The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-08-06
FIGHTING JOE SAID No
Asked to Fall Back at Santa
90, Gen. Wheeler Would
Not Yield.

Not Yield.
Washington, ID. C., August 5.-The
following report of Major General JOS
Wheeler on the operations before Sanu-
ago de Cuba has become available:
Before Santiago de Cuba, July {, 1873.
TO Adiutant General, Fifth Army corps.
Sir. After the engagement of June
z4th. | pushed forward my command
through the valley, Lawton's and heht
command occupying the hills in the u
cinitv of that place. After two days
rcst Lawton was ordered forward ana
ON that night of the Both INSTRUCTIONS
were given by Major General Shafter
to this OFFICER to attack Caney. while the
cavalry division and kent's division were
ordered to move forward on the regular
Santiaco road. The movement COM
menced on the morning of July LIST. Inc
cayalry division advanced and formed ITS
line with it's left near the Santiago road,
while Kent's division formed its line with
the right joining the left Of the cavalry
division.
Colonel McClernand. of General Shat
ter's staff. directed me to give instruc-
tons to General Kent, which | complied
with in person. at the same time per-
sonalIy directing General Sumner to
move forward The men were all COM
pelled to wade the San Juan river To
get into line This was done under very
heavy fire of both infantry and artil-
lery. Our balloon having beep sent up
right by the main road was NAL mark
of bv the enemy 1t was evident that
we were as much under fire in forming
the line as we would be by an advance.
] therefore pressed the command for
ward from the covering under which it
was formed. 1t merged into open space
in full view of the enemy. who occ0-
pied breastworks and batteries on the
crest of the hill which overlooks Santi-
ago, officers and men falling at every
step. The troops advanced calamity
soon reached the foot of the hill and as
cendcd. driving the enemy from their
works and occupying them on the crest
of the hill. To accomplish this required
courage and determination on the part
of the officers and men of Il high order
and the losses were very severe. TooN
much credit cannot be given to General
Sumner and General Kent and their gal
liant brigade commanders Colonel Wood
and Colonel Carroll, of the cavalry. Gen
-.
ing the First brigade. Kent's division
and Colonel Pearson. commanding tho
Second brigade. Colonel Carroll and
Major Vessels were both wounded dur
ing the charge, but Major Vessels was
enabled to return and resume command
General Wyckoff, commanding Kent's
Third brigade, was killed ut 12:10, Lieu
tenant Colonel Worth took command
~ JnI A.
Colonel Liscum then took command ana
was wounded at 1890. and the command
then devolvcd upon Liuetenant Colonel
Ewers,, Ninth infantry.
Upon reaching the crest | ordered
brcastworkS to be constructed. and sent
to the rear for shovels. picks. spades and
axes. The enemy's retreat from the ridge
was precipitated but our men were so
thoroughly exhausted that it was inn
possible for them to follow. Their shoes
were soaked with water by wading the
San Juan river. they had become
drenched with rain. and when they reach |
the crest they were absolutely unable 20 |
proceed further Notwithstanding this |
condition, these exhausted men labored |
during the night to erect brcastworks, |
furnish details to bury the dead. and |
carry the wounded back in improviscd |
lltters. | sent word along the line that |
reinforcements would soon reach us and |
that LawtQn would join our right and |
that General Bates would come up and |
strengthen our left. After reaching The |
crest of the ridge, General Kent sent |
the Thirteenth regulars to assist in |
strengthening our right At midnight |
General Bates reported and placed him |
i'll Il strong position on the left of our
line General Lawton had attempted |
to join us from Caney but when very
near our lines he was fired upon by the
Spaniards and turned back. but Joined |
us next day ut noon by Il circuitous |
route. During I'LL the day on July 2nd. |
the cavalry division, Kcnt's division, and |
Bates brigade were engaged with the |
enemy, being subjected to Il fierce fire,
ana mourning many casualties. and later
in the day Lawton's division also be-
came engaged.
During the entire engagement. my
staff performed their duties with cour-
age. judgment and ability. Special cred
it is due to Lieutenant Colonel j. H. !
Dorst, Major William ID. Beach. Cap
tain Joseph Il. Dickman. and Lieuten-
ant Nj. +. Steele. | desire also to say
that Lieutenants james III. Reeves and
Joseph Wheeler, Jr., Captain VIM Astor
CHAMBER, Major b. \. Darlington, Mr..
Aurelius Mestre and Corporal John
Landmark, also deserve high common
dation for courage and good conduct. !
Major West, my quartermaster, deserves
special COMMUNICATION for his energy and
good conduct during the campaign. and
Major Nalery Harvard and Mr.. Leon
ard Wilson have also done their full
duty. Captain IIardie and First Lieu ,
tenant Z. j koester, with troop G, |