Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-08-04

10 hurry lTe SetoEt DIi.siiue,
which was bringing up the rear.
The Tenth and Second infantry. soon sr-
irving at the forks, We're DETECTED TO the
left to follow the Third brigade. while the
Twenty-tirst was directed along the main
road to support Hawkins.
Crossing the lower fork n few minutes
later, the Tenth and Second moved forward
in column in good order toward the green
knoll already referred to my objective
on the left. Approaching the knoll the
regiment depioyed. passed over the knoll
and assembled the high ridge beyond. driving
back the enemy in the direction of his
trenches l observed this movement from
the fort on San Juan hill.
Colonel T.. =. Pearson. Tenth infantry,
commanding the Second brigade. and the
officers and troops under his command, de-
serve great credit for the soldierly manner
in which this movement was executed l
earnestly recommend Colonel Pearson for
promotion.
Prior 10 this advance of the Second bri-
r:,dc. the Third connecting with Hawkins
gallant troops on the right, had moved to-
ward San Juan, sweeping through zone
| of most destructive fire. scaling a steep and
difficult hill and assisting in capturing the
enemy's strong position, Fort San Juan, at
l:,D j. m. This crest was about 10 feet
above the general level, and was defended
by deep trenches and Il loophcled brick fort.
| surrounded hy harbed wire entsngleinents
General Hawkins. some time after
| Reached the crest. reported that the Sixth
| and Sixteenth infantry had captured the
| hill, which | now consider Incorrect. and
credit is almost equally due the Sixth,
Ninth. Thirteenth. Sixteenth and Twenty
| fourth regiments of infantry. Owing to
General Hawkins representations. | for
warded the report sent to corps headIuar-
II
| teenth infantry regiments had captured
| the hill. The Thirteenth regiment captured
| the enemy's coors waving over the fort.
| but unfortunately destroyed Them distrih-
| utlng the fragments among the men, be-
cause, as was asserted. lit was bad
| omen,' two or three men having been shot
| while assisting Private Arthur Asnew,
| Company X. Thirteenth infantry, the cap
| tor. All fragments which could be recov-
| cred are submitted with this report.
The greatest credit is due to the officers
of my command, whether company, bat
talon, regiment or brigade commanders,
| who 20 admirably directed the formation
| of their troops unavoidably inter mixed il
| the dense thicket, and made the desperate
| rush for the distant and strongly defended
| crest. l have already mentioned the cir
| cumstances of my Third brigade's advance
across the ford. where. in the brief space
| of ten minutes, it lost its brave command
er (iilled) and the next two ranking Off
GERS by disabling wounds. Yet, in spite of
| these confusing conditions. the formations
were effected without hesitation. although
| under i singing fire, companies acting sim
gly in some circumstances, and by battal-
ion and regiments in others, rushing
| through the jungle. across the stream,
waist deep, and over the wide bottom
till
ments.
In this connection | desire to particularly
mention First Lieutenant w. l.. Simpson,
adjutant Ninth infantry. acting assistant
adjutant general Third brigade. who was
roticcably active and efficient in carrying
out orders which had given him to trans
nit TO his brigade commander, who no
longer existed.
| The enemy having retired to a second line
of rifle pits. l directed my line to hold their
positions and intrench. At ten minutes past
3 p. m. | received almost simultaneously
two requests-one from Colonel Wood, COM
mandng cavalry brigade, and one from
General Sumner-asking for assistance on
my right. they were hard pressed.
Immediately sent TO their aid the Thirteenth
infantry. who promptly went on this fur
ther mission, despite the heavy losses they
had already sustained.
! Great CreGlt is Que 10 the gallant O111ctF
and gentleman, Brigadier General II. S
Hawkins, who, placing himself between the
| two regiments. leading his brigade. the
! Sixth and Sixteenth infantry, urged and
| led them by voice and bugle calls to the
attack so successfully accomplished. My
earnest thanks are due TO my staff officers
t present at my side and under my personal
1 observation on the field, especially to Majo!
5 A. c. Sharpe, assistant adjutant general
Major Philip Reade, inspector general; Cap
tain L. G. Alexander. chief quarterrias
l ter and my aides. First Lieutenant George
s. Cartwright, Twenty-fourth infantry, anC
First Lieutenant William p. Jackson, Sec
/ ond infantry; also to Mr.. Adolfe Carlo:
I Munoz the latter volunteer aide, subse
: quently wounded in the fight of the 2nt
: inst who richly merits commission fol
his able assistance given without pay.
The officers enumerated should at leas
t be breveted for gallantry under fire.
l personally noticed conduct of First Lieu
tenant T ]. kirkpatrick, assistant surgeon
L. S. A, on duty with the Twenty-fourtl
t | infantry giving most efficient aid 10 th
f | wounded under fire. / observed severa
1 times First Lieutenant J. ID. Miley, Fiftl
| artillery aide to General Shafter. who wa
1 conspicuous throughout the day for hi
L cooIness under fire, delivering instructions
D with apparent uncencern.
r