The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-08-29
LAST FIGHT IN PORTO RICO
Lieutenant Haines Wounded on the
Day the War Ended.

New York, Aug 29.-Lieutenant
Haines commanding an artillery plat
Don under Captain Potts, was wounded
on August 18th, the day the war ended.
He is now at St Luke's hospital in
this city. Talking with his brother,
Captain T. Jenkins Haines, who sat at
his bedside, he said:
The cable regarding this AFFAIR was
confusing. 1t spoke of Lieut.. Haines,
being struck by stray Mauser bullet.
Not serious This was misleading, as
it might lead one to suppose that my
battery was not in action and that my
wound was an accident, whereas sever
al other men were wounded and two
killed.
7 was sent out in advance along the
San Juan road to find a position from
which we could entilade the Spanish
position, from which a heavy had been
received, the Spanish VOlleys coming
with remarkable regularity and precis-
ion. On the morning of August 18th,
Captain Potts was ordered to proceed
up the San Juan road with five gurs
for the purpose of Smelling the Spanish
trenches at ASOmalia. Four guns.
which included my platoon were moved
into position in field near the San
Juan road at a range of 2 600 yards, the
fifth gun being sent ahead 100 yards to
our right on the road
Just before we came into action the
enemy opened on US with infantry vol
leys and two howitzers. We picked
up the range Immediately and did
splendid practice. The two hOwitzers
were soon silenced and the Spaniards
were soon running from their entrench-
ments. Then we Slackened our fire
and shortly after we did the enemy took
heart and began to return. General
Wilson sent me with gun some dis
lance up the road in advance of the rest
to try and enfilade the enemy. I pro
ceeded up the road on horseback about
200 yards and found a company Of Wis
cOnsin infantry on a bend of the road
which was under cover from the Span
ish fire. I passed beyond them and the
gun was numbered in the next turn of
the road, in a somewhat sheltered posi-
ton.
My men lay down by the roadside
to escape the Spanish volleys, which
were coming up the road in our front
and right. Some OF my men told me
the enemy were advancing within 200
yards in force and that we must get
out or lose the gun.
1.-The firing at that time was very
heavy, the Mausers coming in a storm
with each vOlIey I told the sergeant
that we would have to try at them for
luck, any how, and as I could see no
Spaniards nearer than 500 or 600 yards
I had him run the gun out on the road a
little. We had no sooner done this than
the fire suddenly increased so ffercely
that the gun could not be served. We
had the gun back to the next turn in
the road where we were joined by the
second gun, still unable to do any great
ton of the enemy The fire continued
with fierceness but from our new posi-
ton we brought a house in view.
had the gun instantly trained upon it
as saw several Spaniards there out
side of it, and felt certain it was not
empty.
'"The very first shot landed fairly up-
on it's side and penetrating burst in
side, sending things flying. The enc
my broke cover and I turned to the ser
geant saying: That was good one:
now give them - -.' As [ turned
something struck me through the body.
7 knew I was badly hurt, but felt no
main IT was like being struck over
the shoulder with club. passed my
hand to my side and took it away fun
of blood.
1.-THE sergeant saw me and ran to nv
side They've got me this time said
and he put his arm around me and leo
me away and let me lie down"
The war was ended that day.