The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-11-16

EsM-M ~ tending to make
stubborn fight, in the vindication of
their honor, at the gates of the city.
The troops generally shared this view.
It had been intended mp to June "a
that Lawton 8 division take strong de-
fensive position north of Siboney land
ing, on the road to Santiago, that Kent's
division encamp west Of Law ION, while
Wheeler's division would hold the road
from Siboney back to Daiqueri, thus
keeping up land communication between
these two landings. These positions,
within easy range of the navy guns,
were to have been maintained until all
the troops, artillery, transportation
wagons and animals, rations and am
munition we're safely landed and dis
tributed.
The adjutant general of one Of the
divisions, who was in q position to know
the inside OF things, told me at Camp
Wikoff that the affair at Las Guaslpas
forced the rapid movements of the army
forward upon Ell Caney and San Juan
hill. The capture of that position drew
the army westward to Savi1la, where
there we're excellent camping grounds,
good water, room to deploy the divisions
and to receive the Spaniards in case OF
attack. It was supposed by many OF the
general officers that the army would
halt in that camp for some time in order
to get up artillery and put the whole
outfit in shape for an attack IN the d.
rection of Santiago.
In spite of the efforts of the staff de-
pa1tments it was impossible to land and
transport supplies faster than the men
and animals at the front consumed
them. There was a lack Of steam
launches, lighters, scows and wharts.
The army never had three days supply
of rations ahead.
There had been much marching and
countermarching to get the troops into
position, aud it was very hot. Soldiers
had no changes of clothing. All they
had with them was roll containing a
blanket, in some cases shelter tent,
their arms and haversacks. Perspiration
soaked their underclothing as though
they had been in bath, and the fre-
ouent rains drenched them on the out
side. The soldiers say that while they
would not have minded this state OF
things ordinarily, yet, following their
long voyage, it left no time for recupera-
tion. The extreme heat and the peculiar
odor rising from the soil affected their
appetites, and they could not relish the
coarse army rations, nor procure any
thing whatsoever for variety. Those
! who had recourse to the native fruits,
especially the mango, paid dearly for it.
The mango is a little larger than peach,
shaped like pear. It's meat is coarse,
like that Of the pumpkin; its rind like
all apple, thick and tough. The expert
enced Cubans warned Americans against
eating mangoes, as they said they con-
tanned the germs of fever, but as they
were very cooling to the throat some
men, especially the volunteers, could
not resist the temptation.
While the army was strung along the
Santiago road between Daiquiri and
Savilla, the region westward toward
Santiago was reconnoitere Just how
complete these nnoisancos were is a
mystery. I asked the staff officers and
division generals whether it was known
beforehand that the approaches to San
Juan heights were exposed to Spanish
view and fire from their works on the
crest, particularly the road and trail at
the crossing of the San Juan river and
its tributaries. I could learn nothing.
The answers were, 81 suppose that this
was known at army headquarters. :"
The fact remains that on July l before
the battle opened the troops found them
selves blocked in the road and IN the
beds of the streams after daylight with
in view of the Spaniards and within
range of their small arms.
1t was stated that certain general,
who refused to commit himself on any
points likely to lead to controversy, ex-
| amined the region thoroughly and rec
commended that trails be cut parallel to
the main road and on both sides Of it.
General Chaffee said that the region
far south of the road to Santiago was
examined with u view to making an at
tack upon the Punta Gorda battery:
The Punta Gorda battery was the first
objective thought of after the army set
it's face toward Santiago from the east
This was the strongest battery on the
bay and by taking it Skaters army
would have turned MORO, and, III fact,
captured the key to the land defenses
of the harbor But the ground in rear
was impossible for an attack.
El Caney had been thoroughly recon
noitered as early as June 81 three days
after Las Guasimas. and three days be-
fore the attack upon it. All the partic-
ulars as to approaches and defenses
were known at headquarters
There was difference of opinion
!