The Washington times., 1904-10-02


viva America / heard some one
shout I could join i'm this cry with
VIII. Viva America! Viva America. al
ways for me- ] was proud of my Own
country. and the men who upheld her
supremacy at sea
The besiererz had failed I'm their first
efforts, but they kept up their line Of
siege. and an attempt might be made at
any time 10 take the city by assault
or attack and defense, OF charges and
C0uutercharges. of salIies and daring
moves. there were none, We were shut
uD within the city, and but waited the
course of events, as It was thought Un-
wise TO attempt 10 draw the enemy into
am enEa cement
But now was heard the roar of artil-
Iery. and shells came screeching through
the air. and fell in the streets and
among the houses. Little damage was
done, It IS true, but no one at any
time felt himself entirely safe.
Tt might be that this was but the be-
ginning of activities, and the besiegers
would soon learn how to train their guns
better. and would draw their lines closer
about the city day by day.
The soldiers professed a feeling Of
contempt for the missiles which were
hurled at them, and often recklessly ex-
{ ha'HNA l4LHtlL~N.Af --1r my WIZ Nt-trr-.-
see the faces of the enemy.
''yyhy do they not come and dislodge
us2'' was asked
The besiegers were not anxious 10 at
tempt this. They remainded for the
most part hidden among the hills, ana
/ the safety of the city did not permit or
! any considerable number Of the garr1-
/ son leaving the fortihcauons and at
] tempting TO engage the other side tn
/ battle.
/ There was one battery among the
/ sand hills which had been so placed that
/ i'll was threatening 10 do considerable
/ damage. Tt was out of the range OF the
/ forts. and it was not possible 10 bring
/ cannon into a position so that IL could
/ Dee disICdged.
/ Now and then a shot would come from
III. hurled into the very midst OF OuT
/ soldiers, giving us a f0rewarning, as IL
/ were. of what might be expected when
/ the battery began its work I'm earnest.
/ There seemed to be no way of silenc-
/ inE the guns. except by charge against
them and the company that made the
/ charge would be exposed 20 the cross
| fire Of several companies of infantry. IL
/ was more than likely that IT would bt
cut 10 pieces before the men got han
way TO the guns. Ii was an ugly piece
of business TO undertake.
/ General Iglisia, commander OF The
/ forces at Vera Cruz. as he went along
the line of Notifications on tour OF
I inspection. was quick 10 see what exc
| cutiou this battery was able TO do
/ saw him speak 20 an orderly VINO I'm
mediaJeIy rode away.
A minute or two afterWard the col
oueI of my own regiment came zap and
saIuted. The general talked with hin
for some minutes-prObably discussing
the best plan for dislodging the enemy
as they were looking toward the place
/ where the battery was concealed FL
naIIy they turned away, and i noticed
that they were watching me.
/ During our short acquaintance i mac
already made friends with the colonel
land ON two OF three occasions had re-
ceived words OF communication IRON
Ihim. Nv heart beat with pride and
fairly exuIted ia the thought that
might be the one 10 lead company &c
capture the guns.
/ Danger does not brighten the true
I soldier. but on the other hand rather
inspires him 10 a kind of wild courage
J. did not think OF the loss in killed
il must of necessity entail upon ms
company, but only of the honor and
/ glory which would come 10 the men who
made that daring charge. Not Tor one
instant did j doubt. when the command
10 advance was given every man would
Z be inspired with the same enthusiasm
which fired me.
I There was not a question in my mind
bur what We would reach the guns
some of uz, at Ieast-aud that We would
turn them on the enemy.
An order was given 10 a stam officer
and he turned toward ms. Ny hear.
beat hard with expectation.
Captain Harvey he said as / sa-
iuted. take six men who are sharp
shooters and report 10 General lgllslal
at headquarters.
Yes. sir" replied, as he turned
away
knew what the service require O.
me would be, Dut / was somewhat dazec
at receiving such an order. had beer
singled out for special duty. Ny bear
ing, j had reason 20 believe. had beer
such as 20 faVorabIy impress my supe
rior officer.
The service 20 be required OF me was
mot Just what had expected. We Wer'
To attempt 20 get back of the guns aul
then pick or Jhe runners. Ii misat b.
possible fra this way Tor half a u0zeI
men 10 accomplish what "a whole com
pauv would fail iu doing by a direc
charge. But there was little glory IN
such work. there was little chance 10
daring bravery, for q brilliant achieve
meuu-
PuuctuaIIy at the time named L was "a
General IgIlsias' headquarters. / haI
. picked nay men, Moore being one %
( them, and another was man name
. Rafael whom 4 mad taken because Do
was familiar with the country and IA
b las OF the land and could act as
guide.
The orders ] received were brief.
. was 20 silence the guns and then,
p possible. make my way the best 1 C0ul
back 10 the city
p Annoy Them haTass them, If you ca
s. do u0 MORE" were my Instructions.
p IJ was probably the same instruction
& many OF the numerous guerrilla band
|had received
p JIG seemed almost ike leading "a forIoT
q hope, a half dozen men sent To silence
r battery of as many guns, surrguude
e and protected bg numerous companies
e infantry and cavalry. 7 was sufficient.
b impressed with The gravity Of tHe situa