Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-08-04
THE american FLAG RAISED.
Gen. Miles Expedition Landed on
Porto Pco.
THE PORT OF GUANICA TAKEN.
The First Brush with the Spanish Re-
suited In -Four Dons Biting the Dust,
but not an American Hurt-To Take
Ponce Next.


the Spanish colony on the Island of
Porto Rico, landed successfully at
Guanica. after skirmish between a
detachment OF the Spanish troops and
a crew of 30 marines belonging to the
launch of the U. 5. auxiliary gunboat
Gloucester. Four of the Spaniards
were killed and no Americans were
hurt. The troops were pushed for
ward promptly in order to capture the
railroad leading 10 Ponce, which is
only about 10 miles east of the place.
From Ponce there is an excellent mill
tary road running s5 miles north to
San Juan.
This move on the part of Gen. Miles
was distinct change from the plan of
campaign as mapped out by the war
department. 1t was intended that Gen.
Miles expedition should sail to the
north of the island and land at Fajardo,
while the forces under Gen. Brooke
were to take Guanica. The latter was
to capture Ponce and then march to
San Piedras where he was to join Gen.
Miles and from there the campaign
against San Juan was to be conducted.
1t was not until they were nearing
Porto Rico that Gen. Miles held a con-
sultation and changed the plans, and
then the fleet sailed south through the
Mona passage and at daylight anchored
off Guanica bay, which is quiet place,
surrounded by cultivated lands. In
the rear are high mountains and close
to the beach nestles village of about
20 houses.
The Spaniards were completely taken
by surprise. Almost the first they
knew of the approach of the army of
invasion was in the announcement con-
tanned in the firing of gun from the
Gloucester. demanding that the Span
iards haul down their flag, which was
floating from the flagstaff in front of
bloclhouse standing to the east of the
village. The Gloucester then hove to
within about GOO yards of the shore
and lowered launch, having on board
Colt rapid-fire gun and 30 men under
the command of Lieut.. Huse, which
was sent ashore without encountering
opposition, and hauled down the Span
| ish flag. and they then raised on the
flagstaff the first u. S. flag to float over
Porto Rican soil.
Suddenly about 30 Spaniards opened
fire with Mauser rifles on the American
party. Lieut.. Huse and his men re-
sponded with great gallantry, the Colt
gun doing effective work. Almost inn
mediately after the Spaniards fred on
| the Americans, the Gloucester opened
fire on the enemy with all her three
and six-pounders which could be
brought to bear, Smelling the town and
also dropping shells into the hills to
the west of Guanica, where number
of Spanish cavalry were to be seen
Fastening toward the spot where the
Americans had landed. Lieut.. Huse
then threw up little fort which he
named Fort Wainwright, and laid
barbed wire in the street in front of 1T in
order to repel the expected cavalry at
tack. The lieutenant also mounted
the Colt gun and signaled for rein
forcements, which were sent from the
Gloucester.
Presently few of the Spanish cav
airy Joined those who were fighting In
the street of Guaniea, but the Colt
barked to purpose, killing four OF
them. By that time the Gloucester
had the range and soon afterward:
white-coated. galloping cavalrymer
were seen climbing the hills to the
westward and the foot soldiers were
scurrying along the fences from the
town. BY 10 o'clock, the town was
won and the enemy was driven out o.
the neighborhood
Ponce is the second city ofth island
has a splendid harbor and will make ;
good base Of operations. 1t is sure e
fall shortly before the combined at
tack of our army and navy. The mail
fighting until San Juan de Porto Rice
is reached will be along the line of
splendid military road leading from
Ponce to San Juan
The Red Cross nurses on the Lam
pasas and a detachment of regular
were the first TO land from the trans
ports. After Lieut. lIuse had capture
the place he deployed his forces int
the suburbs. But he was soon rein
, forced by the regulars. who were fol
lowed by Co. &, Sixth illinois, an
then by other troops in quick sue
. cession.
, Gen. Miles went ashore about moor
after stopping to board the Gloucestc
and thank Lieut. Commander Wair
, wright for his gallant action.
The spirit of the troops, men and of
GERS, is admirable. The Massachusetts
? and Illinois contingents, which ha
! been cooped up on board the Yale an
5 Rita off Santiago for fortnight, wer
E delighted to get ashore.
, Guanica is the most lovely spot W
occupied by our forces. 1t is the sea
of the coffee and sugar industries an
! large herds of cattle are pasturing
1 the meadows. which are bordered b
cocoanut palms.
e Two explosions, evidently caused b
e some spy. occurred in the nitro-gl,
e cerin house of the Hercules Powd,
= . ~. 81 Eil1ino fnur man