The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-07-28
The Assault On Santiago
Causedby Spanlards.
0FFICERSURGED RETREAT
General wheeler Refused to Enter-
tain the Proposition.
DIscusrED WITH THE cuBANs.

Santiago. July 2s.--It is one Of the un-
written secrets OF the battle of July
that the plans made the night previous
did not contemplate an assault upon the
works of the enemy before Santiago.
Two divisions. those OF General Wheeler
and General Kent. were to remain in
column on the main road to reinforce
General Lawton, whose division was to
assault El Caney on the extreme right
while Grimes battery was making a
diversion on the left. When the Spanish
guns began to drop shrapnel shells over
the road on which our column rested.
and when word came that General Law
ton was successful at El Caney. Il be-
came necessary either for Wheeler's
and Kent's divisions to advance, re-
treat or remain quiet under the storm Of
shell that was bursting over their heads
In these circumstances IL was less dan
gerous to advance and charge the
enemy's works than to stay where they
were. and with a general impulse to get
where they could return the enemys
fire. the advance regiments. the Sixth
and Sixteenth infantry. moved out. The
others followed.
There is question whether general
command 10 charge was ever given.
Regimental and company commanders
simply led their way heroically forward
up the hill. The hill was taken, the
American flag planted on its crest and
the enemy driven pellmell into his inner
line OF entrenchments beyond. Our men
were too much exhausted to follow up
their victory, though ii has since been
asserted that had the pursuit been con-
tinued that afternoon the demoralized
Spanish would have surrendered that
night. Men who had left third OF their
officers and 12 percent OF their comrades
upon the field behind them could not go
on. Physical strength and courage have
their limitations. European critics will,
perhaps. seize upon this for condemna-
tion, Just as they frequently condemned
the failure OF the northern armies during
the civil war to follow up their victories;
but just as the northern generals had
to build their roads through the
South, SO our generals in San
tiago have had to build their roads
and the men. exhausted by travel over
hard roads and hard figh biting. OF neces-
sity finally reached the limit Of en-
durance.
SO terrific had been the slaughter Of
our men. 30 percent OF whom were then
under fire for the first time, that the
fact is. though comparatively few know
a ~ ~ ptc ~ I,,f Aai.
high rank brave soldiers. too, went to
General Wheeler, who was in command
at the front General Shafter being still
aboard his ship. and appealed to him to
withdraw. They predicted an awful
disaster to our arms IL We attempted to
hold the position we had earned so
dearly; but the intrepid old leader Of the
Confederacy said NO" He spoke re-
assuring words to those who came with
dire forebodings. I'VE are in an un-
o)mfortable position. but the Spaniards
are more uncomfortable than we. Pass
that word down the line" General
Wheeler even sent back dispatch to
General Shafter. telling of the pressure
that was being brought to bear upon
him. II presume the same influences
are being brought to bear on YOU" he
wrote in effect. 'but IL will not do.
american prestige would suffer irre-
trievably IL we gave in an inch. We
must stand firm"
When DR.. Goodfellow and Captain
stuart Brice, son of ex-senator Calvin
Brice. took Wounded Spanish into the
enemy's lines few days ago. one OF the
Spanish officers who met them, speaking
Of the storming of San Juan hill, ex-
pressed keen curiosity to know what
command the American officers gave
as they came on. I'VE could hear them"
said he, shouting at the head OF their
men something which sounded like
'Johnson's breeches' We looked I'm our
dictionaries afterwards but could make
nothing out of It," Captain Brice and
DR.. Goodfellow professed ignorance of
what IL could have been. whereupon one
OF the troopers who were In the escort
explained that the command given was
Charge by rushes," command invent
ed since the deadly fire of modern rifles
has made open order formation neces-
sary.
The Cubans have proved a sorry dis
tfils
even TO their warmest friends. They
have been everywhere except where the
battle ragged, but their chief and favorite
station has been near the commissary.
So persistently have they hung about
the supply stations that they have come
to be known and described, IN language
more forcible than elegant. as the
mango bcllied degenerates." During
he various actions since the army landed
only seven Cubans. so far as Is known.
have been wounded. At FL Caney. when
the pack train brought up supplies for
the starving refugees. the Cubans crowd
ed out women and children and de-
manded rations, not as a privilege. but
as right. Captain Brics. who wasin
charge, was compelled 10 knock down
two cuban officers. They were highly
Indignant but when they looked af the