New-York tribune., 1906-03-04

the presence OF Cervera's feet alone that made
Santiago the objective point.
The bronze tablet IN the monument thus ceoi-
Gated gives list OF the troops in the three Dfl,
gades which fought the battle under General
Lawton. General Chalfee, who commanded tne
Third Brigade was the only general oIncer VINO
participated In the fight 20 attend the ds0l-
cation After the ceremonies he climbed on tne
tumbled wall OF the old stone fort and fought
the fight over again for a party or friends ana
brothers in arms. He indicated with a finger
the sweep of arm the movements OF Els
brigade that bloody July 1. and pointed oGt
where this that friend or cOmrade zen lie
monument also holds bronze honor tablet WIZ
the names Of the killed and wounded IN tnis
fight, including Colonel Charles A. Wikoh and
Lieutenant Colonel j. T Haskell among the
killed and a score OF officers among the wounded
BATTLES REF0UGHT.
There we're many. especially among the lighting
men, gathered at EI viso that day who thought
OF the bravery OF General vara del Rey and his
426 Spanish regulars OF the Talavera regiment.
who instead of fleeing from the overwhelming
force OF an American division as expected.
maintained the stubborn defence OF El Caney
from early in the morning until 4:3o o'clock
in the afternoon. making a final break from
their bloody trenches when only 80 or them re-
manned alive or able 10 fight. They remembered
too. that Vara del Rey fell IN the plaza n 'front.'
OF the old stone church which they had seen IN
driving through the quaint little village, where
he was vainly struggling with his handrul OF
survivors TO hold back the American advance.
among the dead. and not one OF his staff re-
manned to tell Of the night And. remembering
all this every one of them would have joined IN
a cheer for the brave foe II one had been Of
fered indeed, they would not have needed mucn
persuasion 10 add his name to the honor tablet
they had just dedicated
San Juan Hill. for the first time since the war,
dropped into second place. There were no Ak
ercises on the ridge which the cavalry and Firsr
divisions carried OF that same July 1 under
Generals Wheeler and Kent A large crowd OF
Cubans gathered there. believing that Kettle Hill.
and San Juan ss the scene OF the martial ao<
tivity OF President Roosevelt would surely oe
the centre OF interest Many OF the dedication
party did not drive that way on their re-
turn TO Santiago
This seeming ignoring OF San Juan. however.
IS easily explained said an eminent army OIL
GER 'and is not at all due 10 any Understands
OF the historical Importance OF the fighting
which occurred there. Indeed, 10 ts now gen.
orally recognized that. while the charge up San;
Juan was vital and contributed directly 70 tha.
fall Of Santiago, the taking OK Fl Caney was e
case OF mistaken Judgment. as few hundred
men placed IN the plain between the fort and
Santiago could have held Vara del Reys force
where IL could have done damage until thas
batteries had demolished the fort San Juan
Ridge, which overlooks the Kettle Hill OF Rough
Rider fame, and which the blockhouse stood.
Is already marked with monument which waS
erected by General Wood before evacuation