The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-09-20

IN DcihAP u sbotN IL az, dlIeI Il,
tie intrepid bravery of the subordinate
officers and men that planted our col
ors on the crest of San Juan hill and
drove the enemy from his trenches and
block houses, thus gaining a position
which sealed the fate of Santiago.
In this action on this part Of the
field most efficient service was rendered
by Lieutenant John II. Parker, Thir-
teenth Infantry, and the Gatling gun de
tachment under his command. The
fighting continued at intervals until
nightfall, but our men held resolutely to
the positions gained at the cost Of so
much blood and toll.
Il am greatly indebted to General
Wheeler. who, as previously stated, re-
turned from the sick list to duty during
the afternoon. His cheerfulnesS and ag-
gressiveness made itself felt on this part
of the battlefield, and the information he
furnished to me at various stages Of the
battle proved to be most useful.
"AIy own health was impaired by over
exertion in the sun and intense heat of
the day before, which prevented me from
participating as actively in the battles as
| desired; but from q high hill near my
headquarters | had a general view of the
battlefield. extending from FL Caney
on the right to the left of our llnes on
San Juan Hill"
General Shafter follows in detail the
movements of the troops, and the in
trenching done during the night. He
says:
General Duffield. with the Thirty
Third Michigan, attacked Aguadores, as
ordered. but was unable to accomplish
more than to detain the Spaniards in
that vicinity. . j. .
Q the morning of the 3rd. the bat
tie was renewed. but the enemy seemed
to have expended his energy in the IS
sault Of the previous night. and the fir
ing along the lines was ~desultory until
stopped by my sending the following let
ter within the Spanish lines
General Shafter then gives the dis
patches passing between him and Gen
cral Toral, already published. He pro-
ceeds:
The cessation of firing about noon on
the Bird practically terminated the bat
tie of Santiago; all that occurred after
this time may properly be treated under
the head of the siege which fol-
lowed.
1T is doubtful if we had moro than
10000 men on the firing line on July 1st.
when the battle was fiercest and when
the important and strong positions Of Ell
Caney and San Juan were captured.
"A few Cubans assisted il the attack
of Ell Caney, and fought valiantly. but
their numbers were too small to material
~ change the strength. as Indicated above.
The enemy confronted us with numbers
about equal to our own; they fought OBJ
stinately in strong and lntrenched po-
Sitions. and the results obtained clear
~ Indicate the intrepid gallantry of the
company officers and men. and the ben
Gifts 1priyaI from tho careful traipipr
and instruction given in the company
in recent years in rifle practice and 9TH
er battle exercises. Our losses in these
battles were - officers and 0 men
killed. and 81 officers and 1908 men
wounded: missing 70. The missing
with few exceptions reported later"
General Shafter says the arrival of
General Escario at Santiago was not
anticipated. as General Garcia had been
sent to intercept him.
After speaking of Admiral Cervera'
sortie and the destruction of his fleet,
General Shafter says he again called
on the Spanish commander to surrender.
! ION the same date | Informed Admiral
= Sampson that if he would force his way
in to the harbOr the city would surrender
without any further sacrifices of life.
Commodore Watson replied that Admiral
Sampson was temporarily absent, but
that in his Watson's' opinion the navy
should not enter the harbor.
The strength Of the enemy's position
was such that | did not wish to assault
if it could be avoided.
The examination of the enemy's
works, made after the surrender, fully
justified the wisdom of the course adopt
ed. The Entertainments could only have
been carried With great loss Of life.
July 18th | Informed the Spanish
commander that Major General Miles.
commandments of the American
rmy had just arrived in my camp. and
requested him to grant us Il personal in
terview III the following Gay. He re
, piled that he would he pleased to meet
rs. The interview took place OH the
18th. and | informd hin his surrender
only could be considered. and that as
he was without hope of escape he had
no right to continue the fight"
General Shaftcr then gives the details
of the final surrender. his entry to the
city and the raising of the American flag,
and says:
Before closing my report | wish to
dwell upon the natural obstacles
| had to encounter. and which no fore
sight could have overcome or ohviated.
The rocky and PERCEPTIONS coast af-
forced no sheltered landing places. the
roads were mere bride paths. the effect
of the tropical sun and rains upon unac-
climated troops was deadly and Il dread
of strange and unknown diseases had
its effect on the army.
The supply of qnartermaster and
commissary stores during the campaign
was abundant, and notwithstanding the
difficulties in landing and transporting
the ration. the troops on the firing line
were at all times supplied with its
coarscr components, namely, of bread,
meat. sugar. and coffee.
There was no lack of transportation
for at no time up to the surrender could
all the wagons | had be used.
In reference to the sick and wounded.
have to say that they received every
attention that it was possible to give
| them. The medical officers. without eN-
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