Kentucky Irish American. (Louisville, Ky.) 1898-1968, 1898-09-10
Bravery and Example That Won Praise
and Filled Members of His Com
mand with Enthusiasm.
Was at the Front With the Regulars
One of the ValorOus Officers of
the Seventy.First.
CONFINED TO HIS BED WITH FEVER

One of the bravest of the brave at the
assault on San Juan hill lies weak and
feverish at his home, No. ~ Remser
street, Astoria. He is Capt. Malcolm A.
Rafferty,, of Company F. Seventy-frst
Regiment, New York Volunteers.
He was the first man to scale the
heights in a storm of bullets. He it was
who yelled, "Come on, +" and filled the
men of his command with his own tn.
multuous enthusiasm. Modest as he is
brave, Capt. Rafferty,, when seen by a
reporter, said first and foremost that he
was getting undue praise, says the New
York World.
"My doctor has forbidden me to talk
much, " he said, in we'll modulated tones,
''but do clear up the mistake about my
being wonder and all that. did not
graduate at Rugby, but at Bedford
School, which does not rank as high as
Rugby. was born in Bedford, ireland,
not in England. have served in the
Buckinghamshire Yeomanry, as stated,
and I've knocked around the world,
too"
when did you feel happiest, Captain,
at the surrender of Santiago or when
you captured San Juan2'
81 felt no exaltatation at the downfall
OF Santiago. We all expected that, but
1 must say 1 was disappointed at the
way we took it. 1t does not become an
officer to criticise his superiors. They
knew many things 1 did not. If they
could save their men and get Santiago,
too, of course it was right to do it; but
honestly 1 felt that we could take il
right on the heels of San Iuan We
would have lost good many, that's
true"-the Captain paused and sighed,
but the fighting blood still dubbed in his
veins, and he had to add-"still, we'd a
whipped 'em out Of their boots" He
smiled and moved his hands a little
nervously.
"Then you felt exultant at the criti-
cal moment at San Juan?"
"Well, felt pretty happy"
Gust how did the regiment go into
action that day2"
LEND me pencil and I'll try to show
you. In the early morning we were at
Balloon Forks, as the places were called
where the balloon came down so full of
holes. The main road leading to San
Juan and the hills all around it started
from there, but we were on side path
which led obliquely to the stream at the
foot of the hill. The regiment was
placed so illustrating on the diagram,
the Third Battalion, Major Keck's first
out on the road; beyond them the Second
battalion, and further in front the First
battalion. These were nearest the enc
my's firing line. They we're ordered to
lie and get what protection they could in
the underbrush, etc."
"Where were the regulars1'
81 was about to explain that they came
up behind and pushed along. At this
time supposed they were to keep to the
road and we were to be sent out on the
flank to hold the line of the creek. There
came all opening and I went out on this
point.
"The men of my company pushed
right along and forded the creek, which
was up to their necks. From the creek
up to the main blockhouse was an open
space, which the Spaniards just swept
with volleys. We clambered along to-
ward the eminence on which the fort
stood. Adjt. TARTAN, of the Twenty
fourth infantry, one of the colored regi-
ments, splendid officer and man, came
up and said, Where are you going''
81 replied, up the hill"
"'Good,' said he. You're the kind
we want So along with the regulars
Company F went up.
"Then you had full company of vol
unteers alongside the regulars"
Eyes; and let me tell you they fought
we'll. The volunteers did as we'll as the
regulars at that stage.
lust then along came Gen. Hawkins.
Seeing my cap, he said, Who are your
replied, Company F, of the Seventy
first ANY others?' he asked. Not
that know of, , answered.
"You see, at such a juncture forma-
tons get broken up and commands sepa-
rated. So he continued, Very we'll, re-
main with the Twenty-fourth and fall
back and rest. You understand, fresh
troops were coming up and we were pref
ty tired, so they wanted us to retire in
favor of the fresh men.
eve went down the slope to this point
with the regulars. Then seeing battery
all unsupported, my company and Major
Keck's battalion, which had somehow
managed to get to the front-it was really
wonderful how they did it, too-went
over to support the artillery. 1t was
here Keck waved that little hanky Of
his. !" and the Captain smiled as he pic
tured the scene.