Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-10-12
THE THIRD WAS ANXIOUS.
Didn't Know Last Month Wheth-
er it was Go or Stay.
RUM0RS in R RICO.
Would Have Made Another Advance
but for INABILITY to Get
Good Cam ps.

COamO, Porto RlcO, Sept. 20 Spe-
cial. The last orders of the regiment to
move towards the interior of the island
have been recalled but it is we'll under
stood to be but temporary. But for I'M
looked-for reports to the effect that there
was no available camping place the regi-
ment would nave moved today.
Reports made last week to Gen. Ernst
We're to the effect that there was u good
camp ground just above the Aibonito bar
racks occupied by Co.. l. 1t may have
been good when first inspected but later
rains made it 4 yeritable sponge. No reg
lment could camp Il week on the place
and live, SO the second moving order was
abandoned. 1t was also reported to the
general that there was camping ground
for the brigade at the SO kilometer post,
but it proves too small and if the brigade
moves as anticipated it probably will
pitch its camp a couple of miles north OF
Cayey.
Visitors See Aibonito Pass.
Visitors may now go freely into the
defenses of Caibonito pass. The earth
works commanding the road are Il disap-
pointment. With Il couple of exceptions
the rifle pits are hurriedly-constructed
affairs of earth and brush, which one
shell would have demolished if properly
dropped. In the embrasure of the cannon
NhN11 IS lOOIA " Oul llC W. GuDS
were fired there. TIL earthwork is a
heap of dirt and brush. The exceptions
to the poor rifle pits are Il couple capable
OF holding 300 men to one side OF the bat
terry. These are undoubtedly the ones
from which the hail of lead was rained
upon the road about Co. +. They are
breast high and very substantial affairs.
Altogether there is capacity i'll the de-
lenses of Aibonito pass for about 500
men, which is probably the maximum
number there at any one time during the
fighting. To the left and commanding
the road directly underneath were more
strong earthworks. but they were not
where the men could see the fight of Au-
gust l. and are accordingly not consid-
cred. Their position evidently makes
them the last line of defense for an en-
envy coming directly up the road, but
their necessity is doubtful, for no troops
coul get within their range without
great losses.
The remainder of the 1900 Spanish
troops were about Aibonito and near the
pass as endorsements.
Has a Commanding Position.
What first impresses the visitor at the
defenses is its commanding position.
However weak it may have been from
the rear. threatened in time of hOstilities
by Gen. Brooke. it may we'll be consid-
cred i~mpregnable from Il front attack.
The very immediate front is as steep as
Lookout mountain and the range of guns
from the summit is almost beyond COM
prehension unless seen.
Ear below. winding in and out, looking
like a white chalk mark, is the San Juan
military road. Its every curve can be
seen, and the range being known, guns
from the summit can do fearful eXecu-
ton if properly handled. That
more Third Wisconsin men were not
killed on August y can only be ascribed
to poor gunnery.
The view includes the camping ground
Of Gen. ErnSt'S brigade, the city of
Coamo and forty miles distant may be
seen the ships IN the harbor of Ponce.
The damage done TO the Spanish works,
judging from their present condition, was
not large. A few holes in the ground are
al that go to show that American gun
ners bombarded the place for two days.
Another thing which the Spaniards had
was a telegraph station on top of a hill
near Aibonito. From the top is visible
the city Of Ponce on the south coast and
the city of San Juan on the north coast.
It's range of distance IS wonderful.
Affairs at Cayey, BarrOs, Aibonito and
Barranquitos, the places occupied by de-
tachments of the Third Wisconsin regi-
ment, are quiet. The troops have rations
to last until October e and are drawing
on the commissary for grub to last to Oc-
tober 21. Their best information is to
the effect that they are to remain where
they are for an indefinite period and not
go with the regiment even when it camps
on the new grounds.
The first duty of the troops is to pre-
serve order and keep the Spaniards and
natives from fighting. which there is a
disposition to do on the part of the ma
tiyes. SO far everything is peaceable.
Many of the Spanish volunteers are
returning. They are accorded the same
protection as other Porto Ricans and are
only required to take off their Spanish
uniform at once.