The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-14
BLOODY BATTLE TODAY
Continued from page one.)

CONTINUED from page one)
General Randolph's movement began
early this morning and tonight out of
the ten batteries but one of four guns
had succeeded in making its way over
the almost impossible trail TO the
trenches at the front. This, with the
four batteries, already there is not
considered by the American command
er as sufficient and probably "a hours
more will elapse before the General en-
gagement begins.
General Skaters second and last
proposal to surrender was sent into
Santiago at noon yesterday. 1t went
in the form of a terse note, in which
the general pointed out the hopeless
ness OF the Spanish position, surround
ed by the American troops, and cut off
from reinforcements and without
means to combat our fleet, which can
hurl shells by the hundreds in the heart
of the city. Unconditional surrender,
it was declared, was the only terms
to be considered, and only prompt ac-
ceptance of these terms could serve
the Spanish forces and innocent citi-
zenS from awful slaughter.
The firing, which has been going on
at intervals since Sunday afternoon
was ordered stopped when the flag of
truce started for the Spanish side and
mas not been resumed. No attention
was paid to General Skaters COM
munication until shortly after o'clock
this morning, when reply came under
a flag of truce. General Toral was as
brief as his foe, saying in effect that
II the Americans wanted Santiago they
would have to come and get it. He
declared that unconditional surrender
of the city would be beyond reason and
possibility and expressed himself as
ready to meet an attack at any time
the invading army saw fit to make one.
General Shafter accepted the answer
as final and although no firing was or
dered he Immediately began prepara-
lions for the coming struggle.
LINES CHANGED.
General Randolph's ten light batter
les We're ordered rushed from the land
ing place at Juragua and change in the
lines was made. General LaWton's en-
tire division was moved to the north
ward, a mile and a half, his extreme
right being placed at Caimenes, on the
border of the harbor. This movement
places the American forces in a semi
circle entirely surrounding Santiago,
and cutting off retreat of the Spaniards
except by water, as our flank rests at
the waters edge.
The late arrivals of volunteers were
moved up from Juragua and the First
illinois, the Eighth Ohio and the First
District of Columbia were located in
he trenches vacated by Lawton's men.
ir1mes' battery was swung around to
he north, closely connecting with Law
-on'S force and now occupies a bluff
rom which it can fire directly into the
heart of the city. This is a most i'm
oortant move, as it enables the Ameri-
IAN forces to shell the city without in
turing the hospitals and public build !
ngs which are flying the Red Cross
Tags, the present position being such !
hat the shells can be thrown over all |
he buildings, thus protected from as
'aut.
The little town of Caimenes was
by the Spanish troops yes
erday and is now occupied by the Gu
IAN troops with a few companies of |
egulars.
A SPANISH BLUNDER.
It's occupation is most important to
he American forces, as it completes
he semi circle from water line to water
inc, and hams the city in. 1t was a
-reat bupder on the part of the Spanish
o desert the place without a struggle,
g with it General Lawton TANKS them
Near this point the Span
Il
-noWn to be the weakest portion Of
heir lines. During the weeks truce
hey have been strengthening it, but
heir entertainments at this point have
cen constructed raggedly and appar-
ntly without definite plans. General
.awton anticipates little difficulty in
irving the Spaniards from their po-
ltions.
PLAN OF ATTACK.
Under the present plans the Ameri-
an army and navy will begin the at
ack at the same time, The fleet will
url shells into the city, while the great
orce of American soidiery will grad
ally tighten about the Spanish posi-
ons, the divisions advancing from all
long the line. AS the Semi-circle mar
1ws. the batteries in the rear will I
laintain a heavy fire.
The American officers feel confident
lie city can withstand this terrible as
ault but a short time.
AWFUL WEATHER.
The last two days have been the s
orst of the campaign SO far as the
Gather is concerned. Fierce tropical ]
have been frequent,
18th an almost continuous downpour
rain. The rifle pits and trenches at +
lie front have been flooded and last
ght few men in the besieging army :
ere able. to sleep. owing to the amount
water on the ground. {
The already heavy hardships endured $
i've been greatly increased, and much
ness is likely to result, as no adequate
letter is possible.
The trail to the front is in frightful :
APE. The streams and the fords are :
yollen and the soft soil is cut into al d
oSt impossible shapes by the wheels s
the supply wagons. One of General
andolph's light batteries occupied a |
hole day in getting TO the front The
in is coming down in torrents tonight a
Id a thunderstorm is raging along the :
asst. If the storm continues, it is
,ely to delay operations seriously. I
Troops from the auxiliary cruisers II
ale and st. Paul have been landing p
the rain all day and have been going
to camp wet and miserable. 1t has
en- a bad experience for the raw
1ODS b1f they will ha rl11c-had