The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-07-01
SlB0NEYS LIVELY STRUGGLE.
GEN. WHEELER PRAISES THE VAL
or OF THE MEN.

Place Had Been Evacuated by the
Enemy-Cuban sLirmishers Got
the First Taste of the Fighting.
Enemy Made IL stand Three Miles
From the TOwn-Position of Enemy
Known the Night Before the
Rough Riders Made the Attack.
Copyright, 1898 by the Associated Press
Camp Juragua, Wednesday, June 90
Via Kingston, June 80, s a. m-Gen Wheel
er's official report to Maj. Gen. Shafter of
what is known as the battle of Siboney is
as follows:
I'm Camp, Juragua. June 29.--To The
Adjutant General of the Fifth Army
Corps-Sir: ! have the honor to report
that in obedience TO the Instructions of
the major general commanding, given ME
in person on June q, I proceeded TO Sib-
oney Guraguasito). The enemy had evac-
uated the place at daylight that morning,
taking a course toward Seviua. A body
Of about leo Cubans had followed and en-
gagged the enemy's rear guard. About
nine of them were wounded.
81 rode out 10 the front and found the
enemy had halted and established them
selves al a point about three miles from
Stboney. At night the Cubans returned
to the vicinity of the town. AT o'clock
that evening, the Twenty third, Gen.
Young, reached Siboney with eight troops
OF Col Woods regiment. A, b, d, T., f.
G, X, and L. 500 strong; troops A, B, c.
and Is, First Cavalry, In all 24f men, and
troops A, b, T.. ana of the Tenth CaVal-
ry, in all 220 men, making the total force
tal 1alt anfslK~ Of
mand which had marched from Baiqulri
eleven miles.
with the assistance of Gen. Castillo
rough map of the country was prepar-
ed and the position Of the enemy was fully
explained and I determined to make an
attack at daylight on the 2th
"Col. Woods regiment was sent by Cen
Young accompanied by two of his star
officers, Iieuts. Tyree r. Rivers and ".
r. Smedburg, Jr, to approach the enemy
on the left hand or more westerly road,
while Gen. Young, myself and about five
troops of the First and Tenth Cavalry,
with three Hotchkiss mountain guns ap-
preached the enemy ON the regular Sevilla
road.
Gen. Young and myself examined the
position of the enemy, the lines were de-
ployed and l directed him to open fire
with the Hotchkiss guns. The enemy re-
piled and the firing Immediately became
general. AOl. WoOI DaQ QSplOyed MS
right, nearly reaching to the left of the
regulars.
'tfor an hour tho eght wac worry warm
the enemy being lavish in expenditure Of
ammunition most of their firing being by
volleys Finally the enemy gave way and
repeated rapidly, our side kpeeping well
closed upon them; but our men being phys
ically exhausted, by both their exertions
and the great heat, were incapable OF
maintaining the pursuit
Il cannot speak too highly of the gal
liant and excellent conduct of the officers
and men throughout my command. Gen.
Young deserves special commendation for
his COOL deliberate and skillful manage
ment.
"I also specially noticed his acting ad-
jutant general Lieut.. A. l.. Mills, who,
under Gen. Youngs direction, was at va
rious parts of the line acting with energy
and cool courage.
1.-The imperative necessity of dlsembark-
ing with promptitude had impelled me to
leave most Of my staff to hasten this i'm
portant matter and unfortunately l only
had with me Maj w. d, Beach and Mr.
Mestro, an acting volunteer aide. both of
whom during the engagement creditably
and bravely performed their duties.
II am specially indebted to Maj Beach
for has cool and good judgment.
"Col. Woods regiment was on the ex-
for me 10 be a personal witness Of the
Individual conduct Of the officers and
men, but the magnificent bravery shown
by the regiment under the lead Of Col.
Wood testifies to his courage and skill
and the energy and determination of his
officers which has been marked from the
moment he reported 20 me at Tampa, and
1 have abundant evidence of his brave
and gallant conduct on the field, and
recommend him the consideration OF the
government.
81 must rely on his report to do justice
TO his officers and men. | desire. person.
ally, to add that all l have said regarding
Col. Wood applies equally to Col. Roose-
veit
II was Immediately with the troops Of
the First and Tenth Regiment, Cavalry
dismounted, and / personally noted their
brave and good conduct, which will be
especially mentioned by Gen. Young.
1 personally noticed the good conduct OF
Capts. W. H. Book Robert =. Wainwright
and Jacob G. Gailbraith, Maj. James NJ.
Bell, Capt Thomas T. Knox and Lieut.
George Il. Brown. The last three were
wounded.
MAI Ben, as he lay on the ground with
a broken leg, said: 4 only regret l can't
go on with you further.
capt. Knox, though severely wounded,
continued as long as possible 10 exercise
his command and insisted to me ne was
not much hurt and Lieut.. Brown, also,
made light of his wound to me and con-
tiuued upon the line until he tainted. /
recommend those officers for the favorable
consideration of the government.
~ cannot state positively as 10 the size
a atlea 3uftu-r