The Boys of '98 Part 41

"HONOLULU, August 16.

"_Day, State Department_:-Flag raised Friday, the twelfth, at noon.

Ceremonies of transfer produced excellent impression.

(Signed) "SEWALL."

CHAPTER XV.

THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN.

_July 20._ With bands playing and thirty thousand people cheering, the first expedition to Porto Rico left Charleston, S. C., at seven o'clock in the evening, under command of Maj.-Gen. J. H. Wilson. The Second and Third Wisconsin and Sixteenth Pennsylvania regiments, and two companies of the Sixth Illinois, made up the list of troops.

_July 21._ General Miles accompanied the expedition bound for Porto Rico, which left Guantanamo Bay, made up of eight transports convoyed by the _New Orleans_, _Annapolis_, _Cincinnati_, _Leyden_, and _Wasp_.

_July 22._ An expedition under command of Brig.-Gen. Theo. Schwan left Tampa on five transports, bound for Porto Rico.

_July 25._ The expedition under the command of Major-General Miles landed at Guanica de Porto Rico, the _Gloucester_, in charge of Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright, steaming into the harbour in order to reconnoitre the place. With the fleet waiting outside, the gallant little fighting yacht _Gloucester_ braved the mines which were supposed to be in this harbour, and, upon sounding, found that there were five fathoms of water close insh.o.r.e.

[Ill.u.s.tration: MAJOR-GENERAL MILES.]

The Spaniards were completely taken by surprise. Almost the first they knew of the approach of the army of invasion was the firing of a gun from the _Gloucester_, saucily demanding that the Spaniards haul down the flag of Spain, which was floating from the flagstaff in front of a blockhouse standing to the east of the village.

The first 3-pounders were aimed at the hills right and left of the bay and in order to scare the enemy, the fighting yacht purposely avoiding firing into the town.

The _Gloucester_ then hove to within about six hundred yards of the sh.o.r.e, and lowered a launch, having on board a colt rapid-fire gun and thirty men, under the command of Lieutenant Huse. She was sent ash.o.r.e without encountering any opposition.

Quartermaster Beck thereupon told Yeoman Lacey to haul down the Spanish flag, which was done, and then they raised the first United States flag to float over Porto Rican soil.

Suddenly about thirty Spaniards opened fire with Mauser rifles upon the American party. Lieutenant Huse and his men responded with great gallantry, the Colt gun doing effective work.

Norman, who received Admiral Cervera's surrender, and Wood, a volunteer lieutenant, shared the honours with Lieutenant Huse.

Almost immediately after the Spaniards fired on the Americans, the _Gloucester_ opened fire on the enemy with all her 3 and 6-pounders which could be brought to bear, sh.e.l.ling the town and also dropping sh.e.l.ls into the hills to the west of Guanica, where a number of Spanish cavalry were to be seen hastening toward the spot where the Americans had landed.

Lieutenant Huse then threw up a little fort, which he named Fort Wainwright, and laid barbed wire in the street in front of it in order to repel the expected cavalry attack. The lieutenant also mounted the Colt gun and signalled for reinforcements, which were sent from the _Gloucester_.

Presently a few of the Spanish cavalry joined those who were fighting in the streets of Guanica, but the Colt barked to a purpose, killing four of them.

Soon afterward white-coated galloping cavalrymen were seen climbing the hills to the westward, and the foot-soldiers were scurrying along the fences from the town.

By 9.45, with the exception of a few guerrilla shots, the town was won, and the enemy driven out of the neighbourhood.

The troops from the transports were landed before nightfall.

_July 26._ Near Yauco, while the Americans were pus.h.i.+ng toward the mountains, the Spaniards ambushed eight companies of the Sixth Ma.s.sachusetts and Sixth Illinois regiments, but the enemy was repulsed and driven back a mile to a ridge, where the Spanish cavalry charged and were routed by our infantry.

General Garretson led the fight with the men from Illinois and Ma.s.sachusetts, and the enemy retreated to Yauco, leaving three dead on the field and thirteen wounded. None of our men were killed, and only three were slightly wounded.

_June 27._ The port of Ponce, Porto Rico, surrendered to Commander C. H.

Davis of the auxiliary gunboat _Dixie_. There was no resistance, and the Americans were welcomed with enthusiasm. General Miles issued the following proclamation:

"In the prosecution of the war against the kingdom of Spain by the people of the United States, in the cause of liberty, justice, and humanity, its military forces have come to occupy the island of Porto Rico. They come bearing the banners of freedom, inspired by a n.o.ble purpose, to seek the enemies of our government and of yours, and to destroy or capture all in armed resistance.

"They bring you the fostering arms of a free people, whose greatest power is justice and humanity to all living within their fold. Hence they release you from your former political relations, and it is hoped your cheerful acceptance of the government of the United States will follow.

"The chief object of the military forces will be to overthrow the armed authority of Spain, and give the people of your beautiful island the largest measure of liberty consistent with this military occupation.

"They have not come to make war on the people of the country, who for centuries have been oppressed, but, on the contrary, they bring protection not only to yourselves, but to your property, will promote your prosperity and bestow upon you the immunities and blessings of our enlightened and liberal inst.i.tutions and government.

"It is not their purpose to interfere with the existing laws and customs which are wholesome and beneficial to the people, so long as they conform to the rules of the military administration, order, and justice. This is not a war of devastation and desolation, but one to give all within the control of the military and naval forces the advantages and blessings of enlightened civilisation."

_July 28._ The expedition destined for Porto Rico, under command of Major-General Brooke, left Newport News. Four transports and the auxiliary cruisers _St. Louis_ and _St. Paul_ comprises the fleet.

The Navy Department made public the following telegram:

"U. S. S. Ma.s.sACHUSETTS, PONCE, PORTO RICO, July 28.

"Commander Davis with _Dixie_, _Annapolis_, _Wasp_, and _Gloucester_ left Guanica July 27th to blockade Ponce and capture lighters for United States army. City of Ponce and Playa surrendered to Commander Davis upon demand at 12.30 A. M., July 28th. American flag hoisted 6 A. M., 28th.

"Spanish garrison evacuated.

"Provisional articles of surrender until occupation by army: first, garrison to be allowed to retire; second, civil government to remain in force; third, police and fire brigade to be maintained without arms; fourth, captain of port not to be made prisoner.

"Arrived at Ponce from Guanica with _Ma.s.sachusetts_ and _Cincinnati_, General Miles and General Wilson and transport, at 6.40 A. M., 28th; commenced landing army in captured sugar lighters.

"No resistance. Troops welcomed by inhabitants; great enthusiasm.

"Captured sixty lighters, twenty sailing vessels, and 120 tons of coal.

"HIGGINSON."