Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-09-15

mounted cavalry and Keut's division of
Infantry were directed the Santiago
road. the head OF the column resting near
FL Pozo, toward which heights Grimes
battery moved on the afternoon of the
sOth, with orders to take position there
early on the next morning and at the
proper time prepare the way for the adj
vance Of Wheeler and Kent on San Juan
hill. The attack al this point was to be
delayed until Lawton's guns were heard
at FL Caney and his infantry fire showed
he had become well engaged.
Why Haste Was Made.
THE preparations were far from what 1
desired them to be, but We were IN a sick
ly climate, our supplies had to be brought
forward by narrow wagon road, which
the rains might at any time render i'm
passable; fear was entertained that a
storm might drive the vessels containing
our suppiies TO sea, thus parting us from
our base Of supplies, and. lastly, 1t was
reported that General Pando, with 5000
reinforcements for the enemy. was en-
route from ManzaniIIo and might be ex-
pected in few days. Under these con-
oitions. determined to give battle without
delay.
Early on the morning of July /, Lawton
was in position around I'll Caney. Chaffees
brigade on the right. across the Guantana-
mo road; Miles brigade in the center and
Ludlows on the left. The duty of cutting
off the enemy's retreat along the Santiago
road was assigned TO the latter brigade.
The artillery opened on the town at G:15
a. m. The battle here soon became gen.
eral and was hony contested. The en-
emy's position was naturally strong and
was rendered more so by blocknouses,
stone fort and intrenchments cut in solid
rock and the loopholing of a solidly built
stone church. The opposition offered by
the enemy was greater than had been an
ticipated, and prevented Lawton from
joining the right OF the main line during
the day, as had been intended
Assault on FL Caney.
After the battle had been continued for
some time, Bates brigade of two regiments
reached my headquarters from siboney. 1
directed him to move near El Caney, to
give assistance, IL necessary. He did go,
and was put in position between Miles and
chaffee. The battle continued with vary
ing intensity during most of the day. ana
until the place was carried by assault
about 4:30 p. m. AS the Spaniards endeav-
ored TO retreat along the Santiago road,
Ludlow's position enabled him to do very
effective work and 10 practically cut off
all retreat in that direction.
After the battle at El Caney was well
opened, and the sound of the small artfI-
iery fire caused us TO believe that Lawton
was driving the enemy before him. 1 di-
rected Grimes battery to open fire from the
heights OF Ell Pozo, on the San Juan block
house, which could be seen situated in the
enemys intrenchments extending along the
crest of San Juan hill. This fire was ef-
fecfiVe, and the enemy could be seen rum
mng away from the vicinity of the block
mouse. The artillery fire from FL Pozo was
soon returned by the enemy's artillery
They evidently had the range of this hill
ana their first shells killed and wounded
several men. AS the Spapiards used
powder, it was very difficult to
locate the position of their pieces. while
on the contrary, the smoke caused by our
piack powder plainly indicated the posi-
ton of our battery.
Difficult TO Move Troops.
At this time, the cavalry division. under
Seneral Sumner. which was lying con-
ceaied In the general vicinity of the FL Pozo
mouse, was ordered forward with directions
i
the right on the Santiago side, while Kent's
division was TO follow closely in its rear
and deploy to the left
These troops moved forward in compIi-
ance with orders, but the road was SO mar
row as to render it impracticable to re-
tain the column Of fours formation at all
points. while the underground ON either
side was so dense as to preclude the Dos
sibility of depioying skirmishers. 1t nat
urally resulted that the progress made was
slow and the long range rifles of the en-
emy's infantry killed and wounded a num-
Der of our men while marching along this
road. and before there was any opportuni-
ty to return the fire.
AT this time Generals Kent and Sum-
ner were ordered to push forward with all
possible haste and place their troops in po-
sition TO engage the enemy. General Kent,
with this end In view, forced the head of
his column alongside of the cavalry COL
umn as far as the narrow trail permitted,
and thus hurried his arrival at the San
Juan and the formation beyond that
stream. A few hundred yards before reach
Ing the San Juan, the road forks, a fact
that was discovered by Lieutenant Colonel
Derby. of my staff. who had approached
well to the front in a war balloon. This
he furnished to the troops,
in Sumner moving on the right
hand road while Kent was enabled to util-
lie the road TO the left.
Wheeler at the Front.
General Wheeler, the permanent COM
of the cavalry division, who had
been I'll, came forward during the morning
and later returned to duty and rendered
most gallant and efficient service during the
Of the day.
After crossing the stream the cavalry
moved TO the right with a view of connect
ing with Lawtons left when he could come
up, and with their left resting near the
Santiago road.
I'm the meantime, Kent's division, with
The exception of two regiments of Haw-
Sins' brigade. being thus uncovered, moved
rapidly to the front from the forks prev
ously mentioned. In the road. utilizing both
trails. but more especially the one to the
eft, and, crossing the creek. formed for
attack In the front of San Juan hill. Dur
ng this information the Second brigade suf-
fered severely. While personally SUPER
this movement, Its gallant COM
Colonel Wikoff. was killed. The
OF the brigade then devolyed
upon Lieutenant Colonel Worth, Thirteenth
who was soon severely wounded
and next upon Lieutenant Colonel Liscurn.
rwenty-fourth infantry, whe, five minutes
ater. also fell under the terrible fire of the
enemy, and the command OF the brigade
then developed upon Lieutenant Colonel
Ewers, Ninth infantry.
Praise of General Hawkins.
while the formation Just described was
taking place, Kent took measures 10 hurry
forward his rear brigade. The Tenth and
Second infantry were ordered to follow WI
koff's brigade, while the Twenty-first was
sent on the right hand road to support the