The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-14
AS TOLD BY STANDARDS.
The BOmbnrdment of Las Tunas by
American War ships.

American War ships.
Copyright. 1ssS, by the Associated Press)
HAVANA, July 13-The following are
Spanish accounts of recent events in Cuba:
AT about O'Clock on Sunday afternoon.
July 10. the American forces commenced
an attack on the city of Santiago de Cuba.
by way of the heights of San Juan and
Jueno They opened fire of musketry and
artillery which continued for one hour. The
American fleet simultaneously bombardcd
the city. ceasing fire at p. m. 1t was
without advantage to the Americans, who
did not gain ground. while the Spanish
forces maintained their positions.
On July an American ship lowered a
boat having on board an officer and some
men, at Carapichive. Isle of Pines, and cap
tured the schooner Gallite, loaded with
cedar, honey. pigs, wax and fowl. The
schooner's crew took refuge on shore and
opened fire on the boat. 1t is believed the
officer in charge was wounded The ship
fired ten shots.
detachment OF Spanish troops which
was in ambush on the railroad between
Aiguin and Guira Melena, Province of
Havana, has surprised an insurgent force,
killing three of the latter A search of the
neighborhood later resulted in finding
traces of blood which led to a hut, where
the troops found an American citizen named
Pauline Torres Fundora, and another man.
They were both made prisoners on suspicion
OF having formed part of the insurgent
band.
On Saturday, July Q, the insurgents dyna-
mlted the railroad between Candelaria and
Funta Bravo, province of Pinar del Rio.
Inc explosion occurred at the moment an
observation train was passing. The. engine
was damaged, culvert was destroyed and
an armore0 car was derailed. One soldier
OF the escort was wounded and communica-
uon over that part of the island was in
terrupted until Sunday.
Inc Norwegian steamer Bergen, which re-
cently left Sagua Tor st. Thomas, carried,
IN ADDITION to 500 passengers, three million
cigars $4,000 packages of cigarettes and
5J0 bales of leaf tobacco.
On Friday, July s, the German cruiser
Ge1er arrived at Cienfuegos.
The local newspaper published long arti-
cles giving details of the bombardment of
Las Iunas, province of Santa Clara They
seem 10 confirm the reports that an effort
was made to land an American expedition
at Tayabaicao on the south coast of that
province. The Spaniards say the Americans
were obliged to re-embark, owing to the
stubborn resistance MADE by the local fort,
which is said to have been garrisoned by
only sixty men,. An American war ship
Is said to have fired 200 shots at the fort.
The expedition, it was seen, finally
landed at Punta Diamante on bad ground,
Tic 1lSlSnUOTnOOQ DGlnS lnlck WIFI 1dSOOllS
and swamp land and the only outlet closed
by fort.
On July 10, it is further asserted. an
American expedition made an attempt to
land at Punta Caney and was obliged to
retreat, leaving one man killed on the field.
Some documents fell into the hands of the
Spaniards, it is added and from them it
was learned that the man killed was Inca
lecio Nunez, a brother of the leader Of the
Nunez. This is believed to be the second di-
vision of the expedition which attempted
landing at the San Juan river between Ca
salce and Cienfuegos. The members of the
expedition Immediately cut the telephone
line. compelling the Spaniards to use rocket
fort until the telephone line was repaired.
Meanwhile one of the American auxiliary
cruisers went aground in the shoal water off
Punta Caney. After q great deal of work
on the part of the gunboat breaking the
tow lines at least seven times, it was found
to be impossible to float the ship. The
American gunboat Machias then sent out
for help and soon after returned with a
monitor, which fired about thirty-five shots
at Tayabaico. Later the American cruiser
was foated off with the rising tide. On the
nights of June so and July the Americans
kept strict guard over the coast. Evidently
whole vicinity.
1t is impossible to describe the terrible
bombardment of Las Tunas. The American
monitor moved up to within thousand
yards of the fort and Spanish battery. The
monitor was decked out with an American
flag flying and with an officer at every
available point on the deck, from stern to
poop, with battle flag in each hand The
the monitor and opened a fierce fire, send
ing not less than 1000 shells. Meanwhile
the Spanish battery opened in reply VigOr-
ously. The Spanish general Estruet with
his staff, seemed everywhere In the most
dangerous places, giving orders with great
elaboration and apparent unconcern. About
three hours after the firing began, finding
the attack a hopeless one, the American
vessels retired. The Spanish lost one killed
and thirteen wounded, chiefly among the
volunteers and citizens.
On Sunday. July 3, the American monitor
advanced again. accompanied by a gunbcat
and an American auxiliary cruiser. The peo-
pie of the village disappeared into the coun-
try after burning the wharf so as to prevent
the invaders from making landing, as they
had intended. The Spanish batteries opened
first, directing their fire against the mont
tor. The American boats answered ard de-
stroyed a number of houses, but unfortu-
nately the only ones of these which were of
considerable value belonged to American
citizens formerly resident in the village.
The last dispatch received last night from
Santiago said that the Spanish troops, not
withStanding the fierce attack on the city,
continued firm and enthusiastic and stood
resolutey at their positions with increasing
zen of Santiago was injured Among the
Spanish forces one soldier was killed and
one officer and fifteen soldiers were
The local papers of Havana publish long
editorials extolling Spanish heroism at the
yage "a and exciting the snthiIsiasm and pa
triotism of the people, urging them to mi-
tate the glorious achievements of their an
cestors The Constitutional says, concern
ing the siege of Santiago de Cuba, that that
city has not been taken although there
are 10000 Americans against 5000 Span
iards The Americans have not advanced
their positions perceptibly nor have they
dared to come forth to fight the. Spanish
heroes who successfully resisted their first
attack. While we are awaiting news about
the great enterprise in which our heroic SOL
diers are engaged, after all it does not mat
ter what may result, for they may be relied
on always to take good care of that which
in all of these cases is still most important
namely, the flags honor.
BLOCKADE INCIDENTS.