The Montgomery advertiser., 1902-06-10

pdtue tne in1pdsSlOHeQ enlOtiOHo tudt filled the minds of the troops as they
 invincible The people so long indifferent
 to military affairs were aroused at last,
 and their patriotism swept on like a
 mighty ficod. taxing the ingenuity and
 erergy of those in command to direct 1t
 into practical channels. There is no
 doubt we entered upon the war with
 Spain under conditions peculiarly favor
 able for organizing and training the vol
 unteer forces, upon which the country. whether wisely or unwisely has elected to rely in the hour of trial. and yet these conditions did not permit any bureau of the War Department to purchase or even contract for supplies so soon to be needed by the volunteers. Each bureau had pro- vided only enough for the immediate everyday needs of the regular establish ment on a peace basis. The volunteers responded to the Presidents call with patriotic eagerness. but the department
 was unable to properly equip them. There
 were lacking shoes. blankets, canteens,
 tents. trained horses, rifles. aye. and
 even the bullets to shoot therefrom."
 The speaker gave a glimpse of the bat
 tie on San Juan hill as follows: Sum
 ner formed. as ordered. to the right of the Santiago road, and struck the enemy near the stream on what was afterward called Kettle Hill Here fierce conflict took place and the enemy was only driven back after the utmost gallantry on the part of our officers and men. While
 Wheeler's division found the Spaniards close by at Kettle Hill. Kent had wide bottom in his front. which led directly to the foot of the San Juan Hill, along
 the crest of which the enemy was strong ly entrenched. Nothing daunted. the gallant men of both divisions pushed on
 under heavy loss to drive the .Dons from
 their chosen position On1cers whose
 names we honor and will ever hold dear. laid down their lives in cheering their
 men on to close with the foe and to the living none but words of praise are due.
 We will not particularize. but will content ourselves with saying. that words fall to do justice to the gallant regimentai officers and their heroic men. for while the generals had placed them in position. 1t was after all the intrepid bravery of the subordinate officers and men that carried our colors to the cresA of San Juan, and thus sealed the fate of Santi- ago. As the long line strug- gled up the steep hill. part halting here and there to fire. and then again rushing on. the general effect was that of a uniform advance. It resembled blue ribbon. one end flung out from the hand and fiuttering in a gentle breeze. one moment some points of this blue line were a little in advance, only to be overtaken and passed py portions moment before in the rear. An at- tache of one of the great powers. speak ing more to himself than to me, said: The world never saw better troops And he was right.
 'The enthusiasm of battle thrills the mind even in after days, but the battle
 field also leaves painful memories. It will not be inappropriate to mention here an incident that painfully effected me. Four soldiers were seen bearing a man on litter: his face was covered by a bloody cloth he was motionless. and I thought perhaps dead. A friend was walking by his side, and in answer to my look of inquiry said, No. he is not dead. but if he lives, he will never see.' The bloody bandage covered the face of one we meet today with pride and pleas lire, and with congratulations that sight was not taken from him. I speak of the distinguished superintendent of this Acad- emy.
 In regard to the war in the Philippines, Colonel McClearnand said: General Otis had to deal with one of the most difficult problems ever presented to soldier. It was different from that en- countered in Cuba, for in regard to that island our intentions had been definitely announced and we possessed the friend ship and had the assistance of the peo- pie as far as their political education permitted them to help. In the Philip pines we found enmity, engendered by the ambitions of few designing men working upon the ignorance of their No one could say certainly l what the fate of the treaty would be con- |
 H-I. At.- ~.A4. dices of the day pass away, and the | seeker after truth writes his history, another generation will hold in high re- | gard the incomparable efforts in the re- of order and government | displayed in the re-establshment of order | and government displayed by Elwell s. Otis.
 "The Spanish-Amerlca war belongs to | the past. The pledge we gave ourselves | and the world as to Cuba has been faith fully kept and already made good. You may pick flaws, gentlemen. here and there; an army of 56.o00 men would not | be human if that were not possible. but Ihose of us who have served in the Phil ppines know we'll the grand and good | work accomplished by Rnr army. We know 1t has not only conducted success | fully one of the most trying guerrilla | wars known to the annals of history. but | that while doing this it laid the founda- | lions for civil government in that coun- ! ry and the time will come when the | people of the Philippine Islands, living | under the flag planted by our regulars | and volunteers, all honor to both. will | bless the day when the first American | soldier set his foot on Luzon. to engage | In that long. trying and often disheart- | ening conflict. which. in the end. will give | the Filipinos good government. and make | them a happy. prosperous and self-re- specting race. The work of the army in | the Philippines will stand the test of time and as We recede from the work | It's grand deeds will stand out and its few errors sink into insignifcance. The gallantrv 1t has shown. the hadships 1t has suffered. the wise and humane acts t has performed. the labors in re-estab- fishing order and in blazing the way for , more perfect civil government than the Orient has ever known. will all show dearly under the searchlight of history 70 the honor of the army and the glory ,f our country.
 After the completion of the exercises, he regular annual meeting of the Asso- ,iation of Graduates was held in Thayer Ial
 Tonight there was a grand illumination ollowed by reception at Memorial Hall | " General and' Mrs. Schofield and Colo lel and Mrs. Mills.
 The officers elected tonight were the anne as last year, with General Schofield President.
 Situation in Virginia.
 Roanoke. Va, June 9-The Division Su-