Omaha daily bee., 1898-07-01
WHEELER PRAISES HIS MEN
Sends an Official Report of the Engagement
Near Santiago.
WOUNDED REFUSE TO QUIT THE FIELD
Spanish thumb Americans, but
How Much He Does Not Know
Gives Him u Good
pGE::ion.

Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.)
CAMP JURAGUA, June 29.-(Via King
ston, June 3O.)-General Wheeler's official
report to Major General Shafter of what is
known as the battle of Siboney is as fol-
lows:
IN CAMP JURAGUA. June 29.-To the Ad-
jutant General of the Fifth Army Corps
Sir-I have the honor to report that, in
obedience to the instructions Of the major
general commanding, given me in person
on June %, | proceeded to Siboney (Jura-
guasito). The enemy had evacuated the
1lace at daylight that morning taking a
course toward Seyilla. A body of about
LOCO Cubans had followed and engaged the
enemy's rear guard. About nine Of them
We're wounded.
l rode out to the front and found the
enemy had halted and established them
selves at a point about three miles from
S%iboney. At night the Cubans returned to
the vicinity of the town. At s o'clock that
evening, the 23d, General Young reached
Siboney with eight troops of Colonel Woods
regiment, A, p, ID, e, f, G, X and l., 800
strong, troops A., B, C and X, First cavalry,
in all 2t4 men, and troops A, b, e and
of the Tenth cavalry, in all 22O men, MAX
ing the total force 964 men. which included
nearly all of my command which had
marched from Biaquiri. eleven miles.
With the assistance of General Castillo
a rough map of the country was prepared
and the position of the enemy was fully
explained and / to make an at
tack at daylight on the oath. Colonel Woods
regiment was sent by General Young, ac-
companied by two Of his staff officers, Lieu
tenants Tyrree Rivers and w. r. Smed-
burg, jr., to approach the enemy on the
left hand, or more westerly road, while
General Young, myself and about $50 troops
of the First and Tenth cavalry with three
Hotchkiss mountain guns approached the
enemy off the regular SeYilla road.
General Young and myself examined the
position Of the enemy, the lines were de-
ployed and | directed him to open fire with
the Hotchkiss guns. The enemy replied and
the firing Immediately became general.
Colonel Wood had deployed his right, nearly
reaching the left of the regulars.
COmnends officers and Men.
For an hour the fight was very warm, the
enemy being very lavish in expenditure of
ammunition, most of their firing being by
volleys. Finally the enemy gave way and
retreated rapidly. We followed them over
the line, keeping close upon them; but our
men being physically exhausted by both
their exertions and the great heat were IN
capable OF maintaining the pursuit.
/ cannot speak too highly OF the gallant
and excellent conduct of officers and men
throughout my command. General Young
deserves special commentator for MS cool,
deliberate and skillful management.
| dtDo tbDttihl'S hchiNN H''
general, Lieutenant A. l.. Mills, VINO, under
General Young's direction, was at various
parts of the line acting with energy and
cool courage. ..
The necessity of disembarking Win
promptitude had impelled me to leave most
OF my staff to hasten this important matter
and unfortunately, l had with me only
Major NJ. j. Beach and Maestro, an acting
volunteer aide, both Of whom, during the
engagement, creditably and brayely per-
fAnnaAl tkAtr Inttna na nGnnninnU N
debted to Major Beach for his cool and
good judgment.
Colonel Woods regiment was ON the ex-
IRENE left of the line and too far distant
for me to be a personal witness of the in
diyidual conduct of the officers and men
but the magnificent bravery shown by the
regiment under the lead OF Colonel Wood
t~estifies TO his courage and skill and the
energy and determination of lis officers
which has been marked from the moment
he reported to me at Tampa, and ! have
abundant evidence of his brave and good
conduct on the field, and | recommend hin
for the consideration of the government
/ must rely upon his report TO do justice
to his officers and men. l desire personally
to say what | have said regarding Colonel
Wood applies equally to Lieutenant Colonel
Roosevelt,
was Immediately with the troops of the
First and Tenth regiments of cavalry, dis
mounted, and | personally poticed theii
brave and good conduct, which will be spc'
cially mentioned by General Young, 1 per
sonally noticed the good conduct OF Cap
tains w. III. Book, Robert p. wrigh
and Jacob G.. Galbraith, Major James NJ
Bell, Captain Thomas T.. Know and Lieuten
ant Colonel E. Brown. The last three wer'
wounded. Major Bell, as he lay on thu
ground. with a broken leg, said: Il onl!
regret | can't go on with you further"
Captain Know, though severely wounded