The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-16


United States Camp, East side o
Guantanamo Bay, Tuesday, June Il,
p. m. (by the Associated Press Dis
patch Boat Wanda, via Kingston, ia
maica. Wednesday, June Is, 1890 p
m-)-The United States marines, under
Lieutenant Colonel Robert w. Hunt
ington. made their first aggressive
movement against the Spanish guer-
illas today and completely routed the
enemy. The force of marines was IN
der Captain Elliott, and the cooper
ating Cubans were under Colonel La
bOrda. The combined forces RACED a
Spanish camp about five miles from
the American position, destroying the
only well in the vicinity and killing
about 40 SpaniardS. One American ma
rine WIS slightly wounded. Two Gu
bans were killed and four wounded.
1t is impossible to estimate the num-
Der Of SpaniardS engaged. owing to the
guerilla methods of fighting, but it is
believed there were at least 400.
The marines behaved splendidly,
their craftsmanship being excellent
even under the severe fire of the enemy.
The captured camp lies about five
miles southeast Of the rife pits of the
marines. and was an important base
for the enemy, as it contained the only
we'll within six or seven miles. Lieu
tenant Colonel Huntington decided on
the attack early in the day, and about
o'clock the force started across the
mountain.
The march up and down the steep
hillside under the glazing tropical sun
was a severe test of endurance for the
marines, and before the battle ground
was reached p men had received med
zeal attention. All were able, however,
to reach the position before the fight
ing ceased. The marines were COM
PEELED to march in single file. follow
ing the mountain trail. Meanwhile the
Cubans darted backward and forward,
to right and left, on the scout.
It was noon when, from a hilltop,
the Americans caught sight Of the
Spanish camp on a ridge below them.
It consisted Of one large house-the
officers quarters surrounded by nu-
merous -shacks" and houses, all clus-
tering about the precious we'll
IN LINE OF BATTLE.
The Americans began a cautious ad-
vance, and We're within 200 yards of
the enemy before the crack of a rifle
from the Spanish lines announced that
The troops quickly moved into line of
battle, with the Cubans on the left
flank. The enemy's bullets were whirl-
ing viciOusIy over the Americans but
the marines settled down to their work
as unconcernedly as though at target
practice. Very few Spaniards were in
sight. They were laying behind the
huts and the brush, but the puffs of
smoke revealed their positions and en-
abled the Americans to do effective
work
For 20 minutes both sides maintained
a terrific fire. The Spanish shots We're
generally wild and spasmodic. while the
Americans fired away, aiming carefully
and shooting to kill. For the most part
the American firing was done individ-
ually, but at times the officers would
direct firing by squads, always with
telling effect
1t was beginning to look as though a
bayonet charge down the slope would
be necessary to dislodge the enemy,
when suddenly the latter began to
break for a thicket a hundred wards
further on. Little groups could be seen
fleeing from the camp, separating. dart
ing through the brush and ZigZagging
to escape the shots.
A DEADLY FIRE
It was then that the American fire /
became most deadly. Nan after man
was seen TO fall in d. vain rush for shell +
ter, and the fire from the Spanish be- :
came scattered and almost ceased
Two Cubans lay dead and four /
and Private Walker, of COM /
pany j, had to limp to the rear with a
slight wound in his ankle.
The easy victory put the command in |
high spirits. The little black Cuban I
warriors waved their machates and /
howled curses at the Spanish in savage /
fashion. Their firing had been wild (
throughout, but they all displayed the /
utmost contempt for the Spanish bull /
let's, apparently being absolutely with
put fear.
As the enemy began breaking camp.
the Dolphin, which lay out at sea, was
and began pitching shells to-
ward the thicket for which the Spas
ards were making.
Meanwhile, Lieutenant Magill was
seen coming with 40 men as reinforce
l7ents, and Captain Mahoney was on
he way with a hundred more. but be-
,ore either could reach the scene the
.rCubie was over.
AS the Spanish retreated the Ameri-
ans moved slowly forward, firing as
hey went, and by the time the camp
vas reached the enemy had all gone
lway, taking their wounded, and prob
lbiy many of their dead. Fifteen bodies
we're found scattered through the
)rush, but the Americans were unable
o examine the spot where their hr1ng
lad been most deadly. No time was
Ost in burning the building and filing
he we'll with earth and stones.
The Dolphin landed water and ammu-
ition, as an attack was expected on
he return march. but nole was made.
Evidently the Spaniards were too thor
ughIy beaten to attempt further fight
ng The marines did not reach the
american camp until after nightfal,
nd as they had been without food
ince the early morning, they were
thoroughly exhausted.
Colonel Huntington believes the de-
truction of the camp and well viii ser
ously cripple the bushwhacking oper-
lions of the enemy.
DYNAMITE GUNS USED. s
Off Santiago de Cuba. on Monday
light, the dynamite guns of the We
1vius were tested with great success.