The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1899-07-07

will obey an order from General Kents''
To this Rafferty, promptly responded
that he would obey any and every order
from General Kent He was told what
to do Major Keck also responded. and
his battalion was placed in line to fol-
low OF go beside the regulars then hur-
rying to support the column attacking
San Juan hill. Major Reade gives praise
to Keek for readiness to act and cool
ness He didn't stand on ceremony and
demand that orders come through the
regular channels, but fought when and
where he was told.
Since the investigation and govern
or's report on the conduct of the regi-
ment that day former Lieutenant John
NJ. Thomson of the Third battalion has
told the story so long held secret of
what the battalion did at San Juan
Hill He shows. like Major Reade, that
the Third battalion, last in line, was
not seriously affected by the wavering Of
the troops ahead. and continues:
Major Reade. of Kent's staff. asked Major Keck,
commanding the Third battalion, II he would
obey any orders from Kent. Upon receiving an
affirmative reply Major Reade directed him to
carry his battalion to the front, which was imn,u-
diately done; Advancing through the trail, the
Third battalion passed the Second and First bat
talions. Major Keck directed the battalion to ford
San Juan river.
Arriving on the other side Of the river in the
high grass, the battalion was again formed and
speedily executed the command OF Major Keck
which was Left front into line of squads as
skirmishers! March!''
] have never seen the maneuvcr more perfectly
executed on parade. In this order the battalion
crossed the field, which was about 200 yards in
width and 500 yards in length and proceeded up
to the brow of San Juan hill to the left Of the
blockhouse. When reached the top, we found
Captain Rafferty, and already there. BY direc-
ton of General Kent the battalion was marched
to the left for the distance OF about one-quarter
of mile to find the left of the Sixteenth in
fantry. Not being able to find the Sixteenth,
Major Keck marched us back to our previous po-
stion on the top of San Juan hill There has
been no claim that the Third battalion led the
regiment into action. but the Third battalion does
claim that they were first on the hill after Cap
tain Rafferty,. who had preceded the Third bat
talon by about 20 minutes
decry as much as anybody the undue credit
given to the Seventy-frst and the rough riders
for the capture of San Juan hill. but do claim
for Company f and the Third battalion that they
were present at the taking Of San Juan hill and
most materially assisted in doing SO. The Third
Twenty-fourth infantry, the fact Of which can be
substantiated by nearly all. IL not all. the officers
OF the Twenty fourth infantry.
While at Camp Wikoff the writer
personally verified the statements made
by officers of the regiment to the effect
that 90 men Of the Seventy first report
ed on the rolls as missing the night of
July were not Sinking, but were in
among the regulars, having charged the
hill with them. Major Webb inspector
general of the Second division. says
that when the regulars marched through
the PROSTATE Seventy-first in the trail
they were greeted with such cries from
the New Workers as, "Go in, boys, and
give it to theml" 1--WE wish we were
going along with you'll" "Say. take us
along with your Ask any old soldiers
if that is the language Of towards and
shirks on the edge of the battlefield.
The gallant Captain Parker Of the Cat
lings laments that the Seventy first men
cheered his guns as they went in and
drew Spanish fire. But all this cheering
and calling for leaders shows that the
grit of the misguided boys was alright.
1t was a place to rattle the Oldest vet
Grams, but the moment leader showed
himself who could lead, the Seventy
first men were as valorous as the best
All who left their own ranks to join the
regulars fought like heroes, and then
went back to their own colors.
Captain Rafferty, finally told his
story, and said: my company pushed
s~1,N NJ !, IL
was up to their necks. From the creek
up to the blockhouse was an open
space, which the Spaniards just swept
with volleys. We clambered along to-
ward the eminence on which the fort
stood. Adjutant Tayman of the Twenty
fourth infantry, one of the colored regi-
ments, a splendid officer and man. came
up and said. Where are you goingg'
II replied. up the hill.
I" 'Goodl' said he. You're the kind
we want. So along with the regulars
Company F went up"
Tayman said that it was as Rafferty,
claimed; that he, Tayman, directed
Rafferty, how to get his company to do
execution, and Rafferty,. after the bat
tie hunted him out to thank him for
it. Said Tayman. Rafferty, did -
we'll"
A field officer and line officer saved
the honor of the Seventy-first on San
Juan hill. and to Private Charles Ed
wards of Company belongs the glory
of winning the only honorable mention
e..