Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-15

intrepid bravery OF the subordinate off,
GERS and men that planted our colors on |
the crest OF San Juan hill and drove the |
enemy from his trenches and block |
houses. thus gaining position 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. Thirteenth |
Infantry, and the Gatling-gun detachment |
under his command.
THE fighting continued al intervals un-
I'll nightfall but our men held resolutely
10 the positions gained at the cost OF so
much blood
Il am greatly indebted TO General
Wheeler, who. as previously stated. re-
turned from the sick list to duty during
the afternoon His cheerfulness and ag-
gressiveness made itself felt on this part
OF the battlefield. and the information he
furnished TO me at various stages Of the
battle proved to be most useful.
SHAFTER'S HEALTH IMPAIRED.
my own health was impaired by over
eNertion in the sun and the intense heat
OF the day before. which prevented me
from participating as actively in the bat
tie as l desired, but from high hill near
my headquarters l had a general view Of
the battlefield extending from FL Caney
San Juan Hill"
General Shsfter follows in detail the
movements of the troops and the en-
trenching done during the night. He
says:
General Duffield with the Thirty-third
Michigan, attacked Aguadores as ordered,
but was unable to accomplish more than
TO detain the Spaniards in that vicinity.
'On the morning of the Sd the battle
was renewed. but the enemy seemed to
have expended his energy in the assault
of the previous night and the firing along
the lines was desultory until stopped by
my sending the following letter within
the Spanish lines"
COMMUNICATIONS WITH TORAIA
General Shafter then gives the dis
patches passing between him and General
Toral already published He proceeds:
'The cessation of firing about noon on
the Sd practically terminated the battle
Of Santiago. All that occurred after this
time may properly be treated under the
head Of the siege which followed.
1T is doubtful if we had more than
1900 men on the firing line on July lst,
when the battle was fiercest, and when
| the important and strong positions of FL
! Caney and San Juan were captured.
A FEW CUBANs FOUGHT.
| a lew 0uDdDS dSSlSIeU III the attack
on FL Caney. and fought valiantly. But
| their numbers were too small 20 materi-
| ally change the strength. as indicated
| above The enemy confronted us with
! numbers about equal TO our own. They
| fought obstinately in strong and in
| trenched positions, and the results OBJ
! tanned clearly indicate the intrepid gall
| lantry Of the company officers and men,
| and the benefits derived from the careful
| training and instruction given I'm the
! company i'm recent years in rife-practce
and other battle exercises. Our losses in
these battles were 2 officers and 200 men
! killed. and 81 officers and LOS men
wounded missing, 49, The missing, with
| few exceptions, reported later
General Shafter says the arrival Of Cen
| eral Escario at Santiago was not anticl-
pated. as General Garcia had been sent TO
| intercept him.
After speaking of Admiral Cervera' IS
! sortie and the destruction OF his meet
General Shafter says he again called on
the Spanish commander 90 surrender
ASKED SAMPSON TO ENTER HARBOR
con the same date / informed Admiral
| Sampson that If he would force his way
into the harbor the city would surrender
! without anv further sacrifice of life.
| Commodore Watson replied that Admiral
Sampson was temporarily absent but
| that i'm his (Watson's) opinion the navy
/ should not enter the harbor.
"The strength Of the enemy's position
was such | did not wish TO assault II 1t
could be avoided. The examination OF the
! enemy's works. made after the SURRENDER
| fully iustifies the wisdom of the course
adopted. The entertainments could only
have been carried with very great loss Oh
| life"
ADDJNAT
July 18th / informed the Spanish com
mander that Major-General Miles, com
mander-in-chef of the American army,
had lust arrived in my camp, and re-
ouested him to grant us personal in
terview on the following day. He replied
that he would be pleased TO meet us. The
interview took place on the 18th, ana !
informed him that his surrender only
could be considered, and that as he was
| without hope of escape he had no right
to continue the fight"
General Shafter then gives the details
of the final surrender, his entry into the
city and raising of the American nag III
closing he says:
UNUSUAL OBSTACLES.
Before closing my report. i wish TO
dwell upon the natural obstacles had 70
/ encounter, and which no foresight could
have overcome or obylated. Ihe rocky
| and precipitOuS coast aHOrueu no sheltei- .
ed landing-places The roads We're mere
bridle-paths; the effect of the tropical sun
and rains upon unacclimated troops was
! deadly. and q dread of strange and un-
known diseases had its effect on the
"The supply of quartermaster's and
commissary stores during the campaign
was abundant, and Notwithstanding the
difficulties in landing and Transporting
the ration the troops on the nrlns Hhe
were at all times supplied with Its coarser
components-namely, Dreau' meat o"e"''
and coffee. ..,
'0There was no lack of transportation,
for al no time up to the surrender could
All the wagons which l had be used.
CARE OF SICK AND WOUNDED
'1n regard TO the sick and wounded, l
have 10 saw that they received every at
| tontion that il was possible to give them.
Tbe medical officers. without exception
worked night and day TO alleviate the
suffering which was no greater man IN
variablV accompanies campaign II
would have been better II we hau han hau
more ambulances, but as many were taken
as were thought necessary Judging lioi'i
previous campaigns -
"The discipline Of the command was
| eunerh and / wish TO invite attention TO
| tha fact that not an officer was brought
to trial bv court-martial, and, as far as l
! know. no enlisted men. This speaks
| ,,olumes for an army or TINS size, ana III d
campaign of such duration.
RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROMO
MOTION.
Tho General recommends for promotion
| aud brevets the following officers: Lieu
| teuant-Colonel T.. j. McClernand, Lieuteh-
! ent-Colonel George McC. Derby. l4ieuten-
| II X.