II to any of
our northern coast cities not for three or
four days longer. The United States
squadron will be ready to meet IT, Two
OF the big American liner auxiliary cruis-
ers have hurried from New York as ocean
scouts; one will probably patrol near Porto
Rico; the other will cruise further east
The cruisers Minneapolis and Columbia
are scouting on the New England coast
Rear Admiral Sampson's squadron is pre-
pairing to battle with Spain at sea. HIS
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

prepared for her. but the guns were turned
over to the war department, owing TO the
pressing needs. other guns are available.
however and the Topeka win be in COM
mission within few days,
Captain Richardson Glover called during
the morning TO say good bye to his naval
associates before leaving 10 join the gun"
boat at Hampton Roads.
The Bancroft will so to Cuba to Join Ad-
miral SIMPSONS fleet.
The strategic board was In session for
time today, but their decisions, as usual,
were guarded with much secrecy 1t is
understood that the course OF the Spanis II
fleet which left Cape Verde on Friday 10
a source OF much interest II, IA reported.
the fleet is actually coming this way, 1t
will be hailed with delight by naval au-
thorlties here. what they have feared
most was that the Spanish ships would
hug the other side. compelling our fleets
Ia so in quest Of them, II they come TO
Porto Rico It will meet the hest hopes OF
the naval authorities here.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
THE INVASION OF CUBA.
Genera | Shaftcr Mill Command the
Landing Forces.
TROOPS NOT TO LEAVE FOR TEN DAYS
rive Thousand OF Each Brunch Of
inc service hnd All Available
Cub:ns VIII Cooperate.

Jacksonville, Fla, May "A special to
the Times Union and Citizen from Tampa
says:
General shafter, who IS looked upon as
the officer who will have charge OF the
army OF occupation, gave an audience this
evening to several newspaper men In the
course OF conversation the method of couu-
tersgning war correspondents passes was
taken mp. General Shafter said that he
would not assume command for week or
ten days, as he would be busy with other
matters, and would take up the subject in
ample time. This practically settles two
very important matters.
First-General Shafter will command tho
army In Cuba and.
second-That the troops will not leave
here for Cuba for ten days at least.
The general while he has come 10 no con-
clusion on the subject. Will be inclined -
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

Key West, Fla. April 20 General Brlu-
lie Peua. chief OF cavalry with Maxine
Gomez a striking and romantic figure in
the Cuban war; is bound to play a still
more important Part when the United States
takes hand in the fracas.
Pena has been in the present war since
the start. and is a veteran Of the ten years
war, At tie close of the ten years var,
with others, he escaped 10 st, Thomas and
made his way TO Florida. Unable 10 90
anything in a mercantile way without
funds he lived a catch as catch-can ex-
istence and learned the trade Of cigar
maker When thu present war started he
was in this country What money he bad
he turned into the general fund and went
with one OF the FIRST expeditions sent TO
the island There was difficulty about
landing IN Cuba and while waiting 10
start his shoes gave out. He was pracuc-
ally bare!o.ted 1t was suggested to him
that he take money to buy pair OF shoes,
No" he eaid. Just tell me that need
NOT report for week aud ! will earn a
pair., Four days later he reported with
a pair OF boots and ciothin2 tnat woDtu
stand wear and tear The things roma
sawed from the ten Years war were MS
stars as lieutenant t"iVu-i' 60,
tortoise shell When lac starten TOT ,uni
ho gave these to Hora;io S. Ruhens. oorh-
sci 10 the iunta. =.
Keen them. said he. i proposr 10
he general when indepc ndence is sekno"1-
edged" That was the last seen 81 feha
Il, this country. Since thsr he has peen
heard from often Wncn be landed Gor'eH
embraced him. IN answer 20 qneStAoh NJ
to where were his iisuttnant colonel stars
oena replied. :.
1T was not what oid then general ~
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

Is for you to say wha. shall be my rank,
/ Offer my services 10 my country"
MADE CAVALRY COLONEL.
Gomez made him u colonel Of cavalry In
a week he had 300 men. That Pena was
back was enough In Santa Clara he was
known and the young Cubans hocked to his
standard. For every dead Spaniard he
made he tried to add recruit to his ranks
Pena's orders to his men are always: Use
the machette. Save cartridges and get
Mausers or machettes." AS a cavalry leader
combines the dash OF Msceo with the
judgment nj Gomez. He will ride
his men forty miles TO attack a Span
ish column and after five hours
rest will raid town. The first
year OF the war Gomez made him briga
der general and appointed him chief OF
cavalry. Like Sheridan. he believes in
leading. No charge that hie men partici-
pate In is too dangerous for Pena. He
never calls for volunteers TO undertake a
particularly tough bit of work that he
doesn't himself agree 10 lead
In appearance Pena is thin. with face
on the lines OF the inedallions of Julius
Caesar found on old Roman coins. He is
OF medium height, nervous as cat In
movements and self-comrcead IN DANCE.
For months he has been using UP Blanco's
cavalry in Matanzas and Santa Clara. n
fayorite trick OF which he is the master is
10 see large body Of cavalry and decoy
1t into pursuit Of his troops. At bend
OF road his men will face about and
charge as the Spaniards come around the
bend The formation prevents more than
half or a small portion of the Spanish cav
airy coming into action These who can
NO, see what is happening believe 1t Is an
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

other ambuscade. Fifty or sixty Spanish
troopers are cut to pieces and Pena'S force
l, out Of the way An hour later by hard
riding he may have doubled on the enemy
and is hacking at the rear. While the
Spanish are figuring out their loss and
forming for another attack Pena ~ away
TO raid the town they have left uncovered
by their going out TO meet him. When they
return everything worth taking in town
has been gathered in b. the Cubans.
TWO GOOD LESSONS.
The next day a body of cavalry is heard
o. twenty miles away cutting up a body Of
Spanish guerrillas. pena's men are
taught two things discipline and loye or
horses. With all his hard riding his horses
look the best In the army. They are most
ly horses that have been stolen from the
Spanish. and their condition when con
trasted with the same animals in the Span
tsh service ie remarkable TIC trooper
he once found mistresting his morse he
said
ITO that horse you owe your life more
tfah once Mis,reat him again. and You
will Join the infantry" Pena'F daring IS
shown by hwo incidents In the ten ytats
war with Amelo Nunez he learned that
the commandant OF The civil guards In ah
Interior town had guns and ammunition
stored In his house The pair decided 10
raid It In broad daylight they rode into
town, tied their horses at his veranda spd
entered his house. Six soldiers were tn
the room. sunez AMI PeDa covered them
With their revolyers and singing out the
commander. Pena demanded 10 kno"
where the ammunition was. The com
mandant told blm II was no stairs ana
while Nuncz held ne rest with hands UP
rena started with his prisoner for up
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
THE OPPOSING FLEETS.
List Of the Vessels Which Partici.
puted in the Fight.
AMERICAN SHIPS WERE The Btr1ER.
spain Hnd More Boats, but They
We're Inferior 10 Dcwcy's squad
ron--lint of the Ofaccrs.
AMERICAN SHIPS WERE The BETTER

Washington May THE following are
the two fleets engaged in the naval battle
before Manila with the officers OF the
American vesselss
UNITED STATES SHIPS.
olympia First class protected cruiser.
$3.50 tons, launched in 1899, speed. 81 knots
battery, four S-inch rifles. ten S-inch rapid
fire guns. fourteen 6-pounders. six l.
Founders and four machine guns.
Baltimorc-Seeond class, 1900 tons
speed, 200 knots; battery. four S-inch
six 6-inoh rifles, four 6-pounder rapid frs
guns, two S-pounders. two l-pouuders two
l .s-inch. two i.4-inch and two machine
guns.
| Boston--second rate, $3.50 tons, speed
10 knots; battery. two s-inch, six 6-inch
RITES, four 6-pounders rapid fire. two s.
poundsrs. two l-pounders, two i.S-inch.
Two 4-inch. two machine guns.
Raleigh Second class; speed, ~ knots I;
battery, one 6-inch and ten 5-ineh rapid
fire rifles, eight 6.pounders four l-pound-
ers and two machine guns
Conoord--1hird rate. 1900 tons speed,
II knots; battery, six 6-inch two 6-pound-
Ell rapid fire, two 3-pounders, one i-pound-
er and four machine guns
Petrol Fourth class 500 tons; speed
II knots, battery, four 6-ipch guns, two
S-pounder rapid fire and four machine
guns.
McCuloch, revenue cutter. Nan Shan,
collier; Zafirio, supply vessel.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

be dispatched from Rio Janeiro to destroy
or capture her.
Washington. May 1.-The navy depart
ment received official confirmation of the
arrival OF the battlcship oregon at Rio
Janeiru. This was the subject of general
satisfaction, for II means the very ma
terial Strengthening of Admiral sampson s
fleet before Havana within the next fort
night. The Oregon has been making
thirteen knots, or about $50 miles day,
and it is calculated that she will cover
the 5000 miles between Rio Janeiro AMI
Cuba in ten days. She must coal how
ever, before starting norhward. and this
will take several days, ORce with the
blockading fleet. Admiral SIMPSONS first
line viii be made up of four superb battle
slips of practically the same strength and
equipment.
The new gunboat Topeka, Just arrived
at New York. is ready for service with -.
exception OF her batteries. These had been
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

limit the number Of accredited war corrs-
spondents TO as small number as possible.
Four regiments OF infantry from Chcka.
mauga, Mobile and New Orleans arrived to-
day. being the First. Tenth, Twenty second
and Twenty fourth. Seven train loads
made up of nlnety-flve cars have been re-
ported from points along the Plant system.
and will have arrived before morning The
trains are bringing the remainder OF the
artillery and cavalry. horses, steers. etc.
One hundred additional pack mules came
in with the First regiment this morning.
II is reported tonight that dispatch has
lust been received here. the contents Of
which indicate that 1000 men of each army
and as many Cubsns as desire 10 accom-
pany them Will leave on Tuesday. and that
the steamships OIivstte and Florida OF the
Plant line we're officially Inspected today
to ascertain " their capacity Is sufficient
for that number OF troops Matanzas 10
mentioned az the destination. This story
can not be verified.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

stairs. The commandant ran up stairs
ahead and. afraid Of firms a, Pena. made
q slash with his machttto, IT missed and
uluck in n stair Pcna grabbed II ana
missed his man. but caught his watch
chain and broke it, frna hanging on to ihc
md attached to the watch. A shot was
h'ad down stairs and Il retreat was ncccs-
uary
A FIRE RUN
pcnas horse was shot and Nunoh was
forced 10 leave HIM. while he himself ran
gauntlet OF fire. Pens hid In stable,
selecting that because he thought he
might get horse. Luck favored him. ami
when he was discovered he wes mountci
nEd armed for trouble. He escaped ana
foined Nuncz
III was a bad raid said Nunez, "Your
horse and machette. dozen bullets lost
aud noth,ns TO show for it,
Yes. there is, responded Pena. IL got
this watch" During all his trouble he nah
clung to the commanlaut's gold timepieee
On another occasion. he. with two others
held up Spanish dance, With a compan-
ion he appeared al the doorway whoro the
civil guards bail was In progress. mu-
stefan was calling out the figures TO about
twenty couple.
Ladies, on the floor. hands up,'' yelled
Pena The scnor.tas dropped and the
guards stood Still. Twenty rifles were load
ed on the backs OF the horses. cartridge
belts were strapped about their necks, and
without shot being nred the Job was
over in fifteen minutes.
Pena has been wounded a number OF
times by Mauser bullets, but has always
pulled through He is an American cit
iycn. like mos. OF the generals ia the Gu
BIN army.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
ACTIVITY AT AUSTIN.
J Troops May he Ordered to Move
Today.


81 Today.
khstin. Texas. May There was nc
[htion of work In the adjutant generals
Artment today, and although the doors
- closed the grind which has been the
NJ there for more than a week, went on
f1pite of the fact that it was Sunday.
6ptenant Elliott. who has been appointed
tucceed Lieutenant Drew as mastering
der. has reached the city from San
|tpnio. and as soon as the board OF medi-
Eregiment OF infantry. The general, it
Tomorrow. everything will be in readi-
J for the reception of the volunteers and
y movement will be ordered.
a Telegram has been received by the
lnor from General l.. NJ. openheimer,
ing to accept the colonelcy of the Sec
fegiment of infantry The central, it
derstood, declines because the col
IS of the First regiment was given
he one else, although he is the rank
&1ffcer of the Volunteer Guard, Briga-
<MGeneral Richard Cooke of Houston
be appointed in Open
kr's place, though this is by no means
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

ready has his orders TO leave and communi-
cation between Commodore schley and th>
navy department lie constant. and T. Is GER
tain that plans have been made for this
known here.
The squadron is in perfect and very for
midable readiness for sea, and can leave At
On hours notice. The story thai the ram
Katahdin IL attached TO the squadron is I'M
true. The converted yacht now known as the
Scorpion, and which is in command OF Lieu
tenant Commander Mark arrived az
o'clock and anchored with the feet OF Old
Point Comfort II is said the scorpion "a TO
be the dispatch boat for the Tying squadron,
and is a very fast boat
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
ETENANT GEORGE MCCORMICK
fetch of the Young Light Guards

EM 1nNn.
1fhmbus, Texas, May Light Guards
HGeorge Mccormick, who goes to the
ssssas first lieutenant of the Houston
N Guard, was born in Columbus. Texas,
fA5, 1872, and is the eldest son OF Judge
g Mccormick, who was attorney gen
"a the State during Governor Roberts
administration, and for eight years
judge Of the Twenty fifth judicial
IA, Lieutenant Mccormick graduated
- Agricultural and Mechanical col
M Texas, with the degree OF mechani-
8gineer, and has been in the emplo;
)e Southern Pacific company slncs,
aughtsman in the locomotive depart
~ While at The college he was noted
"a proficiency in military science ana
A4ne OF the three graduates who were
amended to the general government
>sitions in the regular army While
pege he was the captain OF the Ross
Feers, noted military organization
~ After graduation he removed to
<1ntonio, where he was elected captain
. fSmous Belknap Rifles. and on re-
y 10 Houston, some two years since,
pee the Light Guard. The lieutenant
handsome young man. of pleasing adj
- very d,dident and retiring in his
itlon, but a thorough soldier. He IL
indus rious and energetic. a general
Pc with all his associates. and will
uot make his mark in the world,
The occasion offer.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
Galveston Volunteers.

weston Texas, May THE officers of
piveston volunteer regiment are st.ll
ni OF seeing duty Nothing short of
Ping in Cuba will satisfy them, and
are pretty good indications now
heir wish will be sratifled. A large
er OF the men are immune from yell
ieVer, end the bill now psrling In
ss, calling for 1900 troops from
Puntrv at large will just about allow
1iveston regiment a chance TO go
front. The organization remains
and the men are drilled every night.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
AT FORTRESS MONROE.

The FLYING Squadron Is Ready tn
Move on short Notice.
Old Point Comfort, Va, May Ion board
the fagship Brooklyn, OF Fortress Monroe -
May day on the warships OF the flying squad
ron found beautiful WEATHER and peaceful con-
ditions at Old Point Comfort. although all
about Hampton Roads evidences we're seen
OF wsrlike preparations. The work Of laying
mines and torpedoea in the harbor continued
all day In the charge OF army engineer
corps. acting under Cclonsi Frank Master,
70 the eject that Commodore sehlsy al
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

elected in his place. The company is or
dered 20 report in Aus,in Tuesday and by
that time there will be enough men en-
listed TO fill out the entire quota.
The ladies OF the town are making a
handsome flag for the soldier boys and
will present 1t to them before the company
leaves here.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
woop,s ROUGH RIDERS
To lie the Only Cavalry Sent -
Cubn.

To lie the Only cavalry sent -
Cubn.
washington, May 1.-(Speciai to The
Post.)--The Post correspondent has learned
tonight from reliable sources that Or.
Leonard Woods regiment Of Rough Rid
ers' will rendezvous at San Antonio and
be modified there. Or. Wood reports that
he has 800 men recruited. He Will make
a quick trip through the West and return
at once 10 San Antonio to receive his men.
who will be sent forward at once BY his
recruiting agents. II il also learned from
a semi-otficiai source that this regiment
OF cavalry will be the only cavalry rest-
ment sent to Cuba and It will 90 = soon
as possible; II not With oaneeal shsfters
then it will follow him vsr1 closely -
president thinks Il VIII rspder bsttet - !.
vice than the heavy csvslry y ~ r
army. IS '..I 1t ;, "a q "
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
Colonel styron VIII Accent.

cleburns, Texas, April SO.-co!onel J. A.
styron OF the Fourth regiment Texas
Volunteer Guards, who has just been APP
rointed lieutenant colonel Of the Second
regiment by Governor Culherscn In the
reorganization Of the State troops. in
formed a Post representative today that
he would accept the office as soon as
formally rendered him.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
CuIher.or cavalry Company.

Georgetown, Texas, May LAT meet
ing of the Culberson cavalry company last
night Captain a l. Hawkins rendered his
resignation and Captain e. s. Fisher was
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

awaiting orders TO start for Camp Mabry
Last night at the Commercial hotel the
young ladies OF the city rendered the cnrn-
pany reception and banquet, which was
a decided success in every respect The
boys are ready 10 move on three hours
notice.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

Madrid. May i.-Blanco cables that
American wsrships blockading cienfuesos
captured Spanish merchant steamer a
colonel. surgeon. six officers and three NON
commissioned officers were held a. pris-
oners. Civilian passenger were liberated.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
cl.burns Rides.

Cleburne. Texas. April sp.--The cleburne
Rifles went into barracks today at 8
O'Clock. according 10 orders from Governor
Cuiberson, and are ready 10 leave a. a
moments notice for Austin, with the
requisite number OF men
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

]. Lowery made speeches appropriate to
the occasion.
Troy has 40 volunteer company yet, but
she has seven in Waco company and Two
on the battleship New York at Havana
and one in the Houston cavalry, Mr.. Jessie
Fowler. who came home yesterday on
few days Through
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
Enthusinsr, nj Troy,

i Texas, May 1.-Trcy Is becoming
patriotic. the citizens hoisted large
States nag yesterday to wave over
wn. Professor Myers aud Judge J.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
TIE SPANISH SHIPS.

Rena Maria Christiaua 1920 tons, built
IN 1886, speed, Il knots. battery six a
inch lionorita guns, two . finch and three
2-inch rapid fire rifles. ak l.i-inch and
two machine guns.
Castillo -33is tons; built In 1881. battery.
three 80 Krupp rifles. two i,I-mch, two
S.S-inch. two rapid fire and two machine
guns
Velasco-ll52 tons, battery three 3d.
inch Armstrong rifles. six 6i-inch Hon
oritas aud two machine guns
Don Antonio de Ulloa and Don Juan de
Austria Each 1880 tons, speed. II knots
battery, S-inch Honortas. 3,I-inch rapid
fire. two 5-inch and two machine guns,
General LEO and lei Cano--Gun vessels;
524 tons, built In 1885; speed, II 3 knots.
The General Leo has two Honorita rifles
OF a7-iuch callb2r, one 3,5-inch, two
small rapid fire and one machine gun
the FL Cano has three finch guns. two
small rapid fire and TWO machine guns.
Marquis del Duro- Dispatch boat, 800
tons; battery, one smooth bore 6.2-lnch
Gather, two i.S-inch and one machine
gun.
Isla de Cuba and the lsla dc Lu2on are
tons displacement and carry four finch
Honoritns two small guns and two ma
ohine guns
lsla de Mindaroa, compania Transatlan-
ticn Of CadZ Armorcd as q cruiser, length
376,5 beam, n, gross tons. Alps, speed,
1916 knots.
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02
rcH ACTIVITY AT AUSTIN.
Is Expected that the Troops VIII
he ordered TO Move Today.
Openhetmer Refuses.

= austdn, Texas, May 1.-The followin
Igrams, given out by the governor to
explain themselves
10 w. II. Mabry, Aujutant General.
III Austin.
81 Galveston. Texas. April 27.--The
ealy Rifles as a company, officers
I'D men, volunteer their services for
lty in or out of this country. VIII
ppose enlistment in the regular army.
Worth Boyd, Captain.
% W. H. Mabry. Adjutant General,
Austin.
Galveston, Texas, May 1.-sealy
lilies will not respond to call to go to
ustin unless upon positive assurance
rom you that they will not be asked
enlist in either regular or volun-
yer United States army Wire an
wer. scaly Rifles,
70 Captain Worthy Boyd, Galveston,
81 Texas.
W Austin, Texas. May Telegram to
Habry dated today and signed "Sealy
2ifles" received. The army of the
United States is composed of the reg
Mar army and the volunteer army.
The president has called for volunteers
10 organize the volunteer army and
consequently your proposition to vol
@nteer and yet not enlist in either
'0rmv is absurd. Other companies are
Skiing to enlist and if your company
lands by the last telegram you are
ordered to ship all government prop
erty in your possession to the adjutant
1eneral Immediately. Answer.
n c. A. Culberson. Governor.
4alveston. Texas. May There is
The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-02

corsiana. Texas. May 1.-THE Garitty
Rides are bivouacked in thsir arniory