Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-07-18

to fire on the Spanish sharpshooters in the
rifle pits surrounding the stone fort with
out exposing some part of the body and
this almost invariably brought a return
fire. Sometimes the bullets whirred through
the air like a flock of birds. Again they
would be like the buzzing of a swarm of
insects. Occasionally they would SINCE the
leaves of the trees or chip the rocks. The
damage seemed to come from single shots,
evidently concealed Spanish sharpshooters
picking their mark. During a lull Lieuten-
ant Dove raised his arm a little above the
ridge and instantly caught bullet in the
arm. private was crawling cautiously
alone, to shift his position, from one rock
to another, when he rolled over with a
fatal wound in the stomach. Another was
sighting his rifle from what seemed a Sc
cure position when a ball ploughed through
his side. By this time it was plain that one
or more of the concealed Spanish sharp
shooters had the range of that hill, and
Captain Waltz drew his company OF, TO the
shelter Of some canegrass, where 1t could
do some volley firing with less danger of
being exterminated. Captain Evans of an
other company reconnoitered the hill a lit
tie later to see If a dash could be made
from ii for the stone fort. but found a
more circuitous route would have TO be fol-
lowed. Company D of the same regiment
held an adjoining hill, under q. destructive
fire. for a time. All these companies were
in the advance, which was made when the
stone fort was taken. Their experience on
the hills in range of the Spanish sharp
shooters, and in making the open dash
across the gullies and up to the earthworks
Of the fort was that of other companies
and other regiments, which, taken togeth-
er, made the days fighting.
Friday evening, trampng along with
Company A of the It'll Infantry, when it
was hurried out from Caney under march
ing orders, l got an idea of the way the
individual soldiers viewed the lighting in
which they had taken part. The talk was
mostly of fallen comrades.
Did you know Shea's dead?" inquired
one. Hes only wounded" was the reply.
No, he died on the way to the hospital.
Poor Shea! He was a good fellow
Did you hear about Dowd? Had a
package Of letters from his wife and her
picture in his pocket. Bullet went right
through them. He never knew
There was lad lying by my side on
the top of the hill. He was nightly careful
in his aim and he got one Spaniard, sure
He raised his head an inch and then they
got him. I'd rather take the chance OF
being hit standing up. Not SO apt to get
you in a vital spot
"Hows O. Brien?" Pretty fair. His arm
was shattered and he'll lose it, but that
bullet in his leg made clean hole and
won't bother him much" 81
Three fellows went over by my side and
not one of them got up. 1 kept saying to
myself, old fellow, your turnn come next
but here I am without scratch"
My kid had u birthday-two years old
today-and when they were slaughtering
US along that ridge ! couldn't help think
ing of home. That's SO, fellows. My times
up in eight days, and 1 hope I will have
done up these Spaniards in that time, for
II l re-enlist l can't see that kid"
The talk, of which the above is as literal
transcript as can be made from memory
ran along in this way for some time. Then,
following pause, some one said, Il sup
pose therell be some hot fighting tomor-
row. Wonder if Wen be in it?'
In 1t, you chump? Some of ash be In
1t and won't come out of it."
CHARLES NJ. PEPPER.