The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1898-07-01

spanish Army Now on snort hatlons-
Entire City Guarded by Nine Fences of
Barbed wire-Instruments For RemOv-
ing Such Obstacles Part of the Equip
ment of the Army.
Port Antonio, JAM, June 29.-The
American front has been advanced be-
yond the first crossing of the Gaumo
river about mile, and thus lies three
and a half miles from the Spanish in
trenchments, General Lawton's brig
ade rests on the road to Santiago. The
third brigade, under General Chaffee,
the Seventeenth, Twelfth and Seventh
regiments, holds the trench, with his
command lying across the road and
river. The first brigade the Eighth,
Twenty and Second Massachu-
sets, under General Clarke, lies on the
left flank, slightly in the rear, and the
second brigade, the First, Fourth and
Twenty fifth, occupies the opposite posi-
ton on the right flank. General Wheeler,
with the cavalry, is in the rear, between
Sevilla hills and the river. A strong line
of outposts is maintained ahead.
The Cubans had several skirmishes
with the Spaniards on the American
right flank, and our auxiliaries occupied
the blockhouses in that vicinity which
were evacuated before daybreak by the
Spaniards. The latter retreated towards
Santiago. No fatalities are reported.
Pacifieos who have skipped out of the
city and given themselves up in the hope
of getting food report starvation and
disease in Santiago. They say the
troops are on short rations, and that all
the supplies are being held for their use.
The sick in the hospitals are suffering
from want of food. The prisoners report
that II Spaniards were killed and SO
wounded as the result of the engage
ment of Friday last. The most startling
information is that since the advance
began almost 20, 900 Spanish soldiers have
arrived at Santiago. This statement is
made on the authority Of General Law
ton, and he is also of the opinion that
General Pando may be able to effect a
junction with General Linares.
There are two forts of considerable
Importance within the Spanish lines
Punta Blanco at the southern end of the
bay and Santa Ursula at the southeast
north, is another fort. There are about
450 men in each of these Notifications,
and stretching around the whole city
are nine barbed wire fences, so yards
apart, while just inside of these are lines
OF rife pits. Outside, to the eastward
about two miles beyond the American
outposts, is line of entertainments ex-
tending from the northern extremity of
the city to Moro castle.
The Cubans believe that if the water
supply of the city can be cut off, Santi-
ago will have to yield at once They
say that Admiral Cervera's entire fleet,
except the torpedo boat destroyer Terror
is in the harbor. General Lawton is in
clined to discredit the reports that guns
have been taken from the ships to
strengthen the defenses on land He
says it would be impossible for Cervera
to reach the position of the American
army with his big guns from where the
Spanish ships lie.
No aggressive move by the Americans
Is anticipated for several days The
road to the base of supplies must be
greatly improved before the onward
movement can be safely made. At pres
ment to get provisions and ammunition.
There is no high ground in the present
position where Hotchkiss or Calling
guns could be put into position, but a
little further on is ground where guns
can be mounted and from which an eff
fective fire can be directed at the Span
ish entertainments. There were no
alarms Monday night. Many of our of
ficers are amazed, as they have looked
for resistance to our advance. The
ground over which they have Travelled
could have easily been defended, but the
Spanish have steadily retired, not even
attempting to harrass our TANKS as the
columns moved on through a natural
ambuscading country. Apparently Cen
eral Linares prefers to place faith in the
defenses of the city and intends to make
last ditch fight" of it. A few-only
few-hold to the theory thai, he does not
purpose fighting at all.
The Americans are in excellent spirits,
and there is a remarkable lack of sick
ness Thus far the water supply has
been good, and there have been no bad
effects from the change, except a few
cases of dysentery.
ItItldl w IecleI, WHO Hldue a recon-
Nuisance for half a mile beyond the
skirmish lines, finding he was unable to
secure the desired view through the
tropical foliage, dismounted and climbed
tree. A major general of the army in
the forks of a tree, surveying Spanish
outposts through his field glasses, was
a spectacle that gave some idea of the
wonderful energy OF the dashing ex-
Confederate cavalry leader. This feat
of agility in man 81 years of age put to
blush many a younger officer of his own
staff.
Skaters Progress.
Washington, June 29.-It was very
late Tuesday when the first dispatch
within two days came to the war depart
ment from General Shafter; but the
news was regarded as so good that there
was no disposition to complain. 1t
disclosed a very satisfactory rate of
progress on the part of General Shafter
towards the town of Santiago. APP
parently he has gained all this ground
and has come within three miles Of San
tiago without suffering any losses since
the bloody skirmish of Friday last. AS
near as can be gathered the Ameri-