Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1898-06-11

OA OAN AkN ~ III "
Cuba, Friday, June 10, via Port An
tonic, Saturday, juno Ill a. m.-The
invasion of Cuba by the American
forces began today. Six hundred
marines have pitched their tents about
the smoking ruins of the outer fortifi-
cations of Guantanamo and the stars
and stripes for the first time float on a
Spanish flagstaff in Cuba.
TO Captain Clark and the battleship
Oregon belongs the honor of accom-
plishiDg the frst successful landing of
the war. Forty marines from the battle
ship went ashore this morning and oc-
cupied the left entrance to the bay
until troops from the ship Panther ar
rived with 600 marines. These, under
the command of Lieut.. Colonel E. w.
Huntington, arrived at 3 o'clock, and
within half an hours time had burned
the buildings in the Spanish camp and
set fire to the miserable little village
which crouched on the beach under the
hill top of Guantanamo.
The whele operation of silencing the
guns and landing the forces were as
easy as placing Sunday school picnic.
The Marblehead, backed by the Vixen
and Dolphin, opened on the EARTH
wsrks. The shores to the right of the
entrance were lined with guns and
rifle pits, but the Spaniards stampeded
after firing few shots. The city of
Guantanamo lies four miles up the bay
and a little Spanish gunbOat came
down to help the shore batteries, but
she stayed just long enough to turn
around. Numerous shots were fired
by the Spaniards, but not ons landed,
and no Americans were injured. The
main fort lies within the city limits,
and is still to be reduced, but it is not
in difficult position, and the Ameri
can officers say it can be taken in
fifteen minutes, when desired.
No attempt was made to land until
the Oregon steamed in early this morn
ing. Captain Clark Immediately sent
forty marines ashore, and twenty from
the Marblehead followed. They found
evidences of hasty departure by the
Spaniards. Watches, hammocks and
ammunition were scattered about the
sarthworks, and the Spanish flag was
found in one OF the rifle pits. A lit
tie detachment of marines held the
place until the Panther arrived, when
they were recalled and work of dis
embarking began.
The Marblehead, Dolphin, Vixen and
two colliers have been off the entrance
to the harbor for several days and yes
terday morning they sailed into the
channel. A mile further up they open
cd fire, sending fifty shots at the fortifi-
cations on the left. The Hills on the
right of the entrance were deserted.
There are no defenses on the right side
of the harbor.
The first boat load had scarcely land
ed when the village burst into flames.
Company X, under Lieutenant Hall,
was first ashore and without the loss of
moment the column started up the
steep rocky hillsideto the earthworks.
For an hour brown column OF ma
rines filed up the narrow path, events
ally taking up position at the top OF
the hill. AS soon as the American flag
was swung out to the breeze from the
flag staff of the captured Spanish camp,
the Oregon steamed away to rejoin the
feet off Santiago. The marines will
hold this position until the arrival OF
the expected troops, meantime scouting
in the vicinity with the Marblehead
Vixen and Dolphin lying by to protect
them. Rear Admiral Sampson now
has harbor and base of supplies on
the south side of the island aud troops
can be landed at will.
KINGSTON, Jamaica, June 11.-News
was received here today that Q force oi
American marines had landed on thu
shore of Guantanamo Bay and that tht
stars and stripes are now floating from
the Spanish flagstaff.
SANTIAGO REPORTED CAPTURED.
Bulletin-CAPE HAYTIEN, June IL
11:l5 q. m.-ThAre is no direct new
this morning but the rumor is agail
current that Santiago has fallen.
SPANISH ACCOUNT OF BoMBARDMENT
MADRID. June l1.-Neon-AD of
fetal dispatch from Havana, date
yesterday, says: This morning Ad
miral Sampsen's ships recommence
the bom mbardment of Santiago de Cubs
At the same time, number of bost'
towed by steamer, approached an
attempted to make landing. Th
capnonading lasted for three hour
The Spaniards, skillfully posted, re
pulsed the attempted landing. Th
Americans drew off. No damage wa
caused by shells from the ships, whic
kent at q safe distance, evidentl
afraid to venture within range of th
guns of the forts.
MADRID. June 1l.-An official dil
patch from Havana, dated yestsrda.
saws the American feet bombarde
Santiago de Cuba for four hours yel
terday. The Spaniards claim to hsy