The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-07-01
GENERAL WHEELER'S REPORT.
lie Warmly Commends the Conduc of Our
Men mt the Battle of Siboney
Copyright 1905 nv Associated Press.

- w. oss
Men mt the battle of Siboney.
Copyright 1898 by Associated Press.
Camp Juragua. Wednesday, June 20.
via Kingston. Jamaica, June 30, s a.
m.-General wheeler's official report to
Major General Shafter of what is
known as the battle of Siboney, is as
follows:
In Camp Jaragua. June 29.-To the
Adjutant General of the Fifth Army
Corps-Sir: / have the honor to report
that i'm obedience To the Instructions of
the major general commanding. given
me in person on June %. ! proceeded to
Siboney t~Juragua.) The enemy had
evacuated the place at daylight that
morning, taking a course towards Sc
villa. A body of about 100 Cubans had
ollowed and engaged the enemy's rear
guard. About nine of them were
wounded.
II rode out to the front and found the
enemy had halted at a point about
three miles from Siboney. At night
the Cubans returned to the vicinity of
the town. At s o'clock hat evening,
the 23d, General Young, reached Sibo-
ney with eight troops of Colonel Woods
regiment. A, II, ID, +, +, G.. X and l.,
500 strong: Troops A, u, e and X, list
cavalry. in all Pa men. and Troops
A. b.. + and I of the 10th cavalry. in
all 220 men. making the total force 964
men, which included nearly all of my
command. which had marched from
Baiquiri. IL miles.
with the assistance of General Cas-
tillo. a rough map of the country was
prepared and the position of the enemy
was fully explained. n ] determined
to make an attack at daylight on the
cath. Colonel Woods regiment was
sent by General Young. accompanied
by two of his staff of officers, Lieuten-
ants T. r. Rivers and w. r.. Smedburg,
jr., To approach the enemy on the left.
or more westerly road, while General
Young, myself and about so troops of
the LIST and 10th cavalry. with three
Hotchkiss mountain guns, approached
the enemy on the regular Sevilla "a
General Young and myself examined
the position of the enemy. the lines
were deployed and | directed him to
open fire with the Hotchkiss guns. The
enemy replied m the firing immedi-
ately became general. Colonel Wood
had deployed his right, nearly reaching
the left of the regulars. For an o
the fighting was very warm, the enemy
being very lavish in the expenditure of
ammunition, most of their firing being
by volleys.
Finally the enemy gave way and re-
treated rapidly, our side keeping well
closely upon them. but our men being
physically exhausted. both by their ex-
ertions and the great heat. were in
capable. Of maintaining the pursuit.
Il canno speak too highly of the gal
liant conduct of the officers and men
throughout my command. General
Young deserves special commentator
for his cool, deliberate and skillful
management. I also specially noticed
his acting adjutant general, Lieuten-
ant A. r.. Mills. who. under General
Young's discretion, was at various
parts of the line, acting with energy
and cool courage"
THE imperative necessity of disem-
barking with promptitude had impelled
me to leave most Of my stan TO hasten
this important matter. and unfortunate
ly l have with me only Major Nj. j..
Beach and MIR. Armstrong. an acting
volunteer aide. both of whom during the
engagement credibly and bravely per-
formed their duties.
Il am especially indebted to Major
Beach for his cool and good Judgment.
Colonel Woods regiment was on the ex-
treme left OF the city and too far dis
tant for me 10 be a personal witness Of
the individual conduct of the oficers
and men. but the magnificent bravery
shown by the regiment under the lead
of Colonel Woo t~estifies To his courage
and skill. and the energy and determine
marked from the moment he reported
TO me at Tampa; and | have abundant
evidence of his brave and good conduct
on the field. and I recommend him TO
the consideration Of the government. I