Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1898-07-01
THE ARMY'S FIRST BATTLE
REGULARS AND ROUGH RIDERS
Details of the EiHht-TwO Battles At
Once-Denth of Captain Cnpron-
Mule Stampeded with Gun-NeW
Men Fought Like Veterans.

Near Juragua, Cuba, June %, via
Kingston, June 26.-Practically two bat
ties were fought at the same time. one
bv the rough riders under the immediate
command of Colonel Wood. on the top
of the plateau, and the other on the hill
side several miles away by the regulars,
with whom was General Young.
The first intimation had by Colonel
Woods command that there were Span
iards in the vicinity was when they
reached a point three or four miles back
from the coast, where the low cuckoo
calls of the Spanish soldiers were heard
in the bush. Finally place was reach
ed about 8 o'clock, where the trail opened
into a space covered with high grass on
the right hand side of the trail and the
thickets. A barbed wire fence ran along
the left side. The dead body of Cuban
was found on the side of the road, and at
the same time Captain Capron's troops
covered the outpost, the heads of several
Spaniards being seen in the bushes for Il
moment
Hardly two minutes elapsed before
Mauser rifles commenced to crack in the
thicket, and 100 bullets whistled over the
heads of the Rough Riders, cutting
leaves from the trees and sending chips
flying from the fence posts by the side Of
the men. The >paniards had opened
fire and they poured in heavy fire,
which soon had most disastrous effect.
The troops stood their ground with the
bullets singing all around them.
Captain Capron stood behind his men,
revolver in hand. using it whenever a
Spaniard exposed himself. His aim was
to fall under his fire. just as he was
preparing to take another shot and
shouting orders to his men at the same
time, his revolver dropped from his grasp
and he fell to the ground with a ball
through his body. His troop was badly
disconnected for moment. but with all
the strength he could MUSTER he cried
Don't mind me, boys, 90 on and fight
Colonel Wood also order his Hotch
kiss gun into action, but the trooper who
rode the mule upon which a part of thu
gun was packed had been stampeded His
animal broke into the woods in the op
posite direction from the Spanish fire
and the gun consequently could not be
used.
AS soon as the position had beer
changed the Americans poured more
terrific fire than ever into the Spaniards
as they got them into more open coun
try and could see them better 1t wa.
not long before the enemy gave way ant
ran down the steep hill and up another
hill to the blockhouse, with the evident
intention of making final stand there
Colonel Wood was at the front directin:
the movement, and it was here that Ma
lor BrOdie was shot. Colonel Wood ant
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt both led tn,
troops in pursuit Of the fleeing Spaniard.
and hail of bullets was poured into tn,
blockhouse. By the time the American
advance got within 600 yards of tn,
blockhouse the Spaniards abandoned !;
and scattered among the brush up anoth
er hill, in the direction of Santiago, ant
the battle was ended.
General fOunx's Hot Position.
During all this time Just as hot fight
ing had been progressing ut Genera
Ioungs station. The battle began j,
much the same manner as the other one
and when the machine guns opened fir
the spanlards sent volleys at the gunner
from the brush on the opposite hillside
Two troops OF cavalry charged up the hill
and other troops sent a storm of bullet
at every point from which the Spanish
shots came. The enemy was gradua Il,
forced back, though firing all the time
until they, as well as those confrontin.
the Rough Riders, ran for the blockhouse
AMY to be dislodged by Colonel Wood
men.
General Young stated afterwards tina
the battle was one of the sha rpest he ha,
ever experienced. 1t was only the ouicl
and constant fire of the troops, whethe
they could see the enemy or not, tina
caused the spaniards to retreat SO soon