Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-07-06
the Philippines. The total area Ia about 400
square miles, and population about 10000


FRIDAY, JULY /.
The first land battle OF the
Battle Of war began to-day, when the
santiago. American forces began the at
tack on the outer defences of
Santiago. The fighting began early In
the morning and continued all day.
The Americans were successful, driving
the Spaniards back into the city. At
nightfall the Americans were within
three-fourths Of a mile of the city, and
commanded the heights from which siege
guns could be trained upon the city.
The plan of attack contemplated the
capture OF three important points-the
town of Ell Caney on the right of the
American line, the heights of San Juan
on the centre, and the battery and fortifi
cations at Aguadores on the left, and on
| the sea front.
At all three points the Americans were
successful. The fighting began at Ell
Caney. As SOON as firing commenced here
the Spaniards began to retreat toward
the city. Their retreat WAS cut off, and
finding themselves cornered, they fought
|
ing the Spaniards retreated in disorder.
One hundred and twenty five were cap
tured.
In the meantime at the centre Of the
American line the attack on San Juan
heights had begun, and the fight was
raging tiercely. After half an hour Of
fighting, in which the batteries were
principally engaged, Roosevelt's rough
riders and the Tenth cavalry were ordered
to take the hill. The charge OF the rough
riders and Tenth cavalry up the hill viii
furnish subject for song and story in
days to come. The New York Sun corre-
spondent paints this pen picture Of it:
Lieut. Col. Roosevelt mounted. rode at the
| head of his troops, with the Tenth cavalry
ranged alongside. When they came to the
open smooth hillside there was protection.
| Bullets were raining down them, and shot
and shells from the batteries were sweeping
| everything. There was moments hesitation,
and then came the order forward, charge"
Lieut.. Col. Roosevelt led, waving his sword
Out into the open and up the hill the men
went. Death to every man seemed certain.
| Up, up they went not man ninehing, and
| firing As they ran. Roosevelt was hundred
| feet in the lead Up, up in the face of death,
men dropping from the ranks at every sep.
| The rough riders acted like veterans. 1t was an
inspiring sight and an awful one.
Men dropped faster and faster, but others
took their places. Roosevelt sat erect on his
| horse, holding his sword and sho ltiug for his
men to follow him. Finally his horse was shot
from under him, but he landed on his feet and
charged up the hill afoot.
At last the top of the hill was reached The
| Spaniards in the trenches could still have ami
Inflated the Americans. but the Yankees daring
daAcd them. They wavered for an instant, aud
| then turned and ran. A. they ran our men
coolly picked them on
The position was won. But this was
only one step in the capture of San Juan.
San Juan itself remained to be taken.
The batteries there were heavy, and the
earthworks everyWh here. The position
was taken later in the afternoon, by a
charge up the hill even more desperate
than that of the rough riders.
AT Agusdores, the third point OF at
tack, the land forces were aided by the
navy, and the Notifications were reduced
During the day war balloon was used
successfully by the Americans in keeping
the army informed of the enemy's posi-
tion and movements. Admiral Cervera g
fleet fired several shells into the hills
but could not do much for fear OF injury
to their own troops.
SATURDAY, JULY 2.
The fighting was re.
Second Day sumed this morning. This
Of the Battle. time the Americans were
on the defensive, contin.
ing themselves to holding the position.
they had taken.
The Spaniards made a desperate effort
to recapture San Juan hill. Several times
they charged up the hill, but each time
were driven back with terrible loss.
The American loss in the two days
wounded. The Spanish loss Is estimated
as four or five times as large. Among the
Americans killed was Capt. O'Neill, Of
the rough riders. Several other officers
were killed. Gen. Linares, commander Of
he Spanish forces, was wounded Friday
Admiral SIMPSONS feet
Sampson took hand in the fight.
takes a Hand. ing Saturday by bonn
bardment of the fortified
lions at the entrance of Santiago harbor
This time particular attention was paic
to Moro castle, and the old fort wa.
riddled. The huge Spanish flag which
has waved so detiantly from the castle
was carried away by welldirected shot
from the "Oregon".
SUNDAY, JULY 3.
To-day Gen. Shafter de
Demanded manded the surrender O.
the Surrender Santiago, informing tn,
Of Santiago. Spanish general that hi
would shell the town un
less the demand was acceded to in TWEEN
ty-tour hours. At the request OF consul!
of foreign governments in Cuba, the tint
was afterward extended to Tuesday moor