g the
commander, Rafael Igleseas, and three other officers.

Five Americans were wounded.

_August 9._ Gen. Fred Grant, his staff, and six companies of the First
Kentucky regiment sailed for Porto Rico from Newport News on the transport
_Alamo_.

"PONCE, August 9.

"_Secretary of War, Washington_:--The following received from General
Wilson:

"'General Ernst's brigade captured Coamo 8.30 this morning. Sixteenth
Pennsylvania, Colonel Hulings commanding, led by Lieutenant-Colonel
Biddle, of my staff, having made a turning movement through the mountains,
striking the Aibonito road half a mile beyond town, captured the entire
garrison of Coamo, about 150 men.

"'Spanish commander, Igleseas, and Captain Lopez killed. Our loss reported
six wounded, only one severely. Men and officers behaving excellently.'

"Colonel Hulings and Colonel Biddle are especially to be commended. This
is a very important capture, and well executed. Names of wounded as soon
as received here.

(Signed) "MILES."

Troop C, of New York, pursued a party of fleeing Spanish engineers, after
the capture of Coamo, a distance of four miles along the road to Aibonito.

The Americans were checked at the Cuyon River, where the Spaniards had
blown up the bridge, and were shelled from a Spanish battery on the crest
of Asoniante Mountain. The dismounted cavalry returned the fire, receiving
no damage, and holding the position. A battalion of the Third Wisconsin
Volunteers went to their support.

_August 11._

"PONCE, VIA BERMUDA, August 11.

"_Secretary of War, Washington_:--The following message received from
Schwan:

"'CAMP, NEAR HORMIGUEROS, August 10.

"'Advance guard, including cavalry of this command, while reconnoitring
northwest of Rosario River, near Hormigueros, developed strong Spanish
force, which lay concealed in hills north of Mayaguez.

"'In general engagement that followed, Lieutenant Byron, Eighth Cavalry,
my aid-de-camp, was wounded in foot, and Private Fermberger, Company D,
Eleventh Infantry, and one other private were killed, and fourteen
enlisted men were wounded.

"'It is reported that the most, if not the entire Spanish garrison of
Mayaguez and surrounding country, consisting of one thousand