The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-09-29
WAR H0N0RS FOR A MULE,
\ Cavalry Captains story Of the San
tiago Trenches.

tld4o lIruti'N
Ever hear how an old army mule
saved the Fifth Army Corps az Santiago
asked "a captain I'm the Third cavalry.
There was "A general murmer among the
Captains auditors that sgnihed that hc
couldn't tell too much about the wonder
ful exploit Of the much-maligned animal
and with a few more puns at his cigar he
began.
eve had taken san Juan hin and our
line holding IL was TOO thin Tor safety
though the talk about Withdrawing came
only from people who gave AN the ordeia
but were not az the front. There was
feeling OF nervousness ana re7uea7hea
amone the men that didn't help the sit
uation. An order 90 retreat would prop-
ably have meant a frightfuI panic ana all
Inc officers were filled with anxiety and
sending back urgent messages that the
line should be- held az all hazards. put
that reinforcements must De pushed for
ward al once i'm order 20 hold the posi-
lion. This was the situation when the
army mule began 20 get I'm his work.
Perhaps IL was a snake or one or those
big land crabs that started him, but
whatever 30 WAS be began 10 KICK as
though determined TO level the whole
camp. Crash after crash soupded through
the camp in his immediate vicinity as
camp chests kettles and accoutremenia
went flying iu AN directions from the
force 0f DIS rapidly working heels. some
recruits near bv were awakened and
thrown into confusion and they rushed
about yelling and screaming in the tull
belief thst thov had been surprised by
night attack of the Spaniards. ln their
terror they began firing In ai directions
and 90 ten minutes the aroused officers
had the whole camp under arms ana
ready for the momentarily expected at
"That blessed animal could not have
been more timely In commencing JUS
work 0f destruction. To seemed proNl-
Dental and I'm fully convinced that
heaven inspired the act for The span
iards did attempt a. surprise % snort liile
aftcrward. hut the mule had the camp
under arms and fully prepared tor the
enemy ten minutes before the scared seh-
tries came tearing ia with the news and
found TO their surprise ana JOY that me
officers had the men well in hand ana
with their faces 90 the enemy
Coming after tho defeat OF the day be-
fore. 10 must have taken AN the heart
remaining ont of the Spaniards 90 INA us
au uD and ready for them. A storm OBJ
bullets met the first rush. and they were
thrown back. utterly defeated ana oe-
moralizcd The attack was well n.'nned'
and with our men worn out with their
constant lighting for days and Jack OF
sleep. r. would not have been difficult %
start "A panic that might have ended DO
the utter rout OF the Fifth Army Corps.
once started. nothing could have stopped
the Generalization, and with Only tne
uarrOWest kind of road on when TO re-
treat. 10 is nor too much 20 say that u Is
more than probable that the whole corps
would have been crushed. There were
scores OF US In camp that night after the
repulse Of the enemy who believed tnat
iust as a fock Of geese frightened the
enemy and saved Rome cur vicious o-a
army mule saved the Fifth Army corps.
IL think this story of the san Juan
fight IS new" continued the captain.
we learned O. after the surrenaeI' Cen
Iinares was present IN person curing "Ii
charge at San Juan. His dispositions
were made I'm accordance wltn tne best
military science. fiis troops occupied one
OF the strongesl positions he could posi-
bly, have found. Ills orders were 20 holn
the position 20 the last, and it was ms
intention % strike ms on the Hank WIN
cavalry after We had advanced up tne
hll and crush as then ana lnere. inc
cavalry was concealed I'm "A ihick Mo'n
near the crest Of the hiil and we didn
know IL was there. The plan was mag
nihcent one dnares himself watched
the charge from this place OK conceal
meat.
AT first he was overioyed at the pros
pect being fully convinced that his troops
from their lntrenched positions could
hurl down and demoralize any force sent
against them. Had he commanded Amer
lean troops / think his hope would nave
been sustained but his first surprise
came when he saw our men break from
cover and begin. with long. steady strides
their awful charge up TO the crests from
which death reached out In ell directions
for victims. Up and Up they went cheer
ing eagerly az every step, needless or
those who FELL beside them. a restless
wave OF blue and brown. As regiment
after regiment broke from cover and fol-
,owsa those In advance and the perfect
hal Of IRE his men poured into the ad-