New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-18
THE SEVENTY-FIRSTS WORK.
IT'S GALLANT AND CONSPICUOUS PART
IN THE SAN JUAN ATTACK.
HANDICAPPED BY THE SMOKE OF TILE

HANDICAPPED BY THE SMOKE OF THE
SPRINGFIELD R1FLEs-HARD WORK
IN THE TRENCHES
lrnox A srArr CORRESPONDENT TRIBUNE.l
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps. near santi-
ago de Cuba. July 4.-The fist Regiment New
York Volunteers. has taken A most gallant and
conspicuous part in the attack on the San Juan
suburb Of Santiago de Cuba. It, with the eth
and 18Th Infantry. forms the First Brigade Of
General Kents division the First The brigade
commander. General Hawkins. has displayed
the greatest personal bravery, having been
wounded on the field. He Is serving his last
year in the Army being sIxtythree years old A
number OF men were wounded or killed near
him. but he never finched.
The list ef: its pleasant camp about six miles
from Siboney early on Friday morning July ].
Reveille was sounded at $50 o'clock. and II did
not take long to cook some breakfast. wrap up
blanket rolls and get under way. The regiment
:ell in behind the cavalry. which dsmount-
ed with the rest OF its brigade. II just
under the hill where the 1st Volunteer Cavalry
was stationed when the Spaniards began firing
There some shrapnel but chiefly rifle bull
let's The regiment marching In column Of
fours when the attack on II began. 1t was not
long before the men had their first sight Of
bloodshed L. b. skinner youth Of nineteen
struck by piece Of shell in the neck
He was carried back but died shortly. 1t was
not long after that that the first sergeant OF
Company had part Of his face shot away
The firing was heaviest from the left. In this
direction the list ordered to move. The
9th went ahead along the main road. which here
led along the bottom Of gulch. Skirmishers
were at once thrown out by Colonel Downs and
they gradually worked their way up the hill
through the masses Of cactus. underbrush and
trees The main body Of the regiment was
moved forward after an hour so. volley
from the side and the men were sent up
in that direction. There was more or less
shooting by Spanards in trees scattered
about in the heavy underground.
The country donsey covered that II
was almost impossible 10 keep any kind Of con-
troll OF the men. As thcy scattered in extended
order they got beyond the view of the officers.
and often acted merely as individuals. without
regard TO regimental or even company forma-
ton. It not only the list that did this.
but the Regulars as well Indeed the Regulars
were apparently the worst offenders II It Is
proper TO use that word in the circumstances.
Not only I'm this attack on San Juan. but in the
battle ~ RI Caney. there was the greatest MKT
ure ~ troops. Some men fought with two or
three regiments besides their own IN ono day.
II night came and found them still separated
from their commands they continued with
whatever body they happened 10 fall In with.
Thus some who in nowise injured and
were not seeking in the slightest 10 shirk We're
absent from their roll calls FOR fortyeight or even
seventy-two hours. when tho armistice was de-
clared an opportunity given FOR these stray
giers 70 rejon their regiments. This morning
the fist reported rorty-seven men missing.
Doubtless many Of these have by now rejoined
their companies Of course certain num-
Der are dead wounded IN the woods Careful
search has been made FOR such. but In the
Cuban forests a certain number must remain
unbound A. this writing the official figures Of
the list show thirteen killed and sixty-seven
wounded