The herald., 1898-12-23

who showed signal valor would necessitate
sending in an almost complete roster OF the
regiment. Many of the cases which men
ton stand merely as examples Of the rest-
not as exceptions.
The most conspicuous gallantry was
shown by Trooper powland. He was wound
ed in the side in our. first fight, but kept in
the firing line. He was sent to the hospital
to us, overtaking U.S. and fought all through
this battle with such indifference to danger
that l was forced again and again to rate
and threaten him for running needless risk.
UNIDENTIFIED HEROES
Great gallantry was also shown by four
troopers whom l cannot identify and by
Trooper Winslow Clark of Troop G.
1t was after we had taken the first hill
had called out to rush the second, and
having by that time lost my horse, climbed
wire fence and started towards it.
After going a couple of hundred yards under
heavy fire, found that no one else had
come. As 1 discovered later, it was simply
because, in the confusion, with men shoot
ing and being shot, they had not noticed
me start. ! told the five men to wait a
moment, as it might be misunderstood if
we all ran back, while ran back and start
ed the regiment, and as soon as did SO the
regiment came with a rush. But mean
while the five men coolly lay down in the
open, returning the fire from the trenches.
1t is to be wondered at that only Clarke
was seriously wounded, and he called out
as we passed again to lay his canteen where
he could reach it, but to continue the
charge and leave him where he was. All
the wounded had to. be left until after the
FIRST fight, for we could spare no men from
the firing line. Very respectfully,
THEODORE ROOSEVELT,
Lieutenant Colonel of the First United
States Volunteer Cavalry.
THE SECOND REPORT
Z The second and more important report
is as follows:
CAMP HAMILTON, near Santiago de
Cuba, July 20, 1893. Brigadier- General
Leonard WOOD commanding Second bri-
gade, Cavalry division-Sir: In obedience
to- your directions, l herewith report on
the operations OF my regiment from the
lst to the 18th instant, inclusive.
As l have already made you two reports
about the first days operations, l shall pass
them over rather briefly. On the morning
of the first day my regiment was formed
at the head of the Second brigade, by the
Ell Peso sugar mill. When the batteries
opened the Spaniards replied to us with
shrapnel, which killed and wounded several
men of my regiment. We then marched
toward the right, and my regiment crossed
the ford before the balloon had come down
and attracted the fire of the enemy, SO at
that point We lost no one. My orders had
been to march forward until | Joined Gen.
eral Lawton's left, but after going about
three-quarters of mile was halted and
told to remain in reserve near the creek by
deep lake.
the next hour, while we lay there, and
many of my men were killed and wounded,
among the former being Captain O'Neil,
whose loss was very heavy blow to the
regiment, for he was a singularly gallant
and efficient officer. Acting Lieutenant
Haskell was also shot at this time. He
showed the utmost courage and had been
of great use during the fighting and march.
ing. 1t seems to me some action should
be taken about him.
ADVANCE ORDERED
You then sent me word to move forward
in support tof the regular cavalry, and l
advanced to the right in column of com
panies, each company deployed as skir-
mishers. We moved through several skir-
mish Lines of the regiments ahead of us,
as it seemed to me our only chance was in
rushing the intrenchments in front, in
stead Of firing at them from a distance
Accordingly we charged the blockhouse and
intrenchments on the hill to the right,
against heavy fire. 1t was taken in good
style, the men of my regiment thus being
the first to capture any fortified position
and to break through the Spanish lines.
The guides of G and E troops were first
at this point, but some of the men of A
and b troops, who were with me personally,
got in ahead of them. At the last wire
fence up this hill was obliged to aban-
don my horse, and after that went on foot.
After capturing this hill we first directed A
heavy fire upon the San Juan hill, to our
left, which was at that time being assaulted
by the regular infantry and cavalry, sup
ported by Captain Parker's Gatling guns.
SAN JUAN TAKEN
By the time San Juan was taken a large
force had assembled on the hill we had pre-.
viously captured, consisting not only of nv
own cavalry regiment, but Of the Ninth and
portions of other cavalry regiments. We
then charged forward undex heavy fire
across the valley against the Spanish en-
trenchments on the hill at the rear of the
San Juan hill. THE we also took, capturing
several prisoners. We then formed in what.
ever order we could and moved forward.
driving the Spanish before us to the crest
OF the hills in our front, which were imme-
diately opposite the city of Santiago itself,
Rsre | received orders to halt and hold
the hill Of Crest. Ishad at the time frag-
ments of the Sixth cavalry regiment and an
occasional infantrymsn under me-three or
four hundred men AN told. As / wae the
highest there L took command Of all Of
them and SO continueduntil the next morn.
ing. s
The Spaniards attempted to make coun.
ter attack that afternoon, but were easily
driven back, and then until after dark Ne
remained under heavy fire from their riiiles
and great guns, lying fat on our faces d :