Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-09-15
SKATERS REPORT


tBbC SOt0utu tCStih6 HSeSA HAAA = ~s'~s
toward which heights Grimes Battery
moved on the afternoon of the Goth.
with orders to take position thereon.
early the next morning, and at the
proper time prepare the way for the
advance OF Wheeler and Kent on San
Juan hill The attack at this point was
to be delayed until Iawton's guns were
heard at FL Caney and his infantry
IRE showed ne had become we'll en-
gagged. s.sS
THE preparations were liar from
whatf desired them to be but we were
in sickly climate; our supplies had
TO be brought forward bysa narrow
wagon road which the rains might at
any time render impossible: fear was
entertained that a storm might drive
the vessels containing our stores to sea.
thus separating us from our base OF
supplies, and lastly it was reported
that Gen. Pando with 5000 reinforce
menst for the enemy were en- route
from Manzanillo and might be expected
in few days. Under these circum-
stances / determined to give battle
without delay.
EARLY on the morning of July l. Law
ton was in a position around Ell Caney,
Chaffee's brigade on the right, across
, the Guantanamo road Miles brigade in
the center and L4udlow's on the cliff. The
duty Of cutting off the enemy's retreat
along the Santiago road was assigned to
the latter brigade.
~.sThe artillery opened on the town at
6.15 A. NJ. The battle here soon became
general and was hotly contested. The
enemy's position was NATURALLY strong
and was rendered more so by block
houses, stone fort and intrenchments
cut In solid rock and the loophOleing of
solidly built stone church. The Oppo-
sitiOn offered by the enemy was greater
than had been anticipated and prevented
IaWtOn from joining the right of the
main line during the day, as had been
intended.
After the battle had continued for some
time, Bates Brigade OF two regiments
directed him to move near Ell Caney to
give assistance If necessary. He did SO
and was put in position between Miles
1.-THE battle continued wit. varying in
tensity during most of the day and un-
til the place was carried by assault about
to retreat along the Santiago road. Lud-
lows position enabled him to do very
effective work and to practically cut off
all the retreat in that direction.
.'After the battle at Eel Caney was well
opened and the fire Of the small arms
led US to believe that Lawton was driv-
ing the enemy back before him | di-
rected Crimes Battery to open fire from
the heights of FL Peso on the San Juan
blockhouse. which could be situated in
the enemy's intrenchments. extending
along the crest of San Juan hill. This
fire was effective and the enemy could be
seen running away from the vicinity of
the blOckhousc.
1.-THE artillery fire from FL Peso was
soon returned by the enemys artillery.
They evidently had the range of this
hill and their first shells killed and
used smokeless powder, 1t was very diff
cult to locate the position of their pieces.
while on the contrary. the smoke caused
by our black powder plainly indicated
the position of our battery.
TAI this time the cavalry division I'M
der Gen. Sumner, who was lying con-
cealed In the general vicinity OF the e., ~
directions to cross the San Juan river
and deploy to the right on the Santiago
side. while Kent's division was to follow
closely In its rear and deplOy to the left.
"These troops moved forward in COM
pliance with orders. but the road was
sOsnarrow as TO render It impracticable
to retain the column. of fours formation
at all. while the underground on either
side was SO dense as to preclude the
possibility OF deployng skirmishers. 1t
made was slow and the long range rifles
of the enemy's infantry killed and
wounded number of our men while
marching along this road and before
: f ire. was any opportunity 10 return 'n's
s AT this time Gems. Kent and Sumner
were ordered to push forward with all
possible haste and place their troops in
position to engage the enemy. Gen. Kent
with this end In view forced the head OF
his column along side of the cavalry
column as far as the narrow trail per.
Snitted and thus hurried his arrival nj
the San Juan and the formation beyond
that stream.
"A few hundred yards before reach.
ing the San Juan, the road forks, 9
fact that was discovered by Lieut. Col
Aerby OF my stan. who had approached
well to the front In war balloon; TM:
resulting In Sumner moving on the righ
hand road, while Kent was enabled tt
utilize the road to the left
Gen. Wheeler. the permanent comman
der OF the cavalry division. who had beer
III, came forward during he morning. ant
later returned to duty and rendered mos
gallant and efficient service during tn'
remainder of the day.
AFTER crossing the stream the cavalr!
moved to the right with view of con
nectin~ with Lawton's left when h
could come UP. anu with their left restin.
near the Santiago road
s'sIn the meantime Kents division, will
the exception of two regiments of Haw
klns' Brigade, being thus uncovered
moved rapidly to the front from tn
forms previously mentioned in the road
utilizing both trails, but more especial.
the one to the left. and crossing tn
creek, formed for attack in the front o
:During this formation the I'd Brigad
s. suffered severely. While personally super
Intending this movement, its commander
Col. Wikoff. was killed. The command o
the brigade then devolved upon Lieut.
Col. Worth, 18th Infantry, who was 500
severely wounded. ana next upon Lieut.
Col Liscom. 2+th Infantry. who. minute
later fell under the terrible Are of tn
enemy. and the command then devolve
10 lIpon Lieut.. Col. Ewers. 9th Infantry.
'.Whi1e the formation just described wa
taking place. Gen. keEt took measure
to hurry forward his rear brigade. TIL
10th and 81 Infantry were ordered to for
ward Wikoff's Brigade. while the list wa
sent on the right hand road to support tn
LIST Brigade.
"Under Gen. Hawkins who had crosse
the stream and formed on the right of tn
division. The I'll and 10th Infantry. Go
e. p. Pearson. commanding moved fol-
ward In good order on the left of TIL
division, passed over green knoll an
drove the enemy back toward hi
trenches.
after completing their formation III
der a destructive fire. and advancing
short distance. both divisions found
their front a wide bottom, In which ha
been placed a barbed wire entanglemer
and beyond which there was a high hill
along the crest Of which the enemy wa
strongly posted. Nothing daunted, til
gallant men passed on to drive the enem
from his chosen position, both division
losing heavily. In this assault. Co
Hamilton, Lieuts. Smith and Shipp WEI
killed and Col. Carroll. Lieuts. Thay,
and Myer. all in the cavalry WEI
wounded.
Great credit is due to Brig. Gen H.
his regiments. urged them on by voi'
and huHlp calls to the attack 81 brfllian