The Detroit times., 1914-06-01

H4ssSf sy~S which 10 destroy
that building. We
HGulG gladly lead an assault on that
aud the tavern positions, fixing cot
as the number Of men required
Tor the enterprise. II was ON
theory that il we made the dash the
crbans would follow as. and that
once In the shelter OF the trenches
we could not be driven out by FIRE
from the Spanish redoubt.
Several Cuban officers hearing OF
oar proposal, volunteered TO assist In
leading the attack. Al one time the
general came near yielding, but final
j. came out vita an abrupt NO
telling us that We were madmen.
General Rosa was IN direct com
mand or the force OF infantry and
dismounteG cavalry surrounding the
town, and had worked some OF his
men nearer and nearer TO the tavern
position by taking advantage OF in
qualities OF the ground
he reported to Gen Gomez that by
taking advantage OF the cover AFFORD
ed by ravine We could obtain a
position within 200 yards Of the tay.
ern, where we would BIZ In fun view
OF the trenches and could undoubted
~ destroy them,
He was ordered 10 construct the
necessary parapet that night Before
daylight a detail dragged the much
abused Hotchkiss quietly into the
rayinc and along il until we we're
directly opposite the new position,
when ii was hoisted out, the unayoid-
able noise drawing a fire that killed
enc man,
We waited until ii was thoroughly
light before opening fire. but not so
with the enemy With the breaking
OF day, the Spaniards made out the
exact location of the new parapet and
opened on us hotly but without re-
suit, as We were in the ravine few
yar6r to the rear OF the gun, where
also was a strong infantry support
urter General Rosa.
Wien il was thoroughly light we
crawled out OF the ravine on all.fours
ard sent in shell that landed
squarely on the low line OF earthtilled
bags that capped the low parapet OF
the Spanish trench. exploding with
bang that sounded almost as loud 10
us as the report OF the piece itself
Jones at the two-pounder. was
awaiting the cue. and almost imme-
diately we heard its sharp crack, and
shell whistled past us
We had fastened a rope 10 the trail
OF our gun. and Immediately dragged
ii behind shelter TO he reloaded. Again
L was pushed up TO the gap and
fred, The Spaniards were replying
frriously and the worst OF il was
that their bullets were all coming
close down to the ground and were
aimed al the gaping portfolio which
they could so plainly see.
II has fallen to me TO participate In
q good many fights In Cuba and the
Philippines, but never anywhere have
seen the equal OF what was poured
into Us during the hour that we held
thfs position. The air was fairly
alive with the sound Of bullets. and
their Datter AGAINST the side OF the
,raranet was so incessant that II
would have been impossible 10 count
then The bark on nearby trees was
cnt 10 ribbons and bushes ON our
front were destroyed
After few shots from our gun,
the head-cover connecting the tops
of the two wings of the parapet was
blown TO Dieces Under such clrcum.
stances, aiming the gun the only part
OF It's service which was required 10
he done while Il was exposed. was
enough 10 try the nerves OF any but
wooden man. Fortunately this was
the work OF but = couple OF seconds,
the target being so plain and so close
at hand.
| was aiming the fifteenth shell
when q bullet struck one OF the truu.
nions almost at my nose My nerves
had been getting pretty shaky from
seyera! narrow escapes In sighting
preceding shots and must confess
that threw myself fiat on the ground
and rolled to cover.
joyce jumped over me. quickly
sighted the piece. and sprang from
the gun The imperturbable Peunie
lying on the ground and smoking
cigarette. jerked the lanyard and fred
the last shot from this terrible death,
tran
This settled II and Gen. Rosa or.
dered us to take cover IN the ravinc,
shsndoning the gun for the time be.
ing Now that they had put the gun
= ont OF action. the Spaniards concen-
trated their fire on the Cuban infan-
Try and Inflicted several casualties
u was necessary 10 recover the gun
50 n about half an hour three OF us
craNled stealthily ont OF the ravine
and wriggled our way TO Il. Taking
the trail.rope. We made quick run
and. despite a hot FIRE reached the
rayinf and tumbled down the bank
with little ceremony. pulling the gun
after us with such haste that IL land.
Ell upside down In the bottom.
The next day. for the fifst time the
general visited the gun while II was
In action, accompanied by his entire
stan. and We realized from the looks
ON tie faces Of all that something was
about to take place The general. sit
tiEg on the ground q few PAGES from
u.s. dictated a letter 20 his secretary
and sfter Il had been copied signed
IL: Porto Rican major In the Cuban
service. a gallant fellow whose name
cannot recall. mounted his horse
and. holding aloft a white flag. trotted
towarC the redoubt
Twas letter courteolfsly demand
ina surrender The Spanish com
I1fnder's reply was equally courteous.
tHf states that he would defend his
post tc the last extremity A short
|Hf AFTER firing WAS resumed
~ Ihr eariy day-I OF the Investment.
|'Yp1t ouf knowledge. the Spanish
II. Is I. !. - ~. -. Z.