The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-06-26

victory was already won General Young
refused 10 allow them 70 take part in the
fight
General Young's plan contemplated the
movement OF half Of his command along
the trail at the base of the range or
hills leading back from the coast so that
he could attack the Spaniards on the
flank while the Rough Riders went of
10 follow the trail leading over the NH
to attack them in front.
PLANS CARRIED OUT
This plan was carried out completely.
The troops left Juragua at daybreak.
The route OF General Young and the regu-
lars was comparatively level and easy OF
travel. Three Hotchkiss guns were taken
with this command.
A TOILSOME JOURNEY.
The first part of the journey OF the
Rough Riders was over steep hills, sew
eral hundred feet high. The men carried
200 rounds OF ammunition and heavy
camp equipment. Although this was
done easily in the early morning, the
weather became intensely hot and the
sun beat down upon the cowboys and
Eastern athletes as they toiled up the
grade with their heavy packs, and fire.
quent rests were necessary. The trail
was so narrow that for the greater part
Of the way the men had 70 proceed
single file. Prickly cactus bushes lined
both sides of the trail. and the under
brush was so thick that It was impos-
sible to see ten feet on either side All
the conditions were favorable for
murderous ambuscade. but the troopers
kept a close watch. and made as little
noise as possible.
EAGER FOR THE FIGHT.
The Rough Riders entered into The
srft ~. af. 1rsf4h d n orc
enthusiasm. IT was their first opportu-
nifty for a fight. and every man was
eager for It,
The weather grew swelteringly hot, and
one by one the men threw away blankets
and tent rolls and empted their canteens.
rhe 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. when the low cuckoo calls
OF the Spaniards was heard in the bush.
IL was difficult TO locate the exact point
from which these sounds came. The men
were ordered 10 speak in whispers and
frequent halts were made. Finally
place was reached about o'clock whore
the trail opened into a space covered
with high grass on the right hand side
OF the trail and the thickest kind of
bramble and undcrbrush on the other. A
barbed wire fense also ran along the left
side
The dead body Of a Cuban was found
on the side Of the road, and at the same
time Captain Caprons troops covered
the outpost. the heads Of several Span
iards Being seen in the bushes for a mo-
ment.
ORDERED TO LOAD.
1t was not until then that the men
were permitted to load their carbines.
When the order to load was given they
acted on II with a will and displayed the
greatest eagerness to make an attack.
At this time the sound of firing was
heard mile or two 10 the right. appar-
emily coming from the hills beyond the
thicket 1t was the regulars replying to
the Spaniards who had opened on them
from the thicket. In addition TO rapid
rifle fire the boom of Hotchkiss' guns
could be heard.
THE FUN COMMENCED.
Hardly two minutes elapsed before the
Mauser rifles commenced to crack in the
thicket and a hundred bullets whistled
over the heads of the Rough Riders. cut
ting leaves from the trees and sending
chips fling from the fence posts by tho
side Of the men. The Spaniards had OPEN
ed. and they poured heavy fire. which
soon had most disastrous effect
THE OPENING SHOT.
The troops stood their ground with the
bullets whistling all around them. Pri-
vate Colby caught sight OF the SpGniards
and fired the opening shot at thom. Ser
geant Hamilton Fish, Jr., was the first
man TO fall. lie was shot through the
heart and died instantly The Spaniards
were not more than two hundred yards
off. but only occasional glimpscs of them
could be seen.
The men continued 90 pour volley after
volley into the brush in the direction Of
tho sound of the Spanish shots. but the
latter became more frequent and seemed
10 be getting nearer Colonel Wood walk
ed along his lines. displaying the utmost
coolness. lie ordered the troops to deploy
into the thicket and sent another detach-
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