The times., 1899-03-19
Lieutenant Smith.

ne people OIL tne Will
ber the Tenth Cavalry because it was
here that the first honors were paid to the
dark-skinned heroes of San Juan on their
return from Cuba. For that reason, the
people informed themselves about that re-
marl1able battle, in which this black regi-
ment faced a fire that white men might
have shrunk from without shame--faced
it and moved forword with fervor of cour-
age that lifted its men to the plane where
the heroes of Balaklava's charge have
stood so long in the worlds memory. So
we do not confound the Tenth Cavalry
with the Tenth Immunes, whose conduct in
the South caused SO much censure. The
men who charged up San Juan's bloody
height are not lawless mob, but trained,
disciplined, well-behaved soldiers. who
have won the commendation of all who
have known their record.
Their efficiency in battle, their self
respect and obedience in camp, were the
results partly Of the devotion of their
white officers. Among these was Lieut..
William H. Smith, of whom the
gallant cavalry leader, General Wheeler,
has said, in the formal words of a report:
He advanced with his command under
the severe fire from Ell Pozo TO San Juan
River, waded the water waist deep, and
led his troop over Kettle Hill, driving the
enemy before him, and was killed while
preparing to advance on San Juan"
These words convey no adequate idea of
the thrilling spectacle. The air was filled
with shrapnel and bullets and with the
deafening sound of bursting shells and
the continuous roll of the rifles; men
were dropping. throwing up their hands
as they reeled, the tall grass was waved
by the leaden storm as though a wind
swept it, and death seemed as sure to
every man as though he should leap into
q fiery furnace. Yet there was no falter-
ing, though to falter was human and
blameless. Exactly one-half of the white
officers who led, not followed, the ready
blacks across the bloody stream and up
toward Juan's top, were kilied-eleven out
OF twenty-five. We doubt If this record
has a parallel in all the annals OF war,
in the same circumstances, for there had
been no desperate order to scale the
heights The movement was voluntary.
The regiment might have sought shelter
without reproach. But there were the
white officers, with set teeth and shining
eyes. beckoning the men forward. They
went with rush and yell and never
thought OF fear, mindless OF those yho
fell.
Conspicuous among the officers was
Lieutenant Smith, concerned only for the
honor OF the men who followed him, whom
he had trained and who adored him. His
death maddened his soldiers and the Span
iards paid for it in many lives. His work
did not end with his own death. So evil
dent We're the soldierly qualities of this
young officer. SO clean and honorable was
his record, and so ripe his judgment, that
he won the notice of all his superiors,
including General Wheeler, and was
marked for promotion. He had fitted him
self for a soldiers career. and as his
general has said, any army would have
been proud Of him as a corps commander.
Higher praise was never given to a man
with a iieutenant's rank His body has
been brought back to his native land, and
with appropriate ceremonies it has been
laid at rest in the beautiful cemetery at
Arlington. where lie so many of cur
hero sons. 1t is fitting that his service to
his country. closed by q soldiers ideal
death, should be recognized by a monu-
ment from the voluntary contributions of
his grateful countrymen. General Wheeler
has asked The Times TO receive contribu-
lions for the purpose