The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1898-07-06

On Sunday, July 8, Admiral Sampson ut
terly destroyed Cerveras fleet, captured the
Spanish admiral and q large number Of pris-
oners. This despatch briefly tells Of the
great achievement:
Secretary of Navy, 8: 10 A. M, Siboney,
July 3.-Fleet under my command offers
nation as Fourth Of July present, the de-
struction of whole Cerveras feet. No one
escaped. 1t attempted escape at 8: 80 A. M,
and at 2 p M, the last, Cristobal Colon, had
run ashore sixty miles west Of Santiago and
has let down her colors. The Infanta Maria
Teresa, Oquendo and Vizcaya were forced
ashore, burned and blown up within twenty
miles of Santiago. The Furor and Pluton
were destroyed within four miles of the
port. Loss one killed and two wounded.
Enemy's loss probably several hundred
from gun fire, explosions, and drownings.
About 1900 prisoners, including Admiral
Cervera. The man killed was George H.
Ellis, chief yoeman OF the Brooklyn.
Signed. (Sampson.)
Commander Watson adds the following:
Playa Del Este, July 3.
IL luo OoCI0bhEy VI tu6 NAVY, w dbuluBIOu,
Dc:
AT $50 A. M. to-day the Spanish squadron,
seven in all, including one gun boat, came
out of Santiago in column and were totally
destroyed within an hour, except the Girls
tobal Colon, which was chased forty.five
miles to westward by the Commander-in-
Chief, Brooklyn, Oregon and Texas, sur
rendering to the Brooklyn, but was beached
to prevent sinking.
None of our officers or men injured ex-
cept on board Brooklyn, Chief Yoeman FL
lis was killed and one man wounded.
Admiral Cervera, all commanding officers
excepting Of the Oquendo, about 70 other
officers and 600 men are prisoners. About
$50 killed or drowned and 100 wounded, the
latter being cared for on the Solace and
Olivette.
Have just arrived off Santiago in Marble
head to take charge while Commander-in-
Chief is looking out for Cristobol Colon.
(Signed) WATSON.
After the dash Of Cervera's ships and
their destruction by SIMPSONS guns, Gen.
eral Shafter sent this note to the general
in command at Santiago:
Near San Juan River, Cuba,
July 8, s: 80 A. M.
Sir-I shall be obliged, unless you surren-
der. to shell Santiago de Cuba. Please in
form the citizens OF foreign countries and
all women and children that they should
leave the city before ten o'clock tomorrow
morning. W. f. SKATER.
Maj. -Gen. U. 8. A.
To this summons and notice, the Spanish
commander replied
SIT is my duty to say to you that this city
will not surrender and that I will inform
the foreign consuls and inhabitants OF the
contents of your message"
On the representations Of the foreign con-
suls as to the number and condition of the
non-combatants, General Skater granted
delay till noon Of July 8.
Referring to the strength OF his position
General Shafter said: II feel that 1 am
master OF the situation and can hold the
enemy for any length of time"
The pressing need of reinforcing Skater
is no longer felt, now that the Spanish feet
is out Of the way.
BATTLE AROUND SANTIAGO.
A general movement by the right flank on
Ell Caney and Santiago de Cuba began
Thursday afternoon, June 30. and by mid
night all the troops were at the bivouac po-
sitions ready for Fridays battle. about
three miles from the Spanish line of de-
tense extending from Ell Caney, on the
enemy's left to Aguadores. Meanwhile
against Aguadores General Duffield moved
r.. Iol& Al.
line.
The American formation in line was ap-
proximately this General Lawton's divi-
sion on the right to operate directly against
Ell Caney; General Kent to his left and
General Wheeler's division under General
Sumner forming the left of the line.
The battle began by the discharge of the
guns OF the feet off Aguadores, followed by
the opening Of General Lawton's artillery
posted to the east of Ell Caney during the
night. Then Captain Grimes battery OF
the second artillery began to fire upon the
center and principal Spanish defenses east
Of the city Of Santiago. There was no re-
turn fire until the battery to the left front
Of the barracks and hospital in the upper
end Of Santiago had been located Then
Spanish gunners replied with surprising &C.
curscy, sweeping the brow Of the hill upon
which our artillery was posted forming the
left of General Summers division. The ar
tillery duel became active and after we had
got the range our shells proved very effeo-
tive. A majority Of the Spanish shells fell
back OF the hill among the infantry posted
there. The casualties at this point were
between thirty and forty killed or wounded.
A portion Of the Cubans Of General Garcia's
corps and also three or four srtillerymen ON
the hill and the third and sixth cavalry,
which had bivouacked ON the hill, deployed
rapidly in front. and in half an hour double
lines Of batteries were ready for the ad-
vance, extending half q mile north and
south.
FL Caney, some four miles northeast OF
the city, is O suburb Of Santiago, on the road
leading directly into the city, and the key
to the position. The Spanish defenses ex-
tended from that point south to Aguadores,
on the coast distance of about five miles.