The herald., 1898-09-11

which the Spanish had one or two pieces Of
artillery. All along the face of the great
mass Of earth and rock and trees were
we'll arranged fihe pits for t:le Spanish
infantry. General Wilson wanted to find
out the exact strength of the defenses, and
so first made an attack upon The battery.
He had thought that the position was
much stronger than was reported by the
scouts, and his intuition proved to be cor
rect, as our people we're soon driven back
by the hot fire Of the Spanish infantry
from the sides Of Asamante.
Two Of our men were killed and six were
badly wounded. The attack satisfied Gen
eral Wilson that the road was impossible
it being guarded for more than four miles
with cross and direct fires from every point
So the following day the general deter
mined to make an attack upon pan
which would render this part of the Span
ish defenses useless to them. The orders
were all Issued for that movement and the
men were ready to start when the news was
flashed from camp to camp that peace pa
pers had been signed. To say that the men
were disappointed is to put 1t mildly. The
majority of the men said more than their
prayers that night. Our heroes were buried
on the crest of one Of the great hills. The
earth never smiled more beautifully than
when she clasped them to her breast.
SABANA GRANDE, Porto Rico, Aug. 20.
This settlement was abandoned by the
Spanish on the 9Th and has been hilariously
American ever since. 1t was grand sight
when the Infantry, cavalry and artillery
under General Schwan came in on the
French railroad to Yauco and thence
marched in here, where they were received
enthusiastically. The troops left Sabana
Grande for San German on the 10th and
made for Hornigueros. Here they were in
formed by some loyal Porto Rcans that
the Spanish were lying in wait for them
few miles away between this town and
Mayaguez. Orders were given by General
Schwan for Captain Matomb to advance
into Hornigueros. On the approach of the
Americans to the principal bridge of the
place they received hot fire from all
sides.
Several attempts were made to move rap
idly forward, but finally Captain Macomb
deemed it best for hts forces to fall back
into an immense plantation owned by the
Denlofen family. At this point they were
-ASANSAJ "eeaShVu IL oiii Gil SUES ny tHe IOeS.
The captain seeing that his supply of am
munition was failing, ordered the Porto
Rican commander, Colonel Fajardo, to
force way down the road. This division
reached the main body of the troops only to
find them surrounded again by the Spanish
near another bridge. A combined attack,
however, quickly dislodged the foe, who re-
treated to Silva Heights some distance be-
yond.
Here another fierce fight was made, re-
sulting in a victory for the Americans.
When the position was taken our troops
planted their artillery and made quick
work of the retreat.ng foe. They sent out
thirty-eight shots and scattered the Span
ish forces. Our list of casualties included
two dead and seventeen wounded men. Ev-
Identity the artillery practice, as our men
called it, frightened the Dons, for they
made quick march to Lares, and the
Americans entered Mayaguez on the 11th.
Old Glory was hoisted over the town hall.
and the castle and military hospitals were
taken possession Of. The services of the
Porto Ricans under Colonel Tajardo were
greatly praised by Captain Macomb and the
other officers.
MARGHER1TA ARLINA HAMM,
correspondent of the Leslie Syndicate.