Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1898-10-13

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they were not by any means in a condi-
ton to do their best Immediately on
reaching the field of action. This is no
discredit to the nottle of the soldiers.
Human nature has limits Had it been
possible for the army to diseinbark and
spread itself cut over good camping
grounds with good supply of water
and facilities for bathing, cooking, ex.
crcising and drilling, with good air, for
two or three days even, then the effects
of the voyage might have cut no figure
in the condition Of the troops. But the
camping grounds where they landed at
Siboney and Dniquiri were very unfit.
Troops began spreading out toward the
heads of the streams passing through
the camps near the shore. In short
time the water became foul. The whole
region was congcstcd with troops and
tho impedimonta, and the situation was
such, iii brief, that the army had 10
time to take breath, or, rs tho saying
is, pull itself together" for tic hustling
campaign which followed
All Of this has most important bear
ing upon the conduct of the soldiers and
their efficiency at the time of extreme
trial in front Of the Spanish blockhouses
and trenches around Santiago. Any &C
count of the Santiago campaign which
starts with the assumption that Shat
ter's army was in the normal condition
of an army when it set ont along blind
trails and through tho dense jungles
which interviewed between the seashore
and the heights about the city will con.
vey no adequate idea of tho suffcrings,
the hardships, the persistency under
difficulties, rs we'll as of the glorious
achievements and unparalleled courage
of the heroes Of Santiago. AS is already
known, General SKATER went on shore
and conferred with General Garcia, tho
Cuhan, at Il point held by the insur-
gents. IS miles west OF Moro Castle
From Garcia and from former residents
of Santiago, who were with him on
board the transports, he learned the stu.
alton east Of Santiago harbor and city
and decided TO land the army for opera
tions in that region. To mislead the
enemy with regard to his intentions he
secured the cooperation of our navy in
bombarding several points at once.
1t was oeeprine necessity to keep the
army under cover of gun boat fire while
it was landing and for some time after
ward, or at least until the forces were
we'll in hand on land and outposts es-
tnblished for defense. There is but ono
road running into Santiago from the
east which communicates with good
landing places on tho coast. Accounts
OF the condition of this road vary. Gen.
eral Shafter says that it was very mar
row and in many places not better than
IA trail. Other officers, particularly those
connected with tho artillery and trans
port department, speak of it as an ex-
ecrablc roadway. Statements to the con.
trary hayo been published, claiming
that it is fair country road over which
g farmer would run no risk with full
load of hay, that some one in authority
had hobby for rac!; mules, and for
that reason wagon transportation was
neglected.
Tho landing was effected at Daiquiri
and Siboney between Juno % and %.
AS rule Hlo troops disembarked whilo
the transports were from enc mile and
half to two miles offshore. Some idea
Of the confusion attending the landing
may be gained from the experience of
Lieutenant Parker with his Gatling bat
terry. Parker had an order from Shafter
to land at once and get his outfit to tho
front That was on tho evening of Juno
80. The Cherokee, upon which the bat
terry made the trip from Tampa, was
warped along the iron pier at Daiquiri,
and Parker seized government pontoon
to use in transferring his outfit to shore.
lie was stopped by young officer, who
claimed to control the pontoons, and
who said that in spite Of Skaters order
that the Gatlings get to the front at
once his pontoon should mot be smash.
ed in doing it" While this parley was
going on general officer rode up and
ordered the Cherokee to put to sea again
so that some ether ships might come up
to tho pier. For another day the Chero-
kee. with PHrker's guns on board, lay
In the ofting. 1t is said that at that time
the steamer Alamo had on board an en-
tire cargo of pontOons, which had not
been landed. On the 25th the Gatlings
were taken off the Cherokee by light
draft steamer and were put upon the
shore where Lieutenant Parker was
warned by tho engineers that the roads
to tho front were impossible. A little
later it was demonstrated that Parker's
Gatlings were as effective as anything
In the whole fighting outfit.
AS the cavalry brigade of General
Young took tho lead of tho real advance
ON Santiago and first felt the teeth of
the Spanish tiger clear view Of the
opening events Of the actual campaign
Is best gained by following it's move
merts. The brigade landed at Daiquiri
ON the evening Of the 2ad and the morn.
Ing OF the 23d of June. 1t was composed
OF two squadrons each of the First and
Tenth tcolored) regular cavalry and
First volunteers, or rough riders, all
dismountod.
General Young's orders were to take
position on the left Of Lawton's infantry
division, which had already landed
The troopers had 70 yations. During tn;
voyage they had exhausted tho three