Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-16

Copyright Associated Press)
United States Camp, East Side
Of Entrance to Guantanamo Bay,
Tuesday. June IA, p. m, by The
Associated Press Dispatch Boat
Wanda. via Kingston, Jamaica,
Wednesday, June 10, 80 p. NJ
The United States marines under
Lieut.. Colonel Robert w. Hunting
ton. made their first aggressive
movement against the Spanish
guerrillas to-day and completely
routed the enemy.
The force Of marines was under
Captain Elliott and the co-operat-
Ing Cubans were under Col. La
borda. The combined forces RACED
Spanish camp about five miles
from the American position, de-
s-royed the only well in the vicinity
and killed about forty Spaniards.
One American marine was slightly
wounded. Two Cubans were killed
and four were wounded.
1t is impossible to estimate the
number of Spaniards engaged ow
ing to their guerrilla methods Of
lighting But it is believed there
were at least 400.
The marines behaved splendidly,
their craftsmanship being excellent
Zen under the severe fire of the
enemy,
The captured camp lies about
five miles southeast of the rife pits
Of the marines and was an import
ant base for the enemy, as it con-
tanned the only we'll within six or
seven miles.
The marines were compelled to
march in single file, following the
mountain trail. Meanwhile the Gu
bans darted backward and forward,
to right and left, on the scout. 1t
was noon when from a hilltop the
Americans caught sight of the
Spanish camp lying on ridge be-
low them. 1t consisted of one large
house, the officers quarters, sur
rounded by numerous 'shacks" and
hu;s. all clustering about the prec-
i0us well.
The Americans began a cautious
advance and were within geo yards
Of the enemy before the crack of a
rife from the Spanish lines an
nounced that the Spaniards had dis
covered them.
The troops quickly moved into
line eff battle with the Cubans on
the left flank. The enemy's bullets
We're whirling viciously over the
Americans. but the marines settled
down to their work as though at
target practice. Very few Spaniards
were in sight They were lying be-
hind the huts and in the brush, but
the puffs of smoke revealed their
positions mad enabled the Ameri-
cans to do effective work. For
twenty minutes both sides main
tanned a terrific fire. The Spanish
shots were generally wild, while
Inc Americans coolly fired away,
acting carefully and shooting to
&iIl. For the most part the Ameri-
Van fire was done individually, but
al times the officers would direct
0rlng by squads, always with tell
ing effect.
L was beginning to look as
though bayonet charge down the
nope would be necessary 70 dis
lodSe the enemy, when suddenly the
a''er began to break for thicket
hundred yards further On. Little
groups could be seen fleeing from
Ue camp, separating, darling
through the brush and Zig-zagglng
10 escape the bullets.
II was then the American fire be-
-ame more deadly. Man after man
could be seen to fall in vain rush
of shelter; and the fire from the
spanish became scattered and al
most stopped.
Wo Cubans lay dead and four
Wounded, and Private Walker, of
Nompany D, had to limp to the rear
WIN slight wound in his ankle.
ne easy victory put the COM
mdnd in high spirits. The little
"'aek Cuban warriors waved their
n-"enetes and howled curses at the
NpSAlards in savage fashion. Their