e-pits and
intrenchments skilfully arranged. Earthworks, in a regular line,
completely shut off approach to the city, and in front of the
entrenchments and rifle-pits were barbed-wire fences, or trochas.

Three more charges of guncotton did the dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_ throw
into the batteries at the mouth of Santiago Harbour on the night of June
26th, and next morning the evidences of her work could be seen on the
western battery, a portion of which was in ruins. The water-mains which
supplied the city of Santiago were cut on the same night, and the doomed
city thus brought so much nearer to capitulation.

_July 1._ Knowing that with the close of June the American army was in
readiness for a decisive action, the people waited anxiously, tearfully,
for the first terrible word which should be received telling of slaughter
and woeful suffering, and it came on the evening of July 1st, when the
cablegram given below was flashed over the wires to the War Department:

"PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 1, 1898.

"_A. G. O., U. S. Army, Washington_:

"Siboney, July 1. Had a very heavy engagement to-day, which lasted from
eight A. M. till sundown.

"We have carried their outer works and are now in possession of them.

"There is now about three-quarters of a mile of open country between my
lines and city; by morning troops will be entrenched and considerable
augmentation of forces will be there.

"General Lawton's division and General Bates's brigade, which had been
engaged all day in carrying El Caney, which was accomplished at four
P. M., will be in line and in front of Santiago during the night.

"I regret to say that our casualties will be above four hundred; of these
not many are killed.

(Signed) "W. R. SHAFTER, _Major-General_."

CHAPTER XI.

EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS.

General W. R. Shafter, in his official report of the operations around
Santiago, says:

"On June 30th I reconnoitred the country about Santiago and made my plan
of attack. From a high hill, from which the city was in plain view, I
could see the San Juan Hill and the country about El Caney. The roads were
very poor and, indeed, little better than bridle-paths until the San Juan
River and El Caney were reached. The position of El Caney, to the
northeast of Santiago, was of great importance to the en