Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1898-06-23
COMPLETE ROUT
Spanish Guerille Camp Captured
by Marines and Cubans.
A Desperate Engagement Near Gaunta-
namo Results in Victory for the En-
emies of Spain-One Hundred and
Forty Bushwhackers Killed
and Many Wounded.

New York, June 16.-The following
is "A journal special from Camp Nc
Gala, Guantanamo harbor: Scouting
-arties of marines returned here Tues
day night with IS Spanish prisoners,
one of them an officer. The party
also captured 100 Mauser rifles and
1000 rounds of ammunition. They re-
port having had series of engage
ments with Spaniards, in which 100
Spanish soldiers were killed and
wounded. They also destroyed u
Spanish blockhouse and telegraph
station.
United States Camp, East Side of
Entrance to Guantanamo Bay, via
Kingston, Jamaica, June 16.-The
United States marines under Lieut..
Col. Huntington on Tuesday made
their first aggressive movement
against the Spanish guerllas and
completely routed the enemy.
The force of marines was undcr
Capt. Elliott and the cooperating gu
bans were under Col. Laborda. The
combined forces razed Spanish camp
about five miles from the American
position, destroyed the only well in
the vicinity and killed about 40 Span
iards. One American marine was
slightly wounded. Two Cubans were
killed and four wounded.
1t is impossible to estimate the num-
Der of Spaniards engaged, owing to
their guerilla methods of fighting,
but it is believed there were at least
400.
The captured camp lies about five
miles southeast of the rifle pits of the
marines and was an important base
for the enemy, as it contained the
only well within six or seven miles.
Lieut.. Col. Huntington decided on the
attack early in the day and at about
s o'clock the force started across the
mountain. The march up and down
the steep hillsides under the glaring
tropical sun was q severe test of en-
durance for the marines and before
the battle-ground was reached % men
had received medical attention. All
were able, however. to reach the po-
sition before the fighting ceased.
The marines We're 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
noon when from a hill top the Ameri-
cans caught sight of the Spanish
camp lying on a ridge below them.
1t consisted of one large house, the
officers quarters. surrounded by nu-
merous "shacks" and huts, all clus-
tering about the precious well.
The Americans began cautious az
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
of battle. with the Cubans on the left
flank. The enemy's bullets were
whirling vciously over the Americans,
but the marines settled down to the r
work as unconcernedly as though at
target practice.
Very few Spaniards We're in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
in the brush, but puffs of smoke re-
vealed their positions and enabled the
Americans to do effective work. For
20 minutes both sides maintained
terrific fire. The Spanish shots were
generally wild, while the Americans
coolly fired away, aiming carefully
and shooting to kill. For the most
part the Americans firing was done
individually, 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 be-
gan to break for thicket 100 yards
further on. Little groups could he
seen fleeing from the camp, darting
through the brush and zig-zagging to
escape the bullets. 1t was then the
The easy victory put the command
in high spirits. The little black Gu
ban warriors waved their machetes
and howled curses at the Spanish in
savage fashion. Their firing had been
Wild but they displayed the utmost
contempt for the Spanish bullets, APP
parently being absolutely without
fear. AS the enemy began breaking
from the camp, the Dolphin, which
Law out at sea, was signalled and be-
gan pitching shells toward the thicket
for which the Spaniards were making.
AS the Spanish retreated the Ameri-
cans moved slowly forward. firing as
they went, and by the time the camp
was reached the enemy had all got
awav, taking their wounded and
probably many of their dead. Fifteen
bodies were found scattered through
the brush, but the Americans were
unable to examine the spot where
their firing had been most deadly. No
time was lost in burning the build
ings and filling the well with earth
and stones. The Dolphin landed
water and ammunition, as an attack
was expected on the return march, but
none was made. Evidently the Span
iards were too thoroughly beaten to
attempt further fighting.
Off Santiago de Cuba, on Monday
night, the dynamite guns of the YES
uvius were tested with great success.
Three shots were fred at the Spanish
fortifications and it is believed great
damage was done.
On Tuesday the New Orleans shelled
and partially destroyed the new en-
placements east of MORO castle. The
Spaniards fired some shots at the YES
uvius and one at the New Orleans,
which was struck.
Germany VIII Not Meddle.
Washington, June 16.-The state de-
partment has been officially advised
that reDOrtS that GERMANY would