Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 June 1898 — DEFENSES IN RUINS. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

DEFENSES IN RUINS.

SAMPSON SHELLS FORTIFICATIONS OF SANTIAGO. ' American Warships Throw a Furious Torrent of Deadly Projectile*-Span-iards Admit Serious Damage and Loss-Landing of Troope Under Fire. Spanish Guns Silenced. Washington special: The news from Santiago Tuesday was of a stirring character. The bombardment of the fortifications at the mouth of the harbor, which began on Saturday, was resumed Monday morning at 7:30 and continued until 11 o’clock. Evidently the attack was intended to cover the landing. probably of marines, from the fleet, whose purpose it was to establish a depot, land supplies and siege guns, communicate with the insurgents, nnd prepare the way for the invasion by the army. The bottled-up Cervera, who would send ns roseate a dispatch as possible, reported to the Spanish Government that six American vessels had bombarded the fortifications and Santiago, but that the damage was “unimportant,” though he conceded that six men were killed and seventeen wounded on the Reina Mercedes, which would indicate that important damage was inflicted upon that cruiser and that three officers were killed and eighteen soldiers wounded, probably in the engagement with the marines. Admiral Sampson, on the other hand, notified the Navy Department that the forts were bombarded and “entirely silenced,” which would not have been the case had the damage been unimportant, as asserted by the Spanish admiral. It is evident there were no casualties on our side or any damage to the fleet, or he would have been likely to mention them. Other and unofficial reports state that immense damage was inflicted upon the enemy, that the cruiser Reina Mercedes was badly crippled, and that the Morro, Socapa and Punta Gorda forts were substantially demolished. The havoc wrought by the fleet is further demonstrated by the successful landing of the marines, which appears to have been made at Aguadores, a little to the east of the entrance of the bay. The forts being silenced and the Spanish fleet bottled up, it will be possi-

ble to land the troops, which are already on the sea. and make a close attack upon Santiago itself. SPANIARDS BEATEN AT MANILA. Insurgents Under Agninaldo Take Many Prisoners. Advices received from Manila show that the rebels are gradually surrounding the city. They attacked the Spaniards at San Francisco de Malibak on May 31, and the fighting has been continuous since. The Spanish garrison has been driven back with severe losses. It is stated that rebels have captured several towns. They have captured anti are holding as prisoners the governors of the provinces of Cavite and Bataugas. A spy, who is in the employ of the Americans, says that Captain General Angusti wanted to surrender to Admiral Dewey, but his officers opposed such action, and persuaded hinr to make a further resistance. One Spanish regiment has mutinied, and shot some of the officers. The rebels have cut the railroads in the neighborhood of Manila and are only four miles from the city. It is reported that the rebels have captured and tortured a number of Spanish priests. The foreigners at Cavite are occupying buildings that will be needed by the American troops when they arrive. During a pitched battle on May 30, a number of native auxiliaries deserted the Spanish and joined the rebels. In this battle the Spanish lost 400 killed and wounded. The rebels are very active in preventing food from reaching Manila. Fired 1,000 Projectiles. ° The Spaniards admit that the bombardment at Santiago Monday from the American fleet was most destructive. About 1,600 projectiles are said to have been fired by the American warships, and it seems that the responsive'fire from the Spanish force and ships was scarcely felt at all by the Americans. Bad News for the Soldiers. In answer to numerous inquiries on the subject, it is officially announced that the Government and not the States will pay all volunteer troops for the time between the dates of enlistment and muster. This means a considerable loss to the men. Bryan Expects to Go to Cuba. The Bryan silver battalion of Nebraska has been formally offered to the War Department and is expected to be mustered in and sent South within ten days. Mr. Bryan will be the commander of the regiment. News of Minor Note. The cargo of coal of the British steamer Restormel. captured off Santiago, was condemned. Havana defences are said to tx> very formidable tfnd the Spanish army of 120,000 The. Fifty-first lowa regiment has been ordered to report at once to Gen. Merritt at San Francisco. The Senate has passed a bill providing for the appointment of two matrons for eveqr volunteer regiment to mend and wash clothes. - . »

REAR ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON.