Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-06
WHEELER'S REPORT.
"FIGHTING JOE'sy DESCRIPTION OF
CAPTURE OF SAN JUAN.
TROOPS WADED RIVER UNDER FIRE
The Height Carried at the Cost of
Much BIood-Wns Resolved to Hold
On--strong Appeals TO the Contrary
Notwithstanding.

/ NOtwfthstnndtng.
The following report Of Major
Joseph Wheeler on the operations before
Santiago de Cuba has been made public:
Before Santiago, Cuba. July Z, 1898.
To the Acknowledgement, Fifth Army
Corps:
Sir.--After the engagement Of June 24th
1 pushed forward my command through
the valley, Lawton's and Kents COM
mands occupying the hills in the vicinity
Of that place. After two days rest Law
ton was ordered forward, and on the
night of the 3Oth Instructions were given
by Major General Shafter to this officer
to attack Caney, while the cavalry di-
vision and Kent's Division were ordered
to move forward on the regular Santiago
| road The movement commenced on the
morning Of July 1st. The cavalry di-
vision advanced and formed its line, with
it's left near the Santiago road, while
| Kent's Division formed its line with the
right, joining the left Of the cavalry di-
vision.
Colonel McClernand, of General Shaft
| er's STAFF, directed me to give instructions
| TO General Kent, which l complied
with in person. at the same time per-
sonally directing General Sumner to
move forward. The men were all COM
PEELED TO wade the San Juan river to get
| into line. This was done under very
| heavy fire OF both infantry and artillery.
| Our balloon having been sent up right
| by the main road, was made mark OF
! by the enemy. IT was evident that we
were as much under fire in forming the
| line as we would be by an advance, and
| J. therefore, pressed the command for
| ward from the covering under which it
was formed. 1t merged into open space
in full view Of the enemy, who occupied
| breastworks and batteries on the crest
OF the hill which overlooks Santiago.
| officers and men falling at every step.
| TROOPS ADVANCED CALAMITY.
The troops advanced galantly, 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 officers
and men Of a high order, and the losses
were very severe. Too much credit can
not be given to General Sumner and Gene
raj Kent and their gallant brigade COM
manders, Colonel Wood and Colonel Car
roll. of the cavalry; General Hamilton
s. Hawkins, commanding First Brigade,
Kents Division, and Colonel Pearson,
commanding Second Brigade. Colonel Car
roll and Major Vessels were both wound
ed during the charge but Major Vessels
was enabled TO return and resume COM
mand. General Wickoff, commanding
Kents Third Brigade, was killed at Hl0.
Lieutenant-Colonel Wright took com,
mand. and was wounded at 1215. Lieu
tenant-Colonel Lscum then took COM
mand. and was wounded at 1920. and the
command then devolved upon Lieutenant
Colonel Ewers. Ninth Infantry.
Upon reaching the crest l ordered
breast-works TO be constructed, and sent
to the rear for shovels, picks, spades,
and axes. The enemy's retreat from the
ridge was precipitate, but our men were
so thoroughly exhausted, that it was i'm
possible for them to follow. Their shoes
were soaked with water by wading the
San Juan river. they had become drench-
ed with rain. and when they reached the
crest they were absolutely unable to pro-
ceed further
RAISED BREASTWORKS AT NIGHT.
notwithstanding this condition. these
exhausted men labOred during the night
10 erect breastworks, furnish details to
bury the dead and carry the wounded
back in improvised litters. l sent word
along the line that reinforcements would
soon reach us, and that Lawton would
1oin our right. and that General Bates
would come up and strengthen our left.
After reaching the crest of the ridge,
General Kent sent the Thirteenth Regu-
lars TO assist in strengthening our right.
AT midnight General Bates reported, and
I placed him in a strong position on the
left of our line. General Lawton had at
tempted to join us from Caney, but when
very near our lines he was fired upon
bv the Spaniards and turned back, but
ioined us next day at noon by circuitous
route. During all the day on July "a
the cavalry division, Kents Division, and
Bates's Brigade were engaged with the
enemy. being subjected TO a fierce fire and
incurring many casualties, and later in
the dav Lawtons Division also became
engaged.
DESERVING PRAISE.
During the entire engagement my staff
performed their duties with courage.
judgment, and ability Special credit is
due to Leutenant-Colonel J. II. Dorst, |
Major William ID. Beach, Captain Joseph |
L. Dickman, and Lieutenant NJ. f. Steele. |
/ desire also to say that LAeutenants |
James H. Reeves and Joseph Wheelcr, |
Jr., Captain William Astor Chanler, |
Major b. A. Darlington, Mr.. Aureiius |
Mestre, and Corporal John Landmark |
also deserve high commendation for cour- |
age and good conduct Major West, my !
quartermaster deserves special comman- |
dation for his energy and good conduct |
during the campaign, and Major Nalery |
Havard and Mr.. Leonard Wilson have |
also done their full duty. Captain Hardie
and First Lieutenant u. J. KOester, with |
Troop G, Third Cavalry were detailed
with headquarters, and conducted them
selves handsomely under fire. The superb |
courage displayed by the officers and men
will be specially mentioned in the reports
OF subordinate commanders.
LOSSES
Our losses were as follows:
First Brigade, Third Cavalry-Killed-
Men, g. Wounded-Ohicers, 6; men, AZ.
Strength-Omcers, %; men. 420.
Sixth Cavalry-Kined-Men 4. Wound
ed-Oficers, 4; men, so. srength-Oficers,
49, men, 427
Ninth Cavalry-Killed-Offic 2; men,
2. Wounded-Oficers. 2; men H. Strength
Officers u; men, 2O7.
Second Brigade (attached), First Cayal-
y-Killed-Ofiicers, /; men, u. Wounded
Officers !; men. AZ. Strength-Oficers, Il;