The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-08-06


July %. 1898.
"To Adiutant General. Fifth Corps:
"Sir:-After the engagement Of June q,
I pushed forward my command through
the valley. Lawton's and Kents COM
mands occupying the hills in the vicinity
Of that place After two days rest Law
ton was ordered forward and on the night
Of the Both instructions were given by
Maior-Gcneral Shafter, 10 this officer, to
attack Caney. while Lawton and Kents
divisions we're ordered 10 move forward
ON the Santiago road. The movement be-
gan July J. Tho cavalry advanced and
formed with its left near the Santiago
road. while Kents division formed its line
with the right Joining the left OF the cav
airy division.
Colonel McClernand OF General Shat
ters staff. directed me 10 give instruc-
lions 20 General Kent. which ! complied
with I'm person at the same time per-
sonally directing general Sumner to
move forward Inc men were all COM
PEELED 20 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 up was
made "a mark OF by the enemy. 1t was
evident that they were as much under
fire in forming the line as we would be
the command forward from the covering
under which II was formed. it merged
into open space I'm fun view Of the enemy
who occupied breagtworks and batteries
on tho Creast Of the hill which over
looks Santiago. officers and men falling
at every step.
The troops advanced CALAMITY. 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 required
courage on behalf OF the officers and men
OF a very high degree. Too much credit
cannot be given to General Sumner and
General Kent and their gallant brigade
commanders. Colonel Wood and Colonel
Carroll. OF the cavalry; General Hamilton
s. Hawkins. commanding First Brigade.
Kent's Division. and Colonel Pearson,
commanding Second Brigade. Colonel
Carroll and Major Vessels were both
wounded during the charge, but Major
Vessels was enabled 20 return and re-
sumo command. General Wyckoff, com
manding Kents Third brigade. was killed
at 1910 Lieutenant Colonel Worth took
command. and was wounded at 1925.
Northumberland Liscum then took
command. and was wounded at 1870
and the command then devOlVed upon
Lieutenant Colonel Ewers.
Upon reaching the crest ] ordered
breastworks to be constructed, and sent
20 the rear for shovels, picks, spades
and axes.
The enemy's retreat from the ridge was
precipitated but our men were so thor
oughiy exhausted that IL WAS Impossible
for them to follow. Their shoes We're
soaked with water by wadiug the san
Juan river they had become drenched
with rain and when they reached the crest
they were absolutely unable to proceed
further
Notwithstanding this condition these
exhausted men labored during the night
10 erect breastworks. furnish details 90
bury the dead. and carry the wounded
back I'm irnprovsed litters / sent word
along the line that reinforcement would
soon reach us and nat LawtOn would
Join our right and that General Bates
would come and strengthen our left.
After reaching the crest OF the ridge,
General Kent sent the Thirteenth Regu-
lars 10 assist in strengthening our right.
At midnight General Bates reported and
I placed him I'm a strong position on the
left OF our line. General Lawton had at
tempted 20 join US from Caney. but when
very near our lines he was fired upon
by the Spaniards and turned back, but
joined us next day at noon by circui-
tous route.
During all the day on July Cd, the Cav
airy Division Kenrs Division and Bates
Brigade were engaged with the enemy,
being subjected to a fierce fire and in
curing many casualties and later IN the
day Lawtons Division also became en-
gagged.
During the entire engagement my staff
performed their duties with courage
Judgment and ability.
Is "A IIGnfnnnnf
onel j. II. Dorst Major William d.
Beach. Captain Joseph T.. Dickman and
Lieutenant NJ. +. Steel. | desire also TO
say that Lieutenants James II. Reeves
and Joseph Wheeler, Jr., Captain William
Astor Chandler Major p. A. Darlington.
Mr. Aurelius Mestre and Corporal John
Landmark also deserve high commenda-
ton for courage and good conduct.
Major West. my quartermaster. de-
serves special commentator for his en-
ergy and good conduct during the cam
paign and Major Valery Harvard and
Mr.. Leonard Wilson have also done their
full duty
Captain Hardie and First Lieutenant
T. j. Rooster with Troop G., Third Cav
airy. We're detailed with hea dquartcrs
and conducted themselves handsomely
under fire The supurb courage displayed
by the officers and men will be specially
AhNNNNNNA III AtAN tNfNANN ~ 'N'N- N-tte'NN
commanders.
Gerc follows a list Of killed and wound
ed heretofore published.
Accompanying the report Is copy Of
the dispatches which were sent TO Cen
eral Shafter by General Wheeler, begin
ming June 25th and ending July %. on
July LIST al 500 =. NJ. General Wheeler |
writing from san Juan has the following
20 say about Withdrawing from the posi-
ton We had won:
Il examined the line in front OF Law
toms brigade and gave the men shovels !
and picks and insisted on their going |
right 20 work ] also sent word 10 Cen |
eral Kent TO come and get intrenching |
tools They all promise to do their best. |
The positions our men carried were very |
strong and the entertainments We're very |
strong number OF officials have APP |
pealed 20 me 10 have the line withdrawn |
and take up a strong position further |
back and / expect they will appeal to |
you. l have positiN ely discountenanced |
work which will cost us much time.
"Many men have gone TO the rear with |
the wounded. but l hope the men can be |
got up tonight and with our line en- |
ought to hold tomorrow. but / fear 1t |
through tomorrow all right We can |
make our breastworks very strong the |
next night. You can harly realize the |
exhausted condition OF the troops. The |
Third and Sixth Cavalry and other troops |
were up marching and halted on the road |
an last night and have fought Tor twelve |