Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-09-08
SAW HIS COMRADE SHOT DOWN
How Lieut.. Churchman Re-
ceived His Wound.
THE STORY OF PRIVATE JENKINS
Death of a Delaware Soldier at
FL Caney.


Twelfth United States Infantry, VINO is
visiting his home 10 this city, was
standing by the side of Lieut. Clarke
Churchman when the latter was shot
down by a Spaniard at Ell Caney,
Cuba, on Friday, July 1st, and assisted
in making him comfortable until the
arrival Of the hospital corps.
Lieut.. Churchman and Private Jen-
kins were acquainted when both lived
in Delaware and frequently talked
together after meeting in the army on
Cuban soil. Lieut.. Churchman was
the second lieutenant OF 90. II. of
which Private Jenkins was a member.
He was really the second officer in
command. Capt. Haskill had been pro
NOTED to be major of a battalion and
she company was in charge of Fret
Lieutenant Euline and Second Lieu
tenant Churchman.
Mr.. Jenkins says Lieut.. Ohurchmen
wac brave officer, being particularly
considerate OF the men. and he had dis
tinguished himself for the good judg
ment which he had ussd in seeking
protection for his men when they were
in action or in danger. He was ex-
ceedirgly well liked and 1t was pleas
ure to obey his commands. He was
fearleHs and his manner was calculated
to greatly encourage those under him.
On the morning OF Friday, July lst,
ths regiment was lined up iu front of
Ell Caney, preparing for an attack.
:. Go. Il, like the other companies, was
divided into two platuons. Lieut..
Churchman was in command of the
second platoon, and Private Jenkins,
who was in that platoon, was standing
less than foot from the lieutenant.
IL was about 10 o'clock, when Lieut..
Churchman, who was standing on the
firing line, and with field glasses in
his hand was endeavoring to get the
range 80 that his mon might adjust the
sights on their rifles, that he was
struck by Mauser bullet, which en-
tered the left side of the stomach.
passing through the body and out the
right side. lie had been picked off by
sharpshooter or picket, as the oppos-
ing armies had not then gone into
action.
Lieut. Churchman fell the instant be
was shot. Private Jenkins at once
sprnng to his assistance and held him
in bis arms. Other members of the
company, who were nearby. also did
what they could for the wounded officer
until he could be cared for by the hos,
pital corps.
The injured man was conscious for
some time. After he fell he recognized
Jenkins. and, looking up at him, asked
him if he would not write to his people
in Delaware, il he should not survive,
and he did not think be would, and
tell them how and where he was
wounded and where he was buried.
He was soon borne away by the hos
pital corps to the hospital quarters, &
short distance from FL Caney, where
ne was given the best of attention, hut
he died at 10 o'clock on the morning
Of July I'd, just about "a hours after
being wounded. He was buried that
afternoon at the Ell Oaney battlefield,
about l,o0o yards from the stone fort
at Ell Clancy, where many other officers
and men have since been buried. Tht
members of his regiment were pre-
vented from attending the funeral, a,
the regiment was about three milei
away and in action, having been moveC
from the place where Lieut.. Church
man was wounded At the time thl
lieutenant fell nobody else was hurt
and, contrary to expectations, Their,
was no firing for several hours.
After the surrender, First Lieuten
ant Euline, who was in command o
the company, went to the burial plao
and saw that everything was in goot
shape about Lieut.. Church man
grave. BE founu that each grave ha,
been marked by piece of wood, upol
which thu name of the person buriel
lad been cut with a knife. Later tn
government will either bave the bodie
moved or will provide appropriat
headatones. There was some talk O
bringing Lieut.. Church mans body 1
this State for burial but up to til
time the regiment left Cuba, Angus
10th, the remains were still at the gov
Is eminent cemetery at FL Cauey.
While in Cuba Private Jenkins cor
tracted the mountain fever, and he wa
just released from the hospital at Nor
tauk Point on Monday. lie has a fun
Tough of 30 days, at the expiration {
which time he will report at Fort MI
Henry and be sent from there to hi
regiment.
Jenkins, who lived in this city nearl
: all his life, enlisted in the regular sel
vice in Philadelphia last January. Il
was sent to Fort Nobrara, where
was assigned to the Twelfth Infantr,
and from the fort he went with b
regiment to Cuba. arriving on Jur
22d. and landing under the fire Of Il
gune of Sampson and Schley, wi
cleared the country for about u mill
back.
The regiment was in the fights b
fore Ell Caney and Santiago and mo
OF the men had thrilling experience
Private Jenkins, however, wei
through all of the engagements witt
out being injured, although his cor
radeH were shot down all around hir
He says that as a rule the Spaniar
shot high, and there were very fe
Americans killed on the firing lin
while many we're the victims Of spe
bullets.
Jenkins has about recovered from ii
fever and is enjoying his visit amol
friends in this city. Accompanied
Edwin 4. Cochran, Jr., he will CT
tomorrow evening upon the parents
Lieut.. Churchman and deliver II
message given to him by the dyil
ofiicer at Ell Cnney. Owing to his in
hility to obtain writing material al
his own sickness, he was unable
send the information by mail.
il 10 reported that as soon as t
members have had an opportunity
recnperate. the Twelfth Regiment W
he sent to Alaska.
Sanction for a Might nieet