Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-03

teen-pounders and 3.2 caliber guns. A
semi-crcular valley Of great depth inter-
vened between the plateau and Santiago.
which was fully exposed ON the ridge oppo-
site. 200 yards away,
The hospitals were flying Red Cross flags,
and men were seen massed before the bar
racks. From Santiago the ridge slopes
northward. ending virtually at large ha-
cienda called San Juan. Outside the village
Of Caney along this ridge, earthworks and
rifle pits were visible.
The order of battle was as follows:
First and Tenth cavalry OF the Second
brigade. Third and Sixth cavalry and one
squadron of the Ninth cavalry Of the First
brigade. and the First United States volun-
teer cavalry rough riders Of the Second bril-
gade. massed on the left OF the plateau.
Four guns held the plateau. General Gar
cia. with 4,cD0 Cubans, was down in the val
ley in front of the plateau. General Kents
division formed the left wing and General
Lawton's the right, with the cavalry de-
tailed as above. all dismounted. and the
Cubans forming the center.
the arms of the ''V' facing nearly to the
northeast and southwest. the idea being to
advance in this formation, clearing the
valley and ridges toward the north. and
then sweeping round. still In ''V' forma-
ton. and attacking Santiago from the
northeast
About $50 balloon was sent up in front
of ,Ir,y Il;
volley from the Spanish intrenchments.
Though volley followed volley the daring
officer made reconnaissance and got down
safely, after having obtained complete de-
tails Of the disposition of the enemy. The
advance of the cavalry and General Kent's
division Immediately began along the line
of the main road to Santiago. 1t was about
| two hours later before our advance began
| breaking through the cover in front of the
! Spanish trenches. 1t was met with a hail
from Mauser rifles, which temporarily
! stayed the forward movement. The Span
! iards had the range and their practice was
: good. Our men lay on their breasts. and
! poured volley after volley into them at
range so close that the opposing lines could
Captain Grimes then reopened with his
battery and in the second duel with the
Spanish artillerists did much better execu-
tion. planting shell after shell in the first
main redoubt and silencing two guns. The
Spanish gunners then turned their atten-
tion to our infantry and began dropping
shells in the advance guard.
A few minutes afterward Clarks brigade
and the right of Kents division made a
gallant charge up the knoll to the north
of the extreme left Of the Spanish line
and took possession Of the hacienda in the
shelter of an orange grove. This marked
the beginning of a magnificent charge
through the first line of intrenchments.
The cavalry division and General Hawkins
brigade charged up the slope against a
storm Of death.
It was in this awful charge that our men
were SO badly cut up that they started on
double-quick: but no troops could face
Our men staggered and threw themselves
on the ground. Again they started. and
again they Frustrated themselves; but on,
on. and up. up, they went, until. with a
cheer, they sprang over the trenches di-
viding the sides of the hill checkered with
their fallen comrades. There was hand
10 hand fight here. in which an officer of
the Twenty-fourth was macheted, but the
Speniards could not resist the onset of
our troops. and they scrambled out of
the trenches and broke over the line OF
knoils on which they were situated.
Hundreds Of the enemy lay dead OF
wounded In the trenches.
! The main redoubt was then carried with
a rush. The two remaining batteries were
then ordered UP, and. with rattle and
clash. Captain Bates battery went tearing
up the road, numbered as 1t was with q
stream of wounded going to the rear. The
battery got in position to the right of the
main Spanish redoubt at o'clock and at
$50 Captain Bates sent the first shell. which
went whizzing down the line of intrench-
ments. enfilading the enemy murderously.
The American advance line remained be.
hind the crest of the hills until Captain
Bates had driven terror into the already
beaten and discouraged enemy.
At this time our fleet was also at work
Shortly before this dispatch was writer
, our line again moved forward and the
!, Spanish began to retreat into the town
, The retreat soon became a rout. and al
o'clock an officer just from the from
says the enemy are hopelessly beaten, fol
the city will fall tomorrow.
, General Lawtons troops suffered heavy
, losses. especially the Second Massachu
sets, but it is believed the reports may b,
, exaggerated.
The Spanish do not seem to have hat
, any sartillery at Caney, but the musketr.
combat in that quarter was hot and con
tinuous for nearly an hour. The advance
of our regulars along the center and lef
was steady and their fire was deliberate
[ | and nagnificently sustained. The Span
ish fired in volleys in rapid succession
while the Americans discharged few shot
= but with definite aim. 1t is believed tina
D the Spanish losses are exceedingly heavy.
, STORY OF FRIDAYS FIGHT.
I Dispatches Sent while hattie WINS Ii
Progress Tell of Desperate