The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1898-07-04

as they used smokeless powder, and in
this the first artillery duel, we had the
worst OF IT, Up to this time there mad
been no infantry fire except on the ex-
treme right where the spaniards were
being hard pressed by Gen. Chaftee and
Gen. Lawton.
About $50 a balloon was sent up in
front Of the cavalry division. This drew
the first volley from the Spanish en-
trenchments. Though volley followed vol
ley, the daring officer made reconnois-
sance and got down safely, after having
obtained complete details Of the DISPOSE
ton Of the enemy. The advance Of the
cavalry and Gen Kents division imme-
diately began along the mani road 70
Santiago. II was about two hours later
before our advance began breaking
trenches Il was met with a hail from
Mauser rifles, which temporarily stayed
the forward movement. The spaniaris
had the range and their practice was
good. our men lay on their breasts and
poured volley after volley into them at a
range so close that the opposing lines
could see the whites Of each others eyes.
Capt. Grimes then reopend with his ba.-
terry. and in the second duel with the
Spanish artillery did much better execu-
tlon, planting shell after shell in the FIRST
main redoubt and sllencing two guns. The
Spanish gunners then turned their atten-
tlon to our infantry and began dropping
shells in the advance guard.
A few minutes afterwards Clark's brig
ade and the right OF Kent's division made
a gallant charge up the knoll to the north
Of the extreme left Of the Spanish line
and .JoK possession OF the hiancenda, in
the shelter Of an orange grove.
This marked the beginning OF mag
nlhcent charge through the first lines Of
entrenchments. The cavalry division ana
Gen. Hawkins brigade started up the
slope against a storm Of death.
1t was in this awful charge that our
men were so badly cut up that they
started on a double quick, but no troops
could face such a terrible fire without
Humiliation. our men staggered throw
ing themselves on the ground. Again they
started agin they prostratcd themselves
out on. and up. up, they went until with
cheer hey sprang over the trenches divl-
ding the sides OF the hin c.. ~ckercd with
their fallen comrades. There was hama
to hand fighting here, in which an officer
Of the 2lth was mached but the spaniards
could not resist ne onslaugher, and they
scrambled out Of the trenches and broke
over the line Of knobs on which they wer,
situated.
Hundreds OF the enemy lay dead OF
wounded in the trenches. The main re.
doubt was then carried with a rusl. The
two remaining batteries were then or.
dercd up and with a rattle and clash capt
Bates battery went tearing up the road
with a stream Of wounded going to th'
rear The battery got in position to th'
right OF the main Spanish reoubt at
o'clock and $3.50 Capt. Bates sent thu
first shell. which went whizzing dowi
the line Of entertainments, eumading tn
enemy murderously.
The American advance line remained
y h.htpa the rrgst of :he Mills until capt
Bates had driven terror into the alread.
q beaten and discouraged enemy.
Al this time our Zee was also at war;
shortly before this dispatch was write
2 our lines again moved forward ana tn
,panish began to retreat into the town
rhe retreat soon became rout' and a
o'clock ma officer just from the from
says the enemy are hopelessly beaten, 70
4 the city viii fan tomrrow.
Gen. shafter at his headquarters at tn
] second crossing Of the Rio Guiana, IS d
j constant communication with the fron'
our most critical time was after tn
trenches had been taken, when the ammu
nation ranlow. Two pack trains loade
with shells were gotten 10 the front o.
Lieut. Brooks shortly after 3 o o'clock
The wounded are streaming in.
Gen. shafter estimates that the loss
killed ana wounded Is not more tina