The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-07-28


Changed His Plans.
WASHINGTON, July 27.--The war de-
partment posted the following about
III 80 last night:
"ST THOMAS, July 90, 1893.
Secretary Of War, Washington, d. c.:
circumstances were such that l
deemed it advisable to take the harbor
of Guanica first, 10 miles west Of Ponce,
which was successfully accomplished
between daylight and IL o'clock.
Spaniards surprised. The Gloucester,
Commander Wainwright, first entered
the harbor; met with slight resistance;
fred few shots. All the transports
are now in the harbor and infantry and
artillery rapidly going ashore.
"This is q well.protected harbor,
sufficiently deep for all transports and
heavy vessels to anchor within 200
yards of shore. The Spanish fag was
lowered and the American flag raised
at IL o'clock today. Captain Higginson
with his feet has rendered able and
earnest assistance. Troops in good
health and best of spirits. No casualties.
(Signed) SMILES,
"Major General, Commanding Army"
Port OF GUANICA, Island of Porto
Rico, July %, via Island Of st. Thomas,
Danish West Indies, July 27.-The
United States military expedition under
the command Of Major General Nelson
A. Miles, commanding the army Of the
United States, which left Guantanamo
bay during the evening of Thursday
last, July 81, was landed here success
fully today after a slirmish with de-
tachment of the Spanish troops and a
crew of 30 belonging to the launch of
the United States auxiliary gunboat
Gloucester, formerly Mr.. ]. Pierpont
Morgan's steam yacht Corsair. Four
Of the Spaniards were killed and no
Americans were hurt. The troops
were pushed forward promptly in order
to capture the railroad leading to Ponce,
which is only about ten miles east of
this place.
From Ponce there is an excellent
military road running S. miles north to
San Juan.
The whole Of General Brooke's force,
with the New Orleans, Annapolis, Gin
cinnati, Leyden and Wasp, are expected
here within "a hours.
The ships left Guantanamo Bay sud
denly on Thursday evening with the
Massachusetts, commanded by Captain
+. J. Higginson, leading. Captain
Higginson was in charge of the naval
expedition, which consisted of the Col
umbia, Dixie, Gloucester and Yale.
General Miles was on board the last
named vessel. The troops were on
board the transports Nueces, Lampasas,
Comanche, Rita, Unionist, Saltwater,
City of Macon and Specialist.
The voyage from Guantanamo bay to
this port was uneventful. At noon
yesterday General Miles called for a
consultation, announcing that he was
determined not to 60 by San Juan cape,
but by the Mona passage instead, land
there to surprise the Spaniards and de-
ceive their military authorities. The
course was then changed and the Dixie
was sent to warn General Brooke at
Cape San Juan.
One advantage of this place is that it
is situated close to the railroad connec-
ton with Ponce, which means of trans
portation our troops hope to secure to-
day.
Early this morning the Gloucester, in
charge of Lieutenant Commander VAIN
wright. steamed into Guanica harbor in
order to reconoiter eplace. With the
fleet waiting outside the gallant little
fighting yacht braved the mines which
were supposed to be in the harbor and
found that there were five fathoms of
water close in shore.
Guanica bay is a quiet place, sur
rounded by cultivated lands. In the
rear are high mountains and close to the
beach nestles a village OF about 20
houses.
The Spaniards were completely taken
by surprise. Almost the first they
knew OF the approach Of the army of in
vasion was in the announcement con-
tanned in the firing of gun from the
Gloucester, demanding that the Span
iards haul down their flag, which was
floating from flagstaff in front of a
blockhouse standing 20 the east of the
village. The first couple of three-pound-
ers were fired into the hills, right and
left of the bay, purposely avoiding the
town lest the projectiles hurt women
and children. The Gloucester then
hove to within about 600 yards of the
shore, and lowered a launch having on
board Colt rapidfire gun and 80 men,
under the command of Lieutenant Huse,
which was sent ashore without encoun-
tering opposition.
Quartermaster Beck thereupon told
Yeoman Lacy to haul down the Spanish
flag. which was done, and they then
raised the United States flag over Porto
Rican soil.
Suddenly about 80 Spaniards opened
fire with Mauser rifles ON the American
party. Lieutenant Huse and his men
responded with great gallantry, the
Colt gun doing effective work. Nor
nan, who received Admiral Oervera's
surrender. and Wood, = volunteer lieu
tenant, shared the honOrs with Lieuten-
ant Huse.
Almost Immediately after the Span
iards fired ON the AmericaRs the Glou-
cester opened fire on the enemy with al.
her three aud EX-pOunders which oould
81 brought TO bear, shelhng the town
and dropping shellsintO the hills to the
west Of Guanica, where a number of
Spanish cavalry were 10 be seen hasten
ing toward the spot where the Ameri-
cans had landed.
Lieutenant Huse then threw up a
little fort, which he named Fort Vain
wright, and placed harbed wire in tho
street in front OF it in order 10 repel. the
expected cavalry attack. The ueuten.