The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-06

ing under which Il was formed. It was
merged into open space into full view Of
the enemy who occupied breastworks on
the crest OF the hill which overloolSs San
uago, officers and men falling at every
step.
The troops advanced calamity, soon
reached the foot Of the hill and ascended,
driving the enemy from their works and
occupying them on the crest of the hill.
To accomplish this required courage
and determination on the part Of the Of
ncers and men Of a high order and the
losses were severe.
Too much credit cannot be given to
Gen. Sumner and Gen. Kent ana their gall
liant brigade commanders. Col. Wood ana
Col. Carroll of the cavalry, Gen, Hamilton
$. Hawkins, commanding First Brigade,
Kents division, and Col Pearson, COM
mending Second Brigade.
Col Carroll and Maj. Vessels were
both wounded during the charge, but Mai.
Vessels was enabled to return and resume
command.
Gen wickoT, commanding Kents
Third Brigade. was killed at 1910
Lieut.. Col. Worth took command and
was wounded at 1928
Lieut.. Col Liscum then took command
and was wounded at 1890, and the COM
mand then devolVed upon Lieut.. Col Ew-
ers, Ninth Infantry.
Upon reaching the crest l ordered
breastworks 60 be constructed. and sent
to the rear for shovels, picks, spades and
axes The enemys retreat from the ridge
was precipnate. but our men were so
thoroughly exhausted that il was impos-
sible for them to follow.
"Ther shoes were soaked with water by
wading the San Juan river they had be-
come drenched with rain, and when they
reached the crest they were absolutely un-
able to proceed further. Notwithstanding
these conditions, these exhausted men la
bored during the night and erected breast
works furnished details to bury the dead
and carry the wounded back in improvised
lnters.
81 sent word along the line that REIN
forcements would soon reach us and that
Lawton would join our right and that Gen.
Bates would come up and strengthen our
loft.
after reaching the crest OF the ridge.
Gen. Kent sent the Thirteenth regulars TO
assist In strengthening our right.
AT midnight Gen. Bates reported, and
I placed him in a strong position on the
left OF our line.
Gen. Lawton had attempted to Join us
from Caney, but when very near our lines.
he was fired upon by the Spaniards and
turned back but Joined us next day at noon
by circuitouS route.
During all the day on July 2 the cav
airy division, Kents division and Bates
brigade, were engaged with the enemy
being subjected to "A fierce fire and in
curing many casualties, and later In the
day T.awton's division also became en-
gagged.
During the entire engagement my staff
performed their duties with courage,
Judgment and ability. Special credit is
! due TO Lieut.. Col. J. II. Dorst Mai. VIII
lam d. Beach, Capt. Joseph Il. Dickman
and Lieut.. NJ. f. Steel
81 desire to say that Lleuts James Fl.
nd r
Astor Chanler, Maj. B. A. Darlington,
Mr. Aurclius Mestree and Corpl John
Landmark also deserve high commenda-
ton for courage and good conduct.
Maj West my quartermaster deserves
special commendatio for his energy and
good conduct during the campaign, and
Mai Valery Harvard and Mr.. Leonard
Wilson have also done their fun duty.
capt. Hardie and First Lieut.. +. J.
Rooster with Troop G, Third Cavalry.
were detailed at headquarters and conduct
ed themselves handsomely under fire.
"The superb courage displayed by the
cficers and men viii be specially mention
ed in the reports of subordinate command
ers."
accompanying the report is a copy OF
the dispatches that were sent to Gen.
Shafter 10 Gen. Wheeler, beginning June
25 and ending July 2. on July /, at 1920
! D. m, Gen Wheeler, writing from San
| Juan, had the following TO say about
Withdrawing from the position we had
won: II examined the line IN front OF
Woods brigade and gave the men shovels
and picks and insisted on their going right
to work
II also sent word TO Gen. Kent TO come
and get intrenchlng tools, and saw Gen.
Hawkins in person and told him the same
thing. They all promised to do their best,
but say the earth is very difficult, as a
great part of It is rocky.
THE positions our men carried were
very strong and the intrenehments we're
very strong.
"A number of officers have appealed to
me to have the line Withdrawn and take
up strong position farther back and
expect they viii appeal to you. have pos
itively discOuntenanced this, as il would
cost us much prestige.
1.-THE lines are very thin, as so many
men have gone to the rear with wounded
and so many are exhausted but / hope
these men can be got up tonight and with
our line intrenched and Lawton on our
right we ought to hold tomorrow, but
fear It viii be a severe day.
"If we can get through tomorrow all
right, we can make our breastworks very
strong the next night,
"You can hardly realize the exhausted
condition OF the troops.
"'rhe Third and Sixth Cavalry and other
troops were up marching and halted on
the road all last night and have fought
for twelve hours to-day, and those that
are not on the line win be digging in the
trenches tonight. / was on the extreme
front line. The men were lying down, and
reported the Spaniards not more than 300
yards IN their front"
AGUfNALDO's ATTITUDE,