Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-09-03

DDuDI5 btbltib AliI
regulars at Santiago. The men Of the
Seventy first New York militia volun-
teers did not 60 in in brigade column
in the attack ON El Caney heights, sup
ported right and left by regulars. They
ran into fight Of their own and held
their end up like veterans.
On the march to FL Caney, move
ment which was intended for a feint
and not an attack, the Seventy first fol
lowed the road taken by the regulars
some distance until the Spaniards on
the flank, along the works around San
tiago, began to harass the column. In
fact, by reading between the lines OF
the reports one sees that the Spaniards
had the best of the situation and but
for the valor of our troops would have
given us Bull Run then and there.
The road used by the troops was in dan
ger of seizure by the Spaniards. Com
pany f of the Seventy first led by Cap
tain Rafferty,, who has the warlike ardor
of his race, deployed to guard the road
Gradually the fight developed, and the
regulars deployed a line of two regi-
ments with skirlnishers, to the front
Captain Rafferty's militiamen formed
the right of the skirmish line. Over the
hill the line rushed, through a shelter
ing woods, into the broad open, beyond
which was a Spanish blockhouse.
After leaving the woods the troops
had no shelter whatever from the Span
ish fire. Still it looked easy to advance
upon the blockhouse and take it with a
rush Suddenly the hillside was swept
with shells and bullets. The Spaniards
had waited to get the American line
we'll out Of reach of shelter before open
ing fire. 1t was a complete surprise, yet
the militiamen did not wayer. Closing
up the gaps in their ranks where the
shells and Mauser bullets tore through,
they marched ON to the aid of the regu-
lars, who were in danger of being cut
of. Before it was half way across the
field the Seventy first lost 70 men killed
and wounded.
The Spaniards, making target of
the advancing Americans, were behind
breastworks and out of sight Their fire
grew more terrible every moment, but
the Seventy first instead of shrinking
from it, broke into a run straight for
the Spanish position. Soon they got
close enough to see the Spaniards and
opened fire in answer TO theirs.
All this time Captain Rafferty, S com
pany was leading. 1t dashed for the
crest with bayonets fixed, charged the
trenches and drove the Spaniards out.
Many of the latter were shot down as
they ran away. and the little field of
the gallant company's exploit was soon
covered with dead and dying dons.
Rafferty's men occupied the captured
rifle pits Nearly every man had been
hit, but none who was able to handle
rifle would leave the ranks.
Captain Rafferty, held the pit for an
hour, when it became certain that the
rain of shots poured upon him from the
next hill made it impossible to retain
it long Withdrawing his men, he found
shelter ON the hillside out of range of
the Spanish. Requirements joined
the brave company, and the line adj
vanced to another position, where it
could concentrate its fire upon the hill
glong which the stubborn enemy seemed
intrenched.
In a short time the Spanish outposts
We're driven into their trenches by the
CALLING fire of the Americans. Then the
Seventy first, with two regular regi-
ments, at last, i'll closed line, charged to
the second hill and captured the trenches
there, with flags and prisoners. The
Spaniards driven from the trenches
quickly reformed in Others and the bat
tie lasted for hours. Several times the
enemy charged to retake the lost ground
but were as often repulsed by the gal
liant Americans, regulars and militia
side by side.
The battle loss of the regiment was 9
killed and 4G severely wounded. l re
member that in the second year of our
service, at the battle of Gaines Mill,
he Twenty seventh New York in fight
ng similar to that at FL Caney lost
about the same number, and we always
.ounted it as one of our star fights. We
fought beside the regulars that day also
md felt proud that we held our own
With them.
Captain Rafferty, was not the only
JCLe OI4d4 uNLO DI AIt tOiLlIId44AAs o4Adp-
ain Van do Water added to the list Of
rave men Of the cloth by going into
lattle with the line and cheering them
N. One hundred young men of the
egiment belong to families of his for.
ner parish, and, like a true shepherd, he
ticks to his flock even in pastures roam
d over by Spanish wolves.
Colonel Downs Of the Seventy first is
militia colonel who saw his first fight
t Santiago. He showed himself true
lood, rs did Adjutants Abeel and
Usher
But it is not alone in fighting that
ne raw militiamen Of the Seventy first
ave shown the stuff of American sol
-iers. These are the men who lay over
"A hours on shipboard in New YORK
larbor without morsel Of food, al
hough they were within sight Of plenty
nd were then compelled to break theil
Jng fast on dry hard tack and raw bacon
Z.