Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-07-06
WAS 4 WHITENING FIRE.
First Attack on Santiago To M5ro
Skirmish.
TROOPS NOBLE FIGHT.
TasA;, gton Officials Highly Grctifcd
Over the Conduct OF
Orr Soldiers.

:, Washington, D. c., July 2-The pro-
Foundest concern throughout military and
official circles marked the opening of the
second day upon which the battle of San
tiago is being fought. The desperate
character of The fighting is now fully
known to the war department. The in
formation IS in addition to the report
made by Gen. Shafter last midnight when
he roughly estimated his casualties as
above 400 Later reports, official and d.
rect from the field, indicate that this eS-
innate was far too low. Gen. Shafter
had not. up till Ii O'Clock this morning,
placed any exact figure on his loss, but he
had made ii clear that his first estimate
at 400 was much short of the actual loss.
The Associated press dispatch from the
field giving the casualties at about 1000,
is in line with Gen. Skaters later init
nation, although, as stated, he sets 10
figure.
The military authorities were alert early
in the day, despite the fact that they had
been up well through the night in anxious
waiting for the latest reports. Secretary
Alger and the acknowledgement Of the az
my, Gen, Corbin, held a conference as
soon as the secretary arrived.
Then Surgeon-GeneraI Sternberg was
sent for and Joined III the conference. 1t
is understood that the surgeon-general
VIII 5euC I;lf5e IOFcet Oh EieulCdI OulCeiS,
some forty or fifty. in addition to those
already With Gen. Skaters men. All
suitable appliances will be provided.
Neither the secretary nor the adjutant-
general would add anything to the infor-
nation given out at midnight. 1t was
said, however, that the estimate OF killed
and wounded first made by Gen. Shafter
was more likely to be under than over the
real loss, as the dense growth Of chap
paral in which the American troops
fought made it well-nigh impossible at
first to learn the extent OF the loss.
An impressive seriousness peryadCd all
military centers. The news that our gal
liant men had pressed their way, foot by
foot. up to the commanding plateau of
CaEey was welcome indeed, but there was
now the full realization that this had been
done IN the face OF Il whitening TIRE. In
stead of sl1irmish on the right flank, as
the reports yesterday Indicated, 1t was
now clear that Il general engagement, and
a terrific one, had been fought under the
broiiing tropical sun and IN the tang led
vegetation northeast of Santiago.
Gen. Miles and his staff were together
In the generals office early IN the day.
Spread on the generals desk was 4 map
showing in minute the details of every
roadway. trail and elevation about Santi-
ago. The general traced the line of OPP
erations yesterday and the probable line
Of action now III progress. He had re-
ceived nothing additional from the field.
He spoke grayely of the ferceness of the
fighting yesterday.
From a strategic point of view, Law
tons taking Of Caney yesterday gave an
elevation on the right wing, serving the
double purpose Of diverting the enemy
from the left and opening a way to our
left wing and also of giving our troops
more commanding sweep of the eneTny's
northern defenses. Incidentally, it ac-
complished the important purpose at least
to some extent Of preventing Pando's
coming down with reinforcements from
the north. and turning our right flank.