The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1898-10-28

vitality ana energy OF the SOlu1erS ana
they were not by any means in condi-
tion to do their best Immediately ON
reaching the field Of action. This is no
discredit to the mettle of the soldiers.
Human nature has limits. Had it been
possible for the army to disombark and
spread itself out over good camping
grounds with good supply of water
and facilities for bathing, cooking, ex.
ercising and drilling, with good air, for
two or three days even, then the effects
of the voyage might have cut no figure
in the condition of the troops. But the
camping grounds where they landed at
Siboney and Daiquiri were very unfit.
Troops began spreading out toward the
heads of the streams passing through
the camps near the shore. In a short
time the water became foul. The whole
region was congested with troops and
the impedimenta, and the situation was
such, in brief, that tho army had no
time to take breath, or, as the saying
is, pull itself together" for the hustling
campaign which followed.
All of this has most important bear
ing upon the conduct of the soldiers and
their efficiency at the time of extreme
trial in front of the Spanish blockhouses
and trenches around Santiago. Any ac-
count of the Santiago campaign which
starts with the assumption that Shat
ter's army was in the normal condition
Of an army when it set out along blind
trails and through the dense jungles
which intervened between the seashore
and the heights about the city will con-
vey no adequate idea Of the sufferings,
the hariships, the persistency under
difficulties, as we'll as of the glorious
achievements and unparalleled courage
of the heroes of Santiago. AS is already
known, General Shafter went on shore
and conferred with General Garcia, tho
Cuban, at a point held by the insur-
gents, is miles west of Moro Castle.
From Garcia and from former residents
of Santiago, who were with him on
board the transports, he learned tho stu.
alton east of Santiago harbor and city
and decided to land the army for opera.
tions in that region. To mislead the
enemy with regard to his intentions he
secured the cooperation of our navy in
bonn harding several points at once.
1t was of prime necessity to keep the
army under cover of gunboat fire while
it was landing and for some time after
ward, or at least until the forces were
we'll in hand Oh land and outposts es-
tablished for defense. There is but one
road running into Santiago from the
east which communicates with good
landing places OH the coast. Accounts
of the condition of this road vary. Gen.
eral Shafter says that it was very mar
row and in many places not better than
trail. Other officers, particularly those
connected with tho artillery and trans
port department., speak Of it as an eX-
ecrable roadway. Statements tc the con-
trary havo been published, claiming
that it is fair country road over which
a farmer would run no risk with full
load of hay, that some one in authority
had hobby for pack mules, and for
that reason wagon transportation was
neglected.
The landing was effected at Daiquiri
and Siboney between juno 22 and 25.
AS rule the troops disembarked while
the transports were from ono mile and
half to two miles offshoro. Some iGea
of the confusion attending the landing
may be gained from the experience of
Lieutenant Parker with his Gatling bat
terry. Parker had an order from Shafter
to land at once and get his outfit to the
front That was OH the evening of Juno
%. The Cherokee, upon which the bat
terry made tho trip from Tampa, was
warped along the iron pier at Daiquiri,
and Parker seized Il government pontoon
to use in transferring his outfit to shore.
Ho was stopped by young officer, WHO
claimed to control the pontoons, and
who said that in spite of Shafter's order
that the Gatlings get to the front at
once his pontoon should mot be smash.
ed in doing it." While this parley was
going OH ~ general officer rode up and
ordered the Cherokee to put to sea again
so that some other ships might come ND
to tho pier. For another day the Chero.
kec, with Parker's guns on board lay
in the oiting 1t is said that at that time
the steamer Alamo had OH board an en-
tire cargo of pontoons, which had not
been landed. On the 25th the Gatlings
were taken off the Cherokee by light
draft steamer and were put upon tho
shore where Lieutenant Parker was
warned by the engineers that tho roads
to the front were impassable. A little
later 1T was demonstrated that Parker's
Gatlings were as effective as anything
in the whole fighting outfit.
AS the cavalry brigade of General
Young took the lead Of tho real advance
on Santiago and first felt the teeth Of