New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-10
WORKING THE DYNAMITE GUN.
PERILOUs DUTY IN THE BATTLE OF JULY
DESCRIBED BY SERGEANT RICKETTS,.


DESCRIBED BY SERGEANT RICKETTS,.
Sergeant Basil Ricketts,, Of the Rough Riders.
who has been spending a few days at the home
Of his cousin. Mrs A. speyers. of No. AS West
Twenty-third-st.. went to Washington last even
Ing. He hopes TO get commission in the Regular
Army. Sergeant Ricketts, carries a Mauser bullet
In his hip. He obliged to return from Cuba
on account of a severe attack OF maIarial fever.
and his condition has been such that an operation
could not be performed for the removal Of the
bullet.
The wound received in the battle OF July
when Sergeant Ricketts, detailed to go for
ward with Sergeant NOW Captain Hallett Aisop
Borrowc. who had charge of the dynamite gun.
In speaking of his experiences Sergeant Ricketts,
said that when the gun moved To the front
shots falling thick and fast. but no attention
paid TO them The first shot from the dyna-
mite gun damned IT, and II had 10 be taken to the
About two hours and half were consumed
in getting the gun into shape. and It was then
brought up again. ITS position being in the
centre OF smooth. broad road whore there was
perfect hail of shot and shell. The position was
Of extreme peril. there was imsrnent danger
that stray shot would explode the dynamite
which the men carried ammunition for the gun.
After the gun had been discharged three times
an order given TO cease 1rng.
AN the while the shots were falling thicker ana
faster. and the at the gun expected that any
moment they would find themselves blown 10 pieces
by an explosion OF the dynamite. The men did not
waver however. and stood BY. awaiting orders.
few minutes later Lieutenant Miley came along.
and Sergeant Ricketts, pointed out the danger ana
asked II the Lieutenant did not think 1t would DO
advisable TO bury the dynamite. Lieutenant Miley
told him to go ahead and do and Ser geant Rick
etts started on the task. After he had ripped up
the turf and dug for few seconds. no felt suo-
den sting and fell in heap. He had been struck
by A Mauser bullet, but he kept on with his work
until he had slowed the dynamite away safeT.
Then he carried to the rear.
on another occasion Sergeant Ricketts, was ds-
tailed carry ammunition to Siboney.
After arriving there he was ordered 10 wait u"'u
the morning before returning. as " was tearso
he could not make the Journey safely He was pro-
vided with escort OF twenty-three Cuoans OUT
by the time he arrived back at SANTIAGO All oue
three OF them had deserted him.
Sergeant Ricketts, denounced the Cubans roundiy
and said that they were a worthless set tie saio'
however. that of all the suffering he had seen On
the battlefield nothing was so pttiful as the sight
Of the Cuban women and children. with their podies
bloated from starvation. -. 49,.
Among the men detailed 10 go forward with the
dynamite gun a Cuban named DE Maurier.
When the first shot was fred he ran away ana has
never been since. Sergeant Ricketts, said tnat
It was mistake to think that the dynamite INIT gun
eral Miles had ordered eight Of them for use In
m a TO n ns tp nr o his Experiences
was board the Cherokee when she was nren , on
going TO Fort Mcpherson. Sergeant hlcketts sdI1
that during the three weeks he was IN the nospltA
al Fort Mcpherson five men. who dled OF ie'er'
were buried on average every night.
one morning when he awoke he found NURSE
memorandum lying by his bedside. which read'
Man Ricketts, dying. ~ ..
He left the hospital shortly after that. Sergeant
Ricketts, is a graduate of Princeton. and before mo
war was engaged In mining In colorado where ne
had gone after A trip through the Transvaal When
the war broke out Colonel Wood wrote for him 70
come on and Join his regiment. His father was
retired al the end OF the civil War as MaJor-Gen-
f,,lI General Ricketts,
badly wounded at the battle Of Bull Run. and sent
his sword 10 his wife with message that ne was
dying As Mrs. Rickctts received tns
news she went General Davis ana secured y
pass to 60 to her husband. She started Tor the
field in the family carriage but the coacnnsn
was shot from the box. and she then ha s,.I 70
pick her way on foot through the dead ana nyns
10 where her husband lay. 4 surgeon was on ne u,
point Of amputating General Rickettss leg out nlS
wife insisted that it should not be done she also
refused 10 leave him. and was made prisoner
occupying room in Libby Prison with her hus-
hand and thirteen other officers.
After six months an exchange was erected ana
General Ricketts, Immediately re-entered active
service being wounded six times 49, .
During the battle Of San Juan white,haited
veteran trembling with excitement made MS
wav through shot and smoke. and. putting nts
Rand on Sergeant Ricketts, shoulder. said an
Mr. Ricketts, wouldn't this just please The aldGeh-
all