The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-11-13
\ THE AUXILIARY NAVY
EuoM THE DIARY OF NO. OF THE
AFTER PORT GUN.

Meeting Between Yankee ana
Dixie-At the Isle of Pines.
CONTINUED from Last Weekly
downright, 1898, by S. S. Mcclure Coz
The Well-directed fire of the forts at
the entrance to Clenfuegos was rapidly
making the Yankees position untenable,
and it soon became apparent that we would
have to give way before overwhelming
odds. Fifteen minutes after the battle be-
gan between the Spanish gunboat and the
Yankee. the former beat a hasty retreat,
SCANNING back into the harbor.
II was plainly evident, however, that she
had been badly hulled, and she waved
wildly as she passed from sight behind the
beadlands. This of itself was victory
enough for the present and at the end of
twenty minutes firing. we withdrew out
Of range.
our object In the first place, was as we
ascertained from forward during the day.
to intercept a Spanish blockade runner, the
Purissima Conception, so we lay off the
harbor and waited for the coming of the
snip which was supposed to have left ia
malca for Cienfuegos. The day was spent
in cleaning up after our brief but lively
battle, and when night came we were again
shlp-shape
Shortly after daybreak the following
morning the lookout aloft reported that a
steamer, evidently man-of-war, was
emerging from the harbor. The crew was
called to general quarters" at once, and
every preparation made to give the strang-
er a lively reception. She proved, however
to be the German warship Geier, bound
for Santiago.
We maintained close vigil until the 18th
Of June-two days later-then sailed for
Santiago. Shortly after entering port We
were informed that the Spanish gunboat
with which we had been engaged off Glen
fuegos had sunk sent to the bottom by
our fire. bit of news highly appreciated
Our stay in Santiago was short, the
Yankee leaving for Guantanamo the next
day al II o'clock. On reaching the latter
port we found evidences of a considerable
change in the condition of affairs. On our
former visit, as the reader will remember,
we had engaged in a spirited battle with
couple of Spanish craft and a block
house, driving the boats back into the har-
Dor, and silencing the forts. The good
work done that day had borne fruit
On entering the bay we found several
OF our vessels quietly riding at anchor,
the Oregon, Marbelhead, Dolphin (of
railway train fame), the ambulance ship
Solace, the Panther. Suwanee and three
or four golfers and dispatch boats.
But that which attracted our instant
attention and brought an involuntary
cheer from us was the sight of Old
Glory, Haunting proudly from a tail flag
staff erected on the site of the former
blockhouse.
"Hurrayr shouted Stump; ITS the first
American flag to fly over Cuba. And we
dug the hole 10 plant it,
That's right" assented Dye. eve are
the people"
What's that camp on top of the hill?"
queried Flagg, indicating a number of
tents cleaning in dots of white against
the background of green foliage
1T is the marine camp" explained Hay.
Didn't you hear about 1t in Santiago?
Why, man. it's the talk of the fleet. The
marine corps has been adding to its lau-
rels again. The other day eight hundred
Of them landed from the Panther and fair
ly swept the place of Spaniards, fighting
against three times their number. 1 was
great"
The marines have a fine record" put
in Tommy. i've been shipmates with them
for years and l am free to confess that
they always do their duty"
And are always faithful remarked
Dye.
That's their motto. 'Semper fidelis.'
They have lived up to it in every war.
They antedate the navy, you know"
'How's that?" asked the Kid who
was willing to absorb knowledge-at
times
Tommy produced an ancient book from
his ditty box, and proceeded to read an
extract in a loud, sonorous voice. 1t was
as follows:
Resolved That two battalions of ma
rines be raised consisting of one colonel,
TWO lieutenant colonies, two majors and
olher officers, as usual i'll other regiments;
that they consist of an equal number of
prlvates with other battalions; that partic-
ular care be taken that no persons be APP
pointed to Offices or enlisted into said bat
talions. but such as are good seamen, or
20 acquainted with maritime affairs as to
De able to serve to advantage on sea when
required, that they be enlisted and COM
missioned to serve for and during the
present war with Great Britain and the
colonies, unless dismissed by order of
Congress; that they be distinguished by
The names of the First and Second Bat
tahons Of Marines"
The date of that resolution" added
tommy, with the air of a schoolmaster
lmpressing a particular point lis Nov. 10,
Ife9 which was before any naval vessel
mad been sent TO sea by the continental
Congress SO you see the marines can
claim priority in point of service
And priority in point of landing In
cuba added Hod. Here's to them"
our discussion on the subject of ma
fines was cut short by a summons to
coal ship task which had come to form
the greatest thorn in the flesh of all on
BOARD the Yankee The ship was run
alongside the collier Sterling, and the port
watch was set to work at once.
Coaling in the tropics is very different
lning from similar work In northern lati-
ludes. The exertion of shoveling. or lift
ing the heavy baskets. added to the in
tense heat Of the weather, makes of il a
ASK extremely trying to those even of
lae strongest physique During the time
mus spent In Guantanamo two of the
Continued ON Page Twenty.