Griggs courier., 1898-07-08
HOW ROUGH RIDERS F[|t
Official Report Of Gen. wheele. to
Gen. Shafter Of the Battle
Of Siboney.
ATTACK WAS DELIBERATELY PLANNED.
Gems. Wheeler and Young Knew
Where Spaniards Were and De.
termined to Drive Them Out
Completely.

Camp Juragua, June 90 (via Kingston,
Jamaica, July l.).-Gen. Wheeler's Of
fetal report to Maj. Gen. Shafter OF
is as follows:
In Camp, Juragua. June 29.-To the Ad-
Jutant General of the Fifth Army Corps
Sir: I have the honor to report that. in
obedience to the instructions Of the ma
tor general commanding. given me in per-
son on June q. I proceeded to Siboney
(Juraguasito) The enemy had evacuated
the place at daylight that morning. taking
course towards Sevtlla. A body of about
100 Cubans had followed and engaged the
enemy's rear guard. About nine Of them
were wounded.
Il rode out to the front and found the
enemy had halted and established them
selves at point about three miles from
Siboney. AT night the Cubans returned
to the vicinity of the town. At eight
o'clock that evening, the 23d, Gen. Young
reached Siboney with eight troops Of Col
Woods regiment. A. B. d. E. F, q. K and
L. 500 strong; troops A. B. c and x. First
cavalry. in all 244 men. and troops A. b
E and !, Of the Tenth cavalry. in all 22(
men. making the total force 964 men. which
included nearly all Of my command which
had marched from Baiauiri. II miles.
Determined on an Attack.
"With the assistance Of Gen. Castillo
q rough map Of the country was prepared
and the position Of the enemy was fully
attack at daybreak on the 24th. Col. Woods
regiment was sent by Gen. Young. &C.
companied by two Of his staff officers
Lieuts. Tyrree r. Rivers and w. r. Smed.
burg. Jr.. to approach the enemy on the
left hand, or more westerly road. white
troops of the First and Tenth cavalry
with three Hotchkiss mountain guns, ap.
preached the enemy on the regular Sc.
villa road.
Gen. Young and myself examined the
position Of the enemy, the. lines were de.
ployed, and l directed him to open fire
with the Rotchkiss guns. The enemy re.
piled and the firing Immediately became
general. Col. Wood had deployed his right
nearly reaching the left Of the regulars
'For an hour the fight was very warm
the enemy being very lavish in expenditure
by volleys.
Couldn't Maintain the Pursuit.
Finally. the enemy gave way and re.
treated rapidly, our side keeping well
closed upon them: but our men being
physically exhausted by both their exer.
tions and the great heat were incapable Of
maintaining the pursuit
II cannot speak too highly of the gallan!
and excellent conduct Of the officers and
men throughout my command. Gen. Young
deserves special commendation for hi:
cool. deliberate and skillful management
Praise for Col. Wood.
''Col. Woods regiment was on the ex.
treme left of the line and too far distant
for me to be personal witness of the in.
dtvidual conduct Of the officers and men
but the magnificent bravery shown by the
regiment under the lead of Col Wood
testifies to his courage and skill and the
energy and determination Of his officers
which has been marked from the moment
he reported to me at Tampa. and I have
abundant evidence Of his brave and goot
conduct on the field. and l recomme nc
him for the consideration Of the govern.
ment. l must rely upon his report to dc
justice to his officers and men. l desir.
personally to add all that have said re-
garding Col. Wood applies equally to Lieut.