The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-08-30
ADVANCE ONPORTORICO
DESCRIBED BY A SOLDIER WHO
TOOK PART
Lieutenant Haines Tells of Fierce
Fighting on the Last Day
Of the War

NEW YORK, Aug. 29-IAeut.. Haines
commanding an army platoon under Capt
Potts. In Porto Rico, was wounded on Au-
gust 18th, the day the war ended. He is
now in st. Luke's Hospital In this city.
Talking with his brother, Captain T. Jenk-
ms Haines, who was at his bedside, he
said:
THE cable regarding this affair was
confusing. 1t spoke Of Lieutenant Haines
being struck by stray Mauser bullet. Not
serious.
This was misleading, as 1t might lead
one to suppose my battery was not In &C.
lion and that my wound was an accident
whereas several other men were wounded
and two killed.
II was sent out in advance along the
San Juan road to find position from which
we could enfilade the Spanish position from
which heavy fire had been received, the
Spanish volleys coming with remarkable
regularity ard precision. On the morning
Of August 18th Captain Potts was ordered
to proceed up the San Juan road with FIVE
inch guns for the purpose Of shelling the
Spanish trenches at Asomanta
-Four guns, which included my platoon
San Juan road. at range Of 1000 yards, the
fifth gun being sent ahead 100 yards to oui
right on the road
Just before we came into action the en-.
envy opened on US with infantry volleys
and two three-inch howitzers. This hast
ened US into action. We picked UP the
range Immediately and did splendid prac-
tice. The two howitzers were soon silenced
and the SpaMards were seen running from
their intrenchments. Then we slacken-
ed fire, and shortly after we did the enemy
took heart and began to return. General
Wilson sent me with a gun some distance
up the road in advance of the rest to try
and enfilade the enemy. I proceeded up
the road on horseback about 200 yards and
found a company of Wisconsin infantry
In a bend OF the road, which formed a
cover from the Spanish fire. passed be-
yond them and the gun was unlimbered
In the next turn of the road, in a some
what sheltered position. My men lay down
by the roadside to escape the Spanish vol
leys, which were coming up the road in our
front and right. Some of my men told me
the enemy were advancing and were with
In two hundred yards in force, and that we
must get out or lose the gun.
1.-THE firing at this time was very heavy
the Mauser bullets coming in a storm
with each volfey. told the sergeant we
would have try at them for luck, anyhow
and as could see mo Spaniards nearer
than 500 or 600 yards had the gun run out
on the road. We no sooner had done this
than the fire suddenly increased so fierce
ly that the gum could not be served. We
hauled the gun back TO the next turn in the
road, where we were Joined by the second
gun, still unable to do any great execution
owing to the sheltered position of the en-
envy. The fire continued with fierceness
but from our new position we brought q
house in view had the gun instar .ly
trained upon 1t, as saw several spaniards
there outside Of 1t and felt certain 1t was
not empty.
1.-THE very first shot landed fairly up Its
side and. penetrating burst inside, sending
things flying. The enemy broke cover and
1 turned to the sergeant. saying:
"'That was a good one; now give them
- AS turned something struck me
through the body knew I was badly
hurt, but felt no pain. 1t was like be-
ing struck over the shoulder with club
II passed my hand to my side and brought
LIT away full of blood.
1.-The sergeant saw me and ran to my
side.
They've got me this time' said, and
he put his arm around me and led me away
and let me lie down."
The war was ended that day,