The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-09-15

been ill, came forward curing lle HIOl i
ing, and later returned to duty ana
rendered most gallant and efficient SER
vice during the remainder of the day.
Great credit is due Brigadier General
II. S. Hawkins, who, placing himself be-
tween his regiments, urged them on by
voice and bugIe calls to the attack so
brilliantly executed.
"In this fierce encounter words fan
to do justice to the gallant commanders
and their heroic men, for, while the
generals indicated the formations and
the points of attack, it was, after all.
t-e 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 H. 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-
turnCu from the sick list to duty during
the afternoon His cheerfulness and ag-
gressiyeness 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.
"My 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 high hill near my
headquarters had a general view of the
battlefield, extending from El Caney
on the right to the left of our nnes 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 i'll
that vicinity.
"On the morning of the 3rd, the bat
tie was renewed, but the enemy seemed
to have expended his energy in the rs
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.
erat 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.
ut is doubtful if we had more than
10000 men on the firing line on July 1st.
when the battle was fercest ana when
the important and strong positions Of El
Caney and San Juan were captured.
"A few Cubans assisted in the attack
of El Caney, and fought valiantly, but
their numbers were too small to material
ly change the strength, as Indicated above.
The enemy confronted us with numbexs
about equal to our own; they fought OBJ
stinately in strong and intrenched pO-
sitions, and the results obtained clear
ly indicate the intrepid galantry of the
company officers and men, and the ben
efits derived from the careful training
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 20S 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' S
SOrtie and the destruction OF his fleet,
General Shafter says he again called
on the Spanish commander to surrender
"On the same date informed Admiral
Sampson hat 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 CWatsons opinion the navy
should not enter the harbor.
"The strength of the cnemy'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 intrenchments could only have
been carried with great loss of life.
July 18th | informed the Spanish
commander that Major General Miles,
COulHldHueF-lu-CnleI OF Jne american
army, had just arrived in my camp, and
requested him to grant us a personal in
terview on the following cay. He re-
piled that he would be pleased to meet
us. The interview took place on the
18th, and l informd him his surrender
only could be considered, and that as
he was without hope of escape he had
no right to continue the fight"
General Shafter 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 obviated.
The rocky and precipitous coast af-
forded 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 dread
of strange and unknown diseases had
| its effect on the army.
THE supply of quartermaster and
commissary stores during the campaign
| was abundant, and Notwithstanding the
difficulties in landing and transporting
the ration the troops on the firing line