Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-05
SANTIAGO BATTLE
General Wheeler's Report Of the
Advance on San Juan Heights,
July l.
COMMENDS BRAVERY OF MEN
Troops Compelled to Wade San Juan River
Balloon Drew Enemy's Fire
Officers and Men Fell at
Every Step.

WaSnlnSUOn, Aug. 3.-l ne lOliOWlllS
report made by Major General Jos.
Wheeler on the operations before San
tiago de Cuba has become available:
Before Santiago de Cuba, July ITO
the adiutant general of the 5th army
corps.-Sir: After the engagement of
June "a pushed forward my command
through the valley, Lawton's and Kents
commands occupying the hills in the
vicinity of the place. After two days
rest, Lawton was ordered forward, and
on the night of the 3Oth, instructions
were 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 l.
The cavalry division advanced and
formed it's line with its left near the
Santiago road, while Kent's division
formed it's line with its right joining the
left of the cavalry division. Colonel
McClernand, of General Skaters staff.
directed me to give instructions to Gen
eral Kent, which | complied with in
person, at the same time personally
directing General Sumner to move for
ward. 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 up right by
the main road was made a mark of by
the enemy. 1t was evident we We're as
much under fire in forming the line as
l,o1 1,,yo flyn 7
fore pressed the command forward from
the covering under which it was formed.
1t merged into an open space in full
view of the enemy who occupied breast
works and batteries on the crest of a
hill which overlooks Santiago. Officers
and men were falling at every step.
The troops advanced gallantly and soon
reached the foot of the hill and ascended,
driving the enemy from their works and
occupying them on the crest of the HILL
To accomplish this it required courage
and determination on the part of both
officers and men of high order and the
losses were very severe.
Too much credit cannot be given to
General Sumner and General Kent and
their gallant brigade commanders. Col
onel Wood and Colonel Carroll, of the
cavalry; General Hamilton Hawkins,
commanding the 1st brigade of Kent's
division, and Colonel Pearson, com
manding the second brigade. Colonel
Carroll and Major Vessels were enabled
to return and resume command Gen
eral Wyckoff, commanding Kent's Bird
brigade was killed at 1872. Lieutenant
Colonel Worth took command and was
wounded at 1920, and the command
then devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel
Ewers, of the 9th infantry.
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 were soaked with water from
wading the San Juan river. They had
become drenched with rain and when
they reached the crest, they were abso-
lutely unable to proceed further. Not
withstanding their condition, these ex-
hausted men labored during the night
to erect breastworks, furnish details to
bury the dead and carry the wounded
back in improvised litters. | sent word
along the line that re-enforcements
would soon reach us and that Lawton
would join our right and General Bates
would come up and strengthen our
left.
After reaching the crest of the ridge
General Kent sent the 18th regulars to
assist in strengthening our right. At
midnight General Bates reported and l
placed him in position on the left of our
line. General Lawton had attempted
to join us from Caney, but when very
near our lines he was fired upon by the
Spaniards and turned back. but joined
us the next day at noon by circuitous
road. During all day of July 2 the
cavalry division, Kent's division and
Bates brigade, were engaged with the
enemy, being subjected to 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 courage, Judgment and
ability.
Especial credit is due to Lieutenant
Colonel j. H. Dorst, Major w. M. D.
Beach, Captain John Edickman and
Lieutenant M. +. Steel. / desire also
to say Lieutenants James H. Reeves and
Joseph Wheeler, Jr., Captain William
Astor ChanDer, Major B. A. Darlington,
Mr.. Aurelius Mestre and Corporal John
Landmark, also deserve high commen-
dation for courage and good conduct.
Major West, my quartermaster, deserves
special commendatiOn for his energy
and good conduct. Captain Hardie and
1st Lieutenant P. Rooster, with troop
G, 3rd cavalry, were detailed with head
quarters and conducted themselves
handsomely under fire. The superb cour
age displayed by officers and men will
be especally mentioned in the reports