The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-20
SOLDIERS L|NE SHORE.
SpaniardS on Guard West Of
Santiago.
Sampson Orders Transports Held
Out at Sea.

Fleet VIII Clear the Surrounding
Country of the Enemy in order
to Enable Troops to Land in Safe
ty-Launches Sent to RecOnnOiter
the Coast Meet With a Hot Recep-
tiOn From the Spaninrds-Cubans
Counted ON to Assist the Fleet in
Its work.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
Off Santiago de Cuba, Saturday, June is,
10 a. M, via Kingston, Jamaica, Sunday,
June 10, p. m.-Several attempts TO find
landing places for the United States
troops, within distance of two miles west
of Santiago, have demonstrated, along
with previous inquiries to the eastward,
that the shore for fifteen miles is lined
with Spaniards.
While this viii not prevent landing close
to Santiago, 1t may entail considerable de-
lay, as the surrounding country must be
thoroughly shelled and cleared before the
troops can land in safety.
When Rear Admiral Sampson yesterday
received advices that upward of thirty
transports would be here to-day (Satur-
day., he sent word that they should stand
to the south ten miles and lie there until
a landing place had been secured.
Yesterday at daylight the launches of
the New York and the Massachusetts re-
connotered the shore between Cabanas,
two miles west of the entrance to Santiago
harbor, and Guayagancaco. two miles fur
thor west, both of which points lie east
of the range of mountains surrounding
Santiago bay
The launches pushed their noses into a
hornets nest The brush was fairly alive
with Spanish troops, infantry and cavalry,
and the fire opened upon the launches was
so fierce that their retreat had to be COW
cred by the Vixen and the Texas.
When the Texas asked permission of
Commodore schley to take hand the
commodore seized the megaphone and
shouted to Capt. Philip: "Yes; go in and
give em -, Jack"
The Texas landed several 4-inch shells
on the battery at Cabanas, completely de-
nolishing it.
Lieut.. Sharpe of the Vixen and Lieut..
Harlow, in command of the launches,
were both complimented by Admiral Samp-
son for gallantry.
It is believed that The insurgents, who
are in force and under the command of
Gen. Garcia, about fifteen miles west, will
render effective aid in driving the Span
ish skirmshers off the shore.
The following is the abstract of Lieut..
ITarlows report To the commander of the
Vixen, dated June IS;
ssTbn aYtafifiOn consisted Of efeara
launch from the Massachusetts in charge
Of Cadet Tart, and a launch from the
New York, in charge Of Cadet Powell.
took passage on the Massachusetts,
launch, leading the way
"soundings were taken on entering the
bay close under the old forts, and we
We're preparing to circumnavigate the bay
at full speed when fire was opened from
the fort and rocks on shore.
"Thc Massachusetts, launch was some
distance ahead, about forty yards off the
fort. There was no room to turn and
our 1-pounder could not be brought to bear,
so we backed and turned under a heavy
fire.
cadet Hart operated the gun as soon
as il could be brought to bear, sitting ex>
posed in the bow and working the gun as
coolly and carefully as at target prac-
tice.
Cadet Powell had been firing since the
Spaniards opened. He also was perfectly
cool
Both launches ran out under a heavy
fire Of from six to eight minutes
II estimate that there were twenty-five
Spanards on the parapet of the old fort
The number alongshore was larger, but in
definite.
THE launches, as soon as was practical
BILE, sheered TO give the Vixen the range Of
the fort
THE Vixen and the Texas silenced the
shore fire promptly.
II strongly commend Cadet Hart and
Cadet Powell for their cool management of
the launches.
zone launch was struck seven times
Nobody in either was hurt.
"A bullet struck a shell at Cadet Hart's
feet, between the projectle and the powder,
but failed to explode the latter.
"Coxswain O'Donnell and Seaman Bloom
are commended, as Is also the coolness
with which the marines and sailors work.
ed under the Spanish FIRE.
Nothing was learned at Cabanas bay:
but at Guayaganaco It is evident a land
ing Is practicable for ships boats.
"The same is true Of Rancho Cruz. a
small bay to the eastward.
II am informed that to the north and
westward Of Cabauas bay there is a large
clearing with plenty Of grass and water.
Il think a. simultaneous landing at the
three places named would be practica bic
If the ships shell the adjacent wood
"A junction would naturally follow st
the clearing"
CAMARA OFF GRANADA.