The times., 1899-03-12

sible he procured the horses, harness, etc,
to equip the artillery and started in per-
son toward Siboney-a distance OF ten
lie arrived between l and 2
o'clock and found that Linares had left
that place early that morning, retreating
toward Sevilla. followed by some 200 Gu
bans. He rode rapidly to the front. over
taking the Spaniards a a point three miles
from Siboney. spent the afternoon in re-
connoltering and examining the position,
and at dark returned to Siboney.
Before siboney.
Al S O'Clock General Young and Colonel
Wood arrived. He explained to them the
position and ordered them to take break
fast before day and to start before day
light He also received assurances from
General Castillo that the Cubans would ac-
company them. The Cubans were very
general in their opinion that the Spaniards
would leave during the night. and some of
their scouts reported that they had left
already and retreated toward Santiago.
General Wheeler had been from the first
emphatic in his expressions that no effort
should be spared 10 attack and fight the
Spaniards before they reached their strong
intrenchments in front of Santiago,
strengthened as they were with entangle
ments of wire fences in their front, and
that such an opportunity az then presented
itself should not be lost. This idea did not
commence with the Cuban campaign. In
his speech at the great Chickamauga cele-
bration in September, 1895, he had been
emphatic in stating that in future wars no
efforts should be spared to attack in the
open field. so as to avoid the necessity OF
attacking breastworks, which. with the
present superior arms, could be made al
i'm n % prT1g nt tr An hon hafn Iarv
on the oath Wheeler was up urging the
prompt preparation for the march, he con-
tending that the only hope of overtakng
the enemy was to reach the point before
they had finished breakfast, and having
started Wood and Young, he, with his staf
rode 10 General Castillo and urged him TO
push forward the Cuban forces. On reach
ing the enemy's position Wheeler thor
oughly examined their line with a power
fuI glass. but as only a few Cubans were
with him and he had not been able to find
or hear Of the bulk OF the Cuban forces,
il seemed possible that the missing Cubans
had preceded him and that the troops he
saw We're friendly Cubans.
The First Battle.
This view was strengthened from the fact
that while forming line our men We're not
fired upon. He therefore rode well to the
front with Major Beach and again carefully
scanned the line and. being satisfied thai
they were Spaniards, he vent back and or
dered the Hotchkiss guns to open. This
was replied 10 by the entire Spanish line
and the battle was on. Wheeler went for
ward directly on the line with the First
| Regular Cavalry until this part OF the line
entered q wood, when he turned to the left
so as to be in a position to see the entire
line. In an hour the victory was complete
| ly won and that night, or next day, Cen
eraI Wheeler received letters from Gen
eral Shafter complimentng him on his
success. and this was followed by compi-
mentary kilograms to General Shafter from
! the President Secretary of War, and Gen
| eral Miles.
The importance of this engagement can
| troops, and gave an eclat to our arms
| which spread over the entire world.
The depressing effect upon the defeated
| Spaniards was very great. Historic regi-
ments. the pride and glory Of Spain. had
been driven from their chosen position by
American soldiers who barred their breasts
and steadily advanced upon Spanish caya-
| liers who were largely protected from the
| fire of our soldiers. When these men
alarmed and disordered, entered Santiago
| the impression made upon the Spanish
| army and the people was demoralizing in
the extreme, and was a potential influence
in the determination of our final sue
| cess.
Some Spanish Mcnducity.
In order to soften the sting OF their de.
feat they officially reported that they were
attack at La Guasimas by the American
Army and they specially mentioned tn,
| Seventh. Twelfth, and Seventeenth Regi-