The record-union., 1898-08-06
Although Drenched With Rain and
Under Terrific Fire,
The american Troops Never Fa|tered
Until the Enemy Had Been
Driven From Its Strong
Positions.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 5-The fol-
lowing report Of Major General Joseph
Wheeler on the operations before San
tiago de Cuba has been made public:
Before Santiago de Cuba, July Z, 1898.
ITO Adjutant General, Fifth Army
Corps-Sir: After the engagement Of
June oath, l pushed forward my COM
mand through the valley, Lawton's and
Kent's commands occupying the hills
in the vicinity of that place. After two
days rest Lawton was ordered forward,
We're given by Major General Shafter
to this officer to attack Caney, while the
cavalry division and Kent's division
were ordered to move forward on the
regular Santiago road. The movement
commenced on the morning of July 1st.
The cavalry division advanced and
formed its line with it's left near the
Santiago road, while Kent's division
formed its line, with his right joining
the left Of the cavalry division
Skaters staff, directed me to give in
structions to General Kent, which I
complied with in person, at the same
time personally directing General Sum-
ner to move forward The men were all
compelled to wade the San Juan River
to get into line. This was done under
very heavy fire of both infantry and
artillery. Our balloon having been
sent right by the main road, was made
a mark of by the enemy.
1T was evident that we were as
much under fire in forming the line as
we would be by an advance, and l
therefore pressed the command forward
from the covering under which it was
formed. 1t merged into open space in
full view of the enemy, who occupied
breastworks and batteries on the crest
of the hill which overlooks Santiago,
officers and men falling at every step.
The troops advanced gallantly, soon
reached the foot of the hill and as
cended driving the enemy from their
works and occupying them on the crest
of the hill. To accomplish this requir-
ed courage and determination on the
part of officers and men OF nigh or
der and the losses were very severe.
TOO much credit cannot be given to
General Summer and General Kent and
their gallant commands, Colonel
Wood and Colonel Carroll Of the cav
airy; General Hamilton S. Hawkins,
commanding First Brigade, Kents di-
vision, and Colonel Pearson, command
ing Second Brigade. Colonel Carroll
and Major Vessels were enabled to re-
turn and resume command.
General Wyckoff, commanding
Kent's third brigade, was killed at
1910: Lieutenant Colonel Worth took
command, and was wounded at 12:1o;
Lieutenant Colonel Liscum then took
command, and was wounded at 12:2U,
and the command then devolved upon
Lieutenant Colonel Ewers, Ninth Infan-
try.
Upon reaching the crest / ordered
breastworks to be constructed, and
sent to the rear for shovels, picks,
spades and axes. The enemy's retreat
from the ridge was precipitate, but our
men were so thoroughly exhausted that
it was impossible for them to follow.
Their shoes We're soaked with water
from wading in the San Juan River.
They had become drenched with rain,
and when they reached the crest they
were absolutely unable to proceed far
ther.
Notwithstanding this condition,
these exhausted men labored during the
night to erect breastworks, furnish de-
tails to bury the dead and carry the
wounded back in improvised litters. /
sent word along the line that rein
forcements would soon reach us, and
that Lawton would join our right and
that General Bates would come up and
strengthen our left.
after reaching the crest of the ridge
General Kent sent the Thirteenth reg
ulars) to assist in strengthening our
right At midnight General Bates re-
ported, and 1 placed him in a strong
position on the left of our line. Gen
eral Lawton had attempted to join us
from Caney, but when very near our
lines he was fired upon by the Span
iards and turned back, but joined us
the next day at noon by a circuitous
route.
During all the Cay on July ID the
cavalry division, Kent's division and
Bates brigade were engaged with the
enemy, being subjected to a fierce fire
and incurring many casualties. and
later in the day Lawton's division also
became engaged.
During the entire engagement my
staff performed their duties with cour-
age. Judgment and ability. Special
credit is due to Lieutenant Colonel ].