The record-union., 1898-06-20
Two Launches ReConnoitering Run
Into a Hornets Nest.
Found the Brush Alive With Infantry and
Cavalry, Whose Fire Was So Fierce
the Beats Had to Retreat Under
Cover of Warships.


day, June IS. CVia Kingston, Jamaicas
Sunday, June 10, 4 p. NO. Copyright
1898, by the Associated Press. )-Sev~
eral attempts to find landing places for'
the United States troops within dis
tance of two miles west of Santiago
have determined, with previous in
quiries to the eastward, that the shora
for fifteen miles is lined with Spanish.
While this will not prevent a landing
close to Santiago, it may entail con-
siderable delay, as the surrounding
country must be thoroughly shelled and
cleared before the troops can land in
safety. u
When Rear Admiral Sampson yester-
day received advices that upward OF
thirty transports would be here to-day
Saturday, he sent word that they
should stand to the south ten miles and
lie there until landing place had BEEN
secured.
Yesterday at daylight the Launches Of
the New York and the Massachusetts
reconnoitered the shore between Caba-
to Santiago harbor, and Guayacano,
two miles fulsther west, both of which
points lie east of the range of mount
aims surrounding Santiago Bay.
The launches pushed their noses into
hornets nest The brush was fairly
alive with Spanish troops, infantry and
cavalry, and the fire opened upon the
launches was so fierce that their retreat
had to be covered by the Vixen and
Texas.
When the Texas asked permission OF
Commodore Schley to take a hand tffe
Commodore seized the megaphone and
shouted to Captain Philip: Yes: gp"
in and give 'em hell, Jack." The Texas
landed four-inch shells on the battery
at Cabanas, completely demolishing it.
Lieutenant Sharpe of the Vixen and
Lieutenant Harlow, in command of the
launches, were both complimented by
Admiral Sampson for gallantry.
1t is believed the insurgents, who are
in force and under the command of
General Garcia, about fifteen miles
ing Spanish skirmishers off the shores
The following is the abstract of Lieus-
tenant Harlow's report to the conn
mander of the Vixen dated June 1Sth.-i
''The expedition consisted of a steam
launch from the Massachusetts, in
charge of Cadet Hart, and a. launch
from the New York in charge of Lien-
tenant Powell. / took passage ON the
Massachusetts launch, leading the
way. We We're preparing to circum-
navigate the bay at full speed, when
fire was opened from the fort andf
rocks on the shore. The launch was
some distance ahead, and about forty
yards off the fort. There was no room
to turn, and our one-pounder could not
be brought to bear We backed and
turned under a heavy fire.
Cadet Hart operated the gun as
soon as it could be brought to bear.
sitting exposed in the bow and working
the gun as coolly and as carefully as
if at target practice. Cadet Powell
had been firing since the Spaniards
opened. He also was perfectly cool.
The number OF Spaniards along the
shore was large. The launches, as soon
as was practicable, sheered, to give the
Vixen the range of the fort. The Vixen
and Texas silenced the shore fire
promptly.
Il strongly commend Cadet Hart and
Cadet Powell for their cool manage
ment of the launches. One launch was
struck several times. Nobody on either
was hurt A bullet struck a shell at
Cadet Hart's foot between the projec-
tile and the powder, but failed to ex-
plode the latter.
"Coxswain O'Donnell and Seaman
Bloom are commended, as is also the
GOODNESS with which the marines and
sailors worked under the Spanish fire.
Nothing was learned at Cabanas
Bay, but at Guanaganco it is evident
that a landing is practicable for ships
boats. The same is true at Rance
Cruz, small bay to the eastward
Both would be valuable with Cabanas,
but useless without it. l am informed
that to the north and westward of Ca
banas Bay there is large clearing,
with plenty of ground. grass and water
think a simultaneous landing within
the three places named would be prac-
ticable if the ships shell the adjacent
woods. A junction would naturally fol.
low at the clearing"