Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-06
wHeELeR's REPORT.
Details Of Fighting by Gallant Men Before
Santiago.

report of Major General Joseph Wheel
er on the operations before Santiago de
Cuba has become available:
Before Santiago, Cuba. July z. 1898
To Adjutant General 9Th Army Corps:
Sir--After the engagement of July
"A, l pushed forward my command
through the valley, Lawton's and
Kent's commands occupying the hill;
in the vicinity of that place. After two
days rest, Lawton was ordered for
ward, and on the night of the 30th. in
Structions were given by Major Gen
eral ShaNer to this officer to attack
Canoy. while the cavalry division and
kent's division We're ordered to move
forward on the regular Santiago ROAD.
The movement commenced on the
morning of July LIST. The cavalry di-
vision advanced and formed its line
with its left north of Santiago road,
while kents division formed its line
with the right joining the left of the
cavalry division. Col McLernand Of
Gen. Shafter's staff directed me to give
instructions to Gen. Kent, which COM
piled with in person. at the same tine
personally directing Gen. Sumner to
move forward. The men were all conf
PEELED to wade the San Juan river t.
get into line.
This was done under very heavy fire
of both artillery and infantry. Our
balloon having been sent up right by
the main road. was made q mark of by
the enemy. 1t was evident that we
were as much under fire in forming the
line as we would be by an advance, AMI
| tbErafnra rN,.CGefl the nd for
ward from the covering under which it
was formed. 1t moved Into open space
in full view of the enemy, who occu-
pied breasEworks and batteries on the
crest of the hill which overlooks San
tiago, officers and men falling at every
step. The troops advanced CALAMITY.
soon reached the foot of the hill ana
assembled. driving the enemy from their
works and occupying them on the crest
of the hill.
To accomplish this required courage
and determination on the part of the
officers and men of a very high charac-
ter, and the losses We're very severe.
Too much credit cannot be given t.
Gen. Sumner and Gen. Kent. and their
gallant brigade commanders, Col.
Wood and Col. Carroll of the cavalry.
Gen. Hamilton s. Hawkins, command
ing LIST Brigade. Kene's division. aud
Col. Pearson. commanding ID brigade.
Col. Carroll and Mai. Vessels were
both wounded during the charge, bur
Mai Vessels was enabled To return
and resume command
Gen. Wykom, commanding Kent's
Sd Brigade, was killed at l2.l0: Lieut..
Col. Worth took command and was
wounded at l2.15; Lieut.. Col. Liscum
then took command and was wounded
at l2.20. and che command then devel-
oped uponn Lieut.. Col. Ewers, 9th In
fantry.
Upon reaching the crest | orderc
breaStWorks to he constructed and sent
to the rear for shovels. picks. spades
and axes The retreat from the ridge
was precipitated but our men We're 80
thoroughly exhausted that it was i'm
possible for them to follow. Their
shoes We're soaked with water by Wad-
ing the san Juan river. they had b.
come drenched with rain and when
they reached the crest they Were abso-
lutely unable to proceed further.
Notwithstanding this condition, these
exhausted men laborcd during tina night
to throw up hrcastworks. furnish details
to bury the dead and carry the Wounded
back in improvised filters. | sent word
along the line that renforccmeuts would
soon reach us and that Lawton would
join our right and that General Bates
would come up and strengthen our left
After reaching the crest of the ridge
Gen Kent sent the i5th regulars 10 assist
in strengthening our right.
At midnight General Bates reported
and | placed him in a strong position on
the left of our line. Gen. Lawton had at
tempted to Join us from Caney. but when
very near our lines he was fired upon by
the Spanards and turned back. but
joined us next day at noon by a circuitous
route
During all the day, July . the cavalry
division, Kcnts division and Bates hr-
gade were engaged with the enemy. be
ing subjected TO fierce fire and incur
| ring many casualties, and later in the day
Lawton's division also became engaged.
During the entire engagement my staff
| performed their duties with courage.
| judgment and ability. Special credit is
| due to Lieut.. Col. j. IL. Dorst, Major " m.
| d. Beach Captain Joseph E. Dickman
| and Lieut.. NJ. steele. | desire also to say
| that Licuts. James Reeves and Joseph
| Wheeler, Jr Captain William Aston
Chandler, Major Il. A. Darlington. Mr.
| Aurelius NJ. Estre and Corporal John
| Landmark also deserve high commenda-
| ton for courage and good conduct. Ma
| ior West, my qnartermastcr, deserves
special commentator for his energy and
| good conduct during the campaign. and
| Major Valley Hazard and Mr.. Leonard
| Wilson have also done their full duty
| Captain Hardie and list Lieut.. p. j.
Rooster, with Troop G, Sd Cavalry. were
detailed with headquarters and conducted
| themselves handsomely under fire. The
superb courage displayed by the officers
and men are especially mentioned in the
| reports of the subordinate commanders.
| Our losses were as follows:
First Brigade, 81 Cavalry-Killed. 2
men; wounded, 9 officers Amen. Strength
| % officers l20 men.
| Sixth Cavalry-kiled, 4 men; wounded
4 officers, 50 men. Strength, Is officers. i27
| men.
| Ninth Cavalry-Killed, 9 officers, men
wounded. officers. II men. Strength, 81
! officers 1D1 men