Evening star., 1898-10-15
Colonel Haywood Describes Opera
tions Since April.
NAVAL BASE IN CUBA OBTAINED
Fine Work at the Guns in the
Fight Of July 3.
SERVICES PRAISED

Iates to the brilliant opeI atiOns and gallant
services of the marines during the recent
war with Spain.
In accordance with verbal instructions
from the Navy Department battallon OF
marines was organized in New York IN
April last TO- service in Cuba Col hay
wood went to New York to assist in organ
izing the battalion. 1t consisted OF twenty
three commissioned officers of the Marine
Corps, one surgeon of the navy and 90 en-
listed men, all under the command of Lieut..
Col. r. W. Huntington, |. 5. NJ. Z. Ine
battalion was divided into six companies,
che of which artillery company
having four three-inch rapid-fire guns, and
was composed of young, strong and healthy
en-. The Panther, formerly the Nenezue-
Ia, was detailed for the transportation of
the battalion. but it had accommodations
for only 400 men. These accommodations
We're increased. however, so as TO provide
for the full battalion as organized.
Col. Haywood says that the battalion was
thoroughly fitted out with all the equip
Tnents and necessities for field service under
the conditions prevailing in Cuba which
experience and careful consideration could
suggest. including a full supply OF medical
stores. Campaign suits of brown linen and
campaign hats We're ordered. but owing to
the great demand for these articles it was
impossible to send them with the battalion.
They We're shipped. later. however, ana, Col
Haywood says. proved a great comfort to
the men.
The Panther sailed from Key West with
the battalion June :. under convoy of the
cruiser Montgomery, and arrived at San
tiago de Cuba the morning of the 10th
Luudtng on Guantanamo Bay.
con the same day at l pm says Col
Haywood. ''the ship aTrived at Guantana-
mo. Cuba. and at o'clock of that day the
battalion landed with stores prepared to
go into camp. on the 18th the camp was
attacked by much superior force of Span
iards. and from that time until the 1ith the
battalion was constantly under fire, and re-
pulsed the enemy on every attack The
holding of the position at Guantanamo bay
as of the utmost Importance to the navy.
as 1t was the only harbor where the vessels
could seek shelter during the hurricane sea-
son. Owing to the dense undergroWth af-
fOrding a safe shelter to the Spanish sharp
shooters, ii would have been Impossible for
the vessels by Smelling the sEore to keep
the enemy from harrassng those on board
the ships with their Mauser rifles to such
an extent as to make it dangerous TO re-
main there"
For full details of the organization and
operations Of the marine battalion Col Hay
" OOd refers to the report of Col Hunting
ton, which is made part Of his report, and
also to the report of Capt. Geo. F. Elliott,
who was sent, June II, with detach-
ment of two companies of the battalion and
fifty CubanS for the purpose of destroying
a well al CuZCo, about six miles from the
camp. which was the only water supply of
the enemy within twelve miles. This small
force attacked and defeated body of about
40 Spaniards and accomplished the de-
struction of the well. About l o'clock on
the morning Of June - during a very Sc
we're attack on the camp, Assistant Surgeon
John z. Gibbs. US,A., was killed by
Mauser bullet, reported to have been fired
ut a range of from $50 to $3 yards Col
Haywood pays tribute to the five enlisted
E..1sev 1i-r.s
men wounded in the brave defense of the
flag at Guantanamo bay
Return of the battalion.
After visiting Manzanillo and Playa del
Este. early in August. the battalion sailed
for Portsmouth. y. H. August IS. Every
arrangement had been made by Col Hey
wood for the reception of the battalion at
that place. When he visited the camp
there, September 3. he found 1t in excellent
sanitary condition and the men all well,
with the exception of two, who had d slight
attack of fever. which the surgeon report
cd would not result seriously Col Hey-
wood considers this showing to be some
what remarkable, in view of the fact that
the men Of the battalion were the first Of
the United States forces to land in Cuba
and remained there until August Is The
marked Improvement in the health of the
men after q short stay at Portsmouth Col.
Haywood says, showed that It was a wise
hralthful climate Of the coast Of New Eng
land when they arrived from Cuba. Instead
Of distributing them Immediately to their
respective stations.
The Washington Detachment.
In speaking of the disbandment Of the
battalion, Col. Haywood says:
The Washington detachment, consisting
Of three officers and l6i men. arrived in
the city September -. The morning of the
day Of their arrival The President notified
me that he desired to review the detach-
ment. The honor thus rendered being un-
solicited, was highly appreciated and the
men upon their arrival were marched
through quite Il heavy downpour of rain
70 the White House and reviewed by the
President. The men were enthusiastically
greeted all along the line of march and
many compliments upon their appearance
We're heard. The next morning in spita
OF their long trip of the day before and
their march through the rain, every man
of the detachment was reported VOL .rd
present for duty"
The President recognized th. services NJ
the marine battalion by advancing or bre-
vetting number Of officers Including Iieut
Col Huntington. who was made d colonel
but Col. Haywood says q number of other
officers are also entitled to recognition and
their cases are now under Consideration by
the naval promotion board
The fact that this battalion was attack
Haywood. and for over three davs and
nights was under constant fire. and that
the following day portion of the battalion
attacked and repulsed a superior force of
Spamards, shows that Col. Huntington and
his officers and men displayed great GAL
lantry, and that all were well drilled and
under the most effective discipline The
battalion has not lost a man by disease
from the time II left for Cuba until it's re-
turn. and the percentage of sickness was
only per cent. and In camp, after arrival
at Portsmouth, only nine-tenths of l per
cent, showing the good results of the ex-
tremely careful and complete preparation
OF the battalion for the service which de-
Nolved upon ii. by the quartermaster of
the corps. Mai. f. L. Denny the quarter
master of the battalion; Capt c. l.. Nc
CdwIey. |. s. NJ. c.; the medical officer
Surgeon john NJ. Edgar. L. S n, and nv
self. in procuring all the necessary cloth
ing. medicines and other necessaries for n
tropical climate, and the care exercised by
the officers for the health and comfort OF
the men. by the constant inspection of the
camp, OF provisions and meals before being
served, as well as rigid discipline always
enforced in the corps
The report makes reference to the sneciaI
services performed by the marines at Key
West in suppressing fawieSsness at Ports-
mouth. n. H. and Annapolis, Nd. in guard
ing prisoners of war and IN nuhIi,.