The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-23
R|)OSEVELTS OWN
STORY OF SANTIAGO
Continued from First Page

with big pot containing a stew OF fresh
meat. probably for THE officers. We alse
distributed the captured Spanish blankets
as far as they would go among our men
and gathered good deal of Mauser am
munition for use in the Colt rapid-fire
gun, which was being brought up. Tina,
night we dug entertainments across our
front.
At 5 O'Clock in the morning, the Span
iards made another attack upon us which
was easily repealed, and at 4 o'clock they
opened the day with heavy rife and
shrapnel fire. All day long we remained
under this, replying whenever we got the
chance. In the evening al about O'Clock
the Standards fired three guns and then
opened a very heavy rifle fire. their Skin
nishers coming well armed. l got all my
men down into the trenches. as did the
OTHER commanders near me, and we
opened a heavy return fire. The Spanish
advance was at once stopped, and after
an hour their fire died away. This night
We completed most of our trenches and
began to build abontb-proofs. The protec-
ton afforded TO our mon was good, and
next morning I had but one man wound
ed from the rife and shell fire until Z
O'Clock, when the truce came.
I do not mention the officers and men
who particularly distinguished themselves.
as I have nothing TO add in this respect
TO what was contained in my two former
letters.
There were numerous Red Cross fags
flying in the various parts OF the city. two
Of them go arranged that they directly
covered batteries in our front and for
some time were the cause Of our not firing
AT them.
The Spanish guerillas were very active
especially in our rear, where they seemed
10y preference TO attack the wounded men
who were being carried on Itters, the
doctors and the medical attendants with
Red Cross badges on their arms. and the
burial parties. I organized a detail Of
sharpshooters and sent them out after
these guerillas, of whom they killed thir-
teen. Two OF the men thus killed were
shot several hours after the truce had
been in operation, because. in spite OF this
fac. they kept firing upon our men as
they went 10 draw water They were
stationed in the trees. as the gueriAss
were generally. and owing 10 the density
- the foliage and 70 the use OF smoke
less powder rifles {: was an exceedingly
difficult matter 20 locate them.
For the next several DAYS we lay in our
line while the truce continued. We had
continually 20 work az additional bomb
proofs and at the trenches. and as we had
no proper supply OF food and utterly in
adequate medical facilities. the men suf-
fered q coed deal The officers Clipped to-
gether and purchased beans. tomatoes and
sugar for the men, 50 that they might
have some relief from the bacon and hard
tack With a great deal OF difficulty We
got them coffee. As for the sick and
wounded. they suffered 50 in the hospitals
when sent 20 the rear. for lack Of food and
attention, taht We found it best 10 keep
them at the front and give them such care
as our own doctors could
mentioned IN my previous letter that
thirteen OF our wounded men continued 20
fight through the battle in spite Of their
wounds. and OF those sent 20 the rear
many both Of the sick and wounded came
up 10 rejoin Us as soon As their condition
S-.oWei them 20 walk most Of the worst
cases being ultimately sent 70 tha states.
On ne le'h The truce was ~ an end ara
the bombsrdmeut rsopened. A. Il. A. oar
Ines were concerned. st was GA the span
ish Part. very feeble We suffered 40
losses and speedily %, the IRE from ,heir
trenches in our front completely under.
On the uth we Mere moved three-a1ar-
ters OF mile 10 the right. The truce be-
ing or. nothing happened here except We
continued 30 watch and do our hst 20 90
SIC men, especially the slck. progcrl. led.