Pullman herald. [volume] (Pullman, W.T. [Wash.]) 1888-1989, 1898-07-02
THE ARAY'S FIRST BATTLE
REGULARS AND ROUGH RIDERS
"Details of the FiEht-Iwo Battles ri
oncc-Denth of Captain CaprOn-
Mule stampeded with Gun-New
Men Fought Like Veterans.

Near Juragua, Cuba. June %, via
Kingston, June 26-Practically two pat
lies we're fought at the same time, one
bv the rough riders under the immediate
command of Colonel Wood, on the top
of the plateau, and the other on the hill
side several miles away by the regulars,
with whom was General Young.
The first intimation had by Colonel
Woods command that there were Span
iards in the vicinity was when they
reached a point three on four miles back
from the coast, where the low cuckoo
calls of the Spanish soldiers were heard
in the bush Finally a place was reach
ed about 8 o'clock, where the trail opened
into a space covered with high grass on
the right hand side of the trail and the
thickets. A barbed wire fence ran along
the left side. The dead body of Cuban
was found on the side of the road, and at
the same time Captain Caprons troops
covered the outpost, the heads OF several
Spaniards being seen in the bushes for
moment.
Hardly two minutes elapsed before
Mauser rifles commenced to crack In the
thicket, and 100 bullets whistled over the
heads of the Rough Riders, cutting
leaves from the trees and sending chips
nying from the fence posts by the side of
the men, The Spaniards had opened
fire and they poured in heavy fire,
which soon had most disastrous effect.
The troops stood their ground with the
bullets singing all around them.
Captain Capron stood behind his men,
revolver in hand, using it whenever u
Spaniard exposed himself. His aim was
sure, and two of the enemy were seen
to fall under his fire. Just as he was
preparing to take another shot and
shouting orders to his men at the same
time, his revolver dropped from his grasp
and he fell to the ground with ball
through his body. His troop was badly
disconnected for Il moment, but with all
the strength he could muster, he cried:
Don't mind me, boys, go on and fight"
Colonel Wood also order his Hotch-
kiss gun into action, but the trooper who
rode the mule upon which a part of the
gun was packed had been stampeded. His
animal broke into the woods in the OPP
posite direction from the Spanish fire,
and the gun consequently could not be
used.
As soon as the position had been
changed the Americans poured a more
terrific fire than ever into the Spaniards,
as they got them inte more open coun-
wy and could see thehl better, 1t was
not long before the enemy gave way and
ran down the steep NJ! and up another
hill to the blockhouse, with the evident
intention of making a final stand there.
Colonel Wood was at the front directing
the movement, and it was here that Ma.
ior Brodie was shot. Colonel Wood and
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt both led the
troops in pursuit of the fleeing Spaniards
and hail OF bullets was poured into the
blockhouse, BY the time the American
advance got within 600 yards of the
blockhouse the Spaniards abandoned it
and scattered among the brush up anoth-
II nm, III the ulIeCliou VI CdIJldSO, anu
the battle was ended.
General SOunG's Hot Position.
During all this time just as hot fight
ing had been progressing at General
Young's station. The battle began in
much the same manner as the other one,
and when the machine guns opened fire
the Spaniards sent volleys at the gunners
from the brush on the opposite hillside.
Two troops OF cavalry charged up the hill
and other troops sent storm of bullets
at every point from which the Spanish
shots came. The enemy was gradually
forced back, though firing all the time,
until they, as well as those confronting
the Rough Riders, ran for the blockhouse,
anly to be dislodged by Colonel Woods
men.
General Young stated afterwards that
the battle was one of the sharpest he had
ever experienced. 1t was only the quick
and constant fire of the troops, whether
they could see the enemy or not, that
caused the Standards Ia retreat So soon