The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-03-21
WHEELER TELLS
OF THE CAMPAIGN
He RefuteS the Allegations Which
Reflect on His Division in Cuba.
He Has Miles Approval.

WASHINGTON, March 2O.-Adjutant-
General Corhin to-day made pubnc the
statement which General Wheeler has
felt called upon 10 make in order. as he
says, TO refute certain allegations Which
I reflect upon the cavalry division which
had the honor 10 command"
The statement Is very NoluminOus. max
ing really another history of the cam
pagn before Santiago and il is accom-
panied by an appendix made up of letters
from officers who were connected with
General Wheeler In his operations to sup
port the allegations he makes.
General Wheeler begins with the decla-
ration that some statements were made
before the War lnvcstigatmg COmmis-
sion regarding the battle oi La Guasimas
which 90 great injustice 20 the part Of
the army which fought that battle.
stephen BOnsai stated that Gen Wheeler
was guilty of disobedicnCe of orders. Gen.
Wheeler says that TO remain silent and
neglect TO rcfute the untruthfu charges
made by Bonsal would be disloya 10 the
soldiers and TO the country. Tie notes
that IL is with the approval OF Major
General Miles commanding general that
hc makes the explanation now submitted.
hlS ORDERS
The history OF the movements begins
with the quotation of q statement bv Cen
eral Law Ton before ihe War Commission
90 the cnect th4t he uad been directed by
The general commanding 10 proceed 10
and capture Sib0ncy. General Vince. er
tells how the troops landed how he had
pointed out 10 Stafler ,hc necessity OF
pursuing and beating tha spaniards be-
fore they could retreat behind their
strong breastworks at Santiago. and how
olalter ald many officers fully cOncurred
b. the necessity for speedy move
mont He reports Skaters order TO
proceed 10 jardgua and throw pickets
forward % Jurlguacito' otherwise ST.
b0nsyl. lle quotes various orders To- show
Slafter's anxiety I'D .Dt Wn.. l.IsH.y
forward, lu order to reach Lawtou whom
le found on The road ju.t before reach
ing siooney. Nhecler tells ol the recon-
naissance he made personally apd Of a
consultation tnat night with General
Young and Colonel Wood DE saws the
Cubans predicted that the Standards
would leave siborey and Santiago that
night When inc advance began next
oaN General Wheeler says the regular
troops ana artillery We're ordered upon
the main Si3oney and Santf4o. r..l .......r
the Rough Riders and some of the other
cavalry organizations We're ~on the |
recommendation of General Castillo sent |
hy the less freQuented and more difficult |
road
NOT CUBANS.
Tho Spaniards were found in tbe Same |
position mex, morning about three miles |
from Siboney and General Wheeler gives |
p description OF the action that followed |
BE says trat the dynamite gun upon |
which -reat reliance wps placed. failed |
10 reach him ana 10 VAS for . time very |
doubtful. whether tho men IN front OF |
ann were Spaniards or Cubaus In an |
louF the uglt was Won bug the enenv's /
retreat De.ns prccipate his men beng ex-
iaesird ana all being or foot. pursuit
Vas Impossible Az this point General
y n-c.cr includes coneratulatory reports
rom s92iter upon The cngagcncnt. Tie |
.ointf out that Shalter was the only Of
.cer in Cuban waters gcni0r 10 him. that
De- lNheeier) was the senior officer on
hore and of course much was LETT TO
ls olscteilon. ne quotes Skaters tes-
inonF before the commissioner TO the |
hec' lha- Che light had good results
hti 70 taight tie Spaniards that they
ad different men from the Cubans to
eht
General Wheeler submits that this
hc"s beyond controversy that what he
ld was strictly ia accord with General |
matters s. orders; That the la Guasimas
tht was made in strict Obedience % the
lilt oi ana proper Interpretation OF the
iera received from General Shafter.
In addition, General Wheeler Insists
nat leaving this evidence aside the fact
ated I'm his report 10 Shafter June I'D.
ld that Iawtons sworn evidence before
De commission show that he fought the
iitle In strict compliance With the ex-
'qss wishes OF General Shaftsr, his
general.