Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-08-17
IN AT THE FINISH,
Badger Boys in the Second and
Third Regiments Saw the
End of the War

Ponce, Porto Rico, Aug. Is (via ST.
Thomas, D. w. L., Aug. 14.)-At Guaya-
ma today the news of peace came just in
time to interrupt a lively battle. Cen.
BrOokes force, in three strong columns
had begun an advance toward Cayey to
form Il junction there with Gen. Wilson's
division, which has been making its way
along the main road from Ponce to San
Juan.
Three miles out Gen Brooke's troops
came upon a force of Spanish occupying
strong intrenchments on the top of
mountain. Light battery B, Pennsylvania
artillery, unlimbered its guns, loaded them
with shells and had just received the order
to commence firing when a message from
Gen. Miles announcing peace was received
on the field over a military telegraph wire
The battery Immediately was signaed TO
cease action, to the surprise of all men,
who were keyed up for battle The news
that the war was over spread rapidly
among the soldiers, being received by COM
pany after company with roars of disgust.
The officers could do nothing but leave the
battle unfought and withdraw their troops.
All returned to their former camp at
Guayama.
Fighting at AybOnito.
The result of Fridays fighting by Gen
Wilson's troops was a brilliant advance
of artillery and the destruction of the
Spanish batteries on the heights facing
AybOnltO. The Spanish rife pits were
also cleared. The first firing by the bat
terry, at a range of 23O0 yards, sienced
the Spanish guns. Then portion of the
battery, under Lieut.. John 2. Haines OF
the Fourth artillery, was moved forward
within 1000 yards of the Spanish rife
pits and there drove out the enemy and
captured 4 blockhouse
The firing the Spanish rifiemen and
artillerists was very wild. 1t reached the
American infantry in the hills instead of
the attacking battery. However, the en-
emys rear lines were not dslodged at
the end of the days engagement. A few
Americans We're wounded. Corp: Swan
son of the Third Wisconsin volunteers
was killed by shell which fell in the
midst Of the Wisconsin boys The same
missile wounded Corp. jerks, Private
NOught and Private Bunce. all of Co. L,
Sparta. Lieut. Haines Fourth artillery,
was hit in the back by Spanish bullet
after the attack had ceased. he is not
badly wounded.
Think the Peace Came Too Soon.
The signing of the treaty of peace by
the United States and Spain has come 4
the invading army in this island. Their
plans have been perfectly formed and
were almost executed. The simultaneous
advance of the four divisions toward San
Juan was interrupted today in the very
midst OF the successful movement. If it
could have been carried out as cOntem-
plated it would have been an Invaluable
lesson to the Porto Ricans, Quelling such
prO-SpanlSh sentiment as now exists and
rendering American Occupa ton and gov
eminent of the island a comparatively
simple matter.
Gen. Miles feels this and regrets that
he Is not to be permitted to complete the
mastery military movement so carefully
begun and SO successfully carried forward
up to this time. The occupation of Porto
Rico has been made with a loss TO The
Americans of two killed and thirty-scven
wounded. 1t is believed here that yhp
military occupation of the island Will
have TO be continued for more than
year in order that the civil government
may be made to run smoothly and the in
habitants brought to accept American
ideas Of law and order
Miles Sorry it is Over.
Ponce, Porto Rico Aug. 15.-On Satur-
day Gen. Miles notified Gen. Macias at
San Juan by cable of the signing of the
protocol and today received from Macias
an acknowledgment of the receipt of the
notification. Gen. Miles also sent Capt.
Mickler under a flag of truce to commu-
nicate the intelligence to the Spanish
commander at AybonitO.
. Gen. Miles says AybOnito would have
been his within four days had not the
protocol been signed; Gen. Wilson was
moving to turn the enemy's right flank;
Gen. Miles threatened his front, Gen.
Brooke was pushing into his rear; Gen.
Henry was within fifteen miles of Are
clbo, and Gen. SchWan had reached Mar
aguez.
Gen. Miles personally is uncertain
whether he will remain here during the
period Of the negotiations for peace, but
the four army columns will remain where
they are until the negotiations are com
Melted