Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-07-11
SIXTH ANNIVERSARY
Of the Arrival of District
Volunteers at San Juan.
EXERCISES TONIGHT
MEMBERS OF COMPANY G HAVE
ARRANGED A PROGRAM.
Dead Heroes Will Be Remembered in
Speeches by Capt. Dyer
and Others.

Six years ago today, July IL, 1898. the
LIST Regiment, District of Columbia Volun-
teer Infantry entered the trenches on the
crest of San Juan Hill, Cuba, after most
fatiguing march under the glare of tropi-
cal midsummer sun and through Cuban
thicket and morass. Company Z, COM
manded by Capt. Ckas. s. Domer, was one
of the first companies to enter the trenches,
when the regiment reached the front at
midnight. Its first nights experience
was a severe one. In addition to the 1nky
darkness of the tropics, the District volun-
teers experienced one Of the most severe
thunder storms Of the season. The driving
downpour of rain soon flooded the trenches,
adding TO the miseries OF the soldiers The
thunder and lightning flashes were inces-
SAINT. as natures artillery engaged In a ter
rife duel with the elements. To add to the
discomfort of the District soldiers they
were without shelter or food, their supplies
having been left at Altaras. twelve miles
in the rear, so eager were they to reach
the extreme front.
The Program Tonight.
Since that eventful day in 1893 1t has been
the custom of the surviving members OF
companies of the LIST District Regiment to
hold annual reunions commemorative OF the
event. Company c, formerly the National
Fencibles, has this year arranged an elabo-
rate program for the sixth reunion OF It's
members this evening at the Villa Flora
Club house at Brightwood. For two weeks
a committee consisting Of Messrs. Claxton,
Nash, Weir, O'Brien, Costello. Dyer, Stott
the function. In addition to a musical and
literary program and refreshments, there
will be memorial services in honor OF the
dead Of Company c.
Roster Of Dead.
Since its muster out, November 10, 1898,
the ranks of the company have been some
what depleted by death. Private C. Maui
rice Smith, a former popular member Of
Company c, while afterward serving as d
lieutenant Of regulars in the Philippines.
was fatally shot in action. Sergt. James
Rowland, who enlisted in the 27th Volun-
teer Infantry for service in the far-away
almost instantly killed while leading his
company in a charge against a Filipino in
trenchment.
Private Waldman, sick and emaciated
from tropical fever, died on the transport
while en- route from Cuba to this country
and was buried at sea. Privates Belmont.
Putsche. Kern, Sugg and Kirkland all died as
a result of their service in the enervat1ng
climate of the far southland. All of these
volunteers who sacrificed their lives on
the altar of their country and for human
ity's sake will be remembered In the me-
mortal service this evening.
Speeches and Music.
The Washington Mandolin and Guitar
Club, Gus Barghausen. leader, will render
a program of selected music. The speakers
will include William Palmer, Capt. L. e.
Dyer, Arthur Claxton. Leutenants Red
mond and Walker, Sergeant Rice and
others MT Kenneth O'Connor will render
vocal selections and there will be other
interesting features.
Several members Of Company c re-
entered the military service after the
muster out of their regiment. and
saw active service In the Philippines.
Among these are several still residing here,
including William A. Hickey, one OF the
organizers of the first camp of Spanish
War Veterans, and Charles Pussy. Four
former members of Company c are now
holding civil offices in the Philippines, in
Guiding Sergt. James Shipley, who is lieu
tenant of the constabulary.