Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-02-09
VIII.

| HNNEW 4 the the s.issas; e !.
was done simply to give its leader the
post of honor. General Sumner said
that such was not the case, but that it
was the turn of the rough riders to be
at the front that day.
Some time after Summers brigade,
under Colonel Carroll, including the
Third, Sixth and Ninth (colored), fol-
lowed by the rough riders, as the ad-
vance Of Woods brigade, had passed
on beyond Crimes position at El Poso,
the two remaining regiments Of Wood,
ne First United States and Tenth TOOL
oreG), started forward. By the time
these two regiments reached the danger
point in the road the Spanish fire had
somewhat abated. In fact, but for the
balloon the column would have escaped
casualties until it reached the San Juan
fords. The balloon moved just ahead
of the Tenth cavalry, which was first
in the column. 1t was high enough to
draw fire, and one of the officers said at
Camp Wikoff, "What the balloon didn't
get hit u.s." The firing at the balloon
also caused some casualties from shrap-
mel and bullets in the ranks of the First
cavalry.
Finally the balloon was pulled down,
the observers got out, and it was tied to
tree, where it foated above tree tops
and still drew fire until the Spaniards
destroyed 1t. One of Kent's infantry
regiments had q similar experience with
the balloon, for 1t was passing down q
trail to the left Of road where the
cavalry was marching and just abreast
Of it.
At Hell's Crossing the Tenth cavalry
lost half dozen men. AS the shells at
that point passed overhead with their
peculiarly startling shrek, the negroes
Strengthened up at attention and saluted
them. The two regiments lay half or
three-quarters of an hour in the river
bed, which was dry at the time, except
at the deepest part, where the river cur
rent runs. In order to escape the fire
they then moved out. changing direc-
tion twice and passing in front of Car
rolls brigade to cover under high
bank, and lay there another half hour.
From this point, looking through the
trees in front, as described in the story
of Carrol's cavalry brigade, the Span
ish position could be seen. It was well
known to the officers what was expect
ed Of the line, and finding in front Of
them barbed wire fence of six strands,
all hands went to work to clear away
the obstruction. The men pulled out the
posts and twisted and broke the wire,
all the time under fire.
A boy hero was developed at this
time In the son of the colonel of the
Tenth, Theodore N. Baldwin. Jr.
Young Baldwin was civilian, who
went along to see the fun. He was 10
years old. He had picked up carbine,
intending to fight along with the rest
and was foremost in tearing down the
fences. Af.erward he charged up the
hill with the line, and President Nc
Kinley commissioned him for his gal
lantry. After the fence had been level
ed the line of Woods brigade was
formed, with the rough riders in front.
Much had been said about this, that
and the other one having initiated the
charge on San Juan hill. 1t is evident
from what has been told Of the situa-
tion in Carroll's brigade that the line
officers and men were not left to their
own devices at this crisis. Wood was
the colonel of the rough riders Wood 8
Weary Walkers" as their regular COM
rades called them, initiating the first
alliterative title), and it is to be sup
posed that he looked to them and to the
rest of the brigade as well.
He was new to command--in fact,
comparatively new to the service. Colo
mel Baldwin Of the Tenth is regular
army war veteran; same with Major S.
T. Norvell. Major Theo Wint of the
Tenth is q war veteran of the Sixth
Pennsylvania cavalry. Colonel G. ID.
Viele of the First has been in the regn-
lar army since 1861, and Major A. q.
Forse was at West Point from 1851 to
1865.
When the line was formed, the barbed
wire fences cleared away--all Of this
some hours, be it remembered, after tho
Spanish guns began their killing work
In the crowded road aud at the crossing
Colonel Wood appeared on the line of
his brigade and gave the order to ad-
| vance. Colonel Baldwin of the Tenth
arranged his two squadrons one in
front and the other as support. Colonel
Viele of the First cavalry took his
squadron commanders through the
fringe OF trees and pointed out red
house on q hill Ito the right of the
biockhouse), which will be spoken Of
hereafter as San Juan hill or Kettle
Hill." He said to Captain Tutheriy,
commander Of the First squadron,
"That Is your right" Tutheriy asked,
i NWhen shall I fira2,, "a s.uhsnh Viole