The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1898-12-23


partment today made public two reports of
Colonel Roosevelt on the fights of the First
United States Volunteer cavalry (Rough
Riders) in front of Santiago. One is ad-
dressed to Colonel Wood, commanding and
the second is to BrgadierGeneral Wood
after Colonel Roosevelt took command of
the regiment. The war department has
hitherto refused to make these reports pup
lie. The second and more important report
is as follows:
Camp Hamilton,
Near Santiago de Cuba, July 20, 1898.
Brigadier-General Leonard Wood. Com
manding Second Brigade, Cavalry Divis-
ion:
Sir:-In obedience to your directions,
herewith report on the operations of my
regiment from the 1st 10 the 18th instant,
inclusive. As have already mailed you the
two reports about the first days operations
l shall pass them over rather briefly. On
the morning of the first day, my regiment
was formed at the head of the Second
Brigade by the Eel Poso sugar mill. When
the batteries opened, the Spaniards replied
to us with shrapnel, which killed and
wounded several of the men of my regi-
and my regiment crossed the ford before
the balloon came down there and attracted
the fire of the enemy, so that at that
point we lost no one. My orders had been
to march forward until 1 joined General
Lawton's left wing, but after going about
three-quarters of a mile | was halted and
told to remain in reserve near the creek by
deep lane.
Bullets Dropped Thick
The bullets dropped thick among us for
the next hour while we lay there and many
OF my men were killed or wounded; among
the former was Captain O. Neill, whose loss
was a very heavy blow to the regiment for
he was singularly gallant officer. Lieu
tenant Haskell was also shot at this time.
He showed the utmost courage and had
been of great use during the fight ng and
marching. 1t seems to me some action
should be taken about him. You sent me
word to move forward in support of the
{ cavalry, and l advanced the regiment each
company deployed. We moved through sew
eral skirmish lines of the regiment ahead
of US, as it seemed best to storm the Span
ish works than to lie still under heavy
fire.
Accordingly, we stormed the bIockhouse
and entrenchments on the hill to our right
against heavy fire. 1t was taken in good
style, the men of my regiment thus being
the first to capture any fortified position
and to break through the Spanish line. AT
the last wire fence up this hill was Obliged
to abandon my horse and after that went
on foot. After capturing this hill we first
of all directed a heavy fire upon the San
Juan hill to our left, which was at that
time being assailed by the regular infantry
and cavalry, supported by Captain Parkers
Gatling guns. BY the time San Juan was
taken large force was assembled on the
hill we had previously captured. consisting
not only of my own regiment, but of the
Ninth and portions of other cavalry regi-
ments. We then charged forward under
very heavy fire across the valley against
the Spanish entrenchments on the hill in
the rear of San Juan hill. This we also
took, capturing several prisoners. We then
formed in whtever order we could and
moved forward, driving the Spanish before
us to the crest of the hills in our front,
which were Immediately opposite the city
of Santiago. Here received orders to halt
and hold the line of hill crest. at that
time had fragments of the Sixth cavalry
regiment and an occasional infantryman
under me, three or four hundred men all,
told.
Spaniards Driven Back
took command of all of them and so
continued until next morning. The Span
iards attempted to make counter attack
that afternoon, but were easily driven back
and then until after dark we remained un-
der heavy fire, lying fiat on our faces on
gentle slope just behind the crest Cap
tain Parkhurst's gatling battery was run
up to the right of my regiment and did
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