The age-herald., 1898-08-06
GEN. WHEELER
 SENDS REPORT Of the CaYalry'S Operations Around San- tiasO de Cuba. THE CHARGE AT FL CANEY Described in Glowing Terms by the Lit-
 tle General. LINE FORMED UNDER HEAVY FIRE To Accomplish This Required Corxage and Determination of a High Order and the Losses Were Neces-
 sarily Very Severe.
LINE FORMED UNDER HEAVY FIRE

| the operations before Santiago de Cuba has become available:
 Before Santiago de Cuba, July ', 1898. Adjutant-General, Fifth Army Corps: Sir:-After the engagement of June A I pushed forward my command through tine valley, Lawton's and Rents commands occupying the hills in the vicinity of the place. After two days rest Lawton was ordered forward, and on the night of the 30th instructions were given by Ma jor Gen eral Shafter to this officer to attack Clancy, while the cavalry division and Rents division were ordered to move for ward on the regular Santiago ,"a,i. The cavalry division advanced end formed it's line with its left near the Santiago road while Rents division formed it's line with the right joinig the left of the cavalry division.
 Colonel McClernand, of General Shafter's staff, directed me to give in ructions to General Kent which I compiled with iiN person, at the same time personally di- recting General Summer to move forward. The hen were all compelled to wade the San Juan river to get into line. This was done under very heavy fire of both infal,- try and artillery. Our balloon having been sent up right by the main road was made a mark of by the enemy. + was cvidc1t that we were much under fire in fotm- ing the line as we would by an advance, q. 1 therefore pressed the command for ward from the covering unl sr which I. was formed. It emerged into the open space in full view of the enemy, who oc- cupiod breastworks and tatterias on the crest of the hill which overlooked Santrago, officers and men falling at cry sttp. nhe troops advanced gallantly, soon reache T the foot of the hill and asccnd,~I driving the enemy from their worxs arI- 1c;unv. ing them on-the crest.
 The Losses Severe
 To accomplish this, required co,.:uge and determination on the part of the officers and men of high order, ana the losses were very severe. Too much credit cannot be given to General Summer and General Kent and their gallant brigai ie e mrna nd CTS, Colonel Wood and Colonsl tY1roli. of the cavalry; General Hamilton Hawkins commanding First brigade, Kent diyis- ion. and Colonel Pearson, coinman,iiny the Second brigade. Colonel Carroll snd Ma 1or vessels were both wounded during the charge, but Major Vessels was en- abled to return and resume command.
 General Wyckoff, commanding Rents Third brigade, was killed at l2:10 Iicuter- ant-Colonel Worth took command and WAS I.1S cum then took command and was wounded at 2:2G, and the command then .levolyed upon Lieutenant-Colonel Ewers Ninth in fantry.
 Upon reaching the crest I ordered breastworks to be constructed and sent to the rear for shovels, spades picks and axes. The enemy's retreat from the ridge was precipitate, but our men were so thoroughly exhausted that it was impos- sible for them to follow. Their shoes were soaked with water by wading the San Juan river, they had become drenched with rains when they reached the crest. they were absolutely unable to proc ed further. Notwithstanding this conditj:n these exhausted men labored during the night to erect breastworks, furnished dc- tails to bury the dead and carri the wounded back in improvisd filters. I sent word along the line that reinforcement would soon reach US, and that Lawton would join 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 regiment to assist in strengthening our r'cht. At midnight General Bates reported and I placed him in strong position the left of our line.
 Subjected to Fiercs Fire
 General Lawton had attempted to join us from Caney, but when very near our lines was fired upon by the Spaniards and turned back, but joined us the next day at noon by a circuitous route. During all the day on July the cavalry divisions, Rents division and Bates brigade were engaged with the enemy. being subjected to fierce fire and mourning many casual ties, and later in the day Lawton's division also became engaged in the fight.
 During the entire engagement my staff performed their duties with courage, iudg- ing from the ability and special credit is due Lieutenant-Colonel William Dorst, Major William D. Beach, Captain Joseph E, Dickman and Lieutenant N. F. Steel. I desire also to say that Lieutenants James H. Reeves and Joseph Wheeler. Jr.. Cap tain William Astor Chandler. Major B. A. Darlington, MT. Aurelius Mester and Cor poral John Lundmark also deserve high commendation for courage and good con duct Major West, my quartermaster, de- serves special commendation for his erer- gy and good conduct during the campaign, and Major VaIery Harvard and MT. Leon- ard Wilson have also done their full duty. Captain Harde and First Lieutenant P. J. Rooster. with Troop G, Third Cavalry, were detailed with headquarters and con- ducted themselves handsomely under fire. The superb courage displayed by the of- ficers and men will be specially mel;i ned in the reports of subordinate commanders.
 'JOSEPH WHEELER. "Maior-General of Volunteers"
 "A true copy. Joseph Wh elcr, Jr., aide" ..
 Refused to Withdraw
 Accompanying the report Is copy of the despatehes which were sent to General Shafter by General Wheeler beginning June 25 and ending July ?. On July l, at S:3O D. m.. General Wheeler writing from San Juan has the following to say about With drawing from the position he mad won.
 q examined the line in front of Woods brigade and gave the men shovels and picks and insisted on them going right to work. I also sent word to General Kent fo come and get entrenching tools dnE saw Gen. eral Hawkins in person and told him the same thing. They all promise to To their best, but say the earth is very difficult, as | ereat part of it js rocky. -
 ''Thc positions our men carried were very