The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-17
Wllv 9erala and ggelvs
EIRsr LAND FIGar or WAR.
Landing Of Troops and Munitions from tho
Gussie Prevented at t'abspas, But
Twelve Of the Spanish Killed
" No American Losses.

Post prints the following:
OFF Cabanes, Cuba, May u, yia
Key West, May 13.-In an effort to
land companies i and 6 of the First
United States infantry on the shore
OF Pinar del Rio this afternoon, with
500 rifles, 5000 rounds of ammuni
ton and some food supplies for the
insurgents, the fist land fight of the
war took place, Each side may
claim a victory, for if the Spaniards
frustrated the effort TO connect with
the insurgents, the Americans &c.
decidedly the better Of the battle
killing ~ or more of the enemy, and
on their own part suffering not q
wound.
After dark last evening the old
fashioned side wheel steamer Gussie,
of the Morgan line, with the troops
and cargo mentioned, started for the
Cuban coust. All night she allowed
the tug on which was your cores
pondent t1 pilot her. At sunrise she
fell in with the gnnboat Nicksburg
on tho blockade of IIubnnu. Other
blockading vessels came up also.
Then converted revenue cutter
Manning was detailed to convoy the
Gussie, and three abreast, the steam,
ers moved along the coast.
No doubt MORO CASTLES defenders
observed the strange vessel, and sent
the alarm ahead. Spanish soldiers
were seen grouped on the shore near
MarIol, and tho Munning's guns we're
trained upon them, suspocting II
masked battery. No shots wore
fired, however.
by tho ruined walls of an old stone
house further on Spanish troops were
gathered. Several shots were fired
by the gnnhoat Manning, and pre-
hently no troops wore visible 1t
had been decided to land near here,
but tho depth of water was not fu
vOrable.
DUST woat uf Port Cnhunus hurhor
the tussle anchored, tho Manning
covering tho landing place with her
guns, and tho torpedo boat Wasp
game up, oagor to assist.
The first Amcrivaii soldier 10 stop
on tho Cuban shore from this oXpe.
dltion was lieut. Croilrn, Can't.
OConnor, with tho First battery,
having gono longer route. A roai
near the beach throw tho mon out,
and they stumbled through tho water
up to their breasts.
When they reached dry land thoy
immediately went into the bush to
form a picket limo, Two horses had
been led to swim to land, whom sud
denly rilo shot, followed by a con
tinuous sharp firing, warned the mon
that tho enemy had beon in waiting.
Tho Captain Of tho transport
signalled to the Wasp aud the Maun-
ing, which shelled tho woods beyond
our picket line. Sharpnel hissod
through the air like hot iron plunged
in water,
The Wasp opened her small guns.
The cannonade began at 3:l5, and
lasted a quarter Of an hour; then our
piokets appeared, the ships circled
around, and being told by Captain
VConnor, who had como from shore
with the clothing torn from ono log,
where the Spaniards were, 100 shots
more were fired in that direction.
Mnybody hurt, captain" hailed
your correspondent,
"None of our men, but we shot II
Spaniards," he shouted back, The
The soldiers on board the Gussie
heard tho news without a word, but
hearing where the enemy was situat,
ed, gathered aft on the upper deck,
and sent several volleys into the spot.
The pickets returned to the bush.
Several crept along the beach, but
the Spapiards had drawn back.
1t was decidea that tho soldier.
should re. embark on tho Gussie and
that the guides should take the
horses and seek the insurgents and
make q now appointments. They
rode Off to the westward, and aisap
peared around q point.
CAKoLINIAN S,rAEF oEEICEes.
Ambrose E GpuInlpa kinIo IN,