The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-01
NO TRAP FOR OUR BOYS
EVERY DETAIL SEEMS TO HAVE
BEEN CAREFULLY PLANNED.
AND CARRIED OUT AS IT WAS PLANNED
General Wheeler Speaks in the Most Glowing
Terms Of the Galantry Displayed by
The Officers and Men Engaged.
In The Battle.

W. IUC OdtttCs
Copyright 1898 by Associated Press.)
Camp Juragua, Wednesday, June -,
via Kingston, Jamaica, June 30-S Il. III.
--Genera Wheeler's official report TO
Major General Shafter, as what is
known as the battle of Sboney, is as
follows:
"In Camp Juragua, June 20.
THE Adjutant General of the Fifth
Army Corps, Sir: | have the honor to
report that, in obedience to the instruc-
tions of the major general commanding,
given me in person on June 23, | pro
ceeded to Siboney, tJuraguastoL The
enemy had evacuated the place at day
light that morning, taking a course TO
ward Sevilla. A body of about one
hundred Cubans had followed and Gu
gagged the enemy's rear guard. About
nine of the were wounded.
Il rode out to the front and found
the enemy had halted and established
themselves at a point about three miles
from Siboney. AT night the Cubans re-
turned to the vicinity of the town. At
5 o'clock that evening, the 23rd, General
Young reached Siboney with eight troops
of Colonel Woods regiment, A, Il, II.
Il, Il, q, X and l.. five hundred strong;
troops A, b, C and *, First cavalry, in
all 244 men; and troops A, B and | of
the Tenth cavalry, in all 220 men. MAX
ing the total force 964 men. which in
cluded nearly all of my command. which
had marched from Baiquiri, eleven
miles.
with the assistance OF GenerIi
Castillo, rough map of the country
was prepared and the position of the
enemy was fully explained, and | deter
mined to make an attack at daylight on
the 24th. Colonel Woods regiment was
sent by General Young accompanied by
two of his staff officers. Lieutenants
lyree, -. Rivers, and w. X. Smedburg,
.Ir.. TO approach the enemy on the left
hand, or more westerly road. while
General Young, myself and about fifty
troops of the First and Tenth cavalry.
with three Hotchkiss mountain guns.
approached the enemy on the regular
Sevila road.
General Young and myself examined
the position of the enemy. the lines were
deployed and directed him to open fire
with the Hotchkiss guns. The enemy re-
piled and the firing Immediately became
general.
cor On 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 re-
treated rapidly, our side keeping well
close upon them; but our men being
physically exhausted by both their exer-
tions and the great heat, We're inca
pable of maintaining the pursuit
L.. L Il
gallant and excellent conduct of officers
and men throughout my comand. Gen
eral Young deserves special cOmmenda-
ton for his COOL deliberate and skillful
mana cement
Il also specially noticed his acting ad-
jutant general Lieutenant A. l.. Mills.
who, under General Young's direction,
was mt various parts of the line, acting
with energy and cool courage.
''The imperative necessity of disem-
barking with promptitude had impelled
me to leave most of my staff to hasten
It's important matter, and unfortunately
| only had with me Major w. ID. Beach,
and Mr. Mestro, an acting volunteer
aide, both of whom, during the engage
ment creditably and bravely performed
their duties.
1 am especially inedbted to Major
Beach for his cool and good judgment.
Col. Woods regiment was on the
extreme left of the line and too far
distant for me to be personal witness
of the individual conduct of the officers
and men, but the magnificent bravery
shown by the regiment under the lead
o Colonel Wood testified to his cour-
age and skill and the energy and de
termination of his officers, which has
been marked from the moment he report
ed ONE at Tampa. and | have abund-
ant evidence of his brave and good
conduct on the field and j recommend
hlm for the consideration of the gov
ernment. | must rely upon his report
TO do justice to his officers and men.
desire personally to add that all | have
said regarding Colonel Wood applies
equally TO Colonel Roosevelt
Il was Immediately with the troops Of
The First and Tenth regiment cavalry,
dismounted. and | personally noticed
Their brave and good conduct, which
VIII be especially mentioned by Genera!
Young.
Il personally noticed the good con
duct Of Captains w. III. Book. Robert
L. Wainwright and Jacob G.. Gal
braith. Major James NJ. Bell. Captain
Thomas L. Know and Lieutenant
George II. Brown. The last three were
wounded. Major Bell. as he lay on tho
ground with a broken leg. said: 81 ONLY
regret | can't go on with you
further"
Captain Know, though severely