Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-08-27
Letter from a Chester Boy.

LSllSA q SASStNl DUJs
The following letter, written by B. G
Wood, son of Volney Wood Of Chester,
will be of general interest, giving, as it
does, a soldiers account of the battle July
l, at Santiago.
Santiago De Cuba,
August 3, 1898
Dear folks at home:
have a few facts
concerning my corps, the 9th army corps,
consisting of the invading troops at Santi-
ago ur d n the command OF Gen. Shafter,
which | thought might be OF interest to
you.
The LIST of July was the most eventful
day of our experience, for during that day
many brave and young American boys
fought and died while endeavoring to main
tain the national honor OF our glorious
country.
At 5 o'clock on the morning of the LIST
OF July, our artillery, which had taken
position on the mountains, had their guns
trained op points which we're thought to be
effective, but on account of the den,e
growth of trees it was found very hard to
locate the enemy, and SO it happened that
the infantry and a small portion of the cav
airy were sent along narrow road, just
wide enough for four men to walk abreast.
After continuing our journey tor little
distance we suddenly found ourselves
among perfect rain of bullets. We knew
there were some regiments in advance OF
us, and it can readily be imagined what
position we were in, surrounded on both
sides by foliage which was so dense we
were unable to locate the enemy, but all
this time an incessant fire was poured in
upon us, and to make it even worse the
Spanish sharpshooters we're located in CO.
coanut trees picking off all of our officers
possible.
4, After a short delay we succeeded in
arriving at an opening, but before we could
reach this open space we were obliged to
ford a creek about Is feet wide and four
!, feet deep, in the center OF which was
found a wire fence three wires high.
Many were shot in this creek and we're
badly wounded on the wires, but after
crossing the creek we beheld tor the first
, time the cause of all our trouble, and with
shout each man sprang forward, follow
ing close behind the 18th, 10th and oath
infantry, the latter being colored regi-
ment, and right here would like to state
: that they do not need the dark town band
, to play to make gallant charge, as they
clearly proved when they arrived at the
base OF the hill, on the top of which was
located the enemy's first blockhouse and
trenches.
; The regiments mentioned were in this
charge. Some Of the foreign officers who
we're present remarked that such an act Of
bravery they had never before witnessed.
When it is known that this hill is like the
roof Of house and about 500 yards to
charge you can imagine how hard task
our boys had tackled. But not man
waited for a second; up the hill they
charged, shouting like Apache Indians,
3 and my brigade. consisting of the I'd, 10th
D and 21st regulars, closely supported them,
and inside of 80 minutes the blockhouse
was ours, and the Spaniards with all their
pride were in full retreat toward Santiago
Notifications, with the Yankee pigs, as
/ they term US, in full pursuit.
o We continued until we arrived with
a desperate charge within sight Of their
main intrenchments, a distance of 400
7 yards, that being our nearest point to
them
My regiment happened to be in the CEN
ter Of the firing line, which gave us posi-
ton nearest to the enemy's lines. The
9 firing had become general all around the
TANKS, as our troops had at last located
their positions.
Once more allow me to speak Of my
regiment. We had to entrench ourselves
under heavy fire; this happened about 5
NJ. The firing ceased about $50 and
then picks and shovels were used with a
will until o'clock at night, and then we
lay down for short rest. But we were
not to be allowed to rest long, for at in
the morning our friends across the way
had taken positions in their trenches, and
they opened fire, driving in our pickets,
and from that time until the 18th we were
) 10 and out of the trenches. Many of the
men bad to crawl out of the trenches or die
with the heat Great cries for water were
heard on every side, land the only water was
at mud creek one mile away, and the only
, way to get it was with small canteens car
ried by each man.
Well have told you the most important
things connected with the battle, although
much more could be said by a competent
writer.
/ aJ1.o l.. k.-.o Il. -