The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1898-06-23
IS ROUTED
The American Marines
Attacked the Span
ish Camp.
WERE ASSISTED BY CUBANs

The Spanish Loss Is Said to Be Forty
Men Kflled-One Marine Was Slightly
Hurt-Two Cubans We're Killed and
Four Wounded.
United States Camp, East Side OF
Guantanamo Bay, June 1.-THE Unit
ed States marines. under Colonel r. w.
Huntington. made their first aggressive
movement against the Spanish gueril-
las today and completely routed the
enemy.
The force of marines was under Cap
tain Elliott and cooperation of the
Cubans under Colonel Laborde.
The combined forces RACED Spanish
camp five miles from the American po-
sition. destroying the only well in the
vicinity and killing about 40 spaniards.
One American marine was slightly
wounded. Two Cubans were killed
and four wounded.
It Is impossible to estimate the num-
Der of Spaniards engaged, owing to the
guerilla methods of fighting. but it is
believed there were at least 400.
The marines behaved splendidly,
their craftsmanship being excellent,
under the severe FIRE Of the enemy.
The captured camp lies five miles south
east from the rife pits and was an i'm
portant basis and contained the only
well within six or seven miles.
Colonel Huntington decided on the
attack early in the day and about 8
o'clock the force started across the
mountain. The march up and down
the steep hill sides under the glarin;
tropical sun was severe test OF en-
duIance for the marines, and before
the battle-ground was reached % men
had received medical attention. All
were able. however. to reach the point
before the fighting ceased. The ma
rines were compelled to march in
single file, following the mountain
trail. Meanwhile the Cubans darted
backward and forward to right and
left, on the scout.
It was noon when. from hilltop. the
Americans caught sight of the Spanish
camp on ridge below them. 1t con-
sisted OF one large house, the officers
quarters, surrounded by numerous
'sshacks" and houses, all clustering
about the precious we'll.
The Americans began the advance
and were within 900 yards of the enemy
before the crack Of a rife from the
Spanish lines announced that the Span
iards had discovered them. The
troops quickly moved into line OF bat
tie with the Cubans on the left flank.
The enemy's bullets were whistling
yiciously oyer the Americans, but tn.
marines settled down to their work al
unooncerned as though at target prac-
tice.
Very few Spaniards were in sight.
They were lying behind the huts and
in the brush, but the puffs OF smoke
revealed their positions and enabled
the Americans to do effective work.
For 20 minutes both sides main
tanned a terrific fire. The Spanish
shots we're generally wild and spas
modic. while the Americans fired
away, aiming carefully and shooting to
kill
For the most part. the American
firing was done individually, but at
times the officers would direct the
firing by squads, always with telling
effect,
It was beginning to look as though
a bayonet charge down the slope would
be necessary to displace the enemy,
when suddenly the latter began to
break for thicket, 100 yards further
on.
Little groups could be seen fleeing
from the camp, separating, dartine
through the brush, zigzagging to pro-
teot themselves. It was then that the
American fire became most deadly.
Man after man was seen to fall In a
vain rush for shelter, and the fire from
the Spanish broke, scattered and use
less. Two Cubans lay dead. and four
wounded, and Private Walker, OF COM
pany D, had to limp to the rear with
q slight wound in his ankle.
The victory put the command in high
spirits. The little black Cuban war;
riors waved their machetes and howled
ourses at the Spanish in savage fashion.
Their firing had been wild throughout.
but they all displayed the utmost con-
tempt for the Spanish bullets. appar-
emily being absolutely without fear.
AS the enemy began breaking camp,
the Dolphin. which lay out at sea, was
si9nalled and began pitching shells
toward the thicket for which the Span
! iards we're making.
Meanwhile Lieutenant Magill was
seen coming with 40 men as reinforce-
ments. and Captain Mahoney was on
the wav with 100 more, but before
either could reach the scene the trou-
Bile was over.
The Spanish water station was
shelled by the Dolphin this morning.
Pate 81 : Murderer.
3reat Bend, Kan, June 17.-In the
public square fronting on the principal
business street Of this city, murderer
was lynched at o'clock this evening
by mob Of 500 people. Il is estimated
! chat IL least 1, 900 oi Great Bends
population Of 3, 500 witnessed the trag-
adv. The victim was John Becker,
vounc white man, who. on April =,
] filled Myrtle Huffmeister, the l6-year-
Old daughter Of william Huhmelster,
farmer living midway between ssreas
Bend and Ellinwood.