Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-08-11
SKlRMlSH AT GuANlCA.

-Four spaniards Quiciiy Killed, But Not
One american Even Wounded.
Guanica, Island Of Porto Ricu, July
20. via st. Thomas. d. W. l., July &C..
When The Associated Press dispatch
boat Cynthia ii. arrived al Guam
tanamo Bay, last Thursday, July 2lst,
at p. M, and repurted to Commander
McCalla Of tue Marblehead. she was
promptly ordered to hoist the yellow
flag, IN she had touched at Santiago de
Cuhn.
Those on board had no idea Of going
to Porto Rioo; but some ships having
been noticed in the citing, the dispatch
boat hailed tine flagship New York,
asking for their Identification, which
brought back the reply by megaphone:
THAT ia Gen. Miles and his squadron.
They have started for Porto Rico. !"
Thereupon the dispatohboat promptly
put to sea. and followed the transports
and their conveying warships 10 Porto
Rico. For four days and nights, the
dispatchhoat pitched aud tossed into a
head sea, to tho great discomforture OF
those ON board. B,
Gloucester, commanded by Lisutenant-
Commander Wainwright, turned boldly
toward the Porto Rican coast, and
steamed into the harhor OF Guanica.
Steadily the Gloucester went ahead
the Massach usetts, the Yale ami the
Columbia, not to mention ths tnrdy
transports. her lead line constantly
going and her commander pointing out,
outside the points which embraced tho
harbor. the safsst anchorage for the big
warshipe. As the Massaebu,.. =, =; ,,'e M
her cons6rts let 60 tb,,a s''sh ,so ;an'
ten tenant. Comnanaet Mai aip WIGHT headed
Ns,s sba %e into the port, and for a
tint lost to view. Shortly
afterward the reports OF her Elk
Founders were heard, and silence fol
lowed. The dispatchboat therepuon
obtained permission to enter the bar
Dor, and steamed In after the Glouceater.
| AZ the dispatchboat entered the lar
bur, those on hoard her saw the launch
OF the Gloucester, with q rapid fire
Colt gun in her bow, land about 81
sailors uu,lsr Lieut.. Iluse The little
party promptly advanced on the run to
the spot from which the flag was float.
ing. The red and yellow Of Spain was
quickly hauled down, and than up went
tho stars and Stripes on the Spanish
flagstaff. hearty cheer ringing over
plains and heights.
Ashure, Lieut.. Huse and his mer
were not idle "As much for practic,
as anything" be put 1T, they threw
up an entrenchment across the streat
mounted the rapid fire Colt gun on IT.
centre, tangled some barhed wire IL
front OF the entrenchment to repel /
possible cavalry charge, signalled 70
reinforcements and then opened fire oil
the Spaniards with the Colt, with tn
result that four of the enemy we're sool
killed, while not one American wa
even wounded. II was only skirmisl
surimmaga as one could wish to see
The presence of az actire foe was no
suspected after our flag was raised, tn
Spaniards being we'll concealed ny th
, houses, trees, trenches, &C., Of th
neiRhborhood.
The landing of the troops was con
easily accomplished. Roatload afte
lioatload OF men, aud sometimes Ion
strings Of boats towed by the stent
, launches Of the Massachusetts, mad
! for the shore, and the troops forme
, | lutO cNluIhuieh hbu pfUHipbly uccuple
! the points Of vantage in the neighboi
! hood.
At the request of Col. Whitney I
! Gen. Miles staff, who made the famor
reconnaissance OF Porto Rico, the di,
patchhoat Of The Associated Press
tonight, will take from st. Thomas
Guanica Philip Hanna, consul OF III
\ United States at Porto Rico. who lei
San Juan at about the time Gen. Fiji
hugh Lee loft Havana, and who hi
q heen in st. Thomas ever since. II
= will be able to assist Gen. NJ lies jn
= number Of ways. lie will take wit
' him several Porto Rican guides for ii
use Of the army.
The English residents of the Islan
of Porto Rico, as matter of cours
A are eager for American occupancy. an
a this is true, Mr.. Hanna adds, OF II
a French and German residents as vel
2 In the light of the Cuban deyeloI
!, ments, it may be pleasant to know thI
, the insurgents of Porto Rico are mere
!. insurgents at heart, that Is to say th,
!. are neither armed nor organized, AT
1 when our troops havs captured Por
J Rico there will lie no unRolved profile
i: to trouble our authorities.