The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-03


were being hard pressed by Generals
Chaffee and Lawton.
About $50 Il balloon was sent up in
front of the cavalry division. This drew
the first voley from the Spanish en-
trenchments Though volley followed
voley the daring officer made recon-
noisance and got down safely. after hav-
ing obtained complete "Details for the
disposition of the enemy. The advance
Of the cavalry and General Kents divi-
sion Immediately began along the line
of the main road to Santiago. 1t was
about two hours later before our adj
vance broke through the cover in
front of the Spanish trenches. 1t was
met with Il murderous hail from MauSer
rifles. which temporarily stayed the for
ward movement. The Spaniards had
the range and their practice was good.
Our men lay on their breasts and poured
voley after vOlley into them at range
so close that the opposing lines could see
the whites of each others eyes.
Captain Grimes then reOpened with his
battery and in the second duel with the
Spanish artillerists did much better exc
cution, landing shell after shell III the
first main redoubt and silencing two
guns The Spanish gunners then turn
ed their attention TO our infantry ana
began dropping shells in the advance
guard.
A few minutes afterward Clark's brig
AIDE and the right of Kent's division
made gallant charge up the knoll to
the north of the extreme left of the
Spanish line and took possession of the
hacienda in the shelter of an orange
grove This marked the beginning of
magnificent charge through the first line
of entertainments. The cavalry division
and General Hawkins brigade charged
up the slope against Il storm of bullets.
It was in this awful charge that our
men were so badly cut up that they
started on double quick but no troops
could face such a terrible fire without
, annihila ton. Our men staggered, threw
themselves on the ground Again they
! started again they Frustrated them
selves. but on. on, up. up they went I'M
ill with a cheer they sprang over the
trenches dividing the sides of the hill
checkered with their fallen comrades.
here was hand to hand fighting here, i'll
which an officer Of the Twentyfourth
was macheted. but the Spaniards could
not resist the onset of our troops, and
they scrambled Out of the trenches and
broke over the line of knobs on which
they were situated.
Hundreds of the enemy lay dead or
wounded in the trenches.
The American advance line remained
with stream of wounded going to the
rear. The battery got in position to the
, right of the main Spanish redOubt ut .
o'clock and at 1903 Captain Bates sent
the first shell which went whzzing down
the line of entertainments. enflading the
enemy murderously.
The main redoubt was then carried
with a rush The two remaining batter
les were ordered up. and with Il rattle
and clash Captain Bates battery went
tearing up the road. numbered as it was
behind the crest of the hills until Captain
Bates had driven terror into the already
, beaten and discouraged enemy. At this
time our fleet was also at work. Shortly
before this dispatch was written our
line again moved forward and the Span
iSh began TO retreat into the town. The
retreat son became Il rout, and ut five
O'Clock an officer just from the front
says the enemy are hopelessly beaten
for the city will fall tomorrow.
General Shafter at his headquarters at
the second crossing of the Rio Gauma
had constant communication with the
front.
Our most critical time was after the
trenches had been taken when the am
munition ran low. The pack trains load
ed with shells We're gotten in front by
Lieut.. Brookes after 3 O'Clock.