The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-09-15

the l~Oopholing OF a sOlidly built stone
church. The opposition offered by the
enemy vas greater han had been an
ticipated and prevented Lawton from
joining the right of the main line dur
ing the day. as rae been intended. At
ter The battle had continued for some
time Bates brigade Of two regiments
reached my headquarters from SiDoney.
/ directed him to move near ri Caney
TO give assistance IL IL was necessary.
He did so. and was put in position be-
tween Miles and Chaffee. The battle
continued with varying Intensity during
most Of the day, and each place was
carried by assault about 30 y. m. AZ
the %Spaniards ~endeavored to retreat
along the Santiago road Ludlow's posi-
ton enabled him to DO very effective
work and to practically cut of all re-
treat in that direction.
After the battle at FL Caney was
well opened and the sound Of the small
artillery fire caused us to believe that
Lawtou was driving the enemy before
him. ] directed Grimes battery TO open
fire from the heights Of El Paso on the
San Juan blockhouse. which could be
seen situated in the enemy's entrench-
ments. extending along the crest or
san Juan hill. This fire was effective
and the enemy could be seen from FL
Paso. and was soon returned by the
enemy's artillery. They evidently a
the range OF this Hill. and their first
shells killed and wounded several men.
Al the Spaniards used smokeless
powder IL was very difficult TO locate
the position of their pieces. while, on
the contrary. the smoke caused by our
black powder plainly indicated the po-
sition OF our battery.
AT his time. the cavalry division.
under Gener Sumner, which war ly-
ing concealed i'm the general vicinity Of
the lei Paso house, was ordered Onward
with directions to cross the San Juan
river and deploy to the right on the
Santiago side. while Kents division was
TO follow closely in its rear and deploy
to the left. d,
AT this time Generals Kent and
summer were ordered to push forward
with all possible speed and place their
troops In position 10 engage the enemy.
General Kent. with this end In view.
formed the head of his column along
side Of the cavalry column as far as
the narrow trail permitted and thus
hurried his arrival at san Juan. A few
hundred yards before reaching San
Juan the road forks, a fact that was
discovered by Lieutenant Colonel Derby
Of my staff, who had approached well
10 the front in a war balloon. This IN
formation he furnished to the troops,
resulting in Sumner moving on the right
! Idlu ANhhs iili' AN'AA - 'fA'''h' W
utilize the road to the left.
General Wheeler, the permanent
commauder Of the cavalry division, VINO
had beer IN. came forward during the
morning and later returned to duty
and rendered most gallant service dur
ing the remainder Of the day. AFTER
crossing the stream the cavalry moved
To the right with a view Of connecting
with Lawton's left when he could come
up and with then left resting near the
Santiago road.
"In the meantime Kent's division,
with the exception of two regiments OF
Hawkins brigade. being thus uncover
ed. moved rapidly to the front from the
forks previously mentioned in the road,
utilizing 10th trails, but more especially
the one to the LETT, and crossing tht
creek for attack in the front OF san
Juan hin. During this formation the
second brigade suffered severely. While
personally experimenting this move
ment it's gallant commander, Colonel
WiknT. was killed. The command oil
the brigade then devolvod upon Lieu
tenant Colonel Worth, 18th infantry.
who was soon severely wounded, and
next upon Lieutenant Colonel Liscum
oath infantry. who, five minutes later
also fell under the terrible fire OF tht
enemy. and the command Of the brigad,
her devolyed upon Lieutenant ColoneI
Ewers. 9th infantry.
while the formation just described
was taking place, Kent took measures
10 hurry forward his rear brigade. The
10th and 2nd infantry were ordered "a
follow Wikuff's brigade, while the 2lsl
was sent on the right hand road TO sup,
port the LIST brigade, under GENERA
Hawkins, who had crossed the stream
and formed on the right Of the division
The End and 10th infantry, Colone
- moved FAT.
ward In good order on the LETT OF the al,
vision. passed over a green knoll and
drove the enemy back toward his
trenches. After completing the forma'
ton under a destructive fire and adj
yancing a short distance, both divisions
found in their front a wide bottom IN
which had beer placed a barbed wire
ENHANCEMENT and beyond which there
was a high hill along the crest oi
which the enemy was strongly posted
Nothing dauted. these gallant mer
pushed on to drive the enemy from his
chosen position. both divisions losing
heavily. In this assault, Colonel Ham
ilton. L~icutenants Smith and Ship
were killed and Colonel Carroll, Lieu,
tenants Thayer and Meyer, all IN tht
cavalry. were wounded.
Great credit is due to BrigadleI
General II. $. Hawkins, who, placing
himself between his regiments. urgeo
them on by voice n bugle calls to tht
attack go brilliantly executed. In this
fierce encounter, words fail to do jus
tice to the gallant regiment command
ers and heroic men, for while the gen
erals indicated the formations and the
points for attack, IL was after all, tht
intrepid bravery of officers and mcr
that planted our COlorS on the crest 81
San Juan Hill and drove the enemy
from his trenches and bloCkhouses
thus gaining the position which sealed
the fate of Santiago.
In his action on this part of the
field. most efficient service was render
ed BY Lieutenant John II. Parker, 1871
infantry and the Calling ruu detach-
mput under his command. The fightine
continued at intervals until nightfall
but our men r~esolutely held To- the posi-.
tons gained at the cost Of SO much
! Hood and fgi1