The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-14

out the hopelessness of the Spanish posi-
tion, surrounded by the American troops,
and cut off from reinforcements, and with
out means TO combat our fleet, which can
hurl shells by the hundred into the heart of
the city. Unconditional surrender, it was
declared, were the only terms TO be con-
sidered and only prompt acceptance of these
terms could save the Spanish forces and in
nocent citizens from awful slaughter.
The firing, which has been going on at
intervals since Sunday afternoon, was or
dered stopped when the flag of truce started
for the Spanish lines and has not been re-
sumed since. No attention was paid to Gen.
Skaters communication until shortly after
o'clock this morning, when reply came
under flag of truce. General Toral was
brief. saying that if the Americans wanted
Santiago they could come and take 1T. He
said unconditional surrender was entirely
beyond reason and possibility and expressed
himself as ready to meet an attack any
time the invading army saw fit to make
one. General Shafter accepted the answer
as final. and although no firing was ordered
he Immediately began preparations for the
coming struggle.
LOCATION OF BATTERIES.
General Randoph's ten light batteries
WCiC OAuSASu IUSHcu liOIil TIC ldHuiliS pitaNC
at Juragua and a change in the lines was
made. General Lawton's entire division was
moved to the northward mile and half,
his extreme right being placed at Caimanes,
on the border of the harbor This move
ment places the American forces in a semi
circle entirely surrounding Santiago and
cutting off the retreat of the Spaniards ex-
cept by water, as our flanks rest at the
p6u Tho lat lc cf
teers were moved up from Juragua and the
First Illinois, the Eighth Ohio and the First
District of Columbia were located in the
trenches vacated by Lawtons men. Illness
battery was swung around to the north,
closely connecting with Lawton's forces,
and now occupies a bluff from which it can
fire directly into the heart of the city. This
is most important move, as it ena ables the
American forces to she'll the city
without injuring the hospitals and pub
lie buildings which are flying the red cross
flags, the present position being such that
shells can be thrown over all the buildings
thus protected from assault.
The little town of Caimanes was evacuated
by the Spanish troops yesterday and is now
occupied by the Cuban troops with a few
companies of regulars. Its occupation is
most important to the American forces as
it completes the semi-circe from water line
to water line and hems the city in 1t was
a great blunder on the part of the Spanish
to desert the place without struggle as
with 1t General Lawton flanks them COM
pletely Near this point the Spanish left
lies, and this flank has been known to be the
weakest portion of their lines. During the
weeks truce they have been strengthening
it. but their intrenchments at this point
have been constructed raggedly and ap-
parently without definite PLAN General
Lawton anticipates little difficulty in driv-
ing the Spaniards from their positions.
NAVY WILL ASSIST.
Under the present plans the American
army and navy will begin the attack at the
same time. The feet will hurl shells into
the city, while the great coil of American
soldiery will gradually tighten about the
Spanish positions, the divisions advancing
from all along the line. AS the semi-circle
narrows the batteries in the rear will main
tain a heavy fire. The American officers
1eei confident the city can Withstand this
terrible assault but short time
Illness battery yesterday did some firing
on the bull ring at the northern end of the
city and also on the trenches. The shrapnel
seemed to have little effect on the Spaniards
"
tie damage.
General Miles went to the front TODAY
and probably will remain there the greater
part of tomorrow. He went ashore early
this morning and telephoned to General
Shafter The latter advised him not to start
out until later as the roads were in a fright-
ful condition from the rains and badly
blocked by supply trains. The general wait
ed until noon and then set out accompanied
by Troop A, of the Second Cavalry, the only
mounted troop of General Shafters army.
1t was raining heavily when the start was
made. The general was attired in a long
black macintosh and wore rubber riding
boots and a black slouch hat ornamented
with a narrow strand of gilt cord. Owing
to the deep mud it was almost dark when
he reached the front.
10 the correspondent of the Associated
Press who accompanied him to the front
General Miles said: Il have not come here
to- take command, and shall probably re-
main but few days 1t is too late to make
any changes in the plan of campaign, even
If l desired to do so. But l have no COM
paint to make. Things seem to be moving
in good shape. / intended to look over our
lines and positions and study the situation
thoroughly, but 1 will not interfere in the
conduct of the campaign. This is likely to
be the only trip shall make to the front"
General Miles was much interested in the
war maps and information regarding the
trails and the chances of getting artillery
to the front. His journey was trying one
owing to the rain and mud. the latter in
many places being up to the horses knees
DOWNPOUR OF RAIN.
The last two days have been the worst of
the campaign, SO far as the weather is con-
cerned. Fierce, tropical thunderstoIms have
been frequent, with an almost continuous
downpour of rain. The rifle pits and
trenches at the front have been flooded and
last night few men in the besieging army
were able to sleep, owing to the amount of
water on the ground. The already heavy
hardships endured have been greatly in
creased and much illness is likely to result.
as no adequate shelter is possible.
The trail to the front is in frightfull shane
The streams and the fords are swollen and
the soft soil is Gut into almost impossible
shapes by the wheels Of the supply wagons.
One of General Randolph's light batteries
occupied a whole day in getting to the
front. The rain is coming down in torrents
tonight and a thunder storm is raging
along the coast. If the storm continues it
is likely 10 delay operations seriously.
Troops from the auxiliary cruisers Yale
and St. Paul have been landing in the rain