The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-08-06


Santiago de Cuba, has become avail
able.
BEFORE SANTIAGO. CUBA.
July Z, 1898.
To Adjutant General Fifth Army Corps.
sIR:--After the engagement Of June
q, pushed forward my command
through the valleY, ,Lawton's and Rent's
commands occupying the hills In the
vicinity OF that place. After two days
rest I.awton was ordered forward, and
ON the night OF the 3Oth instructions
were given by Major General shnfter to
this officer to attack Caney, while the
cavalry division and Kcnt's division
were ordered TO move forward on the
regular Santiago road. The movement
| cammeuced on the morning OF July J:
The cavalry division advanced ana
| formed Its line with its left near the
Santiago road, while Rent's division
| formed It's line with the right Joining
the left OF the cavalry division.
Col. McC1ernand, Of General smarter
stan, directed me to give instructions 10
General Kent, which complied with in
person at the same time, personally de
recting General Sumner TO move for
ward, The men we're all compelled to
| wade the San Juan river to get Into
| line. This was done under very heavy
! fre OF both infantry and artillery. Our
| balloon having been sent up right by
| the main road was made a mark OF by
| the enemy. II was evident that we
were as much under fire In forming the
line as we would be by an advance, and
| / therefore pressed the command for
| ward from the covering under which Il
was formed. It merged into open
| space IN full view Of the enemy, who
occupied breastworks and batteries on
the crest OF the hill, which overlooks
| santiago, officers and men falling al
every step. The troops advanced gal
| lnntIy, soon reached the foot OF the httl
and ascended, driving the enemy from
! their works and occupying them on the
crest OF the hill.
That Remarkable Charge.
To accomplish this required courase
and determination on the part of the
officers and men OF high order, and
the losses we're very severe. Too much
credit cannot be given to General Sum-
ner and General Kent and their gallant
brigade commanders. Colonel Wood
and Colonel Carrell, OF the cavalry, Gen.
Hamilton 8. Hawkins. commanding
| first brigade. Kents division. and Col.
Pearson. commanding second brigade.
| Colonel Carroll and Major Vessels
were both wounded during the charge,
but Major Vessels was enabled to re-
| turn and resume command. General
wyckoff, commanding Kents third
brigade, was killed at 1910. Lieutenant
Colonel Worth took command and was
wounded at 12:t5. Lieutenant Colonel
Llscum then took command and was
wounded at 1920. and the command
then devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel
Ewers, Ninth infantry.
Upon reaching the crest ordered
brenstworlSs to be constructed and
GENT 10 the rear for shovels, picks,
spades and axes. The enemy's retreat
from the ridge was precIpltate but our
men were so thoroughly exhausted that
it wns Impossible for them 10 follow.
Their shoes were soaked with water bg
vndinE the San Juan river, they had
become drenched with rain and when
they reached the crest they were nbso-
lutcly unable to proceed further. Not
withdrawing this condition, these cX-
hausted men lHbored during the night TO
erect breastworks, furnish details 10
bury the dead, and carry the wounded
back IN Improvlsed ltterS. sent word
along the line that re-lntoreements
would soon reach us and that bawton
would toin our right, and that General
Rates would come mp and strengthen
our left. After rehching the crest Of
the ridge, General Kent sent the Thir-
teenth regulars TO assist In strengthen.
ing our right. At midnight General
. Bates reported and placed him IN q
strong position on the left Of our line
General I.awton had attempted to joln
as from Caney, but when very near our
, lines he was fired upon hB the span
lards oud turned back, but Joiaed Us
next daF at noon by n circultous route
DurinE al the day on July ?, the caval'
rs division, Kents division, and Bates
brigade, were engaged with the enemy
being subjected TO ferce fire and In
, curing many casualties, and later "
the day Lawtou's division also became
engaged.
Compliments HIO stan.
, During the entire engagement, M
( stan performed their duties with cour'
age, Judgment and ability. specIa
credit Is due to Lieutenant Colonel ]. II
porst, MnJor william D. Beach, Cap
tain Joseph E. Dlckman, and LIeuten
mt NJ. +. Steele. desire also TO say
that Lieutenant James II. Reeves mt
: Lieutenant Joseph Wheeler,Junior Cap
9 tain william Astor Chnnler, Major y
A. darlington, Mr.. Aureiius Mestre ant
| Corpornl John Landmark also deserv'
high commendntlon for courage an'
y good conduct. Major West. my quarter
n master, deserves special cOmmenda
:, tlon for his energy and good conduc
, during the campaign and Major Waller!
d Hazard md Mr.. Leonard Wilson hay
also done their full duty Captain Hard
k 10 and First Lieutenant r. j. Eoestef
= with Troop e, Third covairF, were dc
i tailed with headquarters md conduct
n Oh themselves handsomely under hr'
+? The superb courage displayed by IN
< officers and men VIII be specially men
9 toned In the reports OF subordinnt
G commanders,
h The strength given In the statemon
c abuye ls the aggregate strength OF IN
n command, but as there we're many dc
@ tails tho above figures nrc about 10 pc
cent greater than the forces actuall
n engaged IN battle. General kents forc
IS on July ! was about 1900
s The command has been active '
" strengthening their position and com
mnndera nnd their stafTs have thor
oughly Informed themselves ms to IN
: typographical features OF the countr
nnd the situation OF the enemy.
IL, Very respectfully.
(slrnedO JOSEPH WHEELER
~ A true COPY.
y Joseph Wheeler, Jr., Aid.
= Maria Trrcsn Rloatsd.