The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-16
WILMINGTON N. c., FRIDAY SEPTEMBER l6. 1885,

ter says, committed me to approach
ing Santiago frem the east over a mar
row road, at first in some places not
better than a trail, running from Dai-
quiri through Sibony and Seviila, and
making attack from that quarter
This. in my judgment, was the only
feasible plan, and subsequent informa-
ton and results confirmed my judg-
ment."
The engagement in which the Rough
Riders participated is described as
having had an inspiring effect upon
our men, and, doubtless correspond
ingly depressed the enemy as il was
now plainly demonstrated to them that
they had foe to meet who would ad-
vance upon them under a heavy f1re
delivered from entertainments. General
Wheeler, division commander, was
present during the engagement and re-
ports that our troops, officers and men,
fought with the greatest gallantry.
This engagement gave US a we'll water
ed country farther to the front on
which to encamp our troops"
The report continues: 1T was not
until nearly two weeks after the army
landed that it was possible to place
on shore three days supplies in excess
of those required for the daily con-
sumption. On June 30th | re-
connOitered the country about Santl-
ago and made my plan of attack. From
a high hill, from which the city was in
plain view, / could see the San Juan
hill and the country about Ell Caney.
The roads were very poor and, indeed,
little better than bride paths until
the San Juan river and Ell Caney were
reached
General Shafter explained, at
meeting of generals his plan of battle,
as follows:
"Lawton's division, assisted by Cap
ron's light battery, was ordered to
move out during the afternoon toward
FL Caney, to begin the attack there
early the next morning. After carry
ing FL Caney, LaWtOn was to move by
the Ell Caney road toward Santiago,
and take position on the right of the
line. Wheeler's division of dsmounted
cavalry and Kents division of in
fantry were directed to move on the
Santiago road, the head of the column
resting near Ell Pozo, toward which
heights Grimes battery moved on the
afternoon of the 30th, with orders to
take position thereon early the next
morning, and at the proper time pre-
pare the way for the advance of
Wheeler and Kent on San Juan
hill. The attack at this point was to
be delayed until Lawton's guns were
heard at Ell Caney and his infantry
fire showed he mad become well en-
gagged.
THE preparations were far from
what I desired them to be, but we were
in a sickly climate, our supplies had
to be brought forward by narrow
wagon road, which the rains might at
any time render impossible; fear was
entertained that a storm might drive
the vessels containing our stores to
sea, thus separating us from our base
Of supplies, and lastly, it was reported
that General Pando, with 5000 REIN
fOrcements for the enemy was en- route
from Manzanillo and might be Expect
ed in a few days. Under these condi-
tiOns l determined to give battle with
out delay
General Shafter here gives descrip-
tiOn of the battle of Ell Caney and the
charge up San Juan hill, in which he
pays high compliment to the conduct
of the officers and men. He says:
General Wheeler, the permanent
commander of the cavalry division,
who had been ill, came forward dur
ing the morning, and later returned to
duty and rendered most gallant and
efficient service during the remainder
of the day.
Great credit is due to Brigadier
General H. S. Hawkins, who, placing
himself between his regiments, urged
them on by voice and bugle calls to
the attack SO brilliantly executed.
In this fierce encounter words fail
to do justice to the gallant regimental
commanders and their heroic men, for,
while the general indicated the forma-
tiOns and the points of attack, it was,
after all, the intrepid bravery of the
subordinate officers and men that
planted our colors. on the crest of San
Juan hill and drove the enemy from
his trenches and block houses, thus
gaining position which sealed the
fate of Santiago.
In this action on this part of the
field most efficient service was rem
dered by Lieutenant John H. Parker,
Thirteenth infantry, and the Gatling
gun detachment, under his command.
The fighting continued at intervals un-
til nightfall, but our men held resO-
lutely the positions gained at the cost
of so much blood and toll.
Il am greatly indebted to General
Wheeler, who, as previously stated, re-
turned from the sick list to duty dur
ing the afternoon. His cheerfulness
and aggressiveness made itself felt on
this part of the battlefield, and the in
formation he furnished to me at va
riOus stages Of the battle proved to be
most useful.
MY oWL uedIlu was impaired DS
over exertion in the sun and intense
heat of the day before, which prevent
ed me from participating as actively in
the battles as I desired; but from a
high hill near by headquarters / had a
general view of the battlefield extend
ing from Ell Caney on the right to the
left of our lines on San Juan HILL
General Shafter follows in detail the
movements of the troops, and the III
trenching done during the night. He
says:
>"General Duffield, with the Thirty
third Michigan, attacked Aguadores
as ordered, but was unable to accom-
plish more than to detain the Span
iards in that vicinity.
"On the morning of the 3rd, the bat
tie was renewed, but the enemy seem
ed to have expended his energy in the
assault of the previous night and the
firing along the lines was desultory un-
til stopped by my sending the follow
ing letter within the Spanish lines
General Shafter then gives the dis
patches passing between him and Cen
pra1 Tora1 already nr1hliShad uo nro-