The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-09-15

trepid bravery Of officers and) men that
planted our colors on the crest bf San Juan
hill and drove the enemy from his trenches
and blockhouses, thus gaining Tne position
which sealed the fate of Santiago
'In this action on this part Of the field
most efficient service was rendered by
Lieut.. Col. john H. Parker, Thirteenth
infantry, and the Calling gun detachment
under his command. The fighting contin-
ued at intervals until ndghfaM, but our
men held resolutety to the positions gained
at the cost of so much blood and toll.
II am greatly indebted to Gen. Wheeler,
| who, as previously stated, returned from
the sick list to duty during the afternoon.
| His oiheerfulness and aggressiveness made
Itself fen on the part OF he ba tt lefield, and
the information he furnished to me al va
rous stages OF the battle proved most
| useful.
my own health was impaired by over
exertion in the sun and the intense hea: Of
the day before. which prevented me from
participating as actively in the battle as /
desired; but from a high hill near my head
/, quarters I had a general view of the battle
field, extending from FL Caney on the right
TO the lief, of our lines on San Juan HILL"
Gen. Smarter then follows in detail the
movements of the troops and the inrencf-
ing done during the night.
The Second Day
"Ar DAY on the I'd the battle ragged
with more or less fury, but such of our
troops as were in position a. daylight held
their ground and Lawton gained a strong
and commanding position on the right.
About 10 a. m. the eemy made vigorous
assault TO break through my lines but ne
was repulsed at an points.
ION the mo ming of the Sd he battle was
renewed, but the enemy seemed 10 have
expended his energy in the assault Of the
previous night, and the firing along the
lines was desultory.
1.-The cessation Of firing about noon on
the Sd practically terminated the battle of
Santiago, all that occurred after This time
may properly be treated under the head OF
che scene which followed. After deduct!ng
the attachments retained at Sborey and
Baiqur to render those depots secure from
attack, organiza tons held to protect our
TANKS, others acting as escorts and guards
TO light batteries, The members Of The hos
pital corps, guards left in charge of blank
ct rolls, which the intense heat caused the
the men 20 cast aside before the front was
reached and orderlies, II is doubtful If we
had more than 1000 mon on the firing line
on July l when the battle was iierctst and
when the environment and strong positions
of FL Caney and San Juan were captured.
The Cuban Allies
"a few Cubas assisted in the attack at
FL Caney ard fought valianty, but their
numbers were too small TO materially
irdipaf ed ah0Ns.
The enemy confronted US with nmmbeFs
about equal to our own: they fought OBJ
stinately in strong in,renched positions md
the results obtained clearly indicate tine IN
trepid gallantry of the company officers
ard men, and the ben efits derived from the
careful training in rifle practice and other
battle exercises. Our losses in these bat
ties were % officers and 2oS men killed and
81 officers and 1908 men wounded; missing
TO- The missing, with few exceptions, re-
ported later on.
General Shafter says the arrival of Gem
eral Escario at Santiago was not antici-
pated.
After speaking of Admiral Cervera's sor-
Tie and the destruction of his fleet, General
Shafter says he again called on the Span
ish commander to surrender. He says:
'On the same GATE lHloiHieu Alumni al
Sampson that IL he would force his way
into the harbor the city would surrender
without any further sacrifice of life. Com
modore Watson replied that Admiral
Sampson was temporarily absent, but that
in his opinion (Watsons) the navy should
not enter the harbor.
AN Assault Avoided
1.-THE strength of the enemy's position was
such that 1 did not wish 10 assault If 1t
could be avoided. An examination of the
enemy's works made after the surrender
fully justifes the wisdom of the course
The entertainments could only
have been carried with great loss of life
General Shafter gives the varying efforts
towards securing a surrender and his re-
opening the engagement on the 10th, when
the truce ended. on the 18th the surrender
was again demanded.
Miles Arrives
"July 18th I Informed the Spanish COM
marder that Major General Miles, COM
mander-in- chief of the American army. had
just arrived in my camp and requested MN
to grant us personal interview on the FOL
lowing day He replied that he would be
pleased to meet us. The interview iook
place on the 18th, and informed him his
surrender only could be considered and that
as he was without hope of escape he had
no right to continue the fight
General Shafter then gives the details OF
the final surrender, his entry into the city
and the raising of the American flag. In
closing he dwells upon the natural obstacles
he had to encounter and which he says no
forethought could have overcome or OBJ
Waited.
These were the climate, the almost i'm
passable roads and deadly fevers.
He adds:
Care of Wounded
an reference to the sick and wounded,
| have to say that they received every at
tention that it was possible to- give them.
The medical officers without exception
worked night and Cay to alleviate the suf-
fering which was no greater than invari-
ably accompanies a campaign. 1t would
have been better If we had hal more ambu-
lances, but as many were taken as was
necessary, judging by previous campaigns
The discipline OF the command was SUI
perb and l wish TO invite attention 20 the
fact that not an officer was brought TO trial
hv courtmartial and as far as l know no
man. This speaks volumes for an
army of this size and in a campaign of
such duration.
an conclusion, desire to express to the
M herS of nv staff NV thanks for their