The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-09-27
THE ACTION NEAR YAUCO
GENERAL GARRzTSOk'S OFFICIAL REPORT
NON MADE PUBLIC.
A Dashing Adyarce Against a Strongly Posted
Enemy, Driven Back as Usual by Ia
donitabIe American Pluck.

Washington. Sept. 24.-The War De
partment tonight made public the official
report of Brigadier General G. a. Gac
retSon on the action Oh the IaucO road,
III Porto Rico, July 26 last, in which his
brigade was engaged. After a detailed
description of the battle-ground and sur
r~oundings and the disposition of his
forces, General Garretson goes on to say:
Prem the reports of the outp St., the
enemy was supposed to be Ill the field to
the right Of the road to NaucO. Packs
were thrown off, and the form
ed for attack. The company Of the
Sixth Illinois remained on the hill on
which the house of Ventura Qhinones IS
situated and protected our right flank.
Then remaining companies were collect
Ell, two as support and three as reserves.
After advancing to within 200 yards OF
the plain of the Hacienda Santa Decid-
era the advance guard of our attacking
force was discovered by the enemy. who
opened fire from 4 position on the hill
to the west. The north and east st,ppes
Of his hill intercept each other. forming
a solid angle. 1t was along this angle
that the enemy was posted. Their re-
serve posted in Il road leading from the
haciendea to the east also opened a stron"
fire on the road. \ body Of the enemy
moved against the company on our right,
Company c.. Sixth Illinois, stationed on
the hill of Ventura Quinones. This com
pany had entered itself during the night,
and after repulsing the attacking force,
directed its fire against the enemy on the
hill to the west.
The conformation Of the ground was
such that the fire Of the enemy's reserves
and party on the left was effective in the
cno1ninu hpIlnVr in which our rpSHryoc
were posted. The heavy volume of fire,
the noise of shots striking the trees and
on the ground, and the Wounding of two
men among the reserves. caused a mo
mentary confusion among the troops.
They We're quickly rallied and placed I'M
der cover. The fire of the advance party
and supports was directed against me
party of the encmy on the hill and tenn
porarily silenced its fire from that direc-
ton.
"Our advance guard of two companies,
ignoring the enemy on the hill. then de
ployed mainly to the right Of the road,
and was with quick and accurate mill
tary judgment and great personal gal
lentry led by Lieutenant Laughrone.
First Cavalry A., against the reserves of
the enemy. The supports and one com
pany of the reserves under the direction
of Captain l.. G.. Berry, charged against
the party on the west of the hill.
through the barbed Wire fence and chap
parcl. The reserves were deplOycd along
the barbed Wire fence running at right
angles to the road, conducted through
the fence and brought up in the rear and
to the left Of the attacking party. con
Quoted by Lieutenant +. Ames of the
Sixth Massachusetts. The enemy WAS
driven from the hill and retired to the
valley. disappearing behind the hacien-
da. The reserves of the enemy ceased
firing and retired. 1t was supposed that
they had retired to the hacienda. as
this house was surrounded on the sides
presented to our view with l~oop-holed
walls. The troops on the bill We're eel
lected along the road. A reserve of
three companies was established at the
intersection of the road to Yauco. The
two companies in advance which deploy-
ed. wheeled to the left and advanced
to the hacienda. en%veloping it on the
left. 1t was then discovered that tho
enemy had retired from the hacienda
III the direction of Yauco along c~leverly
concealed lines of retreat.
"As the object of the expedition was
considered accomplished. and in obed-
fence to instructions received from Maj
or General Miles. no further pursuit was
upIprtokpD x x