The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-25
THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN.
Brief Review of the Invasion and
Subsequent Events.


Brief Review of the Invasion and
Subsequent Events.
St. Louis Republic.
On June % the first division of the Ameri-
can army of invasion, under command of
General Shafter, arrived at Baiquiri, Cuba
But little resistance was offered by the
Spaniards. The Detroit, Castine, Wasp and
Suwanee Of the navy, shelled the vicinity
of Baiquiri before the landing was accom-
plished.
The march to Santiago was begun the fol-
lowing day, and on June "a occurred the
now famous advance of the Rough Riders,
who were ambushed by a large force of the
Spanish army. Four troops of the First
Cavalry, four of the Tenth and eight of the
Rough Riders-in all less than 1000 men
were attacked from the thickets near La
QuaSina, about four miles from Santiago de
Cuba, by 1900 soldiers of the enemy. More
than a dozen of the American cavalrymen
were killed and about fifty wounded. The
Spanish loss has not been definitely ascer-
tanned, but it is certain that it was much
larger than that on the American side.
The Americans beat the enemy back into
the city. The Spaniards had the advan-
tage of position, concealed as they were in
Riders were unable to see them until within
close firing range. General Young COM
manded the expedition and was with the
regulars, while Colonel Wood directed the
operations of the Rough Riders several
miles west.
The battle lasted about two hours The
ground covered was half a mile wide and
a mile in length. The greatest difficulty
I,xrt bo
the barbed wire fences around the intrench-
ments that protected the beleaguered city.
On June % and 26 the army slowly adj
vanced toward the city, on the latter date
being still nearly four miles distant. Two
brigades of General Lawtons division. in
command of General Chaffee and Colonel
Hall, Of the Second Massachusetts Volun-
teers, moved past Sevilla, where the Span
iards were expected to make a stand. The
Cuban army, under direction of General
Garcia, massed for cooperative attack on
Santiago. The Spanish forces had left the
country between Baiquiri, where most of
the American troops were landed, and
Santiago.
Roosevelts Riders started up the bluff
back of Siboney to attack the Spaniards on
their flank. About two and half miles out
from Siboney they were informed by scouts
from the Cuban army that the Spaniards
were but little way in front and strongly
intrenched. When they We're located the
Americans opened fire from HotchKiss guns
and the SpanlardS responded with Volley
after VOlley from their MauSerS.
On June n the army moved nearer to
Santiago, and the Spanlards evacuated Sib-
oney, strong outpost. The American force
numbered 1,OVJ with 5000 Cuban allies, I'M
der Garcia, all encamped near the city.
Heavy artillery arrived for the Americans
preparatory to the assault.
General Skaters army waited on June %
for renforcements from Tampa before be-
ginning the attack on Santiago. Nine thou
sand men were to be added TO the number
already on the island, making the army
1900 strong. The army occupied an adj
vance position on the Sevilla and Santiago
road, within three miles of the latter place.
On June 30 General Shafter sent 1000 Gu
ban soldiers under General Rabi, to head
Off General PandoS reinforcementS on the
way from Manzanillo to Santiago to assist
Linares in defending the city.
On July / and the army attacked the
outer defenses of Santiago, viz, Ell Pozo,
about two miles from the city; Ell Caney, a
suburb of Santiago, two miles out, and
San Juan, the main fertilization. The hill
of San Juan commands the barracks of
Santiago. Around it were six fences and
three lines of earthworks, making it the
most difficult of the defenSes to destroy.
The lighting was desperate, as on the
success of the army capturing Ell Caney and
san Juan depended large J the ability of
Shafter to lead his troops into Santiago
A number of American and Spanish officers
and privateS were killed in these prelim-
mary battles the loss on the American side
being estimated at 1900 killed and wounded
me Spanish loss was 5000 dead, wounded
and prisoners.
men distinguished themselves in the cap
ture of San Juan and Caney. Two thou
Sand prisoners We're taken from Caney.
Ihe guns of the American army connonaded
the city and proved most effective in drv-
ing Off the enemy.
The victories at Caney and San Juan yir-
nVpnff11l of Co
tago, as the army was enabled to move
to an advantageous point close to the city
ana occupy the convenient fortificatiOnS
taken from the Spaniards With San Juan
and Caney gone, but little hope remained for
Lnares and Toral to offer further resist
ance
On July occurred another great Ameri-
can naval victory-the complete obstruction
of Cervera's fleet which had been bottled
up in Santiago harbor by Admiral Sampson.
The Spanish admiral, realizing his des-
perate straits, now that the Notifications
to escape from his perilOuS position. The
attempt meant almost certain defeat, but
Cervera was plucky and resolved to make
ran the gantlet of the American fleet, but
met fierce fire from SIMPSONS vessels The
tremendous fire from the American ships
proved too much for Cervera's vessels
every one of which was destroyed or burned
up by the Spanish rather than submit to de-
feat at the hands of the Americans. Ger
vera and several thousand Spanish marines
were taken prisoners, and the last hope of
the SpaniardS to save Santiago disappeared.
Preparations were then begun by Shafter
and Sampson for a joint naval and army
attack on Santiago which had refused to
capitulate in response to Skaters demand
1t was the intention of the American COM
mander to lombard the city July 5.
General Linares, directing the Spanish
army in Santiago, proposed terms of sur
render to Shafter. He would leave the city
on condition that the arms, ammunition and
equipments of the men went with them 20
Spain. The United States government ca
bled Shafter TO accept only an uncondi-
tional surrender. The flags of truce floating
over the positions of both armies were with
drawn on July 10. and at o'clock in the
afternoon of that day the American army
began to lombard the city.
The firing continued for an hour or more
and the Spanish flag of truce again APP
peared Shafter gave Toral until noon OF