The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-24

a position toward El Czney and up to-
ward the line OF works southeast OF the
city. General Shsfter ordered an attack
along the whole line. whioa begun about
: o'clock a. m on July !
Four regiments under General Laweon
were placed OF the right flank. near e
Cansy. supported by q battery OF artil-
iery and one four-inch dynamite gun The
artillery proceeded 20 demolisa the block
houses and small forts about the town.
The first two shots from the dynamite
gun completely demolished a stone Fort
situated at the top OF small hin near
the village Artillery fire was kept up for
about an hour and half. when the IN
fantry was sent forward 10 make the as
sau.t. The battle ragged for az least two
hours. with heavy FIRE from both SIDES,
resulting In no great bss. when the town
was taken by assault. resulting IN the
wounding Of General Linares. the Span
fsh commander and the capture OF about
three companies OF Spanish infantry. the
rest OF their force retreating rapidly to-
ward the city
Abor; eight miles TO the left and direct
ly southeast OF Santiago was where the
very hardest lighting took place on the
first OF July.
Here it will be necessary to give brief
description OF the topography OF the
country near the city. Santiago is sit
uated on a slope gradually rising toward
the east and southeas. for distance OF
three miles. where IL terminates in the
valley OF the San Juan river. a shaEow
stream which can be forded al almost any
point. The valley is covered by yer,
dense underground. so impenetrabie that
1t is impossible 10 travel except by path
or road. Surrounding the city for dis
tance OF three miles the country is cleared
OF all trees and underbrush. This open
space on AL sides of the city Is vel pro-
tected by lines Of Entertainments. block
houses and small forts.
The main part OF the army. consisting
of about 1900 advanced along the road
leading into Santiago from the southeast.
The Sixteenth and Twenty-fonrth insan-
Try. going In advance. approached the
San Juan river, and while attempting 10
ford it a very brisk fire vas opened on
them from surrounding trees and a ridge
on the west bank OF the river about
700 yards away. A barb-wire fence very
well constructed was encountered on ine
west bank OF the river but was skillfully
cut and passed by both regiments. The
other troops advanced quickly 10 their
support. Two Calling guns were pJlced
near the river. with battery of artillery
further 20 the rear. A hard FIRE was
opened on the ridge by all our troops and
directed principally 10 a small blockhouse
and intrenchment occupied by the enemy.
The Spanlards evidently had obtained
ranges of different points OF this only
road Of advance and their IRE was very
deadly from the fret. II was finally sup
pressed 10 such a degree that all our
troops crossed the river and depioyed for
general advance on the Spanish in
trenchments. The troops occupied posi-
ton in line from right 20 left as follows:
Third Ninth and Tenth cavalry dismount
ed. Seventh. Thirteenth Sixteenth. Tween
ty-fourth and Ninth infantry. the First
volunteer cavalry and Seventy New
York volunteers.
The key OF the Spanish position was the
blockhouse on the ridge directly opposite
the Twenty fourth infantry. Prom the
moment this new advance was ordered
brisk and deadly fire was opened. directed
by the spanisrds against the left center
OF our pos ton. Our whole line advanced
in tho face OF the deadly fire. carrying in
trenchment after intrenchment and driv-
Ing the Spaniards back. As our line ~
preached the top Of the ridge overlooking
the city The Spsniards could be seen hur-
riedly retreating 10 other Intrenchments