The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-25
THE FIGHT NEAR YAUCO
GEN. GARRETsON's REPORT ON A
BATTLE IN PORTO RICO.
How the Spaniards Were Forced to
Retreat-Several Officers Commend
ed for Their GaIIantry.


report Of Brig. Gen. G. A. Garretson of the
action on Yauco road. in Porto Rico, July 26
last, in which his brigade was engaged. The
report follows:
THE brigade landed at Guanios on July
%, at about Ii to u a. m. During the after
noon of that day / made a reconnaissance
with two Of my staff officers and Maj. w. c.
Hayes. of the First Ohio Cavalry, of the
roads and trails leading out of the valley in
which the camp was situated. This valley
runs nearly north and south, and is about
mile wide. There arc mountains on either
side about four hundred feet high. About
three miles from the camp is a low range of
hills, varying from fifty to one hundred
feet high, running at right angles with the
valley. Narrow valleys debouche to the
northeast and west. Along the latter runs
the road TO Savanna Grande and San Ger
man. Along the northeastern valley runs
the road to Yauso.
LAS the enemy were reported at these
places by the inhabitants of the valley, the
roads were carefully reconnoitered, and the
body of the enemy was discovered at the
hacienda San Decidera, of San Marine, at
about p. m. This hacienda is situated
nearly in the center of the oval plain about
one mile by and half miles in dame
ter, surrounded for the most part by low
hills and separated by the hill above men
toned from the valley. The distance be-
tween the two plains mentioned measured
through the base of the mountain is about
Loo yards.
1.-THE Yauco river runs through the plain
of the hacienda, the valley of Guanica and
through the narrow valley connecting them.
This narrow valley, constituting a defile,
was the scene of the early action. ba-
mana field lies on the east side of the road,
and the hill covered with chaparral to the
west The small hill on which the house of
Ventura Quinones is situated affords view
of the hacienda. Here and along the road
outposts consisting of one company-G,
Sixth Illinois-was posted.
AT about p. m. a report was sent in
from this outpost that the enemy in con-
siderable numbers, had been observed. 1
sent out two companies of the Sixth Massa-
chusetts as a reserve. During the night the
enemy opened fire on the outposts and their
commander sent in report, which arrived
at camp at a. M, July &C. that attack
on the outposts was expected. At 3 a. m.
I, with my staff and Maj. w. c. Hayes,
First Ohio Cavalry and five companies Of
the Sixth Massachusetts, left camp for the
u.
arrived there shortly before daylight at
about 4:30 o'clock. From the reports of the
outposts the enemy were supposed to be in
the field to the right of the road to Yauco
Packs were thrown off and the command
formed for attack. The company of the
Sixth Illinois remained on the hill on which
the house of Ventura Quinones is situated
and protected our right flank. The remain
ing companies were collected two as sup
port and three as reserve. After advancing
to within two hundred yards of the plain
of the hacienda Santa Decidera the advance
guard of our attacking force was discovered
by the enemy, who opened fire from posi-
ton on the hill to the west. The north and
east slopes of this hill intersect each other
forming solid angle 1t was along this
reserve. posted in the road leading from the
hacienda to- the east, also opened strong
fire on the road "A body of the enemy
moved against the company on our right
Company G. Sixth Illinois-stationed on the
hill of Ventura Quinones. This company
had intrenched itself during the night. and
after repulsing the attacking force, directed
its fire against the enemy on the hill to the
west:
such that the fire of the enemys reserves
on the left was effective in the seemingly
secure hollow in which our reserves were
posted. The heavy volume of fire, the noise
Of shots striking the trees and on the
ground, and the wounding of two men
among the reserves caused a momentary
confusion among the troops. They were
quickly rallied and placed under cover. The
fire of the advance party and supports was
directed against the party of the enemy on
the hill and temporarily Silenced their fire
from that direction.
Our advance guard Of two companies, ig-
noring the enemy on the hill, then deployed
IT ainly to the right of the road and We're,
with quick and accurate military judgment
and great personal gallantry by Lieutenant
Langshorne, led against the reserves
of the enemy. The supports and one
company of the reserves. under the direc-
ton of Capt. l.. G. Berry, charged against
the party on the west OF the hill, through
,l1r r-,~o1 VIC
reserves were deDloyed along the barbed-
wire fence running at right angles to the
road, conducted through the FENCE. and
brought up in the rear and to the left OF the
attacking party, conducted by Lieut.. B.
Ames, of the Sixth Massachusetts.
THE enemy were driven from the hill and
retired to the valley, disappearing behind
the hacienda. The reserves of the enemy
ceased firing and retired. 1t was supposed
that they had retired to the hacienda, as this
house was surrounded on the sides presented
to our view with loopholed walls The troops
on the hill were collected along the road. A
reserve of three companies was established
at the intersection of the road to Yauco.
The two companies in advance which We're
depoyed wheeled to the left and advanced
through TIE cornfield on our right. The re-
mainder of the command deployed and adj
vanced to the hacienda, enveloping IT on the
left. 1t was then discovered that the enemy
had retired from the hacienda In the direc-
ton OF Yauco, along cleverly concealed lines
of retreat. AS the object of the expedition
was considered accomplished. and in obedi-
GncG 10 instructions received lTOn NudJOT
General Miles, no further pursuit was under
taken. The battalion of recruits of the reg
ular army, under Captain Hubert reported
for orders, having heard the firing, but were
not needed and We're returned to camp.
1.-THE force OF the enemy engaged In the
battle consisted of Battalion Is Patria, of
the Spanish army. and some volunteers, in
all about 600 or 700 men. The casualties on
our side were four slightly wounded. After
the occupation of Yauco the casualties of
the enemy were found to have been one
lieutenant and one corporal killed, eighteen
seriously and thirty-two slightly wounded.
first unexpected fire, the conduct of the
troops was excellent. They were speedily
rallied and afterwards Obeyed orders given
through my staff officers without hesitation.
The following officers of the command are
respectfully commended for gallantry and
GOODNESS under fire: Maj. c. X. Darling,
Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers: Capt. +. j.
Sihon Sixth Massachusetts Volunteers, who
was painfully wounded early in the action
until it reached camp; First Lieut.. L. s.
Berry. Seventh United States Artillery
Lieut. G. T. Langhorne, First United States
Cavalry (aid); Lieut.. G. M. Wright, Eighth
Ohio Volunteers; Maj. w. G. Hayes, First
Ohio Cavalry, acting aid. Mai. George w.
Grille brigade surgeon. and Maj. Frank
Anthony, Sixth Illinois Volunteers, were
present under fire with hospital attendants
and rendered necessary aid to the wounded.
Three Deaths at Ponce.
WASHINGTON. Sept. 24.-The following
dispatch was received at the Wal. Depart
ment to-day from Ponce, signed BY Major