The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-09-15

road, the head of the column resting
near Ell Poso, toward which heights
Grimes battery moved on the afternoon
of the 3Oth, with orders to take position
there early on the next morning, and at
the proper time prepare the way Tor the
advance of Wheeler and Kent on san
Juan hill. The attack at this point was
to be delayed until Lawton's guns were
heard at FL Caney and his infantry hiring
showed he had become well engaged. The
preparations were far from what l de-
sired them to be, but we were in sickiy
climate, our supplies had to be brought
forward by a narrow wagon. road which
the rains might at any time render i'm
passable: fear was entertained that a
storm might drive the vessels containing
our supplies to sea. thus parting US from
our base of supplies, and, lastly 1t was
reported that General Pando, with 5000
achievements for the enemy, was en-
route from Manzanillo and might be ex-
pected in a few days. Under these con-
ditions / determined to give battle with
out delay.
The report goes on to give in detail
an account of the fighting that led up
to the surrender of Santiago by the
Spaniards. Calamity of division, bril-
gade and regimental commanders and
officers of lesser rank is duly praised.
General Shafter then gives the de-
tails of the final surrender, his entry
into the city of Santiago and the rails
ing of the American flag. In closing he
says:
Before closing my report I wish to
dwell upon the natural obstacles / had to
encounter and which no foresight could
have overcome or obviated. The rocky
and precipitous coast AFFORDED no shelter
for landing places, the roads were mere
bride paths, the effect of the tropical
sun and rains upon unacclimated troops
was deadly, and dread of strange and
unknown diseases had its effect on the
army. .
At Baiquiri the landing of the troops
and stores was made at a small wooden
wharf, which the Spaniards tried to burn,
but unsuccessfully, and the animals were
pushed into the water and guided to a
sandy beach about 200 yards in extent.
At Siboney the landing was made on the
beach and at a small wharf erected by
the engineers. had neither the time nor
the men to spare to construct permanent
wharves: In spite Of the fact that had
the roads, they were at times impossible
for wagons.
would often suddenly rise SO as to- pre-
vent the passage of wagons, and then
the eight pack trains with the command
had to be depended upon for the victual-
ing of my army as well as the 900
refugees who could not in the interests OF
humanity be left to starve while we had
moved except on pack trains.
After the great physical strain and ex-
posture of July l and the malarial and
other fevers began to rapidly advance
the yellow fever appeared at Siboney.
Though efforts were made to keep this
fact from the army It soon became
commissary stores during the campaign
was abundant, and Notwithstanding the
difficulties in landing the rations, the
times supplied with it's coarse compo-
nents, namely oat bread, meat, sugar and
coffee. There was no lack Of transporta-
ton, for at no time up to the surrender
could all the wagons had be used
In reference to the sick and wounded
have to say that they received every at
The medical officers without exception
worked night and day to alleviate the
suffering, which was no greater than in
would have been better If we p had more
ambulances, but as many were taken as
was necessary, judging from previous
campaigns.
: The discipline of the command was Sill
perb, and l wish to invite attention to
the fact that not an officer was brought
to trial by cTurtmarela and as far as
umes for an army of this size and In
campaign of such duration. In conclu-
Of my staff my thanks for their eff3nieps
performance of all the duties required Of
them, and the good judgment and bravery
displayed on all occasions when de-
manded.
General Shafter recommends for nro-
motion and brevets the following Off
GERS: Lieutenant Colonel E. c. Nc
iClernand. Lieutenant Colonel George
McDerby, Lieutenant Colonel J. D. Mi
ley, Major r. H. Knoble, Lieutenant
Colonel j. J. Aston, Lieutenant Colonel
B. F. Pope, Major S. w. Groesbeck,
Lieutenant Colonel Charles s. Humph-
rey. Lieutenant Colonel j. F. Weston.
Major g. H. Starr, Major Leon Bou-
giez. Major H. j. Gallagher, Captain
Brice, Captain e. H. Plummer, Cap
tain j. c. Gilmore Jr., Captain w. II.
McKittrick. He also mentions Dr. G.
Goodfellow and G. F. Hawkins of New
York for services performed, and ex-
presses his warmest thanks to division,
brigade and regimental commanders
without exception.
The reports of division commanders,
which are attached, have already been