The Iola register., 1898-08-05
PONCE IS CAPTURED.
The Second City of Importance in
Porto Rice Taken Without Loss.
"A PROCLAMATION BY GEN. NILES.
The American General Tells the Porto
Ricsns He Has Come to Give Then, Lib
erty-Dispatches Received at wash
inRton from Gen. Miles

commander Q. II. Davis, OF the auxil-
iliary gunboat Dixie, yesterday
There was no resistance and the
Americans were welcomed with en-
thusiasm. Maj Gen. Miles arrived
here this morning at daylight
with Gen. Ernest's brigade and
Gen. Wilson's division on board
transports. Gen. Ernest's brig
ade Immediately started for the town
of Ponce, three miles inland, which
-capitulated this afternoon. The Amer
lean troops are pushing toward the
mountains and will join Gen.
Henry with his brigade at
'Guanica, which has been captured
by our troops. A fight before
Yauco Tuesday was won by the
American volunteers. The Spanish
ambushed eight companies of the Sixth
Massachusetts and Sixth Illinois reg
iments, but the enemy was repulsed
and driven back a mile to ridge,
where the Spanish cavalry charged
and were routed by our infantry.
Gen. Garretson led the fight with
the men from Illinois and Massachu-
sets, and the enemy retreated to
Yauco, leaving four dead upon the field
and several wounded. None of our
men were killed, and only three were
slightly wounded. The Porto Ricans
are glad the American troops have
landed and say they are all Americans
and will join our army. The roads are
good for military purposes. Our troops
are healthy and Gen. Miles says the
campaign will be short and vigorous.
Gen. Miles issued the following proc
lamation to the Porto Ricans:
In the prosecution of the war against the
kingdom Of Spain By the people Of the United
states in the cause OF liberty. justice and hu-
manity, It's military forces have come TO occu-
py the island of Porto Rico. They come
bearing the bann 'rs OF freedom, inspired
by noUe purposs, to seek the enemies
of our government and OF yours and to destroy
or capture all in armed resistance. They bring
you the fostering arms OF q free people, whose
greatest power is Justice and humanity to all
living within their fold Hence they release
you from your former political relations and II
is hoped this will be followed by your cheerful
acceptance Of the government of the United
States
The chief object Of the American military
forces will be to overthrow the authority OF
Spain and give the people OF your beautiful Is
land the largest measure OF liberty consistent
with this military occupation They have not
come TO make war on the people OF the couu-
try, who for centuries have been oppressed.
but, on the contrary, they bring protection
not only to yourselves but to our property. pro-
mote your prosperity and bestow the immuni-
ties and blessings OF our enlightened and lib
'eral institutions and government II Is not
our purpose to interfere with the ex
listing laws and customs which are whole
some and beneficial to the people so
long as they conform to the rules OF the milf
tary administration, orders and justice This
is not war Of devastation and desolation. but
one to give all within the control of the mill
tary and naval forces the advantages and bles-
sings OF enlightened civilization
DISPATCHES FROM GEN. MILES.
Washington, July 3O.-The war de-
partment has received the following
dispatches from Gen. Miles:
Port Ponce, Porto Rico, via Ponce, July % -
Secretary Of War, Washington; On the Goth
'Garretson had n spirited engagement on skir-
mish line Our casualties four wounded. all
doing we'll Spanish loss, three killed Is
wounded. Yauco occupied yesterday Henry's
division there to-day. Last evening Com
mander Davis, OF the Dixie. moved into this
port followed by Capt Higginson with his
fleet early this morning. Gen Wilson. with
Ernest's brigade, now rapidly dlsembarking.
Spanish troops are retreating from the south
,ern part OF Porto Rico Ponce and port have u
population OF $4,000 and are now under the
troops and snluted the flag with wild enthusi-
asm. The navy has several prizes, also 20
lighters The railway stock that was par
TALLY destroyed is now restored Telegraph
communication Is also being restored Ca
BILE instruments were destroyed. Have sent to
Jamaica for others Ths is u prosperous and
beautiful country. Tne arm; will soon be In
mountain region weather delightful troops
In best OF health and spirits, anticipate no in
isurmountaole obstacle In the future Results
thus far have been accomplished without the
loss OF a single life.-Nelson A. Miles, Major
General
Port Ponce Porto Rico July - Secretary
of War Washington: In the affair of the 10th
Capt Edward j. Gibson, company a. was
wounded In left hip; Capt j. fl Prior COM
pany l.. slightly wounded In hand; Private
James Drummond. company X. two wounds 10
neck, aud Private Benjamin +, Bosbick COM
'pany L. slight wound In right arm-all OF Sixth
Massachusetts, All doing we'll The Spanish
retreat from this place was precipitous they
leaving rifles and ammunition In barracks and
40 or 50 sick In the hospital The people are
enjoying holiday In honor OF our arrival -
Miles
The results thus far achieved in the
occupation Of Porto Rico have created
feeling of intense satisfaction among
officials of the administration. Infor-
nation received yesterday directly
from OeH' Mics duu VurOuRH us
patches TO the Associated press was
very gratifying to the president and
his advisers. 1t indicates, as one Off
.cial expressed it, that Miles is clean
ing up every thing as he goes" The
surrender of Ponce practically with
out struggle is regarded by the war
officials with especial satisfaction.
In impor auce il Is the second city
.of The lsinnI. While nothing def.
nltv j. known to the war officials
yet uf Gen. Miles, plans for the imme-
date tuture, the statement In his
dispatch that the troops will soon be
in the mountain country is taken to
mean that he proposes rapidly to push
.on toward san Juan and it is believed
that there will be no delay in the re-
duction of the entire island. 1t is ex-
pected that the Spanish forces will
offer no vigorous opposition to the
United States troops until San Juan
4 4. al. l. 4 l. =.