Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-02

w dSillliStOi, Jl " : just - two
months after the ba u ID. vanilla ard
on the first day of t \ ou Is like that
engagement, began 1e Ga set battle
of the war in this n 3 re. What
the result will be wa. Esown when
the department clos, Sts. Never
before, since the de, Il y. of war
has there been such Il .T.y of in
tense interest and any Ii a7ssnifesfed
here. The officials her d /, apfident
that they have done eN N blnr possi-
bic to strengthen Shafirs h. nds for
the great conflict he n 2 lg and
they have unlimited co II in his
discretion, bravery and ~ n l'he at
tack, today. several da & afole the
public expected the battl / a tribute
to his energy as. well as Is his 1udg-
mcnt according 10 the pIesttf ights,
for lie undoubtedly found IN c-ssary
to crush his foes in detalt ms i of
allowing them to ceIlselid, \ a ! out
number him.
AS the day wore along. without bring
ing any news, the anxiety Increased
and the question was in every ones
mouth "Why did he not reporter. Adj
Gen. Corbin's response was: He is
fighting. not writing and this was ac-
copied as a sound explanation.
Just before 4 O'Clock, came a brief
dispatch from Playa del Este the
cable station near Santiago. Bue 1t was
from an engineer officer to Gen. Miles
and made no reference to the progress
of the battle, merely referring 70 sr-
tain necessary material and liy ST ak.
On the whole this very absence { II
cial news was regarded as a aiAer
favorable indication, the reason s te :.
ing that this mornings engacc1 NJ
was but a heavy sllirmish and that ~
army was feeling the enemy TO r. o.
and strike at his weak spot.
1t was nearly 6 O'Clock, vince -ie
signal officer received the wet le
news that the enerny was retrea i.-
Gen. Miles was of the opinion tai H-
action, of today, was in the natVl7 >.
a heavy skirmish all along the Ne =
lean front. particularly the RICH q !
that its main purpose was to. De re- D
the strength of the enemy, and if Pr :
sibie, learn the vulnerable points alo1
the Spanish front. This. however. "
nation and Gen. Miles felt that an
hour might bring word Of a general
-.
Brig. Gen. Stone was inclined to be-
lieVe that, after maintaining their
stand, today the Spaniards would, DUR
ng the night. leave the city
The military authorities here are
fully considering thsfchances of re-
-reat Of the Spanish army from SANTA
go, and are en,dea goring to shape
events that -Celi. Skaters force VIII
not only take< Santiago, but also cap
ture the 12.g0o Spaniards before they
get away North and. join Gen. Pando
Full Information as to possible lines
If retreat has been placed at the dis
posal of the war department. One Of
he most interesting statements is that
If General Manager Cox of the Span
sh American Mining Co, at Baiquiri.
who is thoroughly acquainted with all
The country surroundings Santiago.
He shows that the two possible lines
Of retreat are: First, by the road 10
Ell Cobre; second. by following the linz
If the Sabinallo and Narato Railroad.
The first line will be aasysfor about
the first 10 miles as farsas Ell Cobres
out after that the country is mountain-
Gus and barren and would not afford
subsistence and the pass to reach the
central plateau of the island would be
difficult. W. ss
The mora like1y life OF retreat would
be along ne q tklve mentions
ed railroad ssl5tkAns kierra Macs
T.: I: J; !: !; !: !; f.: {:
Sierra Ma ~ -