Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-06-23
MARINES AND CUBANS WIN
The Spanish Routed in a Battle
Near Guantanamo
CUBANS DID GOOD FIGHTING.
The Spanish Driven From Their Base OF
Operations Near Camp MeCalla-Over
so Spanish Killed and Several Cap
tured-'Twas Red Hot Fighting.

~ "a poAt NASH uS Viz DP-
guerrillas and regulars, who harassed
them for four days, the American forces
encamped on Crest Heights at the en-
trance to Guantanamo bay, gained
notable victory, having band of Gu
bans as allies. They drove the Span
iards from their base of supplies, four
miles from Camp McCalla, killed over
half hundred of the enemy, and took
is prisoners. The only losses were two
Cnbans killed. Four other insurgents
were wounded, as were two of the
American marines. Twenty-three ma
rines were overcome by the heat dur
ing the engagement.
The enemy was at point four miles
inland, where are the only wells within
many miles If the United States
forces could drive them from that posi-
ton it would be necessary for the
Spaniards TO retreat almost to the city
of Guantanamo-1O miles-in order TO
get supply of water. Capt. Elliott
and Lieuts. Neville and Mahoney COM
manded the marines, while the Cubans
were under Coils. Laborde and Tomas.
Our sllirmish line discovered the enemy
in an underbrush, half mile from Ft
McCalla. Orders to attack were given
Immediately, and the Americans and
Cubans rushed forward in splendid
form. They charged against the enemy
with great boldness. The action was
sharp and spirited. For time the on
slaught of the marines was strongly
resisted but the enemy finally was
forced to retreat. Our men pressed on
after the fleeing Spaniards, and did
not give up the pursuit until they had
put the enemy completely TO rout and
had captured and made useless its only
water supply. In the vicinity of the
blockhouse, about which the enemy
made a final stand, the bodies of 40
Spaniards killed in the engagement
were found.
The victory put the command in high
spirits. The little black Cuban war
riors waved their machetes and howled
curses at the Spanish in savage fashion.
Their firing had been wild throughout
but they all displayed the utmost con
tempt for the Spanish bullets, appar-
emily being absolutely without fear.
The marines did not reach the Ameri-
can camp until nightfall, and as they
had been without food since early
morning, they were thoroughly eX-
hausted. Col. Huntington believes the
destruction of the Spanish camp and
we'll will seriously cripple their bush
whacking operations.
Lieut.. Francis Batista, one corporal
and 16 privates were taken prisoners
by the Americans and were placed on
the warships in the harbor From the
prisoners il has been learned that the
Spanish forces consisted of six compa-
MES of regulars with two companies OF
guerrilas, armed with Mauser and new
Remington rifles. The captured lieu
tenant said he knew 6s Spaniards were
killed ard 200 wounded in the days
fighting. and he thought the total
might be two or three times that. He
also said that the sergeant and three
privates who crept up and killed Pri-
Yates McColgan and Dunphy, while
they were on picket duty few nights
before. had been killed in the fight on
the ridge.
Washington: The news from Admiral
Sampson that the Spaniards had been
repulsed by the marines and insurgents
came as a great relief TO army and navy
officials, whc thought that the position
held was very precarious. The fullest
credit is given to the insurgents for
their timely work. The occupation of
Acerradcros by the insurgent general,
Rabi. is looked upon as fine military
stroke The town is only eight miles
from Santiago. and the large iron
wharves afford good facilities for the
unloading of the heavy artillery. The
achievement of Gen. Rabi in making a
forced march from Bayamo, 100 miles
northwest of Santiago. is characteristic
of the dash and military genius of that
officer. In occupying Acerraderos Gen.
Rabi had with him about 900 men,
while Garcia is coming up with 1000 to
5000 more Cubans. The march of Rabi
can hardly be appreciated by anyone
not familiar with the mountains,
swamps and tangled tropical vegetation
through which he pushed his way. In
making this march Rabi crossed the
line of communication between the
Spanish commander Gen Pando, at
Holguin and the Spanish forces at San
tiago. This fact makes it clear that
Santiago is not likely TO get reinforce
ments from Gen. Pando. In circling
around Santiago to reach Acerraderos,
Rabi. IL is believed. has also established
il as a fact that the lines of communi-
cation and relief to Santiago are inter
rupted and practically cut off in all
directions.
Admiral Sampson cables that he is
we'll satisfied with the assistance given