The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-08-15

At the front with Gen. Wilson s column,
five miles beyond Coano Porto Rico.
August 12-(Evening) delayed in trans
mission-Gen. Wilson moved one Lancas-
ter battery out to the front this afternoon
for the purpose of shelling the Spanish
position on the crest of the mountain at
the head of the pass through which the
road Winds The enemy occupied po-
sition of great natural strength protected
By seven lines of entrenohments, and q
battery Of two Howitzers.
The Spsniards were eager for the fray
and earlier in the day had fired upon Col.
Biddle of the engineer corps, who, witt
a platoon of troops of New York was
reoonnoi tering on their right flank.
AS our battery rounded a curve In the
road, 1000 yards away, the enemy opened
an artillery and infantry fire. Four COM
panies of tho 3D. Wisconsin, which were
posted on the bluffs to the right of~the
road, were not permitted to respond.
The guns advanced at gallop in the face
of a terrific fire, were unlinbered and
were soon hurting common shell and
shrapnel at the enemy at lively rate,
striking the emplacements, batteries and
entertainments with the rhythmic rsgu-
larity of trip hammer.
The enemy soon abandoned one gun,
but continued to serve the other at inter-
walls for over an hour. They had our
range and their shrapnel burst repeated
ly over our men. One shell burst, the
fragments killing Corporal Swanson Of
Co. L, and seriously wounding Corporal
5Yank and Privates Bunce and Vought.
Capt. Paget, the British army officer
who is with the American forces for the
purpose of observing the operations. dis
,tinguished himself by aiding DR.. Wood
bury. +ar M
Here Capt. Lee and Private Sizer Of
Co. F, were wounded by Mauser BULLETS.
In about two hours the enemy abandoned
the other gun and the men began to flee
from the Entertainments toward banana
grove, then the gorge. Then the guns
shelled them as they ran. One gun was
ordered to advance to a position quarter
of mile further on. 1t had just reached
the new position when Spanish infantry
reinforcements filed into the trenches and
began deadly fire upon our men, COM
pelling the battery to retire at gallop.
Then both the enemy's Howitzers re-
opened, the shrapnel screamed and the
Mausers sang. Another gun galloped
from the rear but our ammunition was
exhausted Lieut.. Haynes was shot IN
the body by Mauser just before his gun
retired, the ball owing a rib. The orders
issued for two companies to advance were
countermandod and the firing ceased.
Col. Bliss Of Gen. Wilson's staff went
forward to the enemy's line with flag
of truce and explained that peace nego-
tiations were almost concluded: and that
their position was untenable and demand.
ed their surrender. The Spanish have nc
communication with the outside world
and the commander asked until tomor-
row morning in order that he might com.
1nunicate with Gen. Maoias at San Juan.
Gen. Wilson and his staff viewed today 's
action from a hill at the right of the
battery The enemy's guns were fired
from n high elevation with low velocity.
The Spaniards have the ranges as aceu-
rately as they had at Santiago.
Their position from the front is almost
impregnable, but it can bo turned. Esti-
mates of the strength of the enemy range
from 500 to 1000. Their position is five
miles from Aibonito.
A WARNING TO WILSON.
Head quarters of Gen. Wilson at Coamo,
August 13-( Morning g)-Delaysd in trans
mission-"Tell the American general If
he does not desire further shedding of
blood to remain where he Is.
This is the reply that the. Spanish COM
mander, Col Nueyilas, sent to Gen. Will
sons demand for the surrender of
Aibonito, made last night. A fight is