Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1898-07-09
ReIieyes enc s~uspense.

Relieves the Suspense.
Washington, July 2.-The suspense
which followed the receipt Of General
Skaters dispatch early yesterday
morning, announcing that a battle had
begun neal Santiago, was relieved at
1880 this morning, when a prelim-
mary report of the days operations
was received by General Corbin from
General Shafter.
AS had been expected by the officials
of the war department., the fight lasted
until SHUTDOWN.
The president and government Off
Gals are immensely pleased at the in
formation conveyed in Skaters mes
sage. While they learned with SINGER
est regret that SO many of the Amer
lean troops had fallen, the ground
gained by the days conflict is regarded
as a great victory.
The battle established pretty o n
clusively that the Spaniards are no
match for the enthusiastic and ag-
gressiye United States troops. They
were driven from their strong en-
trenchments in front OF Santiago back
into the city and the Americans are
now occupying the entertainments and
awaiting only the dawn to resume the
greater battle which will result in the
fall Of Santiago before Sunday night
and perhaps before nightfall today.
Adiutant General Corbin put the sit
uation strongly and picturesquely this
morning while speaking briefly of the
aggressiveness and tenacity OF General
Shafter:
'"rhe old bulldog" said he, referring
thus half affectionately TO the distin-
guished commander, lis lying. right
there with his teeth in their neck, only
waiting the coming Of daylight TO fin
ish the work he has so magnificently
begun. The engagement yesterday
was very heavy for a preliminary af-
fair, but il secures n decided victory
for MS. / regret to know that Shafter
has sustained so heavy n loss, but we
may hope that there are not, as he
says, many killed. II is, however,
pretty certain to be true hat the loss
Of an army in an engagement like that
Of yesterday, where the battle line eX-
tended over seven miles, will be much
heavier than is indicated by the first
reports. 1T is manifestly impossible,
in cases where the battle has ragged all
day and until dark, TO ascertain with
defniteness the loss sustained"
Spaninrds Retreat.
Siboney, July /, $3.50 p. m. via Playa
del Este, Guantanamo Bay.-(Copy-
right, 1898, by the Associated Press.)-
At / o'clock this afternoon, after five
hours terrific fighting, the Spanish
began to leave their entertainments,
and retreat into the city. Many Amer
leans arc wounded and are being
brought in. One man had had both
arms shot off and was wounded in the
hip, but was laughing.
Playa, del Este, Guantanamo Bay,
July !, Evening The fighting contin-
ued until dark. Our forces carried the
enemy's outer works and have oc-
cupied them this evening. The battle
will probably be resumed at daybreak.
The American loss is heavy. Some es-
Inmates place it at 500 killed and
wounded.
Dangers OF the Situation.
Off Santiago de Cuba, June 30, 2 p.
M, by the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Wanda, Filed at Port Antonio,
Jamaica, July 2.-(Copyrightcd by the
Associated Press)-A two days visit
to the Cuban lines and outposts by a
correspondent of the Associated Press
developed n situation which, if not
broken by a vigorous and successful
attack on Santiago, may result in
causing much more serious work than
has been anticipated. The Spanish
forces that have retired from the vi
entity Of Acerraderos on the west and
Baiquiri on the east to join General
Iinares.
The forces in Santiago and within
the fortified defenses of the city now
number II 900, 1000 regulars and 1000
volunteers. Concerning the latter, the
Cubans allege that they will not fight
with any heart, but will lay down
their arms. According to Spanish sol
diers captured yesterday and held in
the camp Of General Perez, near Guam
tanamo, half of the force of men on
the Spanish warships had been landed
with all the rapid fire guns. This
would make a total force in the city
of 1880 men in addition to the pro-
lection from the earthworks and forts
and the assistance Of the ships i'm the
harbor.
To meet this force, or at least to in
wade its. stronghold, the American
commanders now have $4,000 men and
1000 Cubaus, the latter TO prevent, If
possible, flank movements at the eN-
pense Of the Americans. Now, here
is the most dangerous and significant
feature of the situation. Marching
from M~anzanillo, 100 miles west OF
Santiago, and having been on the road
for six days, quite well advanced now
in his progress, is General Pando, with
seven battalions, aggregating S,4OO
men. To oppose him is General Jesus
Rabi with a force of 1900 Cubans, ~
ing i'm wait seventeen miles from San
tiago and on two roads.
Now of course, it would be possible
for General Pando to take his column
far to the north and make Il junction
with the Spanish troops supposed to
be on the way from Holguin and num-
boring, it is said, 5000 men. This adj
vance from the north is being held in
check by about 1900 Cubans under
General Castillo, who claims to hold
the passes.
General Castillo admitted in camp
Yesterday, as he smoked his cigar and
slipped his coffee, that his method was
to do Indian fighting in the mountain
passes. When he was asked what his
forces would do if ianked, he gravely
said he had not thought OF that, but
supposed he would have to retire. The
object of the Spanish advancing from
Manzanillo may be to elude Rabi, and
by effecting a junction with the Span
ish from the north to form an army