Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-06-17
Heroic Marines Keep Old Glory
Afloat in Cuba.
FIGHT AGAINST SUPERIOR FORCES.
Another Engagement, in Which Two
Americans Were Killed and Four
\ Wounded Spnninrds Driven
from Fort, Leaving 15 Dead.

ElQEStO0, Jdlnalcd, y uHe lO.---AIleT TWO
nights of hard fighting the American
flag still floats over the encampment of
lhe marine battalion, and our boys say
they will keep it there until the belated
troops arrive, if it takes till winter.
Thus far the marines have had the best
of the fighting, but the situation is
grave, and they are exhausted with re-
pelling almost incessant attacks. They
have little chance to rest or sleep, and
the time of the arrival of the relieving
troops is uncertain. Were it not for the
guns of the fleet, the gallant little band
would be annihilated by the Spanish
troops, in overpowering numbers, from
Santiago de Cuba. AS it is, they prob
ably can hold their position, but they
cannot move forward until reinforced
by troops.
Tents Used for Breastworks.
J What, at first, with the white tents
on bold eminence against the tropic
background, looked like a holiday
camp, is now grim reality. The
tents have been struck and rolled into
breastworks, and are supplemented by
trenches around the crest of the hill.
The spot is lamentably exposed on open
ground, while surrounding it on ali
sides is heavy brush. The least move
ment in the camp is the signal for in
slant target practice upon the part of
the Spanish sharpshooters, whose
rifles carry much further than ours.
though their owners rarely hit any
thing they aim at.
1t is impossible TO accurately esti-
mate the Spanish attacking force, blu,
1t is numerous enough. About two
thirds of this force surrounds the camp
nightly with deadly ring, and the
spatting of the Mausers make things
quite lively, for the Spaniards are dar-
ing enough to crawl up and take pop
shot at the marines from the bushes
ABOUT 80 yards from the camp. AT night
the besiegers fight like Indians, and our
old Apache fighters will feel in their
element. Every yard of chapparel is
an ambuscade, and picket duty is flip
ping coins with death.
Two More Americans Killed.
After the first attack on Saturday
night, Col. Huntington decided that an
other attempt would be made on Sum
day night and he caused entertainments
to be thrown up on all sides of the camp,
and In the trenches the main part of the
battalion Sunday night waited for the
attack that the colonel was certain
would come. 1t arrived within short
time after dark, and from that time un-
til daybreak the firing was incessant
and at times very heavy. On the Amer
lean side two men We're killed and four
wounded. The dead are: Sergt. Mai.
Henry Goode, Of the marines, shot
through the right breast; Private Tau
man, wounded and fell off the cliff and
was instantly killed. The injured are.
Private Wallace, fell off the cliff and
sustained fracture of the leg; Private
Martin, shot through the left leg; Pri-
Eaie Roxbury, shot through the arm;
Private Burke, shot through the arm.
Marines Repulse an Attack.
The first attack of the spaniards was
made at eight o'clock p m. and the last
SHOT was fired by them at about three
oclpck In the morning. During the
night the Spaniards attacked the camp
9f the marines on the shore, and the
MaFblehead, believing the Americans
had been driven out, threw several shells
ipto the place. The attack, however,
was repulsed by the small detachment
q marines in camp without trouble
Ihe shells of the Marblehead struck
among the marines.
Cubans Cooperate.
The fight was the first of the war in
which the Cubans cooperated with the
American forces, and their cooperation
was not glittering success. AT one
time during the afternoon, whenever
the marines We're firing on small de-
tachment of Spaniards that made their
appearance short distance from the
oamp, the Cubans began firing without
orders and sem. volley right among
the Americans. There were several mar
row escapes, but no one was injured.
Lieut.. Neville, Of company d, was
gent out on scout duty and, as on the
gay previous, he attacked small stone
loft. A hot fight followed and the
bpantards were driven off with loss. It
Yas during this fight that Wallace and
uatman fell ever the cliff.
0hteen spaniarda Killed.
Fifteen dead Spaniards, including one
lieutenant, were found in the fort. Dur
ipg the attack several shot. struck the
ships In the harbor, one penetrating
the pilot house Of the press dispatch
boat Dandy. No one was injured on
board Of her, however.
A Striking Spectacle.
The night attack was picturesque
and striking spectacle, the crack OF
Mausers, tongues of fire, from every
bush encircling the camp, the twitter
Of the long steel bullets overhead, while
the machine guns down on the water
were ripping open the piclsets, and the
crash of the field guns could be heard
% they were driving in canister where
the fire Of the Spaniards was the thick
EST. Then there was the screech Of the
Marblehead's shells as she took hand
In the fight and the sharp, quick flashing
Of the Colts rapid-firing one-pounde T
guns from the effectively placed ship
launches.
The Dolphin Tuesday morning located
the Spanish water station on the ocean
side OF the harbor entrance, which sup
piled the water for the attacking force.
The well was situated in blockhouse
windmill, having a small garrison. 1t
was shelled at 1000 yards. Excellent
practice was made, the station was
wrecked and canister followed the re-
treating Spanish up the steep ravine.
ii