The Topeka state journal., 1898-12-23
J fhs finest Standard Granulate
HOWTEDDY TOOK THE HILL
Roosevelt's Report on San Juan
Fight Just Made Public.

A4SAS y ASS GAeb0O OOA4Cs
Washington. Dec. 2S.-The war de-
partment has made public two reports
of Colonel Roosevelt on the fights of the
First United States volunteer cavalry
(rough riders), in front of Santiago.
One is addressed to Colonel Wood,
commanding, and the second is to Brig
adler General Wood, after Colonel
Roosevelt took command of the regi-
msnt- The war department has hither-
to refused to make these reports public.
The second and more important re-
port is as follows:
Camp Hamilton, near Santiago de
Cuba, July 20, 1S98-Brigadi General
Leonard Wood, commanding Second
brigade, cavalry division.
Sir: In obedience to your directions,
I herewith report on the operations of
my regiments from the 1st to the 18th
instant, inclusive. AS 1 have already
made you two reports about the first
day operations, shall pass them over
rather briefly. On the morning Of the
first day my regiment was formed at
the head of a second brigade, by the
Ell POSO sugar mill When the bat
teries opened, the Spaniards replied to
us with shrapnel, which killed and
wounded several of the men of my regi-
ment. We then marched toward the
right and my regiment crossed the ford
before the balloon came down and at
tracted the fire of the enemy so at that
point we lost no one. My orders had
been to march forward until I Joined
General Lawton's left wing, but after
going about three-quarters of mile
I was halted and told to remain in re-
serve near the creek by a deep lake.
The bullets dropped thick among us for
the next hour, while we lay there, and
many of my men were killed or wound
ed, among the former being Captain
O'Neil, whose loss was a very heavy
blow to the regiment, for he was
singularly gallant and efficient officer.
Acting Lieutenant Haskell was also
shot at this time. He showed the ut
most courage and had been of great
use during the fighting and marching.
1t seemed to me some action should be
taken about him. You then sent me
word to move forward in support of
the regular cavalry, and I advanced
the regiment in column of companies,
each company deplOyed as skirmishers.
We moved through several sNirmish
lines of the regiment ahead of US, as it
seemed to me our only chance was in
rushing the entertainments in front in
stead of firing at them at a distance.
Accordingly we charged the block house
and entertainments on the hill to our
right against a heavy fire. 1t was taken
in good style, the men of my regiment
thus being the first to capture any
fortified position and to break through
the Spanish line. The guidons of G and
E troops were first at this point, but
some of the men of A and B troops who
were with me personally got in ahead
OF them. At the last wire fence up
this hill I was obliged to abandon my
horse and after that went on foot At
ter capturing this hill we first of all
directed a, heavy fire upon the San Juan
hill to our left, which was at the time
being assailed by the regular infantry
and cavalry, supported by Captain
Parker's gatling guns. By the time
San Juan was taken a large force had
Assem- bled on the hill we had previous
ly captured, consisting not only of my
own regiment but of the Ninth and of
portions of other cavalry regiments.
We then charged forward under a
heavy fire across the valley against the
II I7r1la ante on ha
the rear of San Juan hill. This we also
took, capturing several prisoners. We
then formed in whatever order we
could and moved forward, driving the