LATER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 156, 5 July 1898, Page 5

LATER.

"WASHINGTON, July 4.

General Woods advanced with his brigade on the suburb of Caney under cover of a battery of artillery commanded by Colonel Grimes. . , The Spaniards fought with great ccnrag-e, and contested every inch of ground, but the terrible fire of the Americans broke their line and compelled them to retreat on their outer forts, while the artillery threw'shells in front of the retreating troops. Major-General. Joseph H. Wheeler, who commanded the American cavalry, was suffering from illness when the advance was made. However, he insisted on going to the front in an ambulance waggon, and (luring the fighting he mounted a horse and. remained at head-quarters. On Saturday General Shatter attacked, the San Juan forts, but a masked battery caused much loss to the American troops. The Michigan volunteers and roughriders and General Wood's cavalry advanced in two divisions with Bond's infantry supporting them. Two hours' severe fighting in. heavy, underbush, without artillery, ensued, and they eventually succeeded in capturing the forts. . „ ■.- , The American fleet on Saturday,, at a range of 2,000 yards, kept vp t a fusillade of shells, which silenced, the Morro fort and demolished the battlements. , ■ ' ■■ The fleet then turned its attention to" the Spanish squadron in the harbour, and, from all accounts, practically demolished Cervera's ships. The American warship Oregon s nr& resulted in the lowering of the Spanish flag-. The fleet then destroyed the Pantagorda batteries. ,\ ;.„ .._

The Spaniard's fir e was ineffective. The Siboney Hospital is crowded with wounded. ...

Reports received from Cuba" state that the Americans lost 1,200 killed and wounded in Friday arid Saturday's engagements, and that they captured 2,000 prisoners. General Shafter has his head-quar-ters at Savilla, which is situated between Santiago and Rio Raiquirl, where the American forces landed.

On Sunday General Shafter reported that he had Santiago well invested with troops to the.north-east. There was a thin line of defences, but so strong that it was impossible with his present force to successfully storm the town.

He says that the sickness amongst his men is very light, outside of that occasioned by heat and exhaustion.

Generals Wheeler and Young have been invalided, the former being the worse for his advance to the frontwhile ill.

The behaviour of the American troops, Ge.neral Shafter reports, has .been magnificent.

General Gai'cia, the insurgent leader, holds the railroad between Santiago and San Luis. He has burned a bridge and is removing the rails. The French Consul and 400 French citizens from Santiago have taken refuge within General Garcia's lines.

The American Minister of War, Mr Alger, • has telegraphed to General Shafter the President's expression of the nation's gratitude for the brilliant work and heroism of his officers and men, which has thrilled the American people with pride. He says that the names of the dead will be enrolled as heroes.

General Linare, of the Spanish forces at Santiago, who was badly wounded, was the commander who made things so \varm for the Americans when they attempted to land at Cienfuegos.. . .': ' ~..._/, j „'.-' . '