Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-13
FIRST LAND BATTLE
Our Troops and Spaniards Have a
Brush Off Cabanas.
TWELVE OF THE LATTER KILLED
No Losses or Wounded on Side of
the Americans.
LANDING WAS ABANDONED

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
OFF CABANAS, May II. via Key West,
Fla, May BIN an effort to land Com
panies f and G of the LIST United States In
fantry in Pinar del Del Rio this afternoon
with 800 rifles, 5000 rounds of ammunition
and some food supplies for the insurgents
the first land fight of the war occurred.
Each side may claim the result as VIC
tory for itself and defeat for the other.
for if the Spanards frustrated the effort
to connect with the insurgents, the Ameri-
cans got decidedly the better of the battle,
shooting twelve or more of the enemy and
on their own part suffering not wound.
After dark last evening the old-fas hionei
side-wheel steamer Gussie of the Morgan
line. with the troops and cargo mentioned,
stated for the Cuban coast. All night she
allowed the tug. on which was your cor
respondent to pilot her, and at sunrise fell
in with the gunboat Vicksburg on the
blockade off Havana.
Other blockading vessels coming up, the
converted revenue cutter Capt. VIM. NJ.
Munger was detailed to convoy the Gussie
and three abreast the steamers moved
along the coast. No doubt MORO Castle
observed the stranger vessel and sent an
alarm ahead.
The Spanish soldiers were seen grouped
on shore near Mariel. and Manning's guns
battery.
Grinding Their Machetes.
No shots were fired and the Cuban guides
On the Gussie took their machetes to a
erindstone on the hurricane deck.
Our soldiers gathered around to see them
sharpening their long knives, but only one
could be induced to test the edge of these
barbarous instruments with his thumb.
They were soldiers who had fought Indians
and such weapons suggested an unhappy
analogy.
So they withdrew aft to play craps, until
body of cavalry on a hill west of Marel
brought them to their rifles. For some
minutes the cavalry watched US, then gal
loped over the hill in the direction we were
heading. From the ruined walls of a stone
house further on where Spanish troops
were gathered several shots were fired by
the gunboat Manning and presently no
troops We're visible. 1t had been decided
to land near here, but the depth of water
was not favorable. Just off Port Cabanas
covering the landing place with her guns,
and the torpedo boat Wasp came up eager
to assist.
Lieut.. Grafton First to Land.
The first American soldier to step on the
Cuban shore from this expedition was
Lieutenant Grafton, Captain O'Connor with
first load having gone longer route. A
reef near the beach threw the men out
and they stumbled through the water up
to their breasts. When they reached dry
land they Immediately went into the bush
to form a picket line.
Two horses had been led to swim TO land
when suddenly a rifle shot, followed by
continuous sharp firing, warned the men
that the enemy had been in waiting.
The captain of the transport signaled to
the warship, and the Manning fired into
the woods beyond our picket line. Shrap-
mel Kissed through the air like hot iron
her small guns. The cannonade began at
ais pm. and lasted a quarter of an hour
then our pickets appeared. The ships cir
cled round, and being told by Captain
O'Connor, who had come from shore with
the clothing torn from one leg, where the
Spaniards were, 100 shots more were fired
in that direction.
Anybody hurt?" hailed your correspond
ent-
Twelve Spaniards Shot.
None of our men, but we shot twelve
Spaniards," he shouted back.
The soldiers on board the Gussie heard
the news without a word, but hearing
where the enemy was situated. 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 Spaniards had drawn back. 1t was de-
cided that the soldiers should re-embark on
the Gussie. and that the guides should take
the horses and seek the insurgents and
make new appointment. They rode off to
the westward and disappeared around a
point.
Say" shouted man from Company G,
after them, you forgot your grindstone."
Casualties In san Juan Engagement.
NEW YORK, May 13.-A special from st.
Thomas says the casualties on board the
United States feet In the bombardment of
San Juan were as follows:
Killed-Seaman Frank Widemark of the
New York.
Wounded-Samuel Feltman, leg broken:
Marine NJ. G. Merkle, elbow broken; Sea-
men r. c. Hill and John Mitchell, all of
the New York slightly hurt.
Funds for Red Cross Society.
SAN FRANCISCO, May 13.-Great sue
cess is attending the efforts of the Califo--
mia Red Cross Society to raise funds 10
care for the needs of California volunteers
WHO are to be sent to the Philippines A.