The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-01
MANY WILD RUM0RS

oFan A'iaek OH Ponce by the Spaniartls,
Dut IL Turne,I out that Thry were Re-
treating and Committing Exorsssa OF
the Most Cruel ana YIudIotIYe chRrao.
ter.
Copyright. 1875. by the Associated PfesH.)
PONCE, Porto Rico. Friday, July %,
M, via ST. THOMAS, D. W. l.,
July si.-No forward movement OF the
army is expected for several days. The
transports with General Brookes army
corps and the remainder OF the hsst
corps are arriving slowly. Our troops
vii! probably remain here quietly until
the bulk OF the army has disembarked.
Only three transports have arrived
siace yesterday. They have Just ap-
peared In the ofFing and only one has
been made out. II has on board the
Fifth Ohio cavalry.
General Miles win retain his head
quarters at the custom house at the
port OF Ponce. while General Wilson viii
be In the immediate command OF the
troops In the city. General Watson
pushed General Ernst's brigade, con-
Slsting OF the Second and Third Wis
consin and the Sixteenth Pennsylva-
MIA regiments, out a mile and a half on
the military road after dusk last night.
retaining two companies Of the Six
teGnth to act as provost guard IN the
city. Captain Allison has been appoint
ed provost marshal, and with the aid OF
local constabularY, has preserved ex-
cellent order, although most OF the en-
tire population Of the city remained In
the streets celebrating the arrival OF
their American liberators until long az
ter midnight.
Spanish Excuses.
During the night all sorts OF wild ru-
mors were brought in to General Miles.
The first was that the Spanish were to
attack the city in force. IN view of this
q strong line OF outposts sWasmMntalned
bV General Ernst and the men slept on
their arms. The reports, however, soon
gave way to .rumors that the Spanish
were retreatlng. putting entire villages
plantation buildInGs and houses to the
torch, and numbering and ravlshing as
they went. Some OF the wealthy plant
ers OF the Vicinity became horror strick-
en- and appealed wildly to General VIII
son to dispatch troops to the rescue, but
It was manifestiy impossible to divide
60 small force. None of the reports
was confirmed whe6 daylight came eX-
cept that the Spanfhrds were In full re-
treat. That they indulged IN excuses
OF cruel, VindIctiye characteT,is doubt
less true, but the town Of Juann Dins,
which was reported 10 have burned last
night. IL known TO be standing this
morning.
General Jose Garcia, who 10 in i'm
mediate Command OF the Spanish Tegu-
lars-not believed 20 number more than
FIVE hundred-was deserted by most OF
the Spanish volunteers In his command
during the night. and they began strag-
Cling back to the city with the dawn.
They Immediately presented themselves
10 the provost marshal and surrendered
their arms.
TiIirutinE for Vengeance.
The appearance OF the volunteers
aroused in the breast Of the natives
who had suffered at their hands in the
past, especially tho political prisoners
who were released when we took the
city, n desire for revenge md they be-
gan 10 ferret out all the Spaninrds In
the city who had ever been IN the vol
unteer service and dragged them TO the
plaza. Bloodhounds could not have
been more savage. Most OF the. Span
iards in hiding, upon being discovered.
were hauled in triumph In hootlng, jecr-
ing mobB to General Wilson'S head
quarters or TO the provost marshal's Of
fee in the municipal building. Some
OF the natives even begun iOotinR the
residences OF the Spnnlhrds. They mis-
took liberty for license and were crazed
with thirst for vengeance.
General Wilson, however, soon taught
them that revenge could not be wreak-
ed under the protection Of Our nag and
peremptorllY ordered that the arrest OK
tho Spanish suBpectR should cease. Such
volunteers AH presented themselves
we're, however, received and released
after their names had been thken. They
M all Feport Tomorrow and % ior.