Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-09-28

regulars did. They were in strong
position, and it was the first experience
of the American troops with an enemy
having smokeless powder. When the
firing was heaviest there wasn't as
much a puff of smoke to show where
the enemy was.
"Among the foremost of our men
was New York boy, young Hamilton
Fish, and in command of the advance
guard was man whom regarded as
nearer the ideal American officer than
any man I have ever sesn, gallant
Captain Capron. They were in the
heaviest fighting, and were killed al
most Immediately. They died not
only heroes, but martyrs for the cause
we were fighting for. That troop of
men had its captain killed and its first
lieutenant shot, and the command fell
on the second lieutenant, who, having
seen his two superiors shot down, gath
cred his men together and finally drove
the Spaniards out. Later, at San Juan,
he, too, was shot down, and the COM
mand of that gallant troop fell on the
first sergeant.
II was on the right wing, meantime,
and it was impossible for US to locate
the enemy. We could here the bullets
singing over our heads, and occasion
ally a man would crumple up. We
finally located the Spaniards about 700
yards away and drove them out.
Then we saw the regulars coming up,
and for fear they would mistake Us for
Spauiards the first sergeant of Troop
K climbed tree and waved his guidon
until the signal was answered.
"After that we moved up to Santa
20, aud camped OH hillside with
ridge in front of US. At dawn our
artillery got OH that ridge and opened
lire. That was fine music to US, but
pretty soon the Spauiards began to
reply, and instead of dislodging our
artillery they shot over it, and the
shrapnel came ut US. OF course they
'lidn't mean to hit US, because they
couldn't see US, but that was like the
Spaniards. Well, while Generals Law
ton and Chaffee were pounding away
at Ell Caney we were ordered to take
the blockhouses on the hills. We
went through the jungle in a hurry,
forded the river aud were then halted
for an hour under heavy fire. I see
by the papers that there has been some
talk as 10 whether we took San Juan
hill or not. 1 don't know whether we
did. We didn't stop to ask the name
of the hill; we just took it.
"The most try ing part of it all was
that wait, though, for the men were
hring shot down like sheep. recol-
lect giving all order to an orderly.
He rose and saluted, then fell dead
across my knees. l saw Capt. Buck
O'Neill walking up aud down in front
of his men. One of them said: Lie
down, captain you'll be hit He
laughed and said The Spanish bullet
has not been made that can kill me-
The next moment he fell dead, bull
let hole through his head. He was
man of absolute courage, and one of
the finest soldiers and men have ever
known.
"We finally got orders to 60 ahead,
and then began my crowded hour of
glorious life, an hour I wouldn't ex-
change for all the rest of my life. 1t
is pleasant to remember how the men
behaved that day. I saw Is wounded
men refuse to 60 to the rear, and l re-
call New Mexican cow punchsr who
was shot in the side and whom I Or
dered to the hospital myself. Twenty
minutes later he was in the front rank
fighting again. After the fight he
went to the hospital and had his wound
dressed. While lying on a cot he
heard the surgeon say that he was to
be shipped home. That night he
jumped out of the hospital window
and came back to camp. He fought
with the regiment from then on.
"The temptation is strong to 60 on
with these tales of personal bravery.
There were many others that I saw
and a hundred for every one that came
under my'observation. Well, we final
ly took that hill, which we always
called Kellett Hill. I don't know
whether. the Spaniards called it San
Juan Hill or not.
Zone word I want to say in closing,
and that is, that the regiment typifed
what we hold to be American. In it
was the Protestant and the Catholic,
the Jew and the Gentle, all alike and
on the same footing. 1t was Jew
that l promoted for gallantry on the
field of battle. The men rose on their
merits as men, and by nothing else."
The applause lasted nearly five
minutes after Colonel Roosevelt sat
down. Then Mr.. Youngs, on behalf
of the people of Oyster Bay, present
ed fine sword to Colonel Roosevelt.
"It is not for your bravery in bat
tle," he said, "that your fellow citizens
give you this sword, but because they
love you as man."
Colonel Roosevelt said "Thanks,"
and then the Rev. Charles S. Wight
man pronounced a benediction and the
Jubilee was over.
- Gastonia Gazette: AT Waynesville
L. n nj