The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-09-15
REPORT OF CUBAN CAMPAIGN.
GEN. sHAFTER BECOUNTs THE
EVENTS FROM THE BEGINNING.

Gnrcin's Servfce-PIan of CAM
paign Follows Conference With
Admiral sampson and Gen. Garcia
Daring Rough Riders Inspired His
Men and Depressed the Enemy.
Preparations for the Attack Were
Not what He Desired, BUT Condi-
tiOns Demanded Prompt Action.
Washington, Sept. 14.-Gen. Skaters re-
port Of the campaign which terminated in
the fall Of Santiago has been made puo-
lie. He briefly recounts the organization
OF the expedition and Its embarkation and
then devotes the main body of the report
TO the active operations about Santiago.
Gen. Shafter says the expedition was un-
dertalen in compliance with telegraphic
Instructions of May 30 from the head
quarters of the army, in which It was
stated: Admiral Schley reports that two
cruisers and two torpedo boats have been
seen in the harbor of Santiago. Go with
your force to capture garrison at Santiago,
and assist in capturing harbor and fleets
Gen. Shafter gives In detail the troops
assembled al Tampa and also tells OF the
embarkauon, delay In getting away and
final departure. The report briefly covers
the trip and landing and Skaters first
meeting with Gen. Garcia, adding: Dur
ing the interview Gen. Garcia offered the
service Of his troops, comprising about A.
GOO men in the vicinity of Aserraderos,
and about 800 under Gen. Castillo, at the
little town of Cujababo a few miles east
of Daiquiri.
Il accepted this offer, impressng Il upon
him that I could exercise no military con-
troll over him except such as he would con-
cede, and as long as he served under me
1 would furnish him rations and ammu-
milton"
After conferring with Admiral Sampson
and Gen. Garcia, the plan of campaign
was outlined by Gen. shafter. The dis
embarkation was to commence on the 22d
at Daiquri. with felnts by the Cubans
on Cabanas and by the navy at various
shore points, in order to mislead the
enemy to the place of landing.
These movements" Gen. 5hafter says,
committed me to approaching Santiago
from the east over narrow road, at first
in some places not better than a trail.
running from Daiqulri through Siboney
and Sevilla, and making attack from that
| quarter. This in my Judgment, was the
only feasible plan, and subsequent infor-
nation and results confirmed my tudg-
ment."
The engagement in which the Rough
Riders participated Is described as having
had an inspiring effect upon our men.
and, doubtless, correspondingly depressed
the enemy, as Ii was now plainly demon
strated to them that they had a foe to
meet who would advance upon them un-
der heavy fire delivered from intrench-
ments. Gen Wheeler division commando
ar ha emf
and reports that our troops, officers and
tnen, fought with the greatest gallantry.
This engagement gave us a well-watered
country farther to the front on which to
encamp our troops"
The report continues: "It was not until
nearly two weeks after the army landed
that II was possible 10 place on shore
three days supplies in excess of those re-
qulred for the daily consumption.
on June 30 I reconnotered the country
about Santiago and made my plan of at
tack From high hill, from which the
city was in plain vlew l could see the
San Juan HILL and the country about El
Caney. The roads were very poor and,
indeed, little better than bride paths
until the San Juan river and Ell Caney
were reached"
Gen. Shafter explained, at a meeting OF
generals. his plan of battle, as follows:
"Lawton's division assisted by Capron's
light battery, was ordered TO move out
during the afternoon toward El Caney, to
begin the attack there early the next
morning.
"After carrying FL Caney Lawton was
TO move by the Caney road toward San
tiago, and take position on the right flank.
Wheeler's division of dismounted cavalry
and Kents division of infantry were df-
rected 10 move on the Santiago road the
| head of the column resting near Ell Poseo
toward which nights Grimes battery
ffo~s
orders 10 take position thereon early next
morning and at the proper time prepare
for the advance of Wheeler and Kent on
San Juan hill. The.attack at this pofnt
was to be delayed until Lawton's guns
were heard at 1l Caney and his infantry
fire showed she had become well engaged
The preparations were far from what
desired them 20 be, but we were in a sick
ly climate our supplies had to be brought
forward by a narrow wagon road which
the rains might at any time render impas-
sable. Fear was entertained that a storm
might drive the vessels containing our
stores at sea. thus separating us from our
base of supplies, and lastly 1t was reported
that Gen. Pando with 5000 reinforcements
for the enemy was en- route from Manzan-
lilo and might be expected in a few DAYS.
| Under these conditions I determined to
| give battle without delay"
Gen. Shafter here gives a description OF
the battle of El Caney and the charge up
San Juan hill, in which he pays a high
| compliment to the conduct of the officers
and men. He says Gen. Wheeler, the
| permanent commander of the cavalry di-
/ vision, who had been m. came forward
during the morning, and later returned to
| duty and rendered most gallant and eff
| fcieut service during the remainder of the
| day.
Great credit Is due to Brig. Gen. III. s.
! Hawkins, who. placing himself between his
| regiments, urged them on by voice and
bugle calls to the attack so brilliantly ex-
| ecuted.
"In this fierce encounter words fail TO
| do justice to the gallant regimental COM
mandcrs and their heroic men, for while
the generals indicated the formations and
the points Of attack it was after all the
intrepid bravery of the subordinate officers
| and men that planted our colora on the
crest of San Juan hin, and drove the enc.
my from his trenches and blockhohses,
! thus gaining a position which sealed the
fate OF Santiago.