America and Spain.

Manawatu Herald, 30 June 1898, Page 2

America and Spain.

AMERICANS AMBUSHED.

A regiment known as " Rooseveldt's Cowboys," commanded by Colonel Wood, and a detachment of regulars under General Young, started to dislodge the Spanish troops under General Linares from the heights at Savilla. The heafc was intense, and many of the troops were prostrated. Their heavy equipments had to ba abandoned, the cactus bushes and thick undergrowth rendering marching a difficult operation. When the thickest part of the jungle was reached the cowboys fell into an ambuscade. An invisible enemy fired upon them, killing Hamilton Fish and Captains Capron and Luna. This momentarily demoralised the Americans, causing some to fire on their comrades in the confusion.

Rooseveldt and Wood, soen rallied the men, and after an hoar's sharp fighting found the Spaniards, but the mule which was carrying the only Hotchkisa gun bolted into the bush and could not be utilised.

Seventeen Americans were killed, including several New York " swells." Rooseveldfc was slightly wounded in the eyes and ears.

Mr Marshall, a correspondent of a New York journal, was mortally wounded in the spine, but calmly smoked a cigarette while he dictated an account of the battle for his paper.

General Young's further advance was conducted with great caution, the enemy being completly defeated. It is intended to use Santiago as a base for Puerto Rico expedition.