The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15

fully backed up by the big guns, the
absence Of which cost so many lives
during the previous engagements.
General Randolph's movement be-
gan early this morning, but tonight
out OF the ten batteries, one OF four
guns had succeeded in making its way
over the almost impossible trail to
the trenches at the front. This, with
the four already there, is not consid-
cred by the American commander as
sufficient and probably twenty-four
hours more will elapse before the gen
eral engagement begins.
General Lawton's entire division was
moved to the northward a mile and
half, his extreme right being placed
at Caimero on the border of the har-
Dor. This movement places the Amer
lean forces in a semi-circle, entirely
surrounding Santiago and cutting off
the retreat of the Spaniards, except
by water, as our tanks rest at the
waters edge.
The late arrivals of volunteers We're
moved up from Juragua and the First
Illinois, the Eighth Ohio and the reg
1ment from the District of Columbia,
were located in the trenches vacated
by LaWtOn's men.
CL"SING IN ON THE ENEMY.
Hines battery swung around to the
tons forces, and now occupies a bluff
from which it can fire directly into
the heart of the city. This is a most
important move, as it enables the
American forces to shell the city with
out injuring the hospitals and public
buildings, which are flying the Red
Cross flags, the present position being
such that shells can be thrown over
all the buildings thus protected from
assault.
The little town of Caimenes was
evacuated by the Spanish troops yes
terday and is now occupied by the
Cuban troops with a few companies
of regulars. It's occupation is most
important to the American forces, as
1t completes the semi-circle from
waterline to water-line and hens the
city. 1t was a great blunder on the
part of the Spanards to desert the
city without a struggle, as with it
General LawtOn fianks them complete
ly. Near this point the Spanish left
lies and this flank has been known to
be the weakest portion of their line
During the weeks truce they have
been strengthening it's entertainments S
at this point. General Lawton antici-
pates little difficulty in driving the
Spaniards from their positions.
Under the present plans, the Amer
lean army and navy will begin the
attack at the same time. The fleet
will hurl shells into the city, while
the great coil of American soldiery
will gradually tighten about the Span
ish positions, the divisions advancing
from all along the line AS the semi.
circle narrOws the batteries in the
rear will maintain heavy fire.
The American officers feel confident
the city can withstand this terrible
MILES AT T1IE EpONT
assault but a short time.
General Miles went to the front to-
day and will probably remain there
the greater part of tomorrow. The
general was accompanied by Troop A,
Of the Second cavalry, the only mount
ed troop of General Skaters army.
1t was raining heavily when the start
was made. Owing to the deep mud it
was almost dark when he reached the
front
To the correspondent of the Asso-
ciated Press who accompanied him to
the front, General Miles said: Il have
not come down here to take command
and shall probably remain but few
days. 1t is too late to make changes
in the plan of campaign, even if 1 de-
sired to do so. But, I have no COM
plant to make. Things seem to be
moving in good shape I intend to
study the situation thoroughly, but
I will not interfere with the conduct
of the campaign. This is likely to be
the only trip l shall make to the
'front.'
FIERCE STORMS.
The last two days have been the
worst Of the campaign, SO far as the
weather is concerned. Fierce tropical
h11r, 1or cfn
with an almost continuous downpour
of rain. The rife pits and trenches
at the front have been flooded and last
night few men in the besieging army
were able to sleep, owing to the
amount Of water on the ground. The
already hardships endured have been
greatly increased and much illness is
likely to result, as no adequate shelter
! is possible.
The trail to the front is in frightful
shape. The streams are swollen and
| the soft soil is cut into almost impas-
sible shapes by the wheels of supply
! wagons. One of Randolph's light bat
| teries occupied a whole day in getting
! to the front. The rain is coming down
! in torrents tonight and a thunder
storm is raging along the coast. II
] the storm continues, it is likely to de-
| lay operations seriously.
! Troops from the auxiliary cruisers
Yale and ST. Paul have been landing
! in the rain all day and have been GO
| ing into camp wet and miserable. II
| has been a bitter experience for the
! raw troops, but they will be pushed
right on to the front tomorrow.
! The fleet was inactive all day. The
| Brooklyn occupied a position abou,
| five miles west of the harbor entrance
| and the remainder Of our warships
| were strung along the coast as faI
| east as Juragua- At the latter poin,
the flagship New York lay nearly al
; day.
| Rear Admiral Sampson and General
! Miles were in frequent communication
| during the forenoon. General Miles
went on board the New York at about
/ 8 o'clock and a frequent exchange OF
notes between the two commanders
occurred later. The nature of their
conference could not be ascertained
| but it is supposed to have related to q
concerted attack upon Santiago.
WATSON'S SHIPS COALING.
Several of our ships, including the
Newark, with Commodore Watson on