The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-04


enabled me to get into position as speedily
as possible for the attack. Owing to the
congested condition of the road the progress
of the narrow column was however, pain
fully slow. I again sent staff officer at a
gallop to urge forward the troops in the
rear.
THE head of Wikoff's Brigade reached
the forks at 1920 p. m, and hurried on the
left, stepping over PROSTATE forms of men
of the Seventy-first. This heroic brigade
consisting of the Thirteenth. Ninth and
Twenty-fourth United States Infantry.
speedily crossed the stream and were quick
ly deployed to the left of the lower ford
While personally experimenting this move
ment, Colonel Wikoff was killed, the COM
mand of the brigade then devolving upon
Lieutenant Colonel Worth, Thirteenth In
fantry, who Immediately fell. severely
wounded, and then upon Lieutenant Colonel
I4iscum, Twenty-fourth Infantry, who, five
minutes later also fell under the whitening
fire of the enemy. The command of the bril-
gade then devolved upon Lieut. Col. 2. w.
P. Ewers, Ninth Infantry. Meanwhile, 1
had again sent a staff officer to hurry for
ward the Second Brigade, which was bring
ing up the rear. The Tenth and Second In
fantry, soon arriving at the forks. were de-
fected to the left, to follow the Third Bri-
gade, while the Twenty-frst was directed
along the main road to support Hawkins.
Crossing the lower fork few minutes
later. the Tenth and Second moved forward
in column in good order towards the green
knoll already referred to as my objective
the left Approaching the knoll the regi-
ments deployed, passed over the knoll and
assembled the high ridge beyond, driving
back the enemy in the direction of his
trenches / observed this movement from
the fort on San Juan hill Col. E. P. Pear
son, Tenth Infantry, commanding the Sec
ond Brigade, and the officers and troops un-
der his command deserve great credit for
the soldierly manner in which this move
ment was executed. earnestly recommend
Colonel Pearson for promotion.
CAPTURE OF SAN JUAN HILL.
prior to this advance of the Second
Brigade, the Third, connecting with Haw-
kins's gallant troops on the right, had
moved toward Fort San Juan, sweeping
through a zone Of most destructive fire,
scaling a steep and difficult hill and assist
ing in capturing the enemy's strong posi-
ton, Fort San Juan, at 1870 p. This
crest was about 1876 feet above the general
level and was defended by deep trenches
barbed wire entanglements. General Haw-
kins, some time after 1 reached the crest
reported that the Sixth and Sixteenth In
fantry had captured the hill, which / now
consider incorrect. and credit is almost
equally due to the Sixth, Ninth Thirteenth,
Sixteenth and Twenty-fourth regiments of
Infantry. Owing to General Hawkins's rep
/ forwarded the report sent
to corps headquarters about p. m. that the
Sixth and Sixteenth Infantry had captured
the hill. The Thirteenth Regiment cap
tured the enemys colors waving over the
fort, but unfortunately destroyed them, dis
tributing the fragments among the men,
because, as was asserted, 1T was bad
omen Two or three men had been shot
while assisting Private Arthur Agnew, Com
pany K, Thirteenth Infantry, the captor
All fragments which could be recovered are
submitted with this report.
THE greatest credit is due to the officers
of my command whether company, battal-
ion regiment or brigade commanders, who
so admirably directed the formation of their
troops, unavoidaby intermixed in the dense
thicket and made the desperate rush for
the distant and strongly defended crest. l
have already mentioned the circumstances
of my Third Brigade's advance across the
ford, where in the brief space of ten min
utes it lost it's brave commander (killeD
and the next two ranking officers by disab-
ling wounds. Yet, in spite of these confus-
ing conditions the formations were effected
without hesitation, although under sting
ing fire, companies acting singly in some
circumstances. and by battalion and regi-
ments in others, rushing through the jun
GLE across the stream, waist deep, and
fta mid hot ,ioIyl with
barbed wire entanglements.
SIMPSON COMMENDED.
"In this connection I desire to particularly
son, adjutant Ninth Infantry, acting assist
ant adjutant general Third Brigade, who
was noticeably active and efficient in carry
ing out orders which had given him to
transmit to his brigade commander, who no
longer existed.
THE enemy having retired to a second
line of rifle pits. 1 directed my line to hold
their positions and entrench AT ten min
utes past p. m. received almost stimuli
taneously two requests, one from Colonel
Wood, commanding a cavalry brigade, and
one from General Sumner, asking for as
sistance for the cavalry on my right, as
they were hard pressed. Immediately sent
to their aid the Thirteenth Infantry, who
promptly went on this further mission, de-
spite the heavy losses they had already sus-
tanned
Great credit is due to the gallant officer
and gentleman, Brig. Gen. H. S. Hawkins,
who, placing himself between the two regi-
ments leading his brigade, the Sixth and
Sixteenth Infantry. urged and led them by
voice and bugle calls to the attack so Sue
cessfully accomplished. My earnest thanks
due to my staff officers present at my
side and under my personal observation on
the field, especially to Major A. c. Sharpe,
assistant adjutant general; Major Philip
Reade inspector general; Capt. u. G. Nc
Alexander, chief quartermaster, and my
aids, First Lieut.. George S. Cartwright,
Twenty-fourth Infantry and First Lieut.
William p. Jackson, Second Infantry; also
to Mr.. Adobe Carlos Munoz the latter a
volunteer aid, subsequently wounded in the
fight of the I'd inst, who richly merits a
commission for his able assistant given
without pay. The officers enumerated should
at least be breveted for CALAMITY under fire.
1 also personally noticed the conduct of
First Lieut.. I. j. Kirkpatrick, assistant
surgeon L. S. A, on duty with the Twenty
fourth Infantry, giving most efficient aid to
the wounded under fire. l observed several
times First Lieut.. j. d. Miley, Fifth Artil-
lery, aid to General Shafter, who was con-
spicuous throughout the day for his cool
ness under fire, delivering instructions with
apparent unconcern.
1.-THE bloody fighting of NV bravo co,,,