The Portland daily press., 1898-08-04
FIERCE FIGHTING.
General Kent's Report of the Fight
Before Santiago.

Copyright 1895, by the Associated Press.)
{ Correspondence of the Associated Press)
Raadqua1te of the First Division Of
the Fifth Army Corps, Near Santiago
de Cuba, July 22.-Major General Shafter
having authorized the publication of the
official report of Brigadier General j.
Ford Kent of the battle of July 1st, Sec
ond and third. a certified copy Of the re-
port is now furnished to the Associated
Press by Major A. G. Sharpe, Assista MT
Adjutant General, first division, fifth
army corps. The report is as follows:
Headquarters First Division Fifty Army
Corps in the Field. Fort San Juan.
Near Santiago de Cuba, July 2. Assist
ant Adjutant General F irst Army
Corps:
Sir have the honor to submit the
following report of the operations of my
command in the battle Of July 1:
On the afternoon Of June 80, p ursuane
to orders given me verbally BY the corps
com mander at his headquarters, moved
my second and third brigades {Parson
and Wikoff) forward about two miles to
point on the Santiago road near corps
headquarters. Here ths troops biyou-
acked. The first brigade (Hawkins) re-
mained in its camp for the two preceding
days, slightly in rear of coprs headquart-
ara.
On the following morning (July - at
seven O'Clock 1 rode forward to the hill
where Captain Grimes battery was in
position. I here met Lieut.. McClernand,
assistant adjutant general fifth corps,
who pointed out to me green hill in
the distance which was to be my object.
i've point on my left and either he or
Lieut.. Miley of Major General Shafter's
staff, gave me directions to keep my right
on the main road leading to the city of
Santiago. 1 had previously given the
necessary orders for Hawkins brigade to
move carly, to be foil owed in turn by
Wiokoff's and Parsons.
Shortly after Grimes battery opened
fire 1 went down to the stream and there
found General Hawkins at the head of
his brigade at a point about $50 yards
from the Ell Paso sugar house. Here I
gave him his orders.
The enemy's artillery ws now replying
TO Grimes battery. / rode forward with
Hawkins about $50 yards, closely fol-
lowed by the sixth infantry, which was
leading the first brigade. At this point
received instructions to allow the cavalry
the right of way, hut for some unknown
reason they moved up very slowly, thus
causing delay in my advance of fully
40 minutes. Lieut.. Miley of General
Skaters staff was at this point and ur-
derstood how the division was delayed
and repeated several times that it was
understood I was making the progress
possible General Hawkins went for
ward and word came back in few
minutes that it would be possible to OBJ
servs the enemy's position form the front.
Immediately rode forward with my
staff The fire of the enemy's sharp
shooters was very distinctly felt at this
time. I crossed the main ford of the San
Juan river, Joined General Hawkins and
with him observed the enemy's position
from a point some distance in advance OF
tho ford. General Hawkins deemed it
possible to turn the.enemy's right at Fort
San Juan, but after, under tie heavy
ire, this was found impracticabie for the
first brigade, but was accomplished by the
bird brigade command upon General
Hawkins left. Having completed tbs
observation with my staff. proceeded to
ioin the head Of my division, just coming
under heavy fire. Approaching the first
brlagde, I directed them to move along
side the cavalry, which was halted, We
were already suffering losses. caused by
balloon, nearby attracting fire and dis
closing our position.
The enemy's infantry fire. steadily in
creasing in intensity, now came from all
directions, not only from the 'front.' and
the dense tropical thickets on our TANKS,
but from sharpshooters posted in trees IN
our rear. Lieut.. Col. Derby OF General
Shafter's staff met me about this time
and informed me that a narrow way had
been discovered from the balloon short
distance back leading to the left of ford
lower down stream. ! fastened to the
forks made by this road and soon after
the list New York. of Hawkins brigade