The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-06-22
THE WAR WITH SPAIN,


Marines.
After the landing Of the six hundred ma
rines on Friday, June TO- on the east shore
OF the lower bay OF Guantanamo, their
camp was pitched on the summit OF knob
like hill. They were attacked by the Span !
iards who were skulking in the bush, firing |
from concealment, and sharp fight Of |
many hours duration, lasting through the |
night, ensued. During Saturday and Sun |
day fierce conflict was wsged, not in the |
open, but from the chapparel and luxurisnt
vegetation that covers the ground. The
camp was so much exposed to hidden fire,
and to shots from neighboring ridges, that
1t was finally moved down the hill toward
the coast. 1t was feared at one time that
the little band of marines was hemmed in
by the Spaniards and would be destroyed
Four had been killed while scouting in the
bush and their bodies, when recovered
were found to be terribly mutilated The
marines were aided by the warships which
shelled the chapparel where the firing ind.
Gated the presence OF the Spaniards. The
search lights Of the vessels were turned on
the hills to assist the marines in the discov-
cry OF their lurking foes Finally band of
Cuban insurgents came to the assistance Of
the marines. The Spaniards were caught
between detschments of the Americans and
their allies, and the guns Of the feet pep
pered them with shot and shell. The Gu
bans fought like DEVILS" the reports say
yelling "viva Cuba Libre," "Viva los
Amercanos." The details of the continu-
GUS fighting, which extended over period
of three days, are suggestive of the desper-
ate contests with the Indians. The Ameri-
cans suffered intensely from heat, fatigue,
loss of sleep, the insects and the thorns OF
the cactus plants, but they held their ground
with characteristic bravery and tenacity.
The result Of the long battle was the hold
ing OF the landing place, and the clearing OF
the surrounding regions of enemies for the
occupancy of the invading army that YVES
on the way from Tampa.
An incident of the fight, illustrating fur
Their the barbarity of the Spaniards, was
the concentration OF their FIRE upon funer-
al party. The Americans had gathered
around the chaplain of the Texas, at the
grave of one of their comrades. The char
acter of the gathering was evident, but in
stantly the Spanish fire was directed on
the party. The order to fall in was given,
the chaplain was left with his escort to COM
plete the burial ceremonies, and the dead
soldiers comrades, from their rifle pits and
defenses, chastised their savage foes.
The Spaniards disguise themselves with
leaves to escape detection in the UNDER
growth, and for their signals initiate the
note of the cuckoo. They are guerillas, and
| air ,oJa ofr &c, A.
cans, but the Cubans that have joined the
latter are rapidly initiating their allies into
their ways Of fighting. They are invaluable
as guides, accustomed to the tropical woods,
and are themselves fighters that know no
fear
After four days and four nights of con.
tinuous fighting the marines, behind a
strong picket line of Cubans, got on Tues
day night of rest They had been rein
forced with rapid fire and Calling guns and
no living being could survive the storm of
shot that swept the underground. A Span
ish camp, some five miles away east Of
Camp McCalla was assailed and destroyed.
The American loss in all this fighting has
been very slight in killed and wounded.
The loss of the Spaniards, from the number
OF the dead found in the underground is be-
leved to be very large.
There has been a concentration OF Spanish
troops on Guantanamo bay to resist the
landing Of American troops there A week
ago the Texas, Msrblehesd and Suwanee
were orderad to destroy the only fort in the
bay. They steamed up the channel and
when mile and half away began sending
in twelve.inch shells and smaller shot.
The Spanisrds fred three shots, stuck to
their guns four minutes and then fed. The
ships used the old structure for target prac-
tice and knocked it to pieces. Three mines
we'll packed with guncotton were loosened
from their moorings.
The lively events of the war for the week
have conferred round this locality. There
have been frequent commandments by the
ships and skirmishing between the Amer.
cans and Cubans on one side and the Span.
iards on the other.
In the Philippines the insurgents are
pressing the Spaniards at Manila, and there
is constant fighting around the city. The
third expedition will leave San Francisco
for Manila this week, and will be accom-.
panied by General Merritt. 1t is not prob
| able that another expedition will be sent
until some Of the ships that carried the
first troops return, as there are no more
ships to be had on the Pacific. 1t is be-
lieved that the first Philippine expedition
has arrived at Manila. AS soon as official
news OF its arrival is received President
Mckinley intends to issue proclamation
declaring the establishment of military
government over the Philippine Islands.
Not the slightest apprehension exists in
Washington concerning the attitude of Ger
many towards our occupation OF the Phil
ippine, notwithstanding persistent reitera-
ton in cable news Of hostile intention on
the. part OF Germany.
The American army OF invasion arrived
off Santiago on Monday, and is preparing to
land. There has been the customary crop
OF proposed peace negotiations. These en-
anate from Paris usually, and in the latest
France is said to be backed by the car.
The Cadiz feet, which has been sighted
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