The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-07-02
THE ARMY'S FIRST BATTLE
REGULARS AND ROUGH RIDERS
Details of the Fight-TSvo Battles Mt
Once-Death of Captain Cnpron-
Mule Stampeded with Gun-New
Men Fought Like Veterans.

Near Juragua, Cuba. June 23 via
Kingston, June 26.-Practically two bat
ties were fought at the same time, one
by the rough riders under the immediate
command of Colonel Wood, on the top
of the plateau, and the other ON the hill
side several miles away by the regulars,
with whom was General Young
The first intimation had by Colonel
Woods command that there were Span
iards in the vicinity was when they
reached a point three or four miles back
from the coast, where the low cuckoo
calls of the Spanish soldiers were heard
in the bush. Finally place was reach
ed about s o'clock, where the trail opened
into space covered with high grass on
the right hand side of the trail and the
thickets. A barbed wire fence ran along
the left side. The dead body of a Cuban
was found on the side of the road, and at
the same time Captain Capron's troops
covered the outpost, the heads of several
Spaniards being seen in the bushes for
moment
Hardly two minutes elapsed before
Mauser rifles commenced to crack in the
thicket, and 100 bullets whistled over the
heads of the Rough Riders, cutting
leaves from the trees and sending chips
flying from the fence posts by the side of
the men. The Spaniards had opened
ire and they poured in a heavy fire,
which soon had most disastrous effect.
The troops stood their ground with the
-
Captain Capron stood behind his men,
revolver in hand, using it whenever "a
Spaniard exposed himself. His aim was
sure, and two of the enemy were seen
20 fall under his fire. just as he was
preparing to take another shot and
shouting orders to his men at the same
time, his revolver dropped from his grasp
and he fell to the ground with a ball
through his body. His troop was badly
disconnected for a moment, but with all
the strength he could muster, he cried
Don't mind me, boys, go on and fight
Colonel Wood also order his Hotch
kiss gun into action, but the trooper who
rode the mule upon which a part of the
gun was packed had been stampeded. His
animal broke into the woods in the OPP
posite direction from the Spanish fire
and the gun consequently could not bt
used.
AS soon as the position had beer
changed the Americans poured mor'
terrific fire than ever into the Spaniards
as they got them into more open coun
try and could see them better. 1t wa
not long before the enemy gave way an,
ran down the steep hill and up anothe
hill to the blockhouse with the eviden
intention of making a final stand there
Colonel Wood was at the front directing
the movement, and it was here that Ma
jor Brodie was shot. Colonel Wood anC
Lieutenant Colonel Roosevelt both led tn
troops in pursuit of the fleeing Spaniard
and hail of bullets was poured into tn
blockhouse. By the time the American
advance got within 600 yards of tn
blockhouse the Spaniards abandoned !
and scattered among the brush up anoth
er hill, in the direction of Santiago, ant
the battle was ended.
General Young's Hot Position.
During all this time just as hot fight
ing had been progressing at Genera
nc DdbbiC pcSnh A.
much the same manner as the other on,
and when the machine guns opened fir
the Spaniards sent volleys at the gunner
from the brush on the opposite hillside
Two troops of cavalry charged up the hi
and other troops sent storm of bullet
at every point from which the SPANS
shots came. The enemy was gradual
forced back, though firing all the TIM
until they, as well as those confrontin
the Rough Riders, ran for the blockhous
anly to be dislodged by Colonel Wood
men.
General Young stated afterwards tha
the battle was one of the sharpest he ha
ever experienced. 1t was only the quic
and constant fire of the troops, whetht
they could see the enemy or not, thG
caused the Spaniards to retreat SO 500