Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 96, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 9 August 1898 — TROOPS UNDER FIRE. [ARTICLE]

TROOPS UNDER FIRE.

Illinois and Ohio Soldiers in a Battle at Puerto Rico. TOWN OF GUAYAMO IS CAPTURED. Spanish Force Driven Back with a Loss of Two Killed—Four Americana Wounded—Gen. Miles’ Army a in a Splendid Condition. Washington, Aug. B.—Late Saturday the first news dispatch came to the war department from Gen. Miles. It was as follows: “Ponce, Aug. 6. —Gen. Brooke reports Haines’ brigade, Fourth Ohio and Third Illinois, captured Guayamo yesterday; slight skirmish with enemy .in and about, town; enemy’s strength estimated at about GOO; not ascertained if any of them regulars; resistance not strong. Private John O’Cordner wounded below the knee; C. W. Riffee, both legs below thigh; T. W. Wolcott, right foot; none serious; all Fourth Ohio. One Spaniard killed, two wounded so far known. MILES.” . Gen. Roy Stone is clearing the road from Adjuntas to Utuado. He has a force of 500 natives at work. A company of the Second Wisconsin and a battalion of the Nineteenth regular infantry are moving to his support. A considerable force of Spanish is reported to the northwest and frequent alarms are given. There is much activity among the troops here. American Forces Advance. Puerto Rico, Aug. B.—A general advance of the American forces began Sunday morning. The remainder of Gen. Ernst’s brigade, constituting the advance center, supported by two batteries, moved out at six o’clock, and a part of the Eleventh infantry of Gen. Henry’s division started to the left toward Adjuntas. Troop A, of New York, the Philadelphia city troop and troop H, of the Sixth regulars, are convoying Gen. Brooke’s transportation column along the road through Salinas to Arroyo. Reenforcements for Mlles. Gen. Wade’s reenforcements for Gen. Miles are going forward regardless of the progress of peace negotiations. The agreement to negotiate a treaty of peace does no necessarily carry with it a cessation of hostilities. In the case of the Mexican war it was a month after the peace negotiations began before hostilities were (declared to be closed and if it is desirable these reenforcements may be intercepted and returned to the ■ United States after they sail. The present plans of Secretary Alger all contemplate that they shall leave the United States, especially as it is felt that with the practical field experience they will acquire in Puerto Rico under the favorable climatic conditions they will make good material to use both there and in Cuba in carrying out the government’s reconstruction policies.

Miles’ Brilliant Campaign. Washington, Aug. B.—Up to this point not the slightest complaint has reached the department respecting the management of the Puerto Rican campaign, a tribute to Gen. Miles’ ability. No word has come of soldiers without food or ammunition or of sick men without doctors or medicine, nor is the inward movement of the American army delayed for lack of artillery owing to Gen. Miles’ insistence upon keeping his artillery in the very vanguard and giving pers?nal attention to the commissary and quartermaster departments. The war department officials now say that Shafter's army will begin embarking in earnest to-day, the transports, which are arriving, being obliged to take on stores for the homeward trip. These, however, will be limited in quantity in order to avoid unnecessary delay, and only ten days’ rations will be placed aboard each ship. Shafter’s Troops Leaving Cuba. Washington, Aug. 8, —The troops of Gen. Shafter’s command at Santiago lave begun to leave Cuba for the United States. A part of two regiments of cavalry are now en route from Santiago to Montauk Point. L. I. Three other transports bearing troops will leave Santiago to-day and two are . scheduled to leave Tuesday. All of ' them will sail for Montauk Point.