The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-05

rection. was at various parts of the
line, acting with energy and cool cour-
age.
The imperative necessity OF dis
embarking with promptitude had m
PEELED me to leave most OF my stan TO
hasten this important matter and un-
fortunately / only had with me Major
W. D. Beach and Mr.. Mestro. an act
ing volunteer aide, both of whom, dur
ing the engagement creditably n
bravely performed their duties. / am
especially indebted 4 Major Beach for
his cool and good judgment
Colonel Woods regiment was on
the extreme left of the line and too
far distant for me 10 be a personal wit
ness of the individual conduct Of the
officers and men, but the magnificent
bravery shown by the regiment nder
the lead Of Colonel Wood testifies to
his courage and skill and the energy
and determination of his officers. which
has been marked from the moment
he reported to me at Tampa, and /
have abundant evidence OF his brave
and good conduct on the field, and /
recommend him for the consideration
of the government, i must rely upon
his report TO do justice TO his officers
and men. / desire personally TO add
that all / have said regarding Colonel
Wood applies equally TO Colonel Roose-
Welt.
Il was Immediately with the troops
of the First and Tenth regiment cav
airy, dismounted, and / personally
noticed their brave and good conduct,
- - Ill - 1--o4,1r x-4~O~nl hr
General Young.
Il personally noticed the good con-
duct of Captains w. II. Book, Robert
P. Wainwright and Jacob G. Galbraith,
Major James NJ. Bell, Captain 1nomas
T. Know, and Lieutenant George E.
Grown. The last three were wounded.
Major Bell, as he lay on the ground
with a broken leg, said: i only re-
gret l can't go on with you further
Captain Know, though severely wound
ed, continued as long as possible TO ex-
ercise his command and insisted to me
he was not much hurt, and Lieutenant
Brown also made light of his wound
to me and continued upon the line he
tainted. / recommend these officers
for the favorable consideration of the
government.
Il cannot state positively as to the
size of the Spanish force which was
engaged or the extent of their casual
ties further than the force was much
greater than ours and that informa-
ton | have would indicate that their
killed and wounded very far exceed
the loss which our troops sustained,
but our estimate on these points can
only be verified when we have access
to the reports of the Spanish COM
manders.
The engagement inspired u troops
and must have had a bad effect upon
the spirits of the Spanish soldiers.
1t also gave our army the beautiful
and we'll watered country in which we
have established our encampments.
1t has also given us a full view of San
tiago and the surrounding country,
and has enabled us to reconnoitre
close to the Notifications of that place.
THE casualties in the engagement
were:
First United States volunteer cav-
airy, strength 500; killed s; wounded
"a.
First United States regular cavalry,
| strength 244, killed Z; wounded s.
Tenth United States regular cav
airy, strength 22O, killed 4; wounded
1O.-total strength 964; killed 16;
wounded SO.
Respectfully submitted,
JOSEPH WHEELER,
Major General United States Vol
unteers. Commanding"