The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-07-07

NdsHluSlOH, July .. - Inc war ue-
! partment has received the following
! from Gen. Shafter, dated at Siboney:
Had heavy engagement to-day
| which lasted from 8 a. m. till shutdown.
We have carried the outer works and
are in possession of them. There Is
now three-quarters of a mile between
my lines and the city. BY morning
| troops will be cntrenched and consid
! cradle augmentation Of forces will be
there. Gen. Lawton's division and
Gen. Bates brigade, which have been
engaged all day, is carrying Ell Caney,
which was accomplished at 3 p. III.
VIII be in line and in front of Santi-
ago during the night. regret to say
that our casualties will be above 400
/ Of these not many killed"
o
! Washington, July BIN a high dip
| lomatic quarter it was stated that
! word had been received indirectly,
| but in such manner as TO receive
credit in this quarter, that the Ameri-
can forces had taken Santiago. There
| is. of course, no means Of verifying
this statement but it is given in view
of the fact that the diplomatic sources
who credit the report usually are in
position to have accurate information.
/ The fact that their information is indi-
, rect must be further taken into &C.
, count.
| story Of the Battle.
With the American Army Before
Santiago, via Playa del Este, July 3
Mai. Gen. Shafter yesterday morning
began with great vigor the attack on
the outer defenses of Santiago From
three directions the American forces
! advanced toward the doomed city.
While Gen. Lawton and Gen. Wheeler
, were attacking Caney, northeast Of
Santiago. Gen. Kent was advancing
| toward AguadOres. Gen. Garcia, with
his Cuban troops, at the same time ap-
| preached Caney from the southeast
and the other divisions of the Ameri-
| can army pressed toward Santiago
from the east. our forces thus present
| ing solid front from the coast to Gen
LinareS' northern defenses.
| Four members of the twenty first
regiment regulars were killed in the
fight between Scviiia ard Aguadores,
while sixteen orher Americans, all
members of the Twenty-frst, We're
|
! Spanish fleets Joined in the battle
| While Sampson's men were reducing
the recently emplaced batteries at
Aguadores. Admiral Cervera's fleet
was hurting shells in the direction OF
the American and Cuban lines. Two
batteries of light artillery, acting IN
der orders from Maj. Gen. Smarter.
who went TO the front at the head OF
| hn hot Of
ago by attacking Caney. From TINS
village direct road leads into Santl-
ago. and the advance OF our forces
will be irresistible when they gam
possession Of this road. Gen. wheeler,
with a detachment Of his cavalry com
mand. and Gen. Garcia, with his Gu
ban troops. quickly Joined Gen. Law
toms men in the advance upon Caney.
The Spaniards for time
Fought Desperately
20 prevent Caney from falling into the
hands of our forces. 1t was vain ef-
fort. Before the fighting had been
long under way the American and Gu
ban forces gained advanced ground
Foot by foot the enemy was driven
back into the village. 1t was evident
after the first hours fighting that Gen.
Skaters accuracy had gauged the
strength of the enemy and that he
would be able TO drive the Spaniards
into Santiago at his pleasure. 1t was
with difficulty that the commanding
ntfirers restrained the ardor of our
troops until the hour for beginning the
attack came Tie enthusiasm OF the
American forces was intense ana
their spirit quickly spread to the Gu
ban troops. al have shared the be-
lief of Gen. SLafter that Santiago
could he taken by a sharp, persistent
attack. and they have been impatient
/ Ia advance. Gen. Kent, who com
mands the center Of The general line
OF attack. started the Twenty-first reg
, ulars toward Aguadores AT the same
: bour Gen. I.awton's men advanced
toward Caney. Upon these troops zen
tire brunt of the battle TO the SOUTH
east of Santiago during the early hours
of the day. AS | write this dispatch
this division Of Gen. kcnts force mas
!. sustained the heaviest loss in the en-
ra.e,nent thus far. There was desper-
ate fighting about Aguadores. Acting
. under orders from Gen. Linares the
Standards at than point returned the
American fire with fury that aroused
i'm orr men the fiercest determination.
They boldly faced the enemy's fire,
holding their ground tenaciously ana
Pressing Forward
whenever an opportunity TO gam an
advanced footing presented itseH. III
the operations about Aguadores the
Americans, encouraged by tue "orh