Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-07

New York. July A dispatch to
the Herald from off Santiago, via
Playa del Este, July 2, says: Three
vessels of Simpsons fleet have Just
returned from an adventurous expedi-
ton to Manzanillo, during which they
sunk TWO Spanish gunboats, one sIoop,
che pontoon, disabled a Spanish tor
pedo boat, consider ably damaged sew
eral Of the enemy's other gUnbCats and
compelled the commander of the
troops to run his vessel ashore. One
OF the American vessels was struck
eleven times. Another, the Hornet,
was disabled by shell. which hit the
main steam pipe. She was towed out
of danger by the Wampatuck. Samp-
sons fleet destroyed four Spanish gun
beats which the admiral had been in
formed were lying in that harbor. In
stead of finding orly that array of
lighting craft, the American vessels
encountered, in crescent formation,
nine vessels, including a torpedo boat
and cruiser. They also found them
selves fianked by land batteries and
armed pontoons, while heavy battery
of field artillery was in position on
the water front to aid in making a
warm reception for Simpsons vessels.
In addition to this formidable display,
the Spaniards showed several guns in
fort on hill, while the shore for tW D
miles was lined with soldiers.
who maintained fierce fusilade. The
three little American vessels steamed
into the harbor and began the attack.
Their fire was returned by the Span
ish vessels and for two hours a hot
fight was waged. Shots repeatedly
went straight from the guns Of each
combatant, doing much damage.
During the engagement, the Hornet
was made the main target for the
Spanish gunners, and was hit eleven
times, but the plucky little vessel
wlthstood the heavy fire CALAMITY.
Again and again she ran close up to
the enemy's vessels, persistently re-
fusing to draw away because of the
accuracy of the Spanish aim. AS soon
as the Hist and Wampatuck discov-
cred that the Hornet was disabled
their captains decided it would be
useless to fight longer against such
a superior enemy. Accordingly the
Wampatuck fastened to the rescue
of the Hornet, the Hist meantime
keeping up its sharpest fire. After
the Wampatuck succeeded in getting
line on the Hornet, she steamed out
to sea with the disabled vessel in tow
The Hist followed close after, pouring
shot at the enemy until out of range.
During the engagement the Ameri-
can vessels succeeded in sinking one
of the Spanish gunboats, one sloop and
| one pontoon. They also disabled the
enemy's torpedo boat and did much
damage to several gunboats in the
harbor and made marked impress
sion on the Spanish land batteries.
They also discovered that the Puris-
sima Conception and two large trans
ports were lying in the harbor. AS Il
this was not enough excitement for one
small auxiliary cruiser, the Hist poked
her nose into Noguira bay and discOv-
cred Spanish gunboat lying there
She Immediately opened fire on the
Spaniard, which, taken so completely
by surprised, replied feebly and mac
curately. She was sunk by the Hist in
ten minutes. The Hist subsequently
had another exciting experience with
a ship laden with Spanish troops, and
again the little fighter came out with
new laurels. She discovered the troop
ship some distance out from shore and
promptly challenged her. She did not
stop when the Hist fired a shot across
her blows. Instead, her captain sent
her toward shore. The captain of
the Hist knew he could take his little
craft just as far in as the Spaniards
could &C with the trocpship, so he
started in hot pursuit after the larger
vessel. He could not capture the
ship but he drove her aground. With
out attempting to save their vessel,
the Spaniards scrambled ashore and
disappeared in the woods.
The president and his war advisors
remained calm throughout the trying
experiences Of the day. All their at
tention was directed to the work of
Of Gen. Shafter are well established.
They have been made known in his
dispatch, but it was deemed advisable
not to make this portion public, as it
would serve to advise the enemy of the
American plans. 1t can only be said
that Gen. Skaters forces will be
strongly and favorably located, with
the guns of the American warships
serving as an additional protection to
their front Reinforcements will be
hurried to them, which will be ample
for any emergency, whether it be for
storming or a siege.
Following the receipt of Gen. Shat
ter's telegram there was hurried war
conference at the white house. Sec
rotary Alger, accompanied by Gen.
Corbin, arrived there a few minutes
before / o'clock and were quickly
closeted with the president. Gen
Corbfn was With the president and Sec
rotary for a few minutes and then hur-
ried back to the war department where
he made public that portion of Shat
ter's dispatch which was compatible
with public interest The conference
at the white house lasted some time.
Gen. Miles, who also was at the
white house said that reinforce
ments would be rushed to the assist
ance Of Gen. Shafter. If necessary
they would aggregate 50, 900 men. Col |
Humphreys, in charge Of the trans |