The age-herald., 1899-03-21
CEN. WHEELER
 MAKES REPLY To the Allegations In BonsaPs
 Book. REFUTES THE STATEMENT That the Cavalry Was Ambush
 ed at La Guasima. WHEELER WAS SENIOR OFFICER On Shore, and Much Was Left to
 His Discretion. RoOSEvELTs TESTIMONY ADDED Says Bonsal Knew Absolutely Nothing of the Fight, and Seems to Have @
 Selected Wheeler as
On Shore, and Much Was Left to
 His Discretion.
RoosEvELTs TESTIMONY ADDED
Says Bonsal Knew Absolutely Nothing of the Fight, and Seems to Have @ Selected Wheeler as
 Mark for Attack

Washington, March 20.-Adjutant General Corbin today made public the statement which General Wheeler has felt called upon to make in order, as he says, ito refute certain allegations which reflected upon the cavalry division which had the honor to command"
 The statement is exceedingly volum1n- ous, making really another history Of the campaign before Santiago, and 1t is ac- companied by an appendix made up Of let ters of officers who were connected with General Wheeler in his operations.
 General Wheeler begins with the declar- ation that some statements were made be- fore the war investigation commission re- garding the battle of La Guisamas which do great injustice to that part of the army which fought that battle. Stephen Bonsal states that General Wheeler was guilty of disobedience of orders. General Wheeler says that to remain silent and neglect to refute the untruthful charges made by BonsaI would be disloyal to the soldiers and to the country. He notes that it is with the approval of Major General Miles, the commanding general, that he makes the explanation now submitted.
 HlBtOrY OI the MoFtnehLs
 The history of the movements begins with a quotation of a statement made by General Lawton before the war commits sion to the effect that he had been directed by the general commanding to proceed and capture Sibony. General Wheeler tells how the troops landed; how he had pointed out to Shafter the necessity of pursuing and beating the Spaniards before they could retreat behind their strong breasworks at Santiago, and how Shafter and many of- ficers fully concurred in the necessity for speedy movement. He reports Shafter's orders to proceed to Jaragua and throw forward pickets to Juarasuacito' (other- wise Siboney). He quotes various orders to show Shafter's anxiety to get Wheeler rapidly forward in order to reach Lawton, whom he found on the road just before reaching Siboney. Wheelr tells of the re- connoissance he made personally and of consultation that night with General Young and Colonel Wood He says the Cubans predicted that the Spaniards would leave Siboney and Santiago that night When the advance began the next day General Wheeler says the regular troops and ar tillery were ordered up on the main Sibo- ney and Santiago road, while the Rough Riders and some of the other cavalry or ganizations were lon the recommendation of General Castillo sent by less frequented and almost different road.'
 Description of the Action
 The Spaniards were found in the same position the next morning about three miles from Siboney, and General Wheeler gives description of the action that fol- lowed. He says that the dynamite gun up- on whiqh great reliance was placed. failed to reach him. and 1t was for time very doubtful whether the men In front of him were Sbaniards or Cubans. In ar. hour the fight as won, but the enemy's retreat be- ing pfecipitate his men being exhausted and hll being on foot. pursuit was impossi- b
 rS At this point General Wheeler includes congratulatory reports from Shafter upon the engagement. He points out that Shaf-
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