The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-06-16
SPANISH !
GUERILLAS
Put to Flight by Marines
and Cuban Allies.
l0U1 FORTY SPiR|RDS killed.
While Two Cubans Are Dead and
-Four Wounded
ONLY ONE MARINE WOUNDED

ONLY ONE MARINE WOUNDED
The Attacking Force Marched On the Span
ish Camp, Containing the Only Well
Within Six or Seven Eliles, and Brief
Battle Followed After the Spaniards
Fled Their Camp Was Destroyed by Fire
and the Well Filled With Earth and
Stones.
= Kingston. Jamaica, June 16.-The
United States marines under Lieu
tenant Colonel Robert W. Huntington
made their first aggressive movement
against the Spanish guerillas Tuesday,
and completely routed the enemy. Tho
force of marines was under Captain
Elliott, and cooperating Cubans wero
under Colonel Laborda The COM
bined forces razed Spanish camp
about five miles from the American po-
sition, destroyed the only well in the
vicinity and killed about 40 Spaniards.
One American marine was slightly
wounded. Two Cubans were killed and
four wounded.
1t is impossible to estimate the num-
ber Of Spaniards engaged owing to their
guerilla methods of fighting, but it is
believed there were at least 400. The
marines behaved splendldly, their
workmanship being excellent, eyel
under the severe fire Of the enemy.
The captured camp lay about five
miles southeast of the rife pits of tho
marines, and was an important base
for the enemy, as 1t contained the only
well within six or seven miles. Lieu
tenant Colonel Huntington decided on
the attack early in the day, and at
about 8 O'Clock the force started across
the mountain. The march up and down
the steep hillsdes under the glaring
tropical sun was a severe test Of en-
duranCe for the marines, and before
the battle ground was reached % men
had received medical attention. All
we're able however, to reach the posi-
lion before the fighting ceased.
The marines were compelled to
march in single file. following the
mountain trail. Meanwhile the Gu
bans darted backward and forward, to
right and left, on the scout. 1t was
from hilltop the Americans caught
sight of the Spanish camp lying on a
ridge below them. 1t consisted OF
one large house, the officers quarters,
surrounded by humorous 'shacks" and
-huts, all clustering about the precious
we'll
The Americans began a cautious ad-
vance, and were within 200 yards of
the enemy before the crack Of rifle
from the Spanish lines announced that
the Spaniards had discovered them.
The troops quickly moved into line
6 battle, with the Cubans on the left
aauk. The enemy's bullets were
Ehizzng vlciously over the Americans,
but the marines settled down to their
work as unconcerncdly as though at
lRrget practice.
Very few Spaniards were in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
In the brush but the pufps of smoke
revealed their positions and enabled
the Americans TO do effective work.
Enr 20 minutes both sides maintained
q terrific fire. The Spanish shots were
generally wild and spasmodic. while
the Americans cCOlly fired away, aim
ing carefully and shooting to kill. For
the most part the Americans firing
was done Individually, but at times tho
officers could direct firing by squads,
always with telling effect.
1t was beginning to look as though
q bayonet charge down the slope would
be necessary to dislodge the enemy,
when suddenly the latter began to
break for thickct hundred yards
further on. Little groups cou.d be
seen fleeing from the camp, separating,
uhIlilS lIlOuRn lhe VI hhl anu Gi6-
tagging to escape the bullets.
1t was then the American fire be-
came deadly. Man after man could be
seen to fall in vain rush for shelter,
and the fire from the Spanish became
scattering and almost ceased Two
Cubans lay dead and four wounded,
and Private Walker, of Company D,
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
warriors waved their machetes and
A0wlcd curses at the Spanish in saw
age fashion. Their firing had been
Wild throughout, but they all displayed
the utmost contempt for the Spanish
bullets, apparently being absolutely
without fear.
As the enemy began breaking camp
the Dolphin, which lay out at sea, was
siknaled and began pitching shells to-
ward the thicket for which the Span
lards were making. Meanwhile Lieu
tenant Magill was seen coming with
no men as reinforcsments, and Cap
tain Mahony was on the way with a
hundred more, but before either could
reach the scene the trouble was over.
, As the Spanish retreated the Amerl-
cans moved slowly forward, firing as