Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-08-29
COL. MILLS REPORT.
Criticism and Praise ImpartfaIy I'm
posed on Both Sides.

Division Headquarters, Fort Levett,
Cushings Island, Me- Aug. 2S-The
!. following was the official story of the
night, issued, Friday, by Col. Mills:
"The umpires and observers have
passed weary night and to no pur-
pose. At the close of the lombard
ment of Friday afternoon, the squadron
sailed to the southwark and westward.
but the impression prevailed that it
would return under cover of darkness
for a determined night attack In an
ticipation of this the fire commanders
station and batteries of the districts
were kept fully manned while the in
fantry supports remained on the alert.
AT 49, It report came from the TWO
Lights signal station that a force of
marines had been landed at Old Or
chard and later the same station re-
ported a torpedo boat off Cape Eliza
beth.
AT 314sA NJ. q fleet of ten or II
ships we're reported to have sailed from
JEWELS island laying its course south
westerly. AT 800 A. M, the Jordans
Point station reported tlfasla nding of a 1
body of marines at spurwink river and
later it was reported that fonlmunica
lion With the station hadfjbeen cut off.
This. later report was confirmed by
Maj. anderson at Silver Springs Com
-municatiCn was finally i.e-established.
ext 4. NJ. the fleetlMas reported as
lying at Richmond harbor and eight
minutes later it was reported that 600
marines had landed at Pond cove. The
location Of the Heet had been confirmed
but the reports of the landing have yet
to be verified.
'.ht $50 A. NJ. the flagship signalled
the feet to raise anchor at $50
col Miles issued the following bulle- |
tin ut II O'clock regarding the forenoon
cnSa gements at the Cape: .,
'"rhe signal station at Two Lights |
was captured. this morning and the !
enemy are now making an attack on /
the searchlisht station at Pond Coye.
This will probably capitulate to the |
overwhelming force. The captureswa |
effected by 1900 marines and sail |
ors who landed at Richmond's |
Island. The force was divided and a
'cieta t.fnent of 2an was sent to take |
Silver Spring. but We're rcpulsed by a
battery of field artillery and two COM
panios of the 1st Maine Regiment, y. |
G. :. NJ.
The remainder of the force took the
road south of the spring and made an
assault ON the station at Two Lights. |
capturing it. This put that station and
the Scarchlight out of the game for u
hours. one battery of artillery and two
companies, +. ard l.. of the list Regiment
were taken prisoner The enemy contin-
ned to march toward Pond cove and are
attacking the searchiight station. The u-
innate point of the attack is at Fort Will
liams or Fort Pr"ble. probably the latter
on account of the peculiar range of the
mnrtar batteries which command all the
other forts.
Major Duval has abandoned his bat
terry at Fort Williams and is with his
company in the trenches to protect his
rear from the enemy, who are now 26oo
strong
The fleet is now at anchor at Prout's
Neck, but II is expected it will come to |
he support Of the land forces and s!1cll
the battery at the entrance OF the har-
Dor.
six hundred men are being sont 20 the
trenches ut Fort prebc. and the trenches
of Meeting House hill 1t will take 5000
of the enemy to overcome this force.
AT O'Clock the fire of the ieot slack.
cned for a few minutes and then re-
opened Between the roar of the heavy
guns could he heard the swapping of the
gatling machine guns Of thcshipS,
shortly after O'Clock. four deStroyerS
ran in close to the Two Lights ard swept
the shore with their small rifles. At $50
two shots were fired rom the southerly
battery at Fort Williams and Il few min
utcs later shots We're fired from all the
guns ut Fort Levett. Fire was continued |
from the Battery at Forts Williams and
l.evett until the destroyers Were put out
of action.