Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1898-09-15
SKATERS REPORT.
Official Account Of Santiago
Campaign.
NO CREDIT GIVEN TO GENERAL NILES
Words OF Praise For Rough Riders
Wheeler Commended officers
Named For Brevet Promotions.
John Jncob AstOr ON the List.


campaign. which was submitted to the
war department yesterday. throws lit
tie new light on the operations OF the
army under his command
The report consists almost entirely of
a narrative Of the history Of the expe-
dition from its Incorporation on Aiay 80,
when Admiral Schley first reported the
presence OF the Spanish fleet In the har-
Dor Of Santiago. He refers 20 the loss
OF one Of the two barges which were be-
ing towed TO Santiago as very serious,
as II delayed the debarkation OF the
army and the supplies. The debarka-
ton Is described, and his choice of Bal
quiri as the landing place and the APP
proach TO Santiago through Siboney and
Sevilla is defended as the only feasible
plan.
Subsequent information and results
he says confirmed his judgment.
or the battle OF La Guasima in which
ROosevelt's Rough Riders bore such a
conspicuous part. General Shafter says:
THE engagement had an inspiring ef-
feet upon our men and doubtless CORE
spondingy depressed the enemy, as it
was plainly demonstrated 90 them that
they had a foe to meet who would adj
vance upon them under a heavy fire de-
livered from intrenchments. General
Wheeler, division commander, was pres
ent during the engagement and reports
that our troops, officers and men, fought
with the greatest gallantry. This en-
gagement gave us a well watered coun-
try farther TO the front in which to en-
camp our troops"
General Shafter goes on TO tell of the
difficulty encountered in landing sup
plies and of his plans for the assault on
the Spanish intrenchments, and In this
connection gives his reasons for not
making more thorough preparations for
transporting supplies to advantage. He
says:
THESE preparations were far from
what / desired them to he, but we were
In a siclSly climate. our supplies had
20 be brought forward bya narrow wag-
on road, which the rains might at any
time render impossible; fear was en-
tertained that a storm might drive the
vessels containing our stores TO sea,
thus separating US from our base OF
supplies; and, lastly. it was reported
that General Pando with 5000 re-en-
forcements for the enemy, was en- route
from Manzanillo and might be expected
in few days. Under these conditions 1
determined to give battle without de-
lay"
His account Of the advance on the
Spanish position and the battle which
ensued confirms what has already been
printed. that the severe fighting which
the center OF his line became engaged
In prevented him from extending his
line 10 the right, as had been intended.
After referring especially to the gall
liant conduct OF Brigadier General II. s.
Hawkins in the battle General Shafter
says;
I'm this fierce encounter words fail TO
do justice to the gallant reglmental
commanders and their heroic men. for,
while the generals indicated formations
and the points Of attack. it was, after
all, the intrepid bravery OF the sub
ordinate officers and men that planted
our eolors on the crest of San Juan hill
and drove the enemy from his trenches
and blockhouses. thus gaining a posi-
tion which sealed the fate OF Santiago.
in this action on this part of the
field most efficient service was rendered
by Lieutenant John II. Parker. Thir-
teenth infantry. and the Calling gun
detachment under his command. The
fighting continued at intervals until
nightfall, but our men held resolutely
10 the position gained at the cost of SC
much blood and toll
Il am greatly indebted to General
Wheeler, who returned from the sick list
10 duty during the afternoon. His cheer
fulness and aggressiveness made Itself
felt on this part OF the battlefield, and
the information he furnished to me al
various stages Of the battle proved &c
be most useful
My own health was impaired by
ovorexertion I'm the sun and intens,
90 he do hafl g..
me from participating as actively In IN,
battle as I desired, but from hill neal
my headquarters had a general view
OF the battlefield, extending from e
Caney on the right TO the left OF on
lines on San Juan hill"
The subsequent military operation
and the negotiations for the surrende
OF the Spanish forces are narrated il
detail. There is no mention I'm the re
port Of any friction between himsel
and General Miles. the only referenc
20 the major general commanding tn
army being in this paragraph:
July ~ informed the Spanish com
mander that Major General Miles. com
mander in chief Of the American army
had just arrived in my camp and re
uuested him to grant US a personal in
terview on the following day. He re
DIth ne MNulA ne llNtSeu TO meet US
The interview took place on the 1871
and I informed him his surrender onl
could he considered and that as he wa
without hope OF escape he had no rigr
20 continue the fight"
II IS noticeable that General ShaftC
takes the credit for delivering the ult
matum to General Torai which Gener,
Miles has said he delivered. and at n
place in the report does General Shaft,
indicate that General Miles was MOI
than a spectator
In closing his report General Shaft,
dwells at length on the difficulties an
obstacles which he had to overcome az
submits these recommendations for pr,
motions:
T.. ]. McClernand, lieutenant colon
and adjutant general. United Stat
army. TO be brevetted colonel for ga
lantry In the face Of the enemy
July and ?, and to be brevetted brig
der general for faithful and mert0rio'
services throughout the campaign.
George Nee. Dero. lieutenant colon
Of engineers. United States volunteer
ITO be brevetted colonel for hazardo
service on July 1 and in reconnoite
ing the enemy's lines, and TO be br
vetted brigadier general for hazardo