Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1898-06-29
THE ARMY'S FIRST BATTLE
REGULARS AND ROUGH RIDERS
Details of the Fight--TwO Battles at
Once-Death of Captain Capron-
Mule stampeded with Gun-New
Ncn Fought Like Veterans.

Near Juagua, Cuba, June %. via
Kingston. June 26.-Practically two bat
ties were fought at the same time, one
by 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 Il place was reach
ed about o'clock, where the trail opened
, into n space covered with high grass on
the right hand side of the trail and the
thickets A barbed wire fence nan along
the left side. The dead body of a 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 Spaniards had opened
fire and they poured in a 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 II
Spaniard exposed himself. His aim was
sure and two of the enemy were seen
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 ball
through his body His troop was badly
disconnected for a moment, but with all
the strength he could muster, he cried
Don't mind me, boys, go 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 the
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 been
changed the Americans poured a more
terrific fire than ever into the Spaniards,
as they got them into more open coun.
try and could see them better IL was
not long before the enemy gave way and
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 directing
the movement, and il was here that Ma.
ior Brodie was shot. Colonel Wood and
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt both led the
troops in pursuit OF the fleeing Spaniards
and IL hail of bullets was poured into the
blockhousc. BY the time the American
advance got within 600 yards Of the
blockhouse the Spaniards abandoned it
and scattered among the brush up anoth.
er hill, in the direction of Santiago and
the battle was ended.
General Young's Hot Position.
During all this time just as hot fight.
ing had been progressing at General
Young's station. The battle began in
much the same manner as the other one,
and when the machine guns opened fire
the Spaniards sent volcys at the gunners
from the brush on the opposite hillside.
Two troops of cavalry charged up the hill
and other troops sent storm OF bullets
at every point from which the Spanish
shots came The enemy was gradually
forced back, though firing all the time,
until they, as well as those confronting
the Rough Riders, ran for the blockhouse,
anly to be dislodged by Colonel Woods
men.
General Young stated afterwards that
the battle was one Of the sharpest he had
ever experienced. 1t was only the quick
and constant fire of the troops, whether
they could see the enemy or not, that
caused the Spaniards to retreat so soon.