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Newspaper
Graettinger Times
Location
Graettinger, Iowa, United States of America
Date
Jul 14, 1898
Page
8
Dramatic dispatches recount Commodore Schley directing the fleet in a sweeping attack on Spanish forces near Santiago. American artillery and infantry breached defenses, captured batteries, and pressed forward over two days with heavy fighting. Cuban allies supported, punitive losses tallied, and the Spanish admiral surrendered after a sixty mile running battle ending with the sinking of key ships.
Commodore Watson’s squadron will depart within a week to strike the Spanish coast. Iowa and Oregon join Newsark battle fleet crossing the Atlantic to threaten Santiago. If Camara returns, Watson will attack, else destroy his fleet as Manila and Santiago fell. The administration seeks a swift, decisive end to the war with Spain.
Madrid reports the Spanish cruiser Alfonso XII was chased by three American warships near Mariel. Admiral Villamil, commander of the torpedo boat flotilla, was killed. The ship ran ashore to avoid capture. American fire reportedly totaled 600 shells. The cruiser and some cargo were a complete loss, with much of the crew saved.
The article lists U S forces casualties before Santiago across Gen Lawton's division Gen Bates' independent brigade and the Twentieth Infantry with figures for officers and men killed wounded and missing. An additional list shows 18 killed and 25 wounded.
A Spanish cabinet minister is quoted stating the present government will focus only on defending Spain's coasts and that any peace negotiations must be conducted by a different government. The remark signals a hard line stance amid ongoing diplomacy.
Some 325 wounded Americans transported from Santiago to Key West for treatment are reported to be doing well. They are housed in Marine and Convent hospitals and a converted unused cigar factory. Camp Siboney health near Santiago is excellent with no yellow fever cases detected thus far.
Washington officials consider credit for the Santiago battle to Admiral Schley who commanded at the coast of Cuba while Sampson stayed elsewhere. Schley waited six weeks and engaged the Cape Verde fleet when Cervera moved, earning the honor for the action.
The Spanish fleet after leaving Santiago de Cuba aimed for Cienfuegos to resupply. They focused fire on the Brooklyn, seen as the fastest American ship, hoping to disable her and allow Spanish boats to escape. The Brooklyn endured forty five hits.
The Spanish authorities agreed to exchange Hobson and his seven companions. A truce was set for the exchange under a tree two thirds of a mile beyond entrenchments near Col. Wood's Rough Riders and Gen. Wheeler. Capt. Chadwick of the New York escorted Hobson and his men through American lines.
Correspondents visiting the Vizcaya wreck describe the upper deck gone and fragments, with dead gunners at their guns and sailors amid debris. An officer notes Cuban irregulars fight bravely, rushing into scrimmage with pistols and derision, though lacking discipline. The text ends mid-sentence with a Greensboro, Alabama couple's arrival mentioned.
July 11 dispatches report U S cruiser Newark opening fire on Santiago de Cuba with 8 inch shells at dawn after range finding shots. Brooklyn Indiana and Yale joined with Schley and Miles directing bombardment in bursts. a flag of truce appeared later. American forces reinforced by Miles arrived in rain as battleships pressed the attack with anticipated assault if the city did not surrender.
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