Rocky Ford enterprise., 1898-05-19
BATTLE AT CrENFUEGOS.
rhrce Cruisers Engage ths + rts and Cut
the Cable.

Key West, May IA fight has
taken place of Cienfuegos. The Mar
blehead, Nashville and Window were
pitted against the forts. The Window
has just come in with the wounded
Americans. Two m,n have been killed
and eight wounded. The Spanish loss
Is 400.
The action took place of COlorados
Point Light ut the entrance of Glen
fuegos Bay on Wednesday. 1t began
with the firing of shells by the Marble
head and Nashville III the early morn
ing.
About 5 o'clock two boats were sent
out from each of these ships with crap.
pling irons and other necessary ap-
paratus for cutting the cable. There
was no firing from shore for two hours,
while the cruisers and Window kept
up II fire.
The small boats got within about
twenty-five yards of the shore and sue
ceeded in graphing the cable. Befor"
they let 20 they had cut out section
and accomplished their purpose II
stopping the cables usefulness.
1t was determined some time ago to
cut the Spanish cable out of Cienfuc-
gos and thus prevent the movements OF
the American ships on that side being
made known to Madrid. The task was
assigned 10 the three cruisers men
toned. and on Wednesday they drew
in close to shore. They made out n
new fertilization ut the entrance Ia
Cienfuegos Bay and the Window. un
der Captain Mcclure, engaged the bat
tcries.
AT 1000 yards the fort opened fire.
The Window replied with her big fo.-
ward rifle and inside of n few minutes
left the Notifications nothing but n
mass of ruins.
The Nashville and the Marblchead III
the meantime had sniled in close and
made every effort to draw the fire from
| what masked batteries the Spanish
at the apex of the bay and into this
shot and shell We're poured.
Under cover of the cnnnonade the
| Nashville and Mnrblehead launched
boats. and their crew pulled into where
the cable took OFF. BY dint of rare
courage they cut the cable and start ail
back. Half way across the bay masked
! batteries on either side of the harbor
opened n merciless fusilade. firing at
| the two boat loads. The boats were
riddled and their occupants were soon
| struggling In the water.
From the guns of the Nashville and
| a.
shot and shell. Every shot went true
and earthworks. guns and Spaninrds
were seen flying convulsively In the
air as each shell burst. In the mean
time Captain Mcclure lowered his
boats and rescued the wounded. The
bodies of the two dead men were also
recovered. They We're placed aboard
the Window.
1--WE avenged Them" said Captain
Mcclure. I'VE sent fully 1000 shells
into the city, and ! really believe there
must be as many dead Spaniards.'
The Window arrived here this morn
| ing with the wounded. all of whom
are doing nicely. The dead Will be
buried on Cuban soil.
Captain Maynard Of the Nashville
was struck over the head by shot
but the missile glanced and only in
fiicted slight injury.
Lieutenant Winslow lost three fin
gers of his left hand. The dead are
two unknown seamen of the Marble
! head.
The wounded are: Captain Maynard
of the Nashville, slightly: Lieutenant
Cameron Winslow of the Nashville
Gunners Robert Boltz. John Davis
John Doran. Ernest SuneZench, Her
man w. Kochmaister and !. Hen
| drickson.