The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-07-06
Gen. Wheeler as to La
Quasina.
He Submits His Full Report
of Engagement and Points
out the Military Ad-
vantages Gained.

Camp Juragua, w ednesoay, 'oDe
20. via Kir as'oo, Jai Juoe 80, ga
m.-Geo. Wheeler's eff ,ial report to
Major Geo. Shafter of what is knowo
a. the battle of Sibouey. is as follows
"Iu Camp. Juragus, Juue 20.
s'To the Adjusaos General of the Fifth
Army Corps.
Sir: | have the honor to repor:
that, 10 obedience to the instructions of
the msjor general commanding. giveo
me in person on June %, proceeded
to siboney (Juraeuasito) The eoemy
bad evacuated the place at daylight
that morning. taking course toward
SevilI.. A body of about 1OC Cubans
had followed and engaged the enemy's
resr guard. About nine Of them we're.
wounded.
II rode out to,he front ADD
found the enemy had halted
and established themselves at point
sbout three miles from Siboney. At
pignt the Cubans returned to the vici-
nity of the town. At 8 o'clock that
evening, the 22d. Gen Young reached
SiboDey with eight troops Of Col
Woods regiment. A. B. D, E. F, 6,
K and L. 500 strong; Troops A, B,
c and K, lst cavalry, in all 244 meo,
sad Troops A. B. E and Of the lO'h
cavalry. iu all 22G mer, making the
total force 964 men. which Included
nearly all of my command which had
marched from Baiquiri. l. miles
WITH the assistance of Geu. Castl
10, rough map of the country vas
prepared and the position Of the enemy
vas fully explained and | determined
to make ae attack at daylight on the
.24sb. Col Woods regiment was sent
by Gen. Young accompanied by two
Of his staff officers, Lieuts Tyrree
Rivers and W. R Smedburg, Jr to
approach the enemy Oh the left band or
more westerly road, while General
Young. myself sod about 50 (:) troops
of the lat and 10th cavalry. with three
Ho,ckiss mounsaiu guos. approached
the enemy Oh the regular Sevilla
road
"Gen. Young aud myself examined
the position of the enemy. The lines
we're deployed aud | directed him to
open fire with the Ho;'bsias gans.
The enemy replied aud the frioe i"
uediasely became general Col Wood
had depsoyed his right, nearly
reaching the left of the regulars.
For an hour the 6gb'iog was very
warm, the enemy being very lavish in
expenditure of AMMUNITION. most Of
their firing being by vol!eys.
"Fioally The enemy gave way and
re,rea,ed rapidly. our side keeping we'll
upou them but our men being physi-~
cally exhausted by both their ezer'lous
aud the great heat. we're incapable Of
maintaining the pursuit
II cannot spsak too highly of the
gallant aud excellent conduct of the
officers and men throughout my com
maud. General Young deserves spe-
cial cou N odatiop for bis cool. delibe
rate and skillful management,
81 also specially noticed his acting
adjutan, general. Lieu. A l.. Mills,
who. under Gen. Youug's direction.
was at various parts of the liue. acting
with energy aud courage
The imperative necessity of disem.
barking with prompti,ude had lmpel'ed
me to leave most Of my staa to hasten
this importans matter and unfortunately
l ooly had with one Major W D
Beach and Mr. Mes'ro, 40 sctiog vol
uu,eer aide, both Of whom, during the
engagement credi,abIy aud bravely per-
formed their duties
81 am especially indebted to Major
Beach for his cool and good judgment.
"Col Woods regiment was on the
extreme LET, OF the line aud too far dis
taut for me to be a persooal witness of
the individual conduct Of the oficers
and men. but the magnificent bravery
shown by the regiment under the lead
of Colonel Wood testiies to bis courage
and skill and the energy ADD determine.
tion Of bis officers, which has been
marked from the moment be reported to
me at Tampa, and | have abundant
evidence of his brave and coed cooduc'
on the field, and recommend him for
the consideration of the government.
must rely upon bis report to DO JUS
,ice to his officers aud o,en desire
personally to add that all | have said
regarding Col. Wood applies equally to
Col Roosevelt.
vas Immediately With the troops OF
the ls, aod 10Th regiment cavalry, dis
mounted. and I personally noticed their
brave and good conduct. which will be
especially mentioned by Gen. Young
II personally noticed the good con-
duct Of Captains W H Book, Robert
n II, ..S T..oh q G.I