The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-20

Copyright, 1sss by the Associated Prcss.)
ON BOARD THE ASSOCIATED
PRESS DISPATCH PoAT DAUNT-
LESS, OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA,
Saturday, June IS, noon. via KINGS
TON, Jamaica. Sunday, June 10. noon.-
A. careful inspection OF the fortlfca-
tions along the crest OF the hills de-
Tending Santiago harhcr since the bonn
bardment Thursday morning, shows
that the American gunners spread
wreck and ruin everywhere. Some OF
the batteries were demolished beyond
repair. The vultures which cIrcled on
level wings over the hills as thick as
swallows around chimney for hours
after the firing ceased. furnished grue-
some evidence of the fatality among the
Spanish soldiers.
Hundreds of troops could be seen
from the ships digging IN mounds Of
earth piled up by the explosions OF the
projectiles from the heavy guns for
bodies while their heads were famed by,
the wings OF the black scavensers OF
the battlefield.
There were two spots, enc on the east
and the other on the west OF the harbor
entrance which were tenuded OF the
foliage. The hill tops seem literally
blown away. These marked the places
where the two hundred pound charges
OF gun cotton, blown by the Vesuvius,
landed. !. But the most omlnous token
of death flew from Morro Castle. The
saffron flag Of Spain was half-masted
for several hours. Tha significance OF
this Is not known. It is not customary,
to half mast fiags, but possibly some
Spanish leader was killed by the heavy
fire OF our guns. though some officers OF
the squadron. believe tnat the flag was
half-masted as notification to the;
Americans that Lieutenant Hobson and
his brave men were dead. II such Is
the case. they must have been wantonlv
murdered. The Spanish might seek to
lay their death to the hombardment. but
not n shot from the American ships
struck the fortress. !ssli;
~ Neither Admiral Sampson nor Com
modorc Schley believe that Lieutenant
Hobson and his party have been killed.
We have seventeen prisoners taken at
Guantanamo, including 4 lieutenant be-
sides q number In the United States for
reprlsals or, exchange: I, s,i575s . s
Evident Decentralization.
There was evident Generalization
among the Spanish .roops during the
bombardment. officers could be seen,
with drawn swords driving the men to
the guns. but even then they could not
be forced TO stay SO Icing as our guns
were directed at them. The fifteen min.
utes night work Of the Vesuvius had
shattered their nerves. IS
It Is believed by some that the 49,
inch proJectIle fired from the Texas,
which was reported to have exploded
the powder magazine IN one Of the
western batteries, did not fall In the
battery. but went beyond and blew up
one Of the ships in the karbor.
A dramatic incident cc the bombard-
ment was the act of Spanish officer
who bravely ran along the parapet un-
der q heavy fire, encouraging his men
to stand by their guns. Shot and shell
rained about him and after one terrific
explosion he was seen no more and the
parapet had disappeared. He could not
have escaped death.
From the foretop OF the Brooklyn,
1900 yards distant, the men on the
grounds could be noticed. but a minute
later dust and flying debris would take
their places and when the smoke clear
ed away only spot OF red earth could
be seen-guns and gunners swept away.
1t was the most deadly and destructive
bombardment OF the war thus for.
Scarcely q shot from the big guns OF
the squadron went astray. The aim Of
our gunuers was superb and not only
were the coast forts ennihilated, but
the batteries on Cayo Smith up the har-
bcr were DESTROYED. He'd oil the ships
used smolscless powder, as did the New
Orleans, there would remain no signs
OF guns or fortiticatlons 10 Indicate that
there had ever been any defenses there
Not nm American Lost. li
There were no casualties in the fleet,
although the ships held a fixed position
as IL Inviting the Spaniards to FIRE upon
them. The half stripped ships gunners
never worked with more enthusiasm.
The words Of Read Admiral Sampson
were: First silence the batteries on
the shore. and then continue firing un-
til the Notifications aIe reduced"
1lllS +OtueL w 10 SLllSkiy opGt Gu. IL
was the first time that such instruc-
tlons had been given and the men re-
sponded with will.
In thirty-eIght minutes the order WAS
given to cease firing and the message,
went to each ship from the ndmiral;
We'll done:"' anG the officers and men
turned in for breakfast. Evcry detail
OF the engagement bnd been executed
to the letter from the opening OF fire by
the New York 10 the last sho4 from the
Iowa. The Spaniards were evidently
surprised while Strengthening their for I
tilcations. z rs
The first shot OF the New York landed
full and fair on the top OF the hills to
the east, where the Eunners were al !
ready at work erecting new pieces The
earth seemed to rise n cloud and
when the tweive-inch SHELLS Of the Iowa !,
and the thlrteen-inch srautlcs OF the
Oregon landed sQuarelys and fairly. !
great cheer went up from the, Ships:
The western sq,ip dron got Into line
and began firing before the eastern one /
did and the effect OF the shots could be I
plainly seen. The Spanish gunners nt>
the batteries could be noted and n
quick fire was returned, but, only for a
brief time did they withstand the terri
bic assault OF the fleet. :iT
6s To Restore tho French Cnbie.
E MOLE. ST. NICHOLAS. juno 19.-Fori
several days the French cable company
Hf r.|