f Maj.-Gen.
William R. Shafter.

Fire was opened by the _Marblehead_ and the _Yankee_ of the blockading
squadron upon the fortifications of Camianera, a port on Cumberland
Harbour fifteen miles distant from Guantanamo. The enemy was forced to
retire to the town, but no great injury was inflicted.

The _Vixen_ entered Santiago Harbour under a flag of truce from Admiral
Sampson, to arrange for an exchange of Lieutenant Hobson and his men.
Admiral Cervera said in reply that the matter had been referred to General
Blanco.

The _Suwanee_ landed weapons, ammunition, and provisions for the
insurgents at a point fifteen miles west of Santiago.

In Santiago were about twenty thousand Spanish soldiers, mostly infantry;
but with cavalry and artillery that may be drawn from the surrounding
country. On the mountains five thousand insurgents, many unarmed, watched
for a favourable opportunity to make a descent upon the city.

Orders were sent by the Navy Department to Admiral Sampson to notify
Admiral Cervera that, if the latter destroyed his four armoured cruisers
and two torpedo-boat destroyers to prevent their capture, Spain, at the
end of the war, would be made to pay an additional indemnity at least
equivalent to the value of these vessels.

_June 10._ The American troops made a landing on the eastern side of
Guantanamo Harbour, forty miles east of Santiago, at two P. M. on the
tenth of June. The debarkation was effected under the cover of the guns of
the _Oregon_, _Marblehead_, _Dolphin_, and _Vixen_.

The war-vessels prepared the way by opening fire on the earthworks which
lined the shore, a blockhouse, and a cable station which was occupied by
Spanish soldiers. The defence was feeble; the enemy retreated in hot haste
after firing a few shots. A small gunboat came down from Guantanamo, four
miles away, at the beginning of the bombardment, but she put back with all
speed after having approached within range.

Soon after the enemy had been driven away, the steamer _Panther_ arrived
with a battalion of marines under command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Huntington. She reported having shelled a blockhouse at Daiquiri, ten
miles east of Santiago, but without provoking any reply.

Colonel Huntington's force took possession of the heights overlooking the
bay, where was a fortified camp which had been abandoned by the Spaniards.
There was nothing to betoken the presence of the enemy in strong numbers,
and the men soon settled down