Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-06-10
Spanish Fortifcations Demolished
i. and Guns of the Batter
s ~: ! ., les Silencel.
Cervera Says Damage Is Unimpor-
tant, But That Americans Had
Noticeable Losses.
He Admits killing of Nine Officers
and Men and Wounding of a
Total of Thirty-Four.
1t Is Believed Spanish Losses Are
Heavier Than the Admiral's
Estimate Shows.

81 Washington, June s.-Shortly after
seven o'clock Tuesday evening ;nforma-
ton confirmatory of the dispatches con-
corning the bolnbardment of the forth
fications of Santiago reached the navy
department. 1t came in the form of
cablegram from Admiral Sampson
which was made public in the following
bulletin:
Secretary of the Navy: Bombarded
forts at Santiago, 1880 to 10 a. M, to-day.
June 6. Silenced works quickly without in
jury of any kind, though within 2, 900 yards
(Signed) SAMPSON"
While the officials of the navy depart
ment declined to say definitely whether
the bulletin contained all the informa-
ton given III Admiral SIMPSONS cable
gram, there is reason to believe that 1t
did not. The officials refused to discuss
the subject or TO vouchsafe further in
formation than was posted on the bull
letin board. Only one additional point
was elected by questioning. That was
that the cablegram contained no infor-
mation about the landing of either land
forces or marines.
Pleased with the News.
The information received from Adj
miral Sampson was evidently quite sat
isfactory to the naval authorities.
While they declined 10 discuss either
11the reasons Cor -or- rte probable conse
quences of the bombardment, they We're
thoroughly satisfied with the results
accomplished. 1t is pretty we'll under
stood that the bombardment was for
the purpose of paving the way either
for the landing of troops or actually to
cover the landing of marines.
Dispatches received from Spanish
sources indicate that landing was eff
fected, either during or Immediately
after the bombardment. This is re-
garded by naval authorities as entirely
reasonable. 1t is deemed likely that
Sampson landed sufficient force of
marines to hold the ground he had
gained and to make preparations for
the landing of the regular forces upon
their arrival, if, indeed, some of them
are not already at hand.
Cervera's omcial Report.
Madrid, June s.-The following Off
icial dispatch has been received from Adj
miral Cervera: Six American vessels
have bombarded the Notifications at
Santiago and along the adjacent coast.
six We're killed and II were wounded on
board the Reina Mercedes; three officers
were killed and an officer and II men
were wounded among the troops. The
Americans fired $500 shells of different
caliber. The damage inflicted upon the
batteries of La Socapa and MORO castle
was unimportant. The barracks at
Morro castle suffered damage. The en-
envy had noticeable losses.
Madrid, June Sin the chamber Of
deputies Capt Aunon, minister of ma
rine, read Admiral Cervera's dispatch,
and dispatch from Blanco to the effect
that Gen. Linares had repulsed an Amer
lean attempt to effect landing of
troops at Aguadores. The senate, after
hearing Admiral Cervera's dispatch
unanimously resolved to congratulate
the army and navy.
Story of the Bombnrdment.
On Board the Dispatch Boat Dandy,
On Santiago de Cuba, Monday (Noon),
Via Kingston, Jamaica, June s.-The
American fleet Monday morning en-
gagged the Spanish batteries defending
the entrance of the harbor of Santiago
de Cuba, and after three hours bonn
bardment silenced nearly all the forts,
destroyed several earthworks and rem
dered the Estrella and Cavo batteries,
the two principal Notifications useless.
Formation Of the Fleet.
The fleet formed in double column.
six miles Oft MORO Castle, at six o'clock
IN the morning, and steamed slowly
5000 yards off shore, the Brooklyn lead
ing, followed by the Marblehead, Texas
and Massachusetts,, and turned west.
ward. The second line, the New York
leading, with the New Orleans, Yankee
Iowa and Oregon following, turned
eastward. The Vixen and Suanee were
far out on the left flank, watching the
ritemen on shore. The Dolphin ant
Porter did similar duty on the RICH,
flank. The line headed by the New
York attacked the new earthworks neal
MORO Castle. The Brooklyn column
took up station opposite the Estrells
and Catalina batteries and the new
= S>NA - W "a AN' eioiss tiic SiCEe L ne SpaQ
dsh batteries remained silent. 1t is
doubtful whether the Spaniards were
able to determine the character of the
movement, owing to the dense fog anc
heavy rain.
Ships Open Fire.
Suddenly the Iowa fired 12-incl
shell, which struck the base of Estrell,
battery and tore up the works. Instant
ly firing began from both Rear Ad
miral SIMPSONS and Commodor
Schley's column, and torrent of shell
from the ships fell upon the Spanis
works. The spaniards replied promp
ly, but their artillery work was of a yer
poor quality and most of their shot
went wide. Smoke settled around tn
ships In dense clouds, rendering accu
rate aiming difficult. There was N
maneuyring of the fleet, the ships re
manning at their original stations an,
firing steadily. The squadrons wer
so close in shore that it was difficult TO
the American gunners to reach the bat
teries on the hill tops, but their firm,
was excellent.
MORO Castle Spared.
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