The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-30
EVE OF BATTLE.
(ConcIuded from Ffr.t PAGE.

carrying their wounded. Forty dead Span
iards have since been found
ulars and the First Cavalry, who, coming
up by another trail, cleared q ridge upon
which the enemy was intrenched, assisted
equally, in the repulse. The Spaniards had
selected their position with care Two trails
from Slboney approached Las Quasina like
the two halves of a wishbone, the Spanish
position being at the meeting point. The
enemy, accordingly, was so placed that the
men were able TO see down the valley and
cover the approach of the Americans which
ever way they came. General Young ar
ranged to meet Colonel Wood at this spot
and as his trail was longer he started from
Siboney with the regulars half an hour in
advance of the volunteers. His scouts saw
the Spaniards on the ridge long before those
IN the brush were discovered by Colonel
wood, and the losses in killed and wounded
were for that reason greater among the
volunteers because of the ambush which
brought them to within thirty to fifty yards
of the enemy.
One of the features which illustrates the
spirit shown by the men was that when
one fellow dropped out wounded three or
four others did not fall out to help him to
the rear-a service which is, as rule, the
most popular. On the contrary the wound
ed were left lying where they dropped I'M
attended except by the hospital corps In
three cases men wounded in an arm or leg
cared for others who were fatally wound
ed There was no one else to help them,
for no one of the volunteers who was able
to shoot did anything else. The spirit of
Mr.. Marshall, correspondent of the New
of any soldier on the field. He was shot
in the first firing line. and though the bull
let passed within an inch of his spine and
threw him into frequent and terrible con-
Vulsions, he continued in his intervals of
consciousness to write his account of the
fight and gave it to wounded soldier to
be forwarded to his paper This devotion
to duty by a man who knew he was dying
was as fine as any of the many courageous
and inspiring deeds that occurred during
the two hours of breathless, desperate
fighting.
cannot be overpraised. 1t must be remem-
bered that not for one minute during the
two hours did the strain slacken nor did
the officers call a halt. The movement
was fast and incessant. as at ball match
The ground was uneven and the advance
was impeded by vines an inch thick. trail
ing bushes and cactus plants known as
Spanish bayonets. which tear the flesh and
clothes. Through this the men fought
perspIration. painting for breath, but obey
ing Colonel Woods commands instantly
They disprove all that has been said in crit
icism of them when the organization was
formed. The cowboys observed perfect dis
cipine, and the Eastern element in Troop
K, from clubs and colleges. acted with
boy Rowland from Deming, N. M, was
shot through the thigh the bullet enter
ing at the side and going. out at the back
He limped to the hospital on the trail and
was told nothing could be done for him.
That moment accordingly he walked to the
from front and crawled along on his belly. fir
Colonel Wood, who was at the front
throughout the entire action saw a troop
apparently skulking fifty feet In the
rear of the firing line and ordered him
sharply to advance. The boy rose. hurried
forward. limping. As he took his place and
raised his carbine he said MY leg was a
little stiff, sir" Colonel Wood looked and
saw that a bullet had plowed through
alongside the troopers leg for twelve
inches.
One man had three bullets pass so close
to him as to leave marks in three distinct
places, as though hot poker. had been
Color Sergeant Wright. Of Omaha. who
walked close to Colonel Wood. carrying the
flag, had his hair clipned in two places and
his neck scorched. Three bullets passed
on either side of Colonel Wood were
wounded. but nothing seemed able to reach
him. He was cool and deliberate always
but more concerned than his serious man
ner indicated when he made the move that
won the fight, which was a piece of Ameri-
can bluff pure ard simple.
The Spanish position was an old ruined
distllery. shut in by impenetrable bushes.
dred yards of open ground covered with
high grass. At the edge Of this grass Col.
Wood ordered the line to cease firing, rise
and charge across. The men did so under
OF the Spaniards 1t looked like skirmish
line thrown out in advance Of regiment.
The Spaniards could not believe so few men
would advance with such confidence unless
supported In force. so they turned and ran.
What had looked to the enemy like an adj
vance line was every man Colonel Wood
had at his disposal. AS the Spanish fire
slackened and ceased those far on the left
saw them retreating, and the men cheered-
a long, parting cheer This was the charge
twenty feet in advance, and Colonel Wood,
that ended the fight