Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-07-11
LINES STRENGTHENED.
the Fighting Commenced Again.
Positions of Our Troops.

BEFORE SANTIAGO, July 9. per dis
patch boat Wanda. via Port Antonio
and Kingston, Jamaica, July 10
Everything on the firing line is now
ready for the commencement of hostili-
ties, in case the Spanish generals do
not surrender. The dynamite gun,
which has been in position for several
days, is now in better working order
than at the time of the battle of San
Juan, and it is predicted that its
charges, consisting of 20 pounds of gun
cotton and gelatin, will work havoc
in the Spanish trenches when it opens
fire.
Twelve mortars in one battery are
mounted and ready for use, and they
are relied upon to do effective work IN
Smelling the city Three batteries of
artillery are now posted on Ell Paso
ridge, 2,400 yards. from the town, and
the Capron and Grimes batteries are
1000 yards to the north of the road in
the rear of General Lawton's division.
In firing the field guns will be COM
PEELED to shell the town over the heads
OF our own men, but the artillery Off
GERS say it can be done safely and with
out injury to our soldiers.
The dynamite gun has been so placed
that it will be able to enfilade several of
the Spanish lines.
On the other hand during the truce,
which SO far as regards the continuing
of preparations for defense or attack
has been no truce whatever, the Span
iards have not been idle. They have
been mounting guns and some of these
are of much heavier caliber than any
of the American army's which can be
brought into play. Some of their guns
r,f +f1
able OF much damage, but others are
very different and capable of excellent
work. One finch gun, which had SO
perfect a range during the battle of
San Juan, of many ridges occupied by
the American troops, has been located
with especial care by the American
gunners, and it will be the recipient of
much attention when hostilities re-
open.
General Bates division, which holds
the extreme left of the line, moved for
ward today to new position, 400 yards
in advance of its former line. It was,
since the battle of San Juan, planted
along the edge of precipitous ravine,
the walls of which are about 80 feet
high. This ravine is about 700 yards
long and about 400yards wide. General
Bates has now moved the Twentieth In
fantry to the side of the ravine nearest
Santiago, and placed the Third Infan-
try, which, with the Twentieth, forms
his brigade, at right angles to theline of
the Twentieth. The extreme left of his
line, which is the extreme left of the
American army, is about opposite the
upper end Of Santiago Harbor and from
four to six miles from the coast line.
When hostilities are opened by the
hnTr1 ha ri m ont orQot thIncrc ta1
from the navy. Admiral Sampson is
quoted throughout the army as saying
that he will drop one shell into the city
every five minutes, and if that is not
sufficient to do the work, he will drop
one into the city every two minutes.
This fire, in addition to what the land
forces will turn in, it is thought, will
be sufficient to reduce the Spaniards to
a point where they will surrender.
General Hawkins, commanding the
First brigade of General Kents division,
who was wounded in the foot during
the attack made ON our lines Saturday
night by the Spaniards, has returned to
the United States. Colonel Theaker, of
the Sixteenth Infantry, has succeeded
General Hawkins in the command of
the brigade, and Colonel Wood, of the
rough riders, will succeed General
Young. Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt
will command the rough riders here
after.
Sixteen Spanish prisoners who were
wounded were turned over to the Span
iards yesterday afternoon. DIR. Good
fellow and Captain Drier escorted the
ambulance and this correspondent &C
companied them. The Spaniards dis
played great gratitude for this kind
ness, and there was considerable frater-
nizing in which the Spaniards' desire
for peace stood out like headlight in
fog.
There is no doubt that the subordin-
ate Spanish officers are anxious to sur
render, but they practically said that
upon General Toral's decision they
would rest. They admitted that they
were short of provisions, but all APP
peared to be determined and resolute
and willing to die, if need be, in the
defense of the city.