The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-01
WHEELER's OFFICIAL REPORT.
Details of the Battle of SibOney-
Praise for Those Engaged.


Praise for Those Engaged.
Copyright. 1898. by the Associated Press)
CAMP JURAGUA, June 20, via Kingston.
Jamaica, June 80, s a. m.-General Wheel
ers official report to Major General Shafter
of what is known as the battle of Siboney
is as follows:
I'm Camp Juragua, June 29.
ITO the Adjutant General of the Fifth Army
Corps:
"sir-I have the honor to report that in
obedience to the instructions of the major
general commanding, given me in person on
June %, l proceeded to Siboney tJuragua
sito) The enemy had evacuated the place
at daylight that morning, taking a course
towards Sevilla A body of about one hum
dred Cubans had followed and engaged the
enemyS rear guard. About nine of them
were wounded.
II rode out to the front and found the
enemy had halted and established them
selves 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 Twenty-third, General Young,
reached Siboney with eight troops of Col.
Woods regiment. A, B, D, E, F. G, K and
L, five hundred strong; troops A, B, c and
a, B, E and | of the Tenth Cavalry, in all
220 men, making the total force 1854 men,
which included nearly all of my command,
which had marched from Baiquiri, eleven
miles.
with the assistance of General Castillo,
a rough map of the country was prepared
planned. / determined to make an attack at
daylight on the 24th. Colonel Woods regi-
ment was sent by General Young, accom-
panied by two of his staff officers, LieutS.
Tyrree K. Rivers and W. r. Smedburg, jr.,
to approach the enemy the left hand, or
more westerly road. while General Young,
myself and about fifty men of the First and
Tenth Cavalry, with three Hotchkiss noun
tain guns, approached the enemy ON the
regular Sevilla road.
General Young and myself examined the
position of the enemy, the lines were de-
poyed, and directed him to open fire with
the HOtchkiSS guns. The enemy replied and
the firing Immediately became general Col.
Wood had deployed his right, nearly reach
ing the left of the regulars. For an hour
very lavish in the expenditure of ammuni-
ton, most of their firing being by voleys.
Finally the enemy gave way and retreated
rapidly, our side keeping we'll closed on
them; but, our men being physically
hausted by both their exertions and the
great heat were incapable of maintaining
Il cannot speak too highly of the gallant
and excellent conduct of the officers and
Young deserves special commentator for
his COOL deliberate and skilful manage
ment. also specially notice his acting adj
jutant general, Lieut.. A. L. Mills, who un-
der General Youngs direction, was Al var-
Gus parts OF the line, acting with energy and
cool courage.
THE imperative necessity of disembark-
ing with promptitude had impelled me to
leave most of my staff to hasten to this i'm
portant matter. and. unfortunately l only
had with me Major w D. Beach and Mr..
Mestro, an acting volunteer aid, both of
whom during the engagement creditably
and bravely performed their duties. | am
especially indebted to Major Beach for his
cool and good judgment.
Colonel Woods regiment was on the ex-
treme left of the line, and too far distant
for me to be personal wi > ess of the in
dIvidual conduct of the officels and men, but
the magnificent bravery shown by the regi-
ment under the leadership of Colonel Wood
testifies to his skill and the energy and
courage of his officers which has been
marked M ever since he reported to me at
brave conduct on the field, and recon-
mend him for the consideration of the gov
justice to his officers and men. desire per-
sonally to add that all have said regarding
Colonel Wood applies equally to Lieut.. Col.
L was Immediately with the troops of
the First and Tenth Regiments, Cavalry,
dismounted, and l personally noticed their
specially mentioned by General Young.
personally noticed the good conduct of
Captains w. H. Berk, Robert P. Vain
NJ. Bell, Capt. Thomas T. Knox and Lieut..
George E. Brown. The last three were
wounded Major Bell, as he lay on the
ground with a broken leg, said i only re-
gret | can't go with you further Captain
Knox, though severity wounded, continued
as long as possible to exercise his command,
and insisted to me that he was not much
hurt. and Lieutenant Brown also made light
Of his wound and continued upon the line
until he tainted. ] recommend those Off
GERS for the favorable consideration of the
government.
II cannot state positively as to the size
of the Spanish forces which we engaged or
the extent of their casualties further than
that the force was much greater than ours,
and that information l have would indicate
that their killed and wounded very far ex-
ceeded the loss which our troops sustained.
but our estimate on these points can only
be verified when we have access to the re-
ports Of the Spanish commanders The en-
gagement Inspired our troops and must have
had bad effect on the spirits of the Span
ish soldiers. 1t also gave our army a beau
tifu and well watered country, in which we.
have established our encampments. 1t has
also given US full view of Santiago and
the surrounding country and has-enabied
us to reconnoiter close to the Notifications
of that place. Very respectfully.
JOSEPH WHEELER.
major General U. S. ", Commanding"
Major General Wheeler reports the cas-
ualities in the engagement as follows:
Regiments Strength. Killed. Wounded.