Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-06-30
WHEELER'S REPORT
Account Of Battle at Saboney AS
Told By the General in
Command.
CONDUCT OF MEN UNDER FIRE
Words of Praise for Bravery and Goodness
Of Troops Many Officers Recommended
for Consideration Of Government
"+~ Casualties.

Copyright by Associated Iress)-Ju-
ragua, June 30 via Kingston, Jamaica,
June 3O.-General Wheeler's official re-
port to Major Gen. Shafter, of what is
known as the battle of Siboney, is as
follows. In camp, Juragua, June %
10 Adiutant General of the fifth army
corps.-Sir: l have the honor to report
that, in obedience to instructions made
by the general commander and given me
in person on June 80, | proceeded to
Siboney, (Juraguasito.) The enemy had
evacuated the place at daylight that
morning, taking course towards
Sevilla. A body of about 1000 Cubans
had followed and engaged the enemy's
rear guard. About nine of them were
wounded / rode out to the front and
found the enemy had halted and es-
tablished themselves at a point about
three miles from Siboney. At night the
Cubans returned to the vicinity of the
town. At o'clock that evening the
23rd, under General Young, reached
Siboney, with eight troops of Colonel
Woods regiment, A, B, D, E, f, G, K,
and L, 500 men strong. Troops A, B.,
c, and X, first cavalry, in all 244 men
and. Troops A, B, E, and l, 10th
cavalry, in all 220 men, making a total
force of 964 men, which included nearly
all of my command which had marched
from Baiquer, II miles.
With the assistance of General Cas-
tillo, rough map of the country was
prepared and the position of the enemy
fully explained, and | determined to at
tack at daylight on the Gath. Colonel
Woods regiment was sent by General
Young, accompanied by two OF his staff
officers, Lieutenants Tyrree II. Rivers
and w. r. Smedburg, Jr., to approach
the enemy on the left hand, or more
westerly road, while General Young,
myself and about five troops of the 1st
and 10th cavalry, with three Hotchkiss
mountain guns, approached the enemy
on the regular Sevilla road. General
Young and myself examined the position
of the enemy, lines were deployed and
directed him to open fire with the Hotch-
kiss guns. The enemy replied and the
firing Immediately becalle general. Col
onel Wood had deployed his right, nearly
reaching the regulars.
For an hour the fight was very warm,
the enemy being very lavish in the ex.
penditure of ammunition, most of theil
firing being by volleys. Finally the
enemy gave way and retreated rapidly
We followed them over the line keeping
close upon them, but our men being
physically exhausted BY hstk their ex
ertions and great heat were incapable
of maintaining the pursuit. | can moi
speak too highly of the gallant and ex
cellent conduct of the officers and mer
throughout my command. Genera
Young deserves special commendation
for his cool, deliberate, and skillfu
management. also especially noticed
his acting adjutant general, Lieutenan
A. r. Mills, who. under Genera
Young's direction, was at various parts
of the line acting with energy and coo
courage.
The imperative necessity of disem
barking with promptitude had impelle'
me to leave most of my staff, to hastei
this important matter, and unfortunate
ly had with me only Major M. J. Beacl
and Mr.. Mestro, an acting voluntee
aide, both of whom during the engage
ment creditably and bravely performed
their duties. | am especially indebted
to Major Beach for his cool and goo'
Judgment Colonel Woods regiment wa
on the extreme left of the city and to
far distant for me to be personal wit
ness of the individual conduct of tn
officers and men, but the magnificen
bravery shown by the regiment unde
the lead of Colonel Wood testifies to hi
courage and skill, and the energy an
determination Of-his officers which hay
been marked.
From the moment he reported to m
at Tampa have abundant evidence
his brave and good conduct on tt
field and | recommend him for the COZ
sideration of the government. / mu
rely upon his report to do justice to h
officers and men. desire personally
add that all have said regarding CO
onel Wood applies equally to Lieutena
Colonel Roosevelt.
Twas Immediately with the troops
the 1st and 10th regiment of cavalr
dismounted, and personally noted the
brave and good conduct, which will
especially mentioned by General Youn
personally noted the good conduct
Captains w. H. Book, Robert ii. Wal
wright and Jacob G. Galbraith, Maj
james M. Bell, Captain Thomas
Know and Lieutenant George E. Brow
The last three were wounded. Maj
Bell, as he lay on the ground with
broken leg, said: II only regret that
can't 20 with you further" Capita
Know, although severely wounded, CO
tinued as long as possible to exerc
his command and insisted to me that
was not much hurt. Lieutenant Bro'
also made light Of his wound to me, a
continued upon the line until he faintt
| recommend these officers for the
!. yorable consideration of the govel
ment
cannot state positively as to the $
of the Spanish force which we engag'
or the extent of their casualties, furtf
than that the force was much grea
than ours, and inforformation | ht
would indicate that their killed a
wounded exceeded those which {
troops sustained, but our estimate
this can only be verified when we hi
access to the reports OF the span
commanders.
The engagement inspired our tro
and It must have had bad effect W
the Spanish spirits. 1t also gave
army q beautiful and well waite
country In which we have establish
our encampments. 1t has also given
a full view of Santiago and the
rounding country, and has enabled
to recOnnitre close to the fortificati
Of that place. The casualties In
engagement were: First U. $. vol
teer cavalry, strength 500, killed
wounded A; 1st U. s. regular cava
strength 224, killed 7, wounded 8; !
U. 8. regular cavalry, strength
killed 1, wounded 10. Total siren
964, killed IS, wounded 50. Resp