The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-30
LAST ARTILLERY FIRE
WOUNDED LIEUT.. HAMS IN THE
LAST PORTO RICAN BATTLE.
Struck by n Mauser Bullet While Near
His Gun ON the San
Juan Road.

NEW YORK Aug. 29-Lieut Hams, COM
handing an artillery platoon under Capt.
Potts, in Porto Rico, was wounded on Aug
T. the day the ended. He is now at
st. Luke's Hospital in this city. Talking
with his brother, Capt. l.. Jenkins Hams.
who was at his bedside he said THE cable
regarding this affair was confusing 1t
spoke of Lieut.. Hams being struck by stray
bullet. Not serious This was misleading,
as it might lead one to suppose my battery
was not in action and that my wound was
an accident, whereas several other men were
wounded and two killed.
Il was sent out in advance along the San
Juan road to find a position from which we
could enfilade the Spanish position, from
which a heavy fire had been received, the
Spanish volleys coming with remarkable
regularity and precision on the morning of
Aug. II. Capt. Potts was ordered to pro-
coed UP the San Juan road with five guns
for the purpose of settling the Spanish
trenches. At Azomanta four guns, which
included my platoon. were moved into po-
stion in a field near the San Juan road at
range of two thousand yards the fifth gun
being sent ahead one hundred yards to our
right the road.
Just before we came into action the
enemy opened on with infantry volleys
and two three-inch guns. rnis FASTENED us
into action. We picked up the range imme-
diately and did splendid practice. The two
howitzers were soon silenced and the Span
iards were seen running from their intrench-
ments. Then we slackened our nre, and
shortly after the enemy took heart and be.
gan to return. Gen. Wilson sent me with
gun some distance UP the read in ad-
n nv nd do
enemy. 1 proceeded up the road on horse
back about two hundred yards and found
company of Wisconsin infantry on a bend
OF. the road which formed cover from the
Spanish fire. l passed beyond them, and
the gun was unlimbered in the next turn of
the road. AT somewhat half-sheltered po-
sition my men lay down by the road to es-
cape the Spanish volleys, which were COM
ing up the road in our front and right Some
OF my men told me the enemy were advanc-
ing within two hundred yards in force and
that we must get out lose the gun
The firing at this time was very heavy,
the Mausers coming in a storm with each
volley. / told the sergeant we would have
try at them for luck anyhow, and as 1
could see no Spaniards nearer than five hun
dred six hundred yards 1 mad him run
the gun out on the road little We had
no sooner done this than the fire suddenly
increased so fiercely that the gun could not
be served. He 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 posi-
ton of the enemy. The fire continued with
ferceness, but from our new position we
brought house in view | had the gun
instantly trained on it, as 1 saw several
Spaniards there outside of it and felt certain
1t was not empty.
The very first shot landed fairly on its
side, and penetrating burst inside. sending
things flying The enemy broke over and
turned to the sergeant, saying: That was
good one now give them - AS | turned
something struck me through the body.
l knew | was badly hit, but felt no pain.
1t was like being struck over the shoulder
with club. 1 passed my hand to my side
and brought it away full of blood.
THE sergeant saw me and ran to nv
side They've got me this time said. as
he put his arm around me and led me away
and let me lie down. The war was ended
that day."