Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-25
THE YAUCO FIGHT.
OFFICIAL REPORT THEREON OF
GENERAL GARRETsoN.
OUR TROOPS BEHAVED WELL.
There Was Confusion Among Them,
However, on the Enemy's First
Ffring--A Number Of Officers Com
mended for GaIIantry.

raj Garretson, on the action on the Yauco
road, In Porto Rico. July 18th last. In
which his brigade was engaged. The re-
port is as follows:
The brigade landed at Guanica On July
18th, at about II 20 IL A. NJ. During the
afternoon of that day l made a recon-
noissance. with two OF ray stan officers
and Major W. c. Hayes, OF the First
Ohio Cavalry, of the roads and trails
camp was situated. The valley runs
nearly north and south, and is about a
mile wide. There are mountains on
either side. about 800 feet high About
| three miles from the camp is range of
low hills, varying from 80 to 100 feet high.
running at right angles with the valley.
Narrow valleys debouched to the north
east and west. Along the latter runs the
road to Sabana Graude. Along the north
eastern valley runs the road to Yauco.
las the enemy was reported at these
places by the inhabitants Of the valley,
the roads were carefully reconnoitered,
and the body of the enemy was dis
covered at the hacienda Santa Decidera.
Of Antonio Mariana, at about p. Nj.
This hacienda is situated nearly in the
centre of an oval plateau, about one mile
by one and half miles in diameter, sur
rounded for the most part by low hills,
and separated by the hill above men
toned from the valley of Guanica. The
distance between the two plains men
TONED, measured through the base OF the
mountain, Is about l. 100 wards
The fauco river runs through the
plain OF the hacienda, the valley OF
Guanica, and the narrow valley connect
ing them. This narrow valley consti-
tuting detile, was the scene OF the early
action. A banana-feld lies on the east
side Of the road and hill covered with
chapparal to the west.
THE ENEMY APPEARS.
'"The small hill, on which the house of
Ventura Quinones is situated affords a
view OF the hacienda. Here and along the
road an outpost. consisting OF one com
pany, @. Sixth Illinois. was posted. At
about +. NJ. report was sent from the
outpost that the enemy in considerable
numbers had been observed. | sent out
two companies OF the Sixth Massachu-
sets Is reserve.
During the night the enemy opened
FIRE on the outposts, and their commander
sent a report. which arrived at camp at
A. M. July 18th, that an attack on the
outposts was expected. At 3 a. NJ. /, with
my staff and Major w. c. Hayes, First
Ohio Cavalry, and i've companies OF the
Sixth Massachusetts left camp for the
outposts on the Yauco road. The COM
mand arrived there shortly before day
break. at about 4:30 o'clock.
From the reports of the outposts, the
enemy was supposed TO be In the field TO
the right OF the road to Yauco. Packs
were thrown off, ana the command form
ed for attack. The company of the Sixth
Illinois remained on the hill on which the
house Of Ventura Quinones is situated,
and protected cur right flank. The re-
naming companies were collected, two
as support and three as reserve. After
advancing 10 within 30 yards Of he plain
of the Hacienda Santa DecldeIa, the adj
vance guard Of our attacking force was
discovered by the enemy, who opened fire
from position on the hill 10 the west.
The north and east slopes OF this hill iE-
tersect each other, forming a solid angle.
1t was along this angle that the enemy
was posted. Their reserve, posted in a
road leading from the hacienda TO the
east, also opened a strong fire on the road.
body of the enemy moved against the
company on our right-Company q. Sixth
Illinois, stationed on the hill of Ventura
Quinones This COMPANY had entrenched
itself d0ing the night, and after repuls-
ing the attacking force, directed its fire
against the enemy on the hill to tho west.
MONETARY CONFUSION.
"The conformation OF the ground was
such that the fire of the enemy's reserves
and party on the left was effective in the
seeming hollow in which our reserves
were posted. The heavy volume or fire,
the noise Of shots striking the trees and
on the ground, and the wounding Of two
men among the reserves caused a mo-
mentary confusion among the troops.
They were quickly rallied and placed I'M
der cover. The fire of the advance party
and supports was directed against the
party of the enemy on the hill, and tenn
porarily silenced its fire from that direc-
ton. |
Our advance guard of two companies, |
ignoring the enemy on the hill. then de- |
ployed mainly TO the right OF the road, |
and was with quick and accurate military |
judgment and great precision CALAMITY |
led by Lieutenant Laughton, First Caval- |
~. against tho reserves or the enemy. |
The supports and one company of the |
reserves charged against the party on |
the west hill through barbed-wire |
fence and the chapparal The reserves
deployed along the barbed-wire fence,
and brought up in the rear and to the |
left Of the attacking party. conducted by /
Lieutenant b. Ames. OF the Sixth Massa-
chusetts. The enemy was driven from the
hill and retired from the valley, disap-
pearing behind the hacienda.
1T was supposed that the enemy had
retired to the hacienda, as this house
was surrounded on the sides presented 10
our view with loop-holed walls The
troops on the hill were collected along
the road. A reserve OF three companies
was established at the intersection of the
road to YaucO. The two companies in
advance which deployed we led 10 the
left, and advanced TO a corn-feld to our
right. The remainder OF the command
deployed, and advanced 10 the hacienda,
it 10 the west. 1t was then
discovered that the enemy had retreated
toward Yauco, along cleverly concealed
lines.
IN obedience TO instructions received
from Major-General Miles, no further
pursuit was made.
THE force OF the enemy engaged in the
battle consisted OF Battalion 25, Patria,
of the Spanish army. and some yolun-
teers, in all, about COO or 700 men.
THE CASUALTIES.
''rhe casualties on our side were four
slightly wounded.
After the occupation Of Yauco. the
casualties of the enemy were found to be
)ne lieutenant and one cornet killed. and
eighteen men seriously, and thirty-two
slightly. wounded.
after the confusion resulting from The
irst fire the conduct of the troops was
excellent. They were speedily rallied
md aftervard obeyed orders given |