The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-25

battles incident to the advance upon San
uago, it is interesting to note that while
Gen. Shafter admits that for two days he
was himself lying III, owing to the great
heat and exposure, he asserts that the
plans laid down in advance for the move
ment were carried out with absolute ex-
actness
With the week just closed the United
states saw the end of the third month of
the war with Spain, and the responsible
oIncials, from the President down to the
lowest employe who has had to do with
shaping the course of events, feels moth
ing but satisfaction at the progress made
With scant material at hand an army of
a quarter of a million of men has been
modified, armed, equipped and much of
II has seen service. The battles preceding
the capture of Santiago have been remark
able in many respects and in the opinion
of military experts have covered the Unit
ed states Army engaged with imperisha-
BILE glory
Modern warfare of the type developed in
these engagements was absolutely new and
uhtIied, not only to the United States
Army, but to the world. No such charge
is recorded in history as that made upon
the stone fort and the blockhouses crown
ing the hills of Ell Caney. There have
been engagements between trained troops
ana savage races in the jungles of India
ana on the hills of South Africa in late
years that conveyed in a slight manner
the possibilities of modern weapons. But
these battles fought by the Fifth Army
Corps have been the first in which large
podles OF troops of civilized nations on
Npoth sides have been engaged with all the
implements of modern warfare, and the
result is bound to be highly instructive to
the military student and to extort admlra-
ton for the splendid fighting qualities of
the United States soldiers from the most
unwilling critics
Few officers in any army have had more
experience in hard fighting, especially in
rough country, than that redoubCable old
4holan hgnter, Gen. Henry, so some weight
must be attached to the opinion of the
merits of our officers and troops expressed
by MIN in the following personal letter ad-
dressed by him to Adjt. Gen. Corbin, dated
IN Front of Santiago, July 70: 1--WE had
a peasant sail down, but having to row
the men ashore, took some time to get off.
we LETT Siboney about p. M yesterday
with the Eighth Ohio, and came into camp
mere about three miles from the front.
In company with Gen. Breckenridge. rode
TO the front to Gen. Wheeler's headduar-
ters, and fag of truce being up. had an
opportunity to see the lines. We are al
most on top of them, the front of Wheeler
being about 800 yards to them, but the
country is rough, going down to a failing
ana ascending, all covered by their fire
Inc country all the way Is the toughest
l ever saw. You have to follow roads
or trails, and come under heavy fire, their
position commanding every approach. The
work done by these troops since landing,
their heroism and patience under discom-
forts, heat and rain calls for the highest
praise and the work accomplished by Shat
ter, his 2ertinacity and go-aheadftiveness
under adverse circumstances and discom-
forts, is revelation to me. l doubt if
there is another officer who would have
gotten there as he did. Our loss was most
unfortunate, but from the character of the
country could not have been avoided. If
we had TO get there. Last night the Eighth
Ohio were almost drowned out and il pours
to-day; that's the climate; and to get out
of 1t, it would be cheaper to lose more by
fighting and success than by sickness
which is sure to come by staying We
have about thirty cases of yellow fever
and many of malaria, but the men are
cheerful. Gen. Duffield and Capt Wilcox
nave yellow fever; they say mild form:
gotten from sleeping in infected buildings
which are now to be burnt.
Miss Clara Barton and Mrs. Addison
Porter rode to the front yesterday in an
army wagon. over rough road and rain
ing; they are unselfish women.
TOO much credit cannot be, given the
heroism, pertinacity, pluck, patience and
endurance of the men who have borne the
brunt of this work.