The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-06
PRAISE FOR STAFF OFFICERS
DORST, CHAMBER, BEACH. DICKMAN
AND OTHERS COMMENDED.
List of Killed and Wounded in Six
the Rocky Soil After Much Labor.

"Adjutant General Fifth Army Corps.
"Sir-After the engagement of June "a L
pushed forward my command through the
valley, Lawton's and Kent's commands oc-
cupying the hills in the vicinity of that
place. After two days rest Lawton was
ordered forward, and on the night of the
50th instructions were given by Major Cen
eral Shafter to that officer to attack Caney,
while the cavalry division and Kents divis-
ion were ordered to move forward on the
regular Santiago road. The movement COM
menced on the morning of July l. The cav
airy division advanced and formed it's line
with It's left near the Santiago road,
while Kent's division formed its line
with the right joining the left Of the cav
airy division.
Colonel McClernand, of General Skaters
staff, directed me to give instructions TO
Kent, which l complied with in person, at
the same time personally directing General
Sumner to move forward The men were all
compelled to wade the San Juan river to
get into line. This was done under very
heavy fire of both infantry and artillery.
Our balloon having been sent up right by
the main road was made a mark of by the
enemy 1t was evident that We were as
much under fire in forming the line as we
would be by an advance, and | therefore
pressed the command forward from the COW
ering under which it was formed. 1t merged
into the open space in full view of the
enemy which occupied breastworkS and
batteries on the crest of the hill which
overlooks Santiago. officers and men falling
at every STEP The troops advanced gallant
ly, soon reached the foot of the hill and as
cended, driving the enemy from their works
and occupying them on the crest of the hill.
To accomplish this required courage and de-
termination on the part of the officers and
men of high order, and the losses were
very severe.
GALLANT OFFICERS.
TOO much credit cannot be given to
General Sumner and General Kent and their
gallant brigade commanders, Colonel Wood
and Colonel Carroll, of the cavalry; Gen.
Hamilton Hawkins, commanding the First
Brigade, Kent's division, and Colonel Pear
son, commanding the Second Brigade Col.
Carroll and Major Vessels were both
wounded during the charge, but Major
Vessels was enabled to return and resume
command. General Wickoff, commanding
Kents Third Brigade, was killed at 1910
Lieutenant Colonel Worth took command
and was wounded at 1915, Lieutenant Col
wounded at 1920 and the command then
devolved on Lieutenant Colonel Ewers,
Ninth Infantry.
ION reaching the crest 1 ordered breast
works to be constructed and sent to the
rear for shovels, picks, spades and axes.
The enemys retreat from the ridge was
precipitate, but our men were so thoroughly
exhausted that it was impossible for them
to follow. Their shoes were soaked with
water by wading the San Juan river, they
lad become drenched with rain, and when
they reached the crest they were absolutely
unable to proceed further. Notwithstand-
iEg this condition, these exhausted men la
bored during the night to erect breastworks,
furnish details to bury the dead and carry
the wounded back in improvised litters.
sent word along the line that reinforce
ments would soon join u.s. that Lawton
would join our right and that General Bates
would come up and strengthen our left.
After reaching the crest of the ridge, Gen.
Kent sent the Thirteenth regulars to as
sist in strengthening our right. At mid
him in Strong position on the left Of f'l our
line General Lawton had attempted to
join us from Caney, but when very near our
lines he was fired on by the Spaniards,
end turned back but Joined us next day at
at noon by a circuitous route. During all
the day on July the. cavalry division,
engaged with the enemy, being subjected to
a fierce fire and mourning many casualties,
and later in the day Lawton's division also
became engaged
BRAVE STAFF OFFICERS.
During the entire engagement my staff
performed their duties with courage, judg-
ment and ability. Special credit is due to
Lieut.. Col. ]. H. Dorst Maj. William D.
Beach, Capt. Joseph E. Dickman and Lieut..
M. f. Steel / desire, also, to say that
Lieutenants James II. Reeves and Joseph
Wheeler, jr., Captain. William Aston Chan
ler Maj. B. A. Darlington, Mr.. Aureius
Mestre and Corporal John Landmark also
deserve high commentator for courage and
good conduct. Major West, my quarter
master, deserves special commentator for
his energy and good conduct during the
campaign and Maj Valery Hazard and Mr.
Leonard Wilson have also done their full
duty. Captain Hardie and First Lieut. P.
j. Rooster, with Troop G, Third Cavalry,
were detailed with headquarters and con-
Quoted themselves handsomely under fire.
This superb courage displayed by the of
ficers and men will be specially mentioned
IN the reports of subordinate commanders.
Our losses were follows:
First Brigade
Third Cavalry-Killed. 8 men; wounded,
officers, AZ men; strength, % officers, 420
sixth Cavalry-Killed. 4 men; wounded.
officers. 90 men; strength, Is officers All
men.
Ninth Cavalry-Killed, 2 officers men,
wounded. 2 officers, II men; strength, II
officers, 2O7 men.
Second Brigade
First Cavalry-Killed l officer II men:
wounded / officer. AZ men: missing. l man
strength, n officers sol men.
Tenth Cavalry-Killed, officers, men;
wounded. officers So men; missing men;
strength, ~ officers, $50 men.
First Volunteer Cavalry-Killed ! officer
IL men: wounded, officers, ~ men; missing
l man; strength, rs officers. 517 men.
Following is list of the officers killed
and wounded in the cavalry division:
Officers Killed-Lieutenant Colonel James
NJ. Hamilton. Ninth Cavalry Maj. Albert
G.: Forse, First. Cavalry; Capt. w. o.
O'Neil. First United States Volunteer
Cavalry; First Lieut.: William Fl. Shipp,
Tenth Cavalry; First Lieut.. w. Fl. Smith
Tenth Cavalry: Acting Assistant Surgeon
II. w. Danforth. Ninth Cavalry.
Officers Wounded-Lieut. Col. Henry Car
Brigadel; Major Henry w: Vessels. jr.,
Cavalry; Major and Assistant Surgeon H.
Cavalry; Major w. c. Hayes First Ohio
Sixth Cavalry Captain George A. Dodd,
Third Cavalry; Captain C. w. Taylor.
Ninth Cavalry; Captain A p Blocksem
Sixth Cavalry: Captain John Bigelow, jr..
Tenth Cavalry: Captain M. T. Henry, First
United States Volunteer Cavalry First
T.iauf Mills First Cavalrx-