[_ — % V The Santiago Campaign ^A /*^W THE Santiago Campaign 1898 BY Major-General Joseph Wheeler Commanding Fourth Corps, United States Army Late Commander of Cavalry Division in Santiago Campaign Lamson, Wolffe and Company Boston New York London MDCCCXCVIII Lm^, ** 2 Copyright, 1898, By Joseph Wheeler. All rights reserved. msrW«d Cram - )'s Offtc«. sef ?9 ms U and Churchill Press Boston, Mass., U.S.A. TO Zbe Brave ©fficers anfc SolMers OF THE CAVALRY DIVISION, ARMY OF SANTIAGO, I DEDICATE THIS BOOK TO THEIR SUPERB COURAGE IN BATTLE, AND THEIR ENDURANCE AND FORTITUDE WHEN SUBJECTED TO THE DISCOMFORT, DISEASES, AND HARDSHIPS OF THE TROPICAL CLIMATE OF CUBA, IS LARGELY DUE THE GLORY ACHIEVED BY AMERICAN ARMS IN THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO THEIR GOOD CONDUCT IN BIVOUAC, UPON THE MARCH, AND IN BATTLE, HAS NEVER BEEN SURPASSED BY ANY SOLDIERS; AND I SHALL REMEMBER EACH AND ALL OF THEM WITH EVER INCREASING GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION TABLE OF CONTENTS Below synopsis of each chapter will be found, by way of Index, the running heads on right-hand pages. PART I. THE CAMPAIGN. Chapter I. My Appointment — Report for Duty to General Wade, Commanding at Tampa — General Shatter takes Com- mand of the Expedition — Embarking for Cuba — Diary en route ... 3 Arrival at Tampa, 5 ; the embarkation, 7 ; the naval column, 9; approaching Cuba, 11. Chapter II. Landing at Daiquiri, after Naval Bombardment of the Shore — Strength of the Cavalry Division — Hoisting the Flag on a Spanish Block- house — The Battle of Las Guasimas — My Official Report — Names of the Killed 13 The Cavalry Division, 15 ; on the march, 17 ; the battle, 19 ; wounded officers, 21 ; the Death Roll, 23. v jii TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Chapter III! The Battle of Las Guaslmas (concluded) — Official Reports of Gen- eral Young, and Colonel Wood of the " Rough Riders " — A Spanish News- paper's Report — Editorial in the N.Y. "Times" 24 Young's Report: — Meeting Castillo, 25 ; the at- tack, 27 ; troops engaged, 29; results, 31, Wood's Report : — Heavy firing, 33 ; death of Capron, 35 ; " Beaten, hut persisted in fighting," 37. Chapter IV. The Spanish Forces engaged El Caney's Defences — Battle of San j uan _ Senior in Command on the Line The Question of Falling Back after the Hills were gained . 39 In general command on shore, 41 ; instructing Generals Kent and Sumner, 43; endurance of the troops, 45 ; holding the ridge, 47. Chapter V. Battle of San Juan (concluded) — Remarks of N.Y. "Sun" on General Shatter's Expurgated Despatch — My Report of this Battle — Tables of Losses, Cavalry Division and Kent's Infantry Division — Names and Commands of Offi- cers Killed and Wounded . . -49 Pushing forward, 51 ; the enemy's retreat, 53 ; strength and casualties, 55 ; officers killed and wounded, 57. Chapter VI. The Battle of San Juan (con- , ;] .r D ED) — Offical Reports of General Kent, Colonel Leonard Wood, of the TABLE OF CONTENTS IX PAGE "Rough Riders," and Theodore Roose- velt, Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding . 59 Kent's Report : — Panic-stricken soldiers, 61 ; the infantry charge, 63 ; honorable mention, 65 ; the casualties, 67, 69. Wood's Report: —The Cavalry troops, 71 ; taking the hill, 73 ; Captain O'Neil and others, 75- Roosevelt's Report :— On the line, 77; individual valor, 79. Total army strength, 81. Chapter VII. Concerning the Regulars and the Volunteers in Action — " Harpers' Weekly" on Due Credit to the Per- manent or the Temporary Soldier — Conduct of the 71st New York . . 82 " Rough Riders' " marksmanship, 83 ; the New York Volunteers at San Juan, 85. Chapter VIII. Admirable Defences of San- tiago: THE PUNTA GORDA AND SOCAPA Batteries — Plan of Extending our Right around the clty — general blanco and Admiral Cervera see their Predica- ment — The Attempted Flight and the Destruction of Cervera's Fleet — Word from Dewey 87 Our center well established, 89 ; armament of Cervera's fleet, 91 ; the fleet destroyed, 93 ; Watson's despatch, 95 ; the " Herald's" story, 97-105. Chapter IX. Messages from General Miles and the President — General Toral's Proposal for Surrender declined — Truce for removing Non-combatants — TABLE OF CONTEXTS PAGE The Story of General Escario's Advance — " Tremendous Fighting Qualities " of the Spaniard 107 Action retold in General Orders, 109; a threat to shell the town, 111; the truce extended, 113; telegram July 3d, about withdrawing, 115. Chapter X. My Illness overstated — Did NOT LEAVE COMMAND — GENERAL GARCIA'S Battle with the Pando Column — A Warm Attack on the City — Detailed Report of Bombardment — General Miles takes Command — The First Overtures for Peace 117 Bombardment from the sea and land, 119 ; eSects of the shots, 121 ; the question of Toral's authority, 123; a tentative proposal, 125. Chapter XI. Preliminary Agreement for the Capitulation — Spanish Pride and Sensitiveness — A Pitiful Appeal to Madrid — Terms of the Military Con- vention — The Surrender .... 126 The honorable terms proposed, 127 ; character- istics of Toral, 129 ; Noblesse oblige, 131 ; Linares' long cablegram, 133 ; the commissioners meet, 135 ; the final terms, 137 ; the news sent home, 139. Chapter XII. Report of the Commissioners' Conversations — A Misunderstanding as to tiik Spanish Commissioners' Powers -"Capitulation" substituted for TABLE OF CONTENTS xi PAGE "Surrender" — The Honor of the American Nation Pledged — Adjourn- ment 141 A question of sentiment, 143 ; diplomatic misun- derstanding and delay, 145 ; immediate decision urged, 147; willing to return the Spanish arms, 149 ; Toral's presence wanted: adjournment, 151. Chapter XIII. The Conversations (contin- ued) — Another Misunderstanding — The Red Cross Ship to enter First with Provisions — General Toral's Appeal on Behalf of Spanish Honor — The Remov- ing of Harbor-Mines — Adjournment . 152 Agreement to be modified, 153 ; way for the Bed Cross ship, 155 ; Spanish troops to be transported, 157 ; the point of honor recommended, 159 ; the misunderstanding again, 161 ; not an absolute capitulation, 163 ; adjournment, 165. Chapter XIV. The Conversations (con- cluded) — Spanish Forces to march out Under Arms and salute their Colors — The Misunderstanding satisfactorily settled — Water Supply of Santiago — The Final Details 166 General Toral demurs, 167 ; harbor defences, and the refugees, 169 ; arrangements for feeding the city, 171 ; Spanish colors to be honored, 173 ; the Government at Madrid approves, 175. Chapter XV. The News sent Home— Cap- itulation Ceremonies — The Entry of Santiago — Raising the American Flag Xll TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE above the palace — im\' vlsit to the Wrecks of Cervera's Squadron . . 177 The Nation's thanks, 179 ; riding into the city, 181 , the barricades and intrenchments, 183 ; ap- pearance of the wrecks, 185 ; examining the forti- fications, 187 ; rifles and ammunition turned over, 189. Chapter XVI. Description of the Neigh- boring Country — The Towns : Daiquiri, SlBONEY, SEVILLA, AND El CANEY — SUF- FERINGS of the Refugees — The City of Santiago — Captain Fry's Fate recalled — spanish abuse of the red Cross Flag 190 A fruitful land ill-used, 191 ; interior views of the city, 193 ; barbarous Spain, 195. Chapter XVII. Our Generals in the Cam- paign — The Spanish Generals and Civil Officers -—" Society of the Army of Santiago " — Getting the Troops North — Placed in Command at Montauk Point, 196 General Shafter, 197 ; the other Generals, 199 ; rich young Americans in the ranks, 201 ; officers of the new society, 203 ; the Cavalry Division re- embarked, 205. Chapter XVIII. Camp Wikoff, Montauk Point — Sanitary Care of the Soldiers — Gifts from the American People, of Money, Goods, and Personal Service — A Statement to the Associated Press — TABLE OF CONTENTS Xlll PAGE Visits of the Secretary of War, Pres- ident MC KlNLEY, AND SURGEON-GENERAL Sternberg 207 Some of the donations, 209 ; extra supplies and trained nurses, 211 ; convalescents attended home, 213 ; spirit of the soldiers themselves, 215 ; the selection of Montauk Point, 217 ; Secretary Alger's visit, 219; the Surgeon-General satisfied, 221. Chapter XIX. Mustering Out the Regi- ments — Farewells 222 Addenda to Part I.: A. — Officers of Cavalry Division in the Battle of Las Guasi- mas, June 24, 1898 . . .229 B. — Officers of Cavalry Division in the Battle of San Juan, July 1, 2, and 3, 1898 . . 231 XIV TABLE OF CONTENTS PART II. DESPATCHES ON THE FIELD. PAGE Chapter I. Advance from the Coast — Cubans' Skirmish with the Spaniards — In Sight of Santiago — Examining Span- ish Prisoners — Directions for the Line of Battle from General Shafter, On Board S. S. " Seguranca " — Rations for Castillo's Troops 239 The dynamite gun wanted, 241 ; occupying the enemy's ground, 243 ; report of two boy refugees, 245 ; topographical officers detailed, 247 ; precau- tion in addressing despatches, 249 ; bringing up the commands, 251. Chapter II. Reinforcements expected — Cuban Regiment reports for Duty — Delay for Reinforcements — A Refugee's Statement of the Food, Population, and Defences of Santiago — Pando coming from Manzanillo to Its Aid with 5,000 Troops 253 Stores for troops and refugees, 255 ; disease and hunger in the city, 257 ; old-fashioned guns : news of Hobson, 259; the forces in El Caney, 261. Chapter III. Rations, Forage, and Roads — The Wire Nippers — A Refugee's Re- port of El Caney — Conference of the American and Cuban Generals — Num- ber and Kind of Troops in Santiago — Oi;l»i;i:s CONCERNING OUTPOSTS . . . 262 Widening trails for pack-trains, 263 ; council with Garcia and Castillo, 265 ; duties of outpost commander, 267 ; sentinels' duties, 269. TABLE OF CONTENTS XV PAGE Chapter IV. The Status, Morning of July First — General Shafter takes Command on Shore — Despatches during First Day, Battle of San Juan — Interviewing Spanish Prisoners — Washington notdjied, 271 On the crest of the hill, 273 ; traverses and in- trenchments, 275 ; the appeals " to withdraw the line," 277; ElCaney carried, 279. Chapter V. The Status, Morning of July Second — Despatches during Second Day, Battle of San Juan — Order for List of Casualties 280 Disposition of the troops, 281 ; artillery to hold their fire, 283 ; positions of the commands, 285 ; locating siege-guns, 287 ; the firing ceased, 289. Chapter VI. The Status, Morning of July Third — News of the Destruction of Cervera's Fleet — Letter from General Toral — Consuls negotiating for Remo- val of Civilians during Proposed Bom- bardment — A 4th of July Celebration . 290 " Rush this around our lines," 291 ; truce for the consuls' visit, 293 ; names of the consuls, 295. Chapter VII. Garcia allows Pando with Reinforcements to slip past Him General Miles coming — A Prisoner's Information about Fort Aguadores — Wounded Spanish Officers — Exchange of hobson and hls men — returns of the Killed and Wounded .... 297 Stragglers to the rear, 299 ; flag of truce, with letters, 301 ; a Spanish informer, 303 ; thanks from Toral: Hobson, 305. Xvi TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE Chapter VIII. Reinforcements reported from Key West, New York, and Charles- ton — A Siege preferred to Another Assault — Exchange of Hobson effected — No Fighting on the 7th and 8th — Line swung forward and strengthened . 307 Transports sail with wounded, 309 ; prisoners for exchange, 311 ; stationery and sand-bags, 313 ; the general health, 315 ; thanks of the Nation," 317- Chapter IX. General Toral's Definition of " Arms " — The Truce continues, pending Response from Washington — Unconditional Surrender demanded and declined — The Lines extended, and Navy opens fire — Order to stop all Forward Movements on Advance Lines . 318 Spanish proposal to march out, 319 ; Porto Rico for our troops'? 321; new major-generals and brigadiers, 323 ; "Spanish reveille as usual," 325 ; navy shots well placed, 327. Chapter X. " Rough Riders " for the Pack- Trains — The Archbishop, Priests, and Nuns of Santiago — The Truce extended till Noon, July 14th — Memorandum of Conference between Generals Shafter and Toral — General Miles authorizes Appointment of Commissioners — The Ques- tion OF SUBMITTING TERMS TO MADRID . . 329 White flag messages both ways, 331 ; Toral stops the work on trenches, 333 ; prospects of capitula- tion, 335 ; American commissioners instructed, 337 ; "the best possible" terms obtained, 339. XVII TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE CHAPTER XL AH**-*-* *™ C ^ A _I TIoX ___ Precautions against Fever HvtV TO PASS THE LINES — Refugees Onl\ to *-a»d ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORMAL ACT OF SUR ABiinu"!" r .„„ r> Water and kendep. - Finding Good w ateb LOCATING CAMPS - AMENITIES BETWEEN Spanish and Amebian Headqoakteks . 340 expressed, 353. PHAPTER XII. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GOOD ^CONDUCT- FURTHER HEALTH OF TROOPS - REPORT OP- TION Cavalry Division - A Letter n ENGLISH FROM GENERAL ESCARIO - PRE- ^RING TO RE-EMBARK - FlNAL ORDERS . 355 •« Where is Garcia' » 357 ; inspection detail., 3M > ; mspector-General regardtag repm«i 36 1 P mo te the senior captains," 363 urging 1W ? or to Rico, 365 ; forestalling infection of ships, 367 , care of the sick aboard, 369. PART I -THE CAMPAIGN Note. — The exact wording of official Reports has been followed here; and also the spelling of proper names in the Reports, even where it differs from the spelling in Addendas A and B to Part L, which aims to be correct. Throughout the book, I hare pre- ferred "Daiquiri" as the common local spelling ; though "Baiquiri" has good usage. THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN CHAPTER I MY APPOINTMENT REPORT FOR DUTY TO GENERAL WADE, COMMANDING AT TAMPA GENERAL SHAFTER TAKES COMMAND OF THE EXPEDITION EMBARKING FOR CUBA DIARY EN ROUTE THE initial campaign of the Spanish War is over. The surrender of the eastern prov- ince of Santiago, together with all their forts and twenty-three thousand Spanish soldiers, is completed, and the flag of our country floats over the palace of an historic city three hun- dred and eighty-two years old. The Spanish army, which had fought gallantly in the defence of Santiago, is now disarmed and encamped in the fields to the east of the city which they had so bravely defended, awaiting the arrival of ships to take them to Spain. I will begin by stating that on the night of April 26th President McKinley wrote me that he would like to see me at half-past eight that evening. I was prompt in complying, and was 1 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN ushered into a room where I found the President the Attorney-General, the Secretary of War' Major Webb Hayes, of Ohio, and Major Hast- ings and ex-Congressman Thompson, of the same State. After some pleasant interchanges the President said, " General, I have sent for you to ask if you want to go, and if you feel able to go." I replied that, while I was sixty-one years old, I felt as strong and capable as when I was forty, or even much younger, and that I de- sired very much to have another opportunity to serve my country. He said, "I have got to appoint fifteen major-generals; and it would have given you great pleasure to have heard the pleasant things said about you while we were discussing the matter yesterday." After a little more conversation he took me into a separate room, where we had a little private talk. On the evening of May 2d, I received a notice from the War Department that my appointment had been made out. The Senate did not meet on the 3d, but on the 4th it was received by that body and at once confirmed. Late in the even- ing of May 9th I received the following order: War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D.C., May 9, 1898, 6.18 p.m. Major-General Joseph Wheeler, Washington ; Under instructions from the Secretary of War, the Major-General Commanding Army directs, as neces- sary for public service, that you proceed to Camp George ARRIVAL AT TAMPA 5 H. Thomas, Chickamauga, Ga., and report in person to Major-General John R. Brooke for assignment to duty. Prompt action imperative. H. C. Corbin, Adjutant- General. I immediately packed my trunk and left on the first through train, reporting to General Brooke early on the morning of May 11th. I was very much pleased with General Brooke; he is a large, handsome man, and impressed me very favorably. The next day at 2 o'clock I re- ceived the following telegram: War Department, Adjutant-General's Office, Washington, D.C., May 12, 1898, 1.38 p.m. Major-General Joseph W t heeler, Chickamauga Battlefield, Ga., care of General Brooke : With approval of Secretary of War, Major-General Commanding directs you report at Tampa, Fla., to command the cavalry in the expedition now leaving. General Miles leaves here to-night. You should meet him at Tampa soon as possible after his arrival. H. C. Corbin, Adjutant- General. I hastened to the depot in time to take the 2.07 train; and reached Tampa the next day, and tel- egraphed to Washington of my arrival there. I reported to General Wade; who informed me that he had not received any instructions about my duties, and would have to wait until they 6 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN arrived. General Wade is a thorough soldier: he is the son of the distinguished Senator and Acting "Vice-President Benjamin F. Wade, of Ohio. He has spent his life in the army, and has an excellent military reputation. Some two or three days later, General Wade was ordered upon other duties, and General Shafter was placed in command. I confess that when I met this officer I was struck with his bearing, and what I interpreted as his force of character. His head and face are not unlike those of Presi- dent Cleveland; and I readily saw that he pos- sessed administrative ability, and that he was fitted for an important command. When orders from Washington were received assigning me to the command of the Cavalry Division, I imme- diately pitched my tent with the command, and devoted myself to inspection and other means of becoming familiar with the officers and men. In less than three days I had looked squarely in the face of every man in the command. I at- tended the drills, and soon saw that the com- mand was one of which I could be justly proud. About 9 o'clock of the night of June 7th, an officer of General Shaffer's staff came to me and stated that orders from Washington made it imperative that the command should embark at daylight the next morning, and that a train of cars to take the division to Port Tampa — a distance of nine miles — would be ready for us at 11 o'clock that night. Immediately all was THE EMBARKATION 7 bustle. Camps were struck, everything hauled alongside of the railroad; the cars finally came, and shortly after they arrived we reached Port Tampa. We embarked with all speed. But a second telegram from Washington directed a delay until the following Monday. We under- stood that the sudden order which caused us to leave that night was occasioned by a telegram from Admiral Sampson stating that if ten thou- sand men were promptly sent to Santiago he could capture Cervera's fleet and the garrison in the city. That message, as since verified, reads : Mole, Hayti, June 7, 1898. Secretary of Navy, Washington: Bombarded forts at Santiago 7.30 a.m. to 10 a.m. to-day, June 6th. Have silenced works quickly, with- out injury of any kind, though stationary within 2,000 yards. If 10,000 men were here, city and fleet would be ours within forty-eight hours. Every consideration demands immediate army movement. If delayed, city will be defended more strongly by guns taken from fleet. Sampson. I cannot do better than to insert here a brief diary of the details of our trip, from the night we left Tampa, June 7th, until we came within sight of our landing-place, near Santiago, on June 20th. It is as follows : At 9 o'clock Tuesday, June 7th, despatches from Admiral Sampson indicated immediate ne- cessity for troops. We promptly broke camp; 8 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN and, by daylight, had traveled nine miles and reached the transports at Port Tampa. My cavalry troops embarked upon the steamships Alleghany, Rio Grande, Miami, and Yucatan, with orders to sail immediately. "When all on board, telegrams were received to delay, and we remained in port until the morning of Tuesday, June 14th. After many delays, we succeeded in pushing down Tampa Bay. The channel is a difficult one, — our ships drawing 18 feet, and the channel at the deepest place, which is nar- row, being only 23 feet. There were nearly fifty transports, and there were only four pilots, which accounted for some of the delay. Wednesday, June 15. — The sky in the even- ing is perfectly beautiful, the stars very bright, and appear much more numerous than in more northern latitudes. At dusk we see Tortugas Light, and pass, leaving it to our right. Thursday, June 16. — At daylight we find ourselves under the escort of a number of Avar- ships. The entire fleet, including the naval vessels, numbers some fifty-five ships. AVe sail in three columns, the columns being about one thousand yards apart. My ship, the Alleghany, leads the right column, the one nearest to Cuba. The war-ship Indiana sails some thousand or more yards to our front and right. The other naval ships are approximately as laid down in the official table showing the order of sailing of the cruisers and transports, as follows: THE NAVAL COLUMN Order of Cruising. International Signal, T.C.F. Vesuvius. O 1600 yds. © Scorpion. 1600 yds. 1600 yds. Annapolis. Castine. Helena. Indiana. © 800 yds. O 800 yds. O 1600 yds. © 400 yds. 400 yds m O 1 O 9 17 Alleghany. o I <> 2 <> 10 O 18 1st Div. ^ 1600 yds. O 3 <> 11 O 19 1600 yds. | O 4 12 O 20 ' Panther. Yosemite. ©1600 yds. O 5 O 25 O 30 Q 800 yds. 800 yds. Bancroft. Detroit. © O 800 yds. O 800 yds. O O 400 yds. 400 yds. O 2^ O 28 O 22 O 7 <>15 O 23 2dDiv - O 8 O 16 O 24 1600 yds. o 27 <0 29 o Wompatock. Eagle. © 1600 yds. O 6 O 1 " 4 O 21 O 1600 yds. Wasp. O 10 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN During all of Thursday we sailed in an east- erly direction bearing south, keeping nearly parallel to the coast of Cuba. Of course it is very warm, but not so intolerable as one would imagine. We occasionally see a strange sail, which generally turns out to be a despatch boat or a freight vessel. I think we have seen but one of the latter kind; the danger of capture is too great for merchantmen to take the risk. Friday, June 17. — Soon after daylight the fleet turned southward, and by 8 o'clock we were running parallel to and in sight of the shore of Cuba, about opposite the western end of Puerto Principe. "We are compelled to regu- late our speed by that of the slowest vessel, and hardly make more than nine or ten knots an hour. At 10 o'clock we are passing the Cuban light-house at Paradone Principe. We can plainly see the barracks that are occupied by Spanish soldiers, and some contend they can see the men standing in front of the buildings. At 2 p.m. we are passing Lopos Light-house, leav- ing it to our left, or north of us. This light- house is on one of the most southern of the Bahama Islands. It is English, of course. It is only about fourteen miles from Cuba. A ship sailing midway of the channel is in sight of both the English and Cuban shores. I can now see high ground in Cuba, and the Lopos Light-house on Bahama Islands cannot be more than about four miles distant. APPROACHING CUBA 11 Five P. M. — See very high ground in Cuba. The sea has been very blue, quite as blue as blue indigo. At night the signalling of the war-ships is very interesting. Bright and varied colors are displayed, by which communications are held. Saturday, June 18. — Remained at a stand- still several hours this morning, for slow ships to catch up. At 2 p.m. we are passing Cape Lucretia, about the middle (measured east and west) of the province of Santiago de Cuba, and almost north of the city of Santiago de Cuba. We see high hills on the Cuban coast, estimated at from twelve hundred to fifteen hundred feet high. Towards night we take direct course to the English island called Inagua Island. It is just north of what is called Windward Channel. This is the channel between Cuba and Haiti or St. Domingo. Sunday, June 19. — At about nine o'clock, approaching Matthew Town on Inagua Island. We can plainly see the light-house. When within about fifteen miles of the island, we turn sharply south towards the Windward Channel. The sea is getting quite rough. At 3 p.m. the sea has become more calm, and we are in sight of Cape Maisa. The shore seems to be lined with high hills or mountains, say from one thou- sand to fifteen hundred feet. We see clouds of smoke; very possibly Spaniards preparing to retreat to Santiago. We are now about one hundred and twenty miles from that place. Sun- 12 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN day night, 9 r.M., we have rounded the eastern end of the Island of Cuba, and are now sailing- west to Santiago. Monday, June 20. — At daylight, we are about thirty miles east of Santiago. We see high mountains on the shore, probably two thousand feet high. Will close this before reaching landing-place, as we must pack up for disembarkation. CHAPTER II LANDING AT DAIQUIRI, AFTER NAVAL BOMBARDMENT OF THE SHORE — STRENGTH OF THE CAVALRY DIVISION— HOISTING THE FLAG ON A SPANISH BLOCK- HOUSE _ THE BATTLE OF LAS GUASIMAS — MY OFFICIAL REPORT NAMES OF THE KILLED WITH the aid of our glasses we could see the town of Daiquiri, the place selected for our landing. The place has ho harbor, but as it was a shipping-point for iron-ore, General Shatter and the naval officers concluded we could safely land the army by the use of the small- boats belonging to the fleet and the transports. There is a strongly built iron pier extending out some distance from the shore, but we readily saw this could not be used by us. It extended very high above the water, it being constructed for the purpose of dumping iron-ore from the cars into lighters. It was, therefore, evident that we would be obliged to land on the beach, or else at the end of a small dock that extended some twenty yards from the shore. On the 21st, General Shafter and his staff had a meeting with General Castillo; and on the 14 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN 22d, all the generals were directed to visit Gen- eral Shatter. Here we were informed that a landing would be effected the next day. Shortly after daylight the navy commenced a heavy bombardment on to the shore, which lasted about an hour; after which the disembarkation commenced. I should have mentioned that, in order to take this trip, it was necessary for us to leave our horses behind, as Ave had no way of transporting them to Cuba. This made it neces- sary to leave a squadron of every regiment to take care of the horses, so that my entire division which entered into the expedition was as tabu- lated on the opposite page. The disembarkation was attended with serious difficulties. The high surf dashed several of the strong naval boats to pieces. The mules, artil- lery, and private horses of officers were pushed overboard, several being drowned in attempting to swim to the shore. General Lawton's Division was given the honor to be the first to disembark; but on pur- pose to prepare for my troops I went ashore personally, and directed Colonel Wood, of my command, to scud a man to the top of an eminence, upon which a Spanish block-house and flag-staff had been erected, and to hoist lil- regimental Hag upon the flag-staff. This was promptly done; and it was responded to by shrill whistles from the entire fleet. 1 rode forward some three and a half miles to THE CAVALRY DIVISION 15 Strength of the Cavalry Division that sailed from Tampa for Cuba, June 14, 1898. Organizations. Officers. Men. Major-General Wheeler and Staff . First Brigade (Sumner's) : Brigadier-General and Staff. 6th Regular Cavalry Second Brigade (Young's) : Brigadier-General and Staff 1st Regular Cavalry 10th Regular Cavalry .... 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry 12 3 22 1(3 21 6 25 21 32 420 437 410 540 465 550 Totals 158 2,822 16 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN examine the country, and when I returned it was late at night. The next morning General Shafter sent for me, and directed that I go to Juragna to throw forward pickets to Juragua- cito, more commonly called Siboney. I rode rapidly to this place, followed by two squadrons of Colonel Wood's Regiment and one squad- ron each of the 1st and 3d Regulars, and three Hotchkiss guns. When I reached Juraguacito, or Siboney, I found that the enemy had taken their men out of the block-house in that vicin- ity the midnight preceding, and at daylight had started in the direction of Sevilla, followed by some two hundred Cubans. I rode rapidly to the front, and found that the enemy had halted in a strong position three miles from Siboney; the Cubans having engaged their rear, in which action nine of them were wounded. I saw one dead Spaniard, but do not know what other cas- ualties they suffered. Hoping that my troops would be up that night, I hastened back to Sib- oney; and at 8 o'clock the troops of my com- mand above mentioned had arrived. With the aid of General Castillo I learned the features of the country; and determined to attack as early as possible next morning, General Castillo prom- ising that he would go with me and assist. In order to inarch with more rapidity, it was arranged with Colonel Wood to march with his regiment, five hundred strong, by a left-hand or westerly road; while the Hotchkiss guns ON THE MARCH 17 and the squadrons of the 1st and 10th Cavalry, and the dynamite gun, which we momentarily expected, were to inarch on what is called the main Santiago road. General Castillo was also to march with us on this road with two hundred Cubans. At a designated point Colonel Wood was to file to the right, forming line on the right of the road which he was to travel; which would cause his right flank to connect with the left flank of the regular cavalry, which was to march on the other road; the distance between the two roads at the point of formation being about seven hundred or eight hundred yards. Unfortu- nately, neither General Castillo nor the dynamite gun reached us at all, and we were compelled to make the fight without them. 1 We were up before daylight, and by sun-up both columns were on the march; but I cannot do better in describing what occurred than to incorporate here my official report of this affair, which I take 1 1 was very much disappointed at the failure of my dynamite gun to reach me, as my plans of the engagement contemplated its aid ; but I desire specially to exonerate Sergt. Hallet A. Borrowe from any neg- lect in this matter. The day previous, before leaving Daiquiri, I suc- cessfully devoted myself to procuring horses for this gun, and tben, with the aid of Sergeant Borrowe and Major Jacobs, harnesses of various kinds were procured, which by the industry and ingenuity of Sergeant Borrowe were adjusted to haul the gun. Sergeant Borrowe then started with commendable promptitude on his march of eleven miles to Siboney ; but before reaching that place he was stopped at dark on the 23d by an infantry commander, and was compelled to go into camp, and was not permitted to pass the infantry lines until the next morning, after the sounds of the battle reached that point. I desire to say here that Sergeant Borrowe's management of this gun, and conduct in all respects, were worthy of high commendation. 18 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN verbatim from the "Army and Navy Journal" of July 23d, its publication having- been author- ized or directed by General Shafter. The report is as follows: Camp, Six Miles East of Santiago de Cuba, June 26, 1898. Adjutant-General 5th Army Corps, S.S. Seguranya : Sir : I have the honor to report that, in obedience to instructions from the Major-General commanding, given to me in person on June 23d, I proceeded to Sib- oney (Juraguacito). The enemy had evacuated the place at daylight that morning, taking a course toward Sevilla. A body of about 100 Cubans had fol- lowed, and engaged the enemy's rear-guard. About 9 of them were wounded. I rode out to the front, and found the enemy had halted and established themselves at a point about three miles from Siboney. At night the Cubans returned to the vicinity of the town. At 8 o'clock on that evening (the 23d) General Young reached Siboney with eight troops of Colonel Wood's Regiment, A, B, D, E^ F, G, K, and L, — five hundred strong ; Troops A, B, G, and K, of the 1st Cavalry, — in all, two hundred and forty-four; and Troops A, B, E, and I, of the 10th Cavalry, — in all, two hundred and twenty men: making the total force nine hundred and sixty-four men, which included nearly all of my command which had disembarked. These troops had marched from Daiquiri, eleven miles. With the assistance of General Castillo, a rough map THE BATTLE 19 of the country was prepared and the position of the enemy fully explained, and I determined to make an attack. At daylight on the 24th, Wood's Regiment was sent by General Young, accompanied by two of his staff officers, Lieuts. Tyree R. Rivers and W. R. Smed- berg, jr., to approach the enemy on the left-hand, or more westerly, road, while General Young, myself, and the troops of the 1st and 10th Cavalry, with three Hotchkiss mountain guns, approached the enemy on the regular Sevilla road. We expected also to take the dynamite gun with us, but unfortunately it did not reach Siboney. General Young and myself examined the position of the enemy ; the lines were deployed, and I directed him to open fire with the Hotchkiss guns. The enemy replied, and the firing immediately became general. Colonel Wood had deployed his regiment, his right nearly reaching the left of the Regulars. For an hour the fight was very warm, the enemy being very lavish in the expenditure of ammunition, most of their firing being by volleys. Finally the enemy gave way and retreated rapidly, our line keeping well closed upon them. Our men being physically exhausted by both their exertions and ^lie great heat, were incapable of maintaining the pursuit. I cannot speak too highly of the gallant and excel- lent conduct of the officers and men throughout the command. General Young deserves special commen- dation for his cool, deliberate, and skilful manage- ment. I also specially noticed his Acting Adjutant-General, Lieut. A. L. Mills, who, under General Young's direc- 20 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN tion, was at various parts of the line, acting with energy and cool courage. The imperative necessity of disembarking with promptitude had impelled me to leave most of my staff to hasten this important matter, and, unfortunately, I had with me only Major Beach and Mr. Mestre, a Cuban Volunteer Aid, — both of whom, during the en- gagement, most creditably and bravely performed their duties. I am especially indebted to Maj. W. D. Beach for his cool and good judgment. Colonel Wood's Regiment was on the extreme left of the line, and too far distant for me to be a personal witness of the individual conduct of his officers and men ; but the magnificent and brave work done by the regiment, under the lead of Colonel Wood, testifies to his courage and skill. The energy and determination of this officer had been marked from the moment he reported to me at Tampa, Fla. ; and I have abundant evidence of his brave and good conduct on the field, and I recommend him for consideration of the Gov- ernment. I must rely upon his report to do justice to his officers and men, but I desire personally to add that all that I have said regarding Colonel Wood applies equally to Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt. I was immediately with the troops of the 1st and 10th Regular Cavalry, dismounted, and personally noticed their brave and good conduct, which will be especially mentioned by General Young. T personally noticed the good conduct of Capt. W. II. Beck, Robert P. P. Wainwright, and Jacob (J. Galbraith, Maj. James M. Bell, Capt, Thomas T. Knox, and Lieut. George L. By ram. The last three were wounded. WOUNDED OFFICERS 21 Major Bell, as he lay on the ground with a broken leg, said, " I only regret I can't go on with you farther." Captain Knox, though severely wounded, continued as long as possible to exercise command, and insisted to me that he was not much hurt ; and Lieutenant Byram also made light of his wound to me, and con- tinued upon the line until he feinted. I recommend these officers for favorable consideration of the Govern- ment. 1 I cannot state positively as to the size of the Spanish force which we engaged, or the extent of their casual- ties, further than that the force was much greater than ours, and that the information I had would indicate that their killed and wounded very far exceeded the 1 At the Front, on the Rio Guamo, Second Crossing, June 28, -t p.m., by Despatch Boat Dauntless to Port Antonio, June 29. — Prepa- rations for a general advance of the American troops on Santiago are being pushed steadily forward, and troops of all brandies of the service are being hurried to the front. General Kent's Division, consisting of the brigades of General Hawkins, Colonel Pearson, and Colonel Worth, has joined General Lawton's Division, and, with the Cavalry Division of General Wheeler and four batteries of light artillery, will now be strung out in the rear of General Lawton's Division. The military telegraph line has been completed as far as General Wheeler's headquarters, thus placing the front in direct communication with General Shafter, who still maintains his headquarters on board the Seguran<*a, where he can keep in close touch with Rear-Admiral Sampson. It is probable, however, that he will establish his headquar- ters at Juragua to-morrow or Thursday. It is reported here to-night, on apparently good authority, that the water supply of Santiago de Cuba has been cut off. General Wheeler to-day forwarded his official report of the encounter between the Spaniards and Colonel Young's and Colonel Wood's com- mands. The officers are highly complimented for their dash and cour- age. The general says there is absolutely no warrant for the statement that our troops were ambuscaded. He says the attack was deliberately planned from knowledge in his possession the night before. — The New York " Press," Thursday, June 30, 1S9S. 22 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN losses which our troops sustained ; but our estimates on these points can be verified only when we have access to the reports of the Spanish commanders The engagement inspirited our troops and must have had a bad effect upon the spirits of the Spanish soldiers It also gave our army a beautiful and well-watered country, in which we have established our encamp- ments. It has also given us a full view of Santiago and the surrounding country, and enabled us to recon- noiter close up to the fortifications of that place. The strength of my command, and the casualties in the engagement, were as follows : Organizations. Strength. Killed. Wounded. 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry . . 1st Regular Cavalry .... 10th Regular Cavalry .... 500 244 220 8 7 1 34 8 10 9G4 1G 52 Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj.-Gen. U.S. Vols., Commanding. THE DEATH KOLL 23 List of the Killed in the Engagement at Las Guasimas, June 24, 1898. Names. Troop. Organizations. Private Jesse K. Stark A 1st Regular Cavalry. Private Otto Krupp . . B a u Corp. Alexander Slemere K " u Private Emel Bjork . . K a a Private Gustave Kolbe . K u it Private Peter H. Dix . . K u a Private Jack Berlin K u a Corp. Wm. L. White . . . E 10th Regular Cavalry. Capt. Allyn K. Capron 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. Private Edward Leggett . A a u Corp. Geo. H. Dougherty . A a a Private Wm. T. Irvine . . F « (i Sergt. Marvin Russell G a (( Private Harry Heffner . G U it Sergt. Hamilton Fish, jr. . L u it Private Tildon Dawson . L u u CHAPTEE III THE BATTLE OF LAS GUASIMAS (CONCLUDED) OFFICIAL REPORTS OF GENERAL YOUNG, AND COLONEL WOOD OF THE " ROUGH RIDERS " A SPANISH NEWSPAPER'S REPORT EDITORIAL IN THE N.Y. " TIMES " THE official report of Brigadier-General S. B. M. Young, of the same battle, is as follows : Headquarters 2d Cavalry Brigade, U.S.A. Camp near Santiago de Cuba, June 29, 1898. Adjutant-General Cavalry Division: Sir: By direction of the major-general command- ing the Cavalry Division, I have the honor to submit the following report of the engagement of a part of this brigade with the enemy at Guasimas, Cuba, on the 24th inst., accompanied by detailed reports from the regimental and other commanders engaged, and a list of the killed and wounded. After debarking at Daiquiri on the afternoon of the 23d inst., I received verbal orders from Major-General Wheeler, the division commander, to move out with three days' rations in haversacks to a good camping- place between Juraguacito and Siboney, on the road leading to Santiago de Cuba. MEETING CASTILLO (YOUNG'S REPORT) 25 In obedience thereto, at 4.30 p.m. I moved from my bivouac near the landing, with brigade headquarters, the 1st Volunteer Cavalry (Wood's), one squadron of the 1st U.S. Cavalry (Bell's), one squadron of the 10th U.S. Cavalry (Norvell's), and the Hotchkiss Mountain Gun Battery (4 guns — Capt. Watson, 10th Cavalry, temporarily commanding), all dismounted. The remainder of the brigade was ordered to follow early the following morning on receiving its rations. I arrived at Siboney with the head of the column at about 7 p.m., where I bivouacked for the nig-ht with the 1st Volunteer Cavalry ; the two squadrons of the 1st and 10th U.S. Cavalry and the battery being delayed by the crowded condition of the trail and the difficulty of following through the jungle after night. I reported to General Wheeler, and from him learned of an engagement between Cubans and Span- iards in that vicinity during the day, resulting in the repulse of the former with some loss. Later I met General Castillo, the commander of the Cuban forces, who gave me a full description of the topography of the country, and much information regarding the Spanish troops, their manner of lighting, and so forth. General Castillo expressed the belief that the Span- iards, though successfully resisting his attack, would fall back to Santiago during the night ; but he also stated that he had received information that they were being reinforced. Deeming it essential that positive information should be obtained as to the position and movements of the enemy in our front, I asked and obtained authority to make a reconnaissance in force for this purpose, 2\) THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN General Castillo having promised to assist and co-op- crate with me with a force of 800 effective Cubans. Leading from Siboney there are two roads, or, more properly, trails, one to the eastward, the other to the westward of the little town, which unite about one mile before reaching Sevilla and a little in advance of the scene of the Cuban-Spanish engagement. The trails are at no point more than one and one-half miles apart. I concluded to move by the two trails, General Castillo having informed me his outposts covered both. I consequently directed Colonel Wood to move with his regiment by the western route, cautioning him to keep a careful lookout, and to attack any Spaniards he might encounter ; connecting in the latter event, by his right flank, with the other column, while trying to gain the enemy's right flank. Col. Wood marched about six a.m., the 24th inst., and I sent my personal aids, 1st Lt. F. K. Rivers, 3d Cav., and 2d Lt, W. R. Srned- berg, 4th Cav., to accompany his column. The other, the right column, marched at 5.45 a. m. I moved with it, accompanied by Capt. A. L. Mills, Ass't Adj't-Gen- eral. I proposed to attack the enemy in front, and on his left if I found him in position. At 7.30 a.m., the right column being massed in an open glade, Captain Mills with a patrol of two men ad- vanced and discovered the enemy located, as described by General Castillo, in a locality called Guasimas, from trees of that name in the vicinity. After having carefully examined the enemy's posi- tion, I prepared to develop his strength. Canteens were ordered tilled; the Hotchkiss Battery was placed in position in concealment at about 900 yards, and Bell's Squadron was deployed, and Norvell's in support. THE ATTACK (YOUNG'S REPORT) 27 On discovering the enemy, I had sent a Cuban guide to warn Colonel Wood ; and knowing that his column had a more difficult route, and would require a longer time to reach the position, I delayed the attack some time in order that the development on both flanks should begin simultaneously. During this delay General Wheeler arrived, and was informed of my dispositions, plan of attack, and intentions. After examination of the position by him, and his approval of my action, I ordered the attack ; and it was executed in a manner winning the admiration of the Division Commander, and all present who witnessed it. The Spanish forces occupied a range of high hills in the form of obtuse angles, with the salient towards Siboney, and with an advance party on the trail on which I had been moving. The attack of both wings was simultaneous ; and the junction of the two lines occurred near the apex of the angle on the ridge, which had been fortified with stone breastworks flanked by block-houses. The Spanish were driven from their position and fled precipitately toward Santiago. The attacking force numbered 950 men ; while that of the enemy, at first estimated at 2,000, has since been learned from Spanish sources to have been 2,500. The Cuban military authorities claim the Spanish strength was 4,000. It has also been reported that Lieutenant-General Linares, commanding the Spanish forces in Eastern Cuba, and two other general officers were present, and witnessed the action. The fire of the enemy was almost entirely by volleys, exe- cuted with the precision of parade. For an account of the operations of the left column, attention is invited to the enclosed report of Col. Wood, marked "A." The ground over which the right column advanced was 28 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN a mass of jungle growth, with wire fences not to be seen until encountered, and precipitous heights as the ridge was approached. It was impossible for the troops to keep touch along the front, and they could only judge the enemy from the sound and direction of his tire. However, had it not been for this dense 1 jungle, the attack would not have been made against an overwhelming force in such a position. Headway was so difficult that advance and support became merged, and moved forward under a continuous volley- tiring supplemented by that of two rapid-tiring guns. Return tiring, by my force, was only made as here and there a small clear spot gave a sight of the enemy. The fire discipline of these particular troops was almost perfect. The ammunition expended by the two squad- rons, engaged in an incessant advance for one hour and fifteen minutes, averaged less than ten rounds per man. The tine quality of these troops is also shown by the fact that there was not a single straggler ; and in not one instance was an attempt made by any soldier to fall out in the advance, to assist the wounded or carry back the dead. The fighting on the left flank was equally cred- itable ; and was remarkable, and I believe unprece- dented, in volunteer troops so quickly raised, armed, and equipped. Our total losses were 1 officer and 15 men killed ; 6 officers and 4(5 men wounded. Forty-two dead Spanish soldiers were found, the bodies of nearly all of whom had been thrown into the jungle for conceal- ment. Spanish newspapers of Santiago the day after the battle gave their loss as 77 killed. It is known Ili.it many wounded were carried into the city. Every possible attention was given to the wounded, and the TROOPS ENGAGED (YOUNG'S REPORT) 29 medical officers were unremitting in their efforts to alleviate their sufferings. Circumstances necessarily limited their appliances to the First Aid order. The wounded were carried in improvised litters to Siboney, and the dead were carefully buried on the battlefield, a proper record of their burial being kept. Finding, when the ridge was carried, that many of my men had become exhausted by the excessive heat and exertion, I ordered a halt, and occupation of the captured posi- tion. Had I had at hand at the time of the assault a force of mounted cavalry, the fruits of our victory would have been more apparent. General Castillo did not appear on the field, nor did any of his troops come to the front until the firing had ceased. No other troops than those mentioned were engaged in the action. Three troops of the 9th U.S. Cavalry arrived on the left after the firing had stopped, and were posted as pickets until relieved by General Chaffee's Brigade of General Lawton's Division, which then took the advance. The action of all officers and men, so far as my per- sonal observation extended, was superb ; and I can only at this time mention the names of those whose conduct was personally observed by me as being highly conspicuous in gallantry and daring, and evi- dencing a firm intention to do everything within the power and endurance of humanity and the scope of duty. Capt. Knox, after being shot through the abdomen, and seeing his Lieutenant and 1st Sergeant wounded, gave necessary orders to his troop, and re- fused to allow a man in the firing-line to assist him to the rear. Lieutenant Byram, after having his scalp- wound dressed, and knowing his Captain (Knox) to be wounded, assumed command of his troop, but fell 30 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN fainting while pushing to the front. Capt. Mills, the only member of my stall' present with me on this part of the field, was most conspicuous for his daring and unflagging energy in his effort to keep troops in touch on the line, and in keeping me informed of the progress made in advancing through the jungle. In connection with the conduct of the officers, atten- tion is called to Col. Wood's report'on the conduct of Captain Capron, Major Brodie, Captain McClintock, Lieutenant Thomas, Lieut. -Colonel Roosevelt, Captain McCormick (7th U.S. Cavalry), and my personal Aids, Lieutenants T. R. Rivers and Smedberg. I cannot speak too highly of the efficient manner in which Colonel Wood handled his regiment, and of his magnificent behavior on the field. The conduct of Lieut. -Col. Roosevelt, as reported to me by my Aids, deserves my highest co mmendation. Both Col. Wood and Lieut. -Col. Roosevelt disdained to take advantage of shelter or cover from the enemy's fire while any of their men remained exposed to it; — an error of judgment, but happily on the heroic side. I beg leave to repeat that the behavior of all men of the regular and volunteer forces engaged in this action was sim- ply superb, and I feel highly honored in the command of such troops. I desire to express my admiration of the fine soldierly qualities, and conduct on the march and after meeting the enemy, of Major Norvell, 10th Cavalry, and Major Bell, 1st Cavalry, commanding squadrons; their quick and rapid execution of orders and instructions was admirable and gratifying. Major Bell received a serious wound in the early part of the engagement, and was succeeded in the command of his squadron by Captain Wainwright, whose management RESULTS (YOUNG'S REPORT) 31 of the right wing of the advance firing-line was all that I could desire or hope for, and more than I could under such opposing conditions confidently expect. Captains Beck and Galbraith and Lieutenants Wright and Flem- ing also deserve equal praise for the manner in which they maneuvered and controlled their troops in at- tacking the precipitous heights before them. Captain Ayres' performance of the duties assigned to his troop was highly commendable, as was also Captain Watson's fine work with his battery. Attention is invited to the enclosed reports of troop commanders regarding the conduct of their subordinates and their men. Ass't Surgeon Fuller and Acting Ass't Surgeon Delgardo, also Ass't Surgeon J. R. Church, 1st Vol. Cavalry, deserve special mention for their gallant action in per- sonally carrying and assisting in carrying wounded men from the field under heavy fire. The chief results following from this action with the Spaniards are : A test of the valor of the opposing forces ; the spirit of superiority I believe it has fixed in our own ; the opening of the gates of Santiago de Cuba ; and the gaining of a beautiful camping-ground for our army on the heights overlooking that city, which can now easily be taken at our leisure. Very respectfully, S. B. M. Young, Brigadier- General U.S. Vols. 32 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [Endorsement :] Respectfully forwarded. Calling special attention to commendation of Capt. Knox, Capt. Miller, Lt. Byram, Capt. Capron, Major Brodie, Capt. McClintock, Lt. Thomas, Lt.-Col. Roosevelt, Capt. McCormick [7th Cav'y], Lt. T. R. Rivers, Lt. Smedberg, Capt. Wain- wright, Capt. Beck, Capt. Galbraith, Lt. Wright, Lt. Fleming, Cajit. Ayers, Capt. Watson, Ass't Surg. Fuller, Surg. Delgardo, Surg. J. R. Church. I person- ally observed the conduct of many of these officers, and join heartily in General Young's commendation of them. Jos. Wheeler, Major-Qeii'l U.S. Vols., Commanding. Colonel Leonard Wood made the following report of the part taken by the 1st U.S. Volun- teer Cavalry (Rough Riders) in this battle: Headquarters 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry, In Camp at Guasimas, Cuba, June 25, 1898. Brig. -General Young, CommWg 2d Brigade, Cavalry Division : Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the action at Guasimas, about nine (9) miles from Santiago, on the morning of June 24, 1898. I left camp at the sea-coast at 5.40, proceeding by trail in the direction of the town of Caverita. On reaching the top of the mesa, an advance guard was thrown out, and every precaution taken against surprise, as we had positive information that the enemy was ahead of us in force. The character of the country was such that reconnoitering was extremely difficult, as the dense growth of underbrush rendered the rapid movement of flanking parties practically impossible. At 7.10 our advanced point discovered what they believed to be HEAVY FIRING (WOOD'S REPORT) 33 signs of the immediate presence of the enemy. The command was halted and the troops deployed to the right and left, in open skirmish order, and the com- mand ordered to advance carefully. The tiring began almost immediately, and the extent of firing on each flank indicated that we had encountered a very heavy force. Two additional troops were deployed on the right and left, thus leaving only three (3) troops in reserve. It was soon apparent that their lines were overlapping us on both flanks. Two (2) other troops were rapidly deployed, one on the right and one on the left, which gave our line a length about equal to their own. The firing about this time was exceedingly heavy, much of it at very short range, but on account of the heavy undergrowth comparatively few men were injured at this time. It was about this time that Capt. Capron was mortally wounded. The firing on his im- mediate front was terrific. The remaining troop was sent to the front, and the order given to advance very slowly. Men and officers behaved splendidly, and advanced slowly, forcing back the enemy on the right flank. We captured a small block-house and drove the enemy out of a very strong- position in the rocks. We were now able to distin- guish their line, which had taken a new position about 800 or 1,000 yards in length and about 300 yards in front of us. The firing was exceedingly heavy here again, and it was here that we had a good many men wounded and several officers. Our men continued to advance in very good order, and steadily forced the Spanish line back. We now began to get a heavy fire from a ridge on our right, which enfiladed our line (this ridge was the position which was being attacked 34 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN by two squadrons of the regular cavalry) , and was held in very strong force by the Spanish in small rock forts along its entire length, supported by two machine-guns. Having cleared our right flank, we were able to pay some attention to the Spanish on the above- mentioned ridge, and centered upon it the fire of two troops. This fire, with the attacking force on the other side, soon completed the evacuation of this end of the ridge, and the regular assault com- pleted the evacuation along the entire length of the ridge. Of the Spaniards who retreated from the ridge some few fell into line, but apparently remained there only a moment when large masses of them were seen to retreat rapidly, and we were able to distinguish parties carrying litters of wounded men. At this time my detached troops had moved out to the left to take the right end of the Spanish line in flank. This was successfully accomplished ; and as soon as this troop gained its position, "Cease firing and advance" was ordered. Our men advanced within 300 yards of the enemy, when we again opened heavy fire. The Span- ish broke under this fire and retreated rapidly. We advanced to the last position held by them and halted, having established before this a connection on the riffht with the regular troops, who had successfully carried the ridge before mentioned. This left us in complete possession of the entire Spanish position. Our troops were too much exhausted and overcome with heat and hard work of the 2 preceding days to continue the pur- suit. Had we had many mounted men or even fresh foot troops J think we could have captured a large por- tion of their forces, as they seemed completely dis- heartened and dispirited. About 30 minutes after the DEATH OF CAPRON (WOOD'S REPORT) 35 firing had ceased, three troops of the 9th U.S. Cavalry under Captain Dimniock reported to me and I advanced them, forming a heavy line of outposts covering our en- tire front at a distance of about 800 yds. from our line. About two hours after the fight was over, a number of Cubans came up and made a short reconnaissance as far as Ce vitas, and reported that the Spanish had ap- parently fled into Santiago, as they found no evidence of them. They reported a quantity of blood along the trail and a quantity of abandoned equipments, and every evidence of a complete rout from the point of their break in our front to above-named town (Cevitas) . In regard to the conduct of the officers and men, I can only say that one and all of them behaved splendidly. Captain Capron died shortly after the ter- mination of the fight. I cannot say enough in com- mendation of the gallant conduct of this officer. His troop was in advance and met the enemy in very heavy force, and resisted them and drove them back, and it was in the performance of this duty that the captain was mortally wounded. The service he performed prior to his death, and the work of his troop subse- quently to it, were of the very greatest value in con- tributing to the success of this engagement. Captain Capron's loss is an irreparable one to this regiment. Major Brodie was shot through the arm while on the firing-line. Captain McClintock had both bones of his leg broken, also on the firing-line. Lieut. Thomas, Captain Capron's 1st Lieutenant, was shot shortly after the fall of Capt. Capron. We found no wounded Spaniards, but all along the line we found their aban- doned equipments ; and there is every evidence of a large number of wounded. To the best of my knowl- 36 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN edge wo discovered in the neighborhood of 40 dead Spaniards. There may be some mistake in the figures owing to the jungle character of the country, and it is probable that a careful search will reveal many more. Mr. Marshall, of the New York " Journal," was shot through the spine while on the tiring-line witnessing the action. His conduct was extremely courageous. The 1st Squadron was under the command of Lieu- tenant-Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, and the 2d under Major Alex. O. Brodie : both of these officers deserve srreat credit for the intelligence and courage with which they handled their men. In this particular it is only fair to say that this remark would apply to all officers. I desire to express my appreciation of the gallant and effective services of Capt. McCormick, 7th Cav., attached to my regiment for any duty to which I might assign him; also of Capt. Rivers and Lieut. Smedberg of your staff, whose services were of the greatest value and performed under heavy fire. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Leonard Wood, Comdg. 1st U.S. Vol. Cav., of 2d Brig. Gov. Div. P.S. — Richard Harding Davis was with Col. Roose- velt during almost the entire action. {Endorsement :] Respectfully forwarded. Calling special attention to commendation of Captain Capron, Major Brodie, Capt. McClintock, Lieut. Thomas, Lt.-Col. Roosevelt, Capt. McCormick, Lt. Rivers, Lt. Smedberg, Mr. Mar- shall, and Mr. Richard Harding Davis, in all of which I join. Jos. Wheeler, Major-He )C I U.S. Vols., Comdg. "BEATEN, BUT PERSISTED IN FIGHTING" 37 The " Espaiia " of the 25th of June — a paper published in Santiago — has this to say of their affair with the Cubans on the 23d, and the fight of Las Guasimas on the 24th : " June 24th. The column of General Rubin, under the command of the general-in-chief of the 4th Army Corps (Lieutenant-General Li- nares), was attacked yesterday afternoon. This morning large forces of the enemy with artillery attacked said column anew. Their attack was made with vigor and they fought without being under cover. They were repulsed with heavy losses which were seen by us." The lew York " Times " of July 1st contains an editorial which states that a Spanish despatch puts the Spanish forces in that battle at four thousand, and their loss at two hundred and sixty-five. The article is as follows: The more the facts come to light about the fight of last Friday, the more clearly appear the coolness and bravery of the volunteer cavalrymen. General Shatter puts it humorously in saying that " reports from Spanish sources from Santiago say we were beaten, but persisted in fighting, and they were obliged to fall back." As to the comparative number engaged, we now know exactly what the numbers were. The Spanish report is that four thousand Spaniards were attacked by ten thousand Americans and driven back with a loss of two hundred and sixty-five. The estimate of the American force is a loose Castilian exaggeration, but the state- ment of the Spanish force is doubtless accurate. On the 38 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN other hand, General Wheeler reports that we had nine hundred and sixty-four men engaged, almost equally divided between regulars and volunteers, and that the total loss was sixteen killed and fifty-two wounded. It is evident that the volunteers behaved as well as the regulars, although their loss happened to be some- what heavier. Of the sixteen killed they lost eight, and of the fifty-two wounded, thirty-four. It is really an amazing showing. Of course it will not do to reckon upon a repetition of that which has no precedent. Though not disciplined soldiers, these were picked men, and their performance shows that in extreme cases men of high individual courage, intelligence, and self-reli- ance, led by men like themselves, may be as efficient a fighting force as an equal number of men Avho have been drilled to respond to orders with the precision of a machine. Y * n r # ^ o o * He -a s ^ Fold-out Placeholder lis fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. Fold-out Placeholder his fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. CHAPTER IV THE SPANISH FORCES ENGAGED EL CANEY'S DEFENCES BATTLE OF SAN JUAN SENIOR IN COMMAND ON THE LINE THE QUESTION OF FALLING BACK AFTER THE HILLS WERE GAINED THE next day after the engagement at Las Guasimas, General Miles telegraphed from his office in the War Department as follows: Washington, D.C., June 25. General Shafter, Daiquiri, Cuba : Congratulations on success attained thus far. Keoret most deeply to hear of the loss of your heroic men. Miles, Major- General. General Shafter sent the following despatch : Daiquiri, Cuba, June 26. Major-General Miles, Commanding Army, Washington : Thanks for congratulations. Nine hundred and sixty-four men only engaged on our side. But it was very decisive in our favor, and the enemy retreated precipitately. Lack of cavalry only prevented their 40 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN capture. Reports from Spanish sources from Santiago say we were beaten, but persisted in fighting, and they were obliged to fall back. Deeply regret the loss of so many brave men. Shafter. The civil governor of this province told me personally that the force which Lieutenant- General Linares had on the 24th was 4,000. Gen. Jose Toral told me that this was a mistake, and that they had but 2,000; he afterwards said a little less than 2,000 ; and he also said that their losses were about 250. When I mentioned the figure 265, he said, Yes, but that included the losses of the two preceding days. Lieuten- ant-General Linares told me that the force engaged on the twenty-fourth was 1,400; and General Escario told me that the losses that day were about 200. The moment General Lawton and the com- mander of his leading brigade, General Chaffee, heard the noise of my engagement, they promptly struck camp and marched to the front; but as the enemy broke and was in full retreat in a little more than an hour, they did not reach me until some time after the action was over. That evening I received letters from General Shafter expressing his pleasure at the good news of the fight, and telling me that he would send me reinforcements if needed; and at dark I received another letter from him reiterating offers of reinforcements, and saying: "Your IN GENERAL COMMAND ON SHORE 41 news is excellent," I also that evening received orders to take command of all the troops on shore, and to put them in camp as they came up, in favorable positions for defence as well as con- venience; but he instructed me very positively not to move forward so as to become engaged with the enemy, as he did not wish any further engagement to take place until we could advance with the entire force. I therefore devoted my- self to reconnoitering the country, and selected camps with convenient water for the various divisions as they arrived. I also used large forces in repairing the road, so that we got it in very fair condition. On the 26th, I again received instructions not to advance. On the same day, General Shafter sent me this telegram from the President, thank- ing the troops for their victory at Las Guasimas : The President directs me to send his thanks to you and your army for the gallant action of yesterday, which I gladly do. R. A. Alger, Secretary of War. I reconnoitered close up to El Caney, and learned that there were not more than five hun- dred Spaniards at that place. I described the defences to General Shafter, and urged that I be permitted to attack the place with a large force of artillery; my argument being that the fire from a number of guns upon the forces at El 42 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Caney would soon make their position untenable ; and that a division of infantry or dismounted cavalry being placed between El Caney and Santiago, would catch the Spaniards as they attempted to retreat. General Sh after admitted the feasibility of this plan, but after two inter- views and some correspondence informed me that he had determined to entrust this work to General Lawton. This officer was instructed to make the attack on El Caney at daylight on July 1st, while the Cavalry Division, and the Infantry Division under Brigadier-General Kent, were ordered forward; General Shafter's inten- tion being for Lawton to take El Caney, which he thought could be accomplished in half an hour or an hour, and then for him to move toward Santiago and support the attack of my own and Kent's Divisions upon the main Spanish army. Unfortunately, only a few guns were opened upon the forces at Caney, and it was not until three o'clock that the place was taken. In the meantime, the Cavalry Division and Kent's Division had crossed the San Juan River, and formed in line of battle, — the left of the cav- alry resting on the main Santiago road, and the right of Kent's Division joining the cavalry's left. There were two hills in our front: one called San Juan Hill, or San Juan House, from the fine farmhouse on its summit, which was directly in front of the cavalry line of battle, but did not extend to the line occupied by Kent's Division. INSTRUCTING GENERALS KENT AND SUMNER 43 Upon this hill a body of the enemy were favor- ably positioned, but not strongly fortified; while several hundred yards nearer Santiago the main Spanish forces were intrenched along the crest of the other hill, called Fort San Juan. A large balloon was elevated not far above the main road, attached by a rope to the reel in its wagon; and while forming our troops, the enemy concentrated a warm fire of both artillery and infantry upon our whole line, especially concen- trating the fire upon the main road, which was indicated to them by the balloon. I had been directed by Colonel McClernand, General Shafter's adjutant-general, to give di- rections to General Kent in these movements; and I informed him that General Shafter desired the whole command to move forward. My former instructions and the general custom of the service made it proper that I should exer- cise this control over the whole line, which was fully appreciated by General Kent. I ex- plained to him in person the orders, and this gallant officer moved his division forward in magnificent order. My staff officers devoted themselves to the Cavalry Division, which, in forming that morning, had been temporarily under the control of Gen. S. S. Sumner ; the two brigades being commanded, the first by Lieut.-Col. Henry Carroll, and the second by Col. Leonard Wood, of the 1st Volunteer Cav- alry. I also gave directions to General Sumner, 44 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN and, through my staff officers, to Colonel Carroll and Colonel AVood. After the line was formed it was quite evident that the enemy had our range very accurately established, 1 and that it would not increase our casualties to charge; but would shorten the time spent by our troops subject to galling fire. The Cavalry Division charged up San Juan Hill in the face of a heavy fire, and descended to the plain below; where the left of the line joined the right of Kent's Division. The plain was then rapidly crossed by the entire force, also under heavy fire. The hill of Fort San Juan was charged, and the battle of July 1st was won. The enemy started in well, and fought with great vigor until they saw the determination of our men. The main Spanish line retreated from their works soon after our troops reached the foot of San Juan Hill ; but squads of skirmishers had selected positions where they were partly screened, and kept up their fire upon us; but when the crest was reached, the whole Spanish force was in retreat down the western slope of the ridge, under a warm fire from our entire line. 1 That the assault on Santiago had hegun, was known by the receipt in Washington, at 9 o'clock in the morning, of the following: Camp at Sevilla, Cuba, July 1. Secretary of War, Washington: Action now going on, but firing light and desultory. Begun on right, mar Caney, Lawton's Division. He will move on northeast part of town of Santiago. Will keep you continually advised of progress. Shafter, Major- General Commanding. ENDURANCE OF THE TROOPS 45 It is hard to conceive of any more gallant con- duct than was displayed by these troops in this engagement. They had waded the San Juan River, formed line under fire, advanced upon the enemy with nothing to shelter them from a deadly fire, charged over one hill and to the crest of another, and taken works which the Spaniards felt confident were impregnable. They were then exhausted. They numbered not more than six thousand men that morning: nearly a thousand had been killed or wounded; they had been compelled to throw down everything but their guns and ammunition in their advance, and were able to procure little food except rice and other articles which the Spaniards had left at the trenches. Yet these gallant men were uncom- plaining. Many of them had marched all the preceding night ; they had been in line of battle fighting the entire day ; and yet they cheerfully fell to work erecting breastworks, — they impro- vised litters to carry their numerous wounded to the rear, and made large details to perform the melancholy duty of burying their dead. These details, and the depletion of the ranks from ab- solute exhaustion, so reduced this force that it is doubtful if there were more than three thousand men on the ridge at midnight; but still they worked, and by daylight had constructed breast- works sufficiently strong to enable them suc- cessfully to repulse an attack. All this was done under fire from the enemy, who were but a few 46 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN hundred yards off. It was not surprising that the bravest of the brave men in their exhausted condition were apprehensive. They knew they had but some three thousand men on the ridge; they knew that a force of some seven thousand were in line of battle before them; and appeals of the strongest character were made for the army to withdraw for fear an attack would drive them in a rout from their position. I discountenanced this in every way possible. I reminded them that we had met the enemy at Las Guasimas on the 24th, — attacked and defeated them, driving them before us; and that here again we had suc- cessfully charged and taken their breastworks, driving them from a very strong position. I said: "These facts will convince the Spaniards that we will continue our attack upon their next line; and with that expectation it is unreasonable and not to be expected that they will return and attack us in the strong position we now hold." I also sent members of my staff along the line, reassuring officers and men in this manner. I felt quite convinced that the numerous and powerful appeals which had been made to me, in favor of withdrawing the army from San Juan ridge to some point in the rear, were without doubt being made to General Shafter with equal if not greater force ; and a little later I received information that my apprehensions in this regard were correct, and that General Shafter was assured that unless the army withdrew there was HOLDING THE RIDGE 47 great danger of its being driven from the ridge in a disgraceful ront. I therefore wrote to Gen- eral Shafter telling him of these appeals to me, and also informing him that I was discountenanc- ing these apprehensions as far as it was in my power. I also told him, in my letter, 1 that to fall back from the position gained would result in a great loss of prestige. That portion of the main road extending from my headquarters — situated under the crest of the hill some 150 yards behind the firing-line, to those occupied by General Shafter — some five miles in the rear, was one of the worst pieces of highway it has ever been my lot to encounter. Large rocks and stones were there in abundance, which made it very difficult for the wagons conveying supplies from the ships to make even fair progress ; and it was especially hard for the ambulance-wagons, which were constantly em- ployed conveying the wounded from the front back to the Division Hospital. Especially after the various heavy rains, this road was practically impassable, and traveling its length during the active prosecution of hostilities was by no means without danger. This for a two-fold reason : First, because the bullets from the Spanish Mausers, which the Spaniards had shot too high to injure the men in our trenches, and which passed harmlessly over their heads, fell with their first force spent, into this road below ; and again, 1 For this letter, see Part II., p. 274. 48 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN there were quite a number of sharp-shooters hidden in the branches of the trees lining this road, whose object it was to shoot down, from their place of refuge, any solitary officer or man who had the misfortune to travel unattended. I was informed that some of them had sewn on their clothing small leaves and branches of trees so as to lessen their chances of detection. It was somewhat amusing and yet very pitiful to witness the abject fear and trepidation of the prisoners captured by us. They were marched to General Shafter's headquarters, promptly disarmed, and anything with which they could inflict injury taken from them. They gazed about them with staring eyes, watching closely every movement of their guards, and whenever a body of these latter entered and were drawn into line, they confidently thought their time had come, and that they were to be shot down in a body. At such times they would alternately shriek for mercy and endeavor to pacify their captors by shouting " Viva los Americanos ! " Unmistak- able, therefore, were their expressions of surprise and delight, and frantic their gesticulations when they were made to lie down on the grass, were spoken to kindly by the Americans' interpreters, and were given a more substantial meal than they had probably had since leaving their native land. CHAPTER Y BATTLE OF SAN JUAN (CONCLUDED) REMARKS OF N. Y. " SUN " ON GENERAL SHAFTER'S EXPURGATED DESPATCH MY REPORT OF THIS BATTLE TABLES OF LOSSES, CAVALRY DIVISION AND KENT'S INFANTRY DIVISION NAMES AND COMMANDS OF OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED A T midnight of the first, General Bates reached me and reported his brigade en route. At half-past two, the leading regiment reached the foot of the ridge; and at daylight on July 2d, I had it placed upon the ridge to the left of our line. General Lawton arrived during the morn- ing of July 2d, and the leading brigade of his division was placed in line about noon, and was deployed upon the right of the cavalry. Before daylight, I had placed the artillery under Major Dillenbaek in position on the ridge to open fire in conjunction with the infantry when day dawned. This was done, but the artillery found themselves subjected to a very warm infantry fire from the Spanish lines, and finally withdrew to a position which they said was more favor- 50 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN able. From early in the morning of July 2d, a tolerably brisk and almost continuous lire was kept up by the two armies ; but as our line was favorably located and fairly protected by breast- works, the casualties on our side were not severe. I directed the officers to reassure the men; and after Bates and Lawton were placed on the line, I directed that the men be told that they were in twice as strong a position and twice as strong in numbers as they were the preced- ing day. I did not intend speaking of this matter at all; but it appears that the New York newspapers of July 4th made mention of this, and it also appears that General Shafter's tele- gram which reached Washington July 3d stated that he might find it necessary to fall back to a stronger position while awaiting the arrival of reinforcements. It seems that this part of General Shafter's despatch was not made public at the time, but later in the day was given out by the Secretary of War. I copy the following statement upon this question from the second page, fourth column, of the New York " Sun " of July 4th : The despatches received here to-day from Major- General Shafter show that he is holding his own at San- tiago. That is all that can he said for the American army at this time, and the conditions are not likely to change until the army has been reinforced. There has been no reverse to the American arms, — in fact, General Shafter has had a series of successes ; and PUSHING FORWARD 51 while it is true that some of his troops may be obliged to fall back to better positions, the wait will not be long, and Santiago will be in possession of the United States forces within a very short time. In the expres- sive words of Major-General Miles to the " Sun " reporter : " General Shafter has done well, but the situation has developed conditions which prevent us from taking the city." The failure to make public the full text of General Shatter's telegram of this morning has caused some thoughtless criticism. Secretary Alger frankly said, in explanation of giving out an expurgated copy of the message, that it would not be policy to make public all it contained, as General Shafter included mention of his plans. It is known that General Shafter said in the despatch, that he might find it necessary to fall back to a stronger position while awaiting the arrival of reinforcements, and that he also reported his illness. Immediately after these events I made an official report to General Shafter, which is as follows : Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 7, 1898. Adjutant-Gexeral 5 th Army Corps : Sir : After the engagement of June 24th I pushed forward my command through Sevilla into the valley, Lawton's and Kent's commands occupying the hills in the vicinity of that place. After two days' rest Law- ton was ordered forward, and on the night of the 30th instructions were given by Major-General Shafter to this officer to attack Caney while the Cavalry Division 52 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN and Kent's Division were ordered to move forward on the regular Santiago road. The movement com- menced on the morning of July 1st. The Cavalry Division advanced, and formed its line with its left near the Santiago road ; while Kent's Division formed its line with the right joining the left of the Cav- alry Division. Colonel McClernand, of General Shatter's staff, directed me to give instructions to General Kent, which I complied with in person, at the same time personally directing General Sumner to move forward. The men were all compelled to wade the San Juan River to get into line. This was done under very heavy fire of both infantry and artillery. Our balloon, having been sent up right by the main road, was made a mark of by the enemy. It was evident that we were as much under fire in forming the line as we would be by an advance, and I therefore pressed the command for- ward from the covering under which it was formed. It merged into open space in full view of the enemy, who occupied breastworks and batteries on the crest of the hill which overlooks Santiago, — officers and men falling at every step. The troops advanced gallantly, soon reached the foot of the hill, and ascended, driv- ing the enemy from their works and occupying them on the crest of the hill. To accomplish this required coinage and determination, on the part of the officers and men, of a high order, and the losses were very severe. Too much credit cannot be given to General Sum- ner and General Kent, and their gallant Brigade Commanders — Colonel Wood and Colonel Carroll of the Cavalry, Gen. Hamilton S. Hawkins, commanding THE ENEMY'S RETREAT 53 1st Brigade, Kent's Division, and Colonel Pearson, commanding 2d Brigade. Colonel Carroll and Major Wessells were both wounded during the charge ; but Major Wessells was enabled to return and resume command. General Wyckoff, commanding Kent's 3d Brigade, was killed at 12.10. Lieutenant-Colonel Worth took command, and was wounded at 12.15. Lieutenant-Colonel Liscuni then took command, and was wounded at 12.20; and the command then de- volved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Ewers, 9th Infantry. Upon reaching the crest,I ordered breast works to be constructed, and sent to the rear for shovels, picks, spades, and axes. The enemy's retreat from the ridge was precipitate, but our men were so thoroughly ex- hausted that it was impossible for them to follow. Their shoes were soaked with water by wading the San Juan River, they had become drenched with rain, and when they reached the crest they were absolutely unable to proceed further. Notwithstanding this con- dition, these exhausted men labored during the night to erect breastworks, and furnished details to bury the dead and carry the wounded back in improvised litters. I sent word along; the line that reinforcements would soon reach us, and that Lawton would join our right, and that General Bates would come up and strengthen our left. After reaching- the crest of the ridge General Kent sent the 13th Regulars to assist in strengthening our right. At midnight General Bates reported, and I placed him in a strong position on the left of our line. General Lawton had attempted to join us from Caney ; but when very near our lines he was fired upon by the Spaniards and turned back, but joined us next day at noon by a circuitous route. 54 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN During all the day, on July 2d, the Cavalry Divi- sion, Kent's Division, and Bates' Brigade were en- gaged with the enemy, being subjected to a severe fire and incurring many casualties ; and later in the day Lawton's Division also became engaged. During the entire engagement my staff performed their duties with courage, judgment, and ability. Special credit is due to Lieut. -Colonel J. H. Dorst, Maj. William D. Beach, Capt. Joseph E. Dickman, and Lieut. M. F. Steele. I desire also to say that Lieuts. James H. Reeves and Joseph Wheeler, junior, Capt. Wm. Astor Chanler, Major E. A. Garlington, Mr. Aurelius E. Mestre, and Corp. John Lundmark also deserve high commendation for courage and good conduct. Major West, my quartermaster, deserves special commendation for his energy and good conduct during the campaign; and Maj. Valery Havard and Mr. Leonard Wilson have also done their full duty. Captain Hardie and 1st Lieut. F. J. Koester, with Troop 6, 3d Cavalry, were detailed with headquarters, and conducted themselves handsomely under lire. The superb courage displayed by the officers and men will be specially mentioned in the reports of subordinate commanders. Our airirregatc strength, and our losses, were as follows : STRENGTH AND CASUALTIES 55 Strength and Casualties of the Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, in the Battle of San Juan, 1 Cuba. FIRST BRIGADE. Killed. Wounded Aggre- gate. Strength. Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. 6th Cavalry .... 9th Cavalry .... 2 3 4 2 6 4 2 47 50 17 56 58 23 22 16 12 420 427 207 Totals .... 2 9 12 114 137 50 1,054 SECOND BRIGADE. 1st Cavalry .... 10th Cavalry .... 1st Volunteer Cavalry . 1 2 1 13 6 12 3 1 9 5 47 66 72 3 62 83 90 21 22 25 501 450 517 Totals .... 4 31 18 185 238 77 1,468 Grand Totals 6 40 30 299 375 127 2,522 One man in First United States Volunteer Cavalry reported missing. 1 Two engagements — San Juan Hill, and Fort San Juan — together formed the Battle of San Juan. San Juan Hill was the name of one hill taken, and Fort San Juan the name of another with a fort on it. 56 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Strength and Casualties, Kent's Infantry Division, U.S. Army, in the Battle of San Juan, Cuba. Present for Duty, Jolt 1. Killed. Wounded. Miss- ing. Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. Dfficers and Men. Division Commander 6 3 1 1 • • 1st Brigade, Com- mander and Staff . 5 2 1 • • 2d Brigade, Com- mander and Staff . 3d Brigade, Com- mander and Staff . 1 1st Brigade : 6th U.S. Infantry 29 435 4 13 7 99 2 16th U.S. Infantry . 23 G07 1 13 6 105 3 71st N.Y. Volunteer Infantry . . . 43 915 • • 13 1 59 43 2d Brigade : 2d U.S. Infantry . . 18 601 6 4 48 2 10th U.S. Infantry . 21 450 1 5 5 37 2 21st U.S. Infantry . 25 442 6 1 33 1 3d Brigade : 9th U.S. Infantry 18 469 1 3 • • 28 • • 13th U.S. Infantry . 24 436 2 17 5 84 1 24th U.S. Infantry . 23 511 2 11 6 69 5 Totals . . . 235 4,869 14 87 37 563 59 OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED 57 Officers of the Cavalry Division Killed and Wounded in the Battle of San Juan, Cuba. OFFICERS KILLED. Names. Organizations. Lieut.-Col. James X. Hamilton 9th Cavalry. Major Albert G. Forse . . . 1st Cavalry. Capt. W. 0. O'Neil 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. 1st Lieut. William N". Shipp . 10th Cavalry. 1st Lieut. W. K Smith . . . 10th Cavalry. Acting Assistant Surgeon H. W. 9th Cavalry. OFFICERS wounded. Names. Organizations. Lieut.-Col. Henry Carroll . . 6th Cav. (Com'd'g First Brigade.) Major Henry W. AVessells, jr. 3d Cavalry. Major T. J. Wikt 10th Cavalry. Major and Assistant Surgeon 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. Major W. C. Hayes .... 1st Ohio Vol. Cavalry. Capt. J. B. Keer 6th Cavalry. Capt. George A. Dodd 3d Cavalry. Capt. George K. Hunter . . 3d Cavalry. Capt. C. W. Taylor .... 9th Cavalry. Capt. A. P. Blocksam .... 6th Cavalry. Capt. John Bigelow, jr. . . . 10th Cavalry. Capt. M. T. Henry Com'd'g 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. 1st Lieut. A. L. Hills .... 1st Cavalry, Captain and Act'g Adj. -Gen. Vols. 1st Lieut. M. H. Barnum . . 10th Cavalry. [Continued on next page. 58 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Wounded, - - concluded. Names. Organizations. 1st Lieut. Arthur Thayer 1st Lieut. 0. B. Meyer 1st Lieut. W. S. Wood 1st Lieut. A. C. Murrillat 1st Lieut. E. D. Anderson 1st Lieut. R. C. Livermore 1st Lieut. Carr .... 1st Lieut. David J. Leahey 2d Lieut. Williard . . 2d Lieut. Walter C. Short 2d Lieut. F. R. McCoy . 2d Lieut. T. A. Roberts . 2d Lieut. H. K. Devereaux 2d Lieut. H. C. Whitehead 1st Lieut. R, C. Day . . Cadet L. K. Haskell . 3d Cavalry. 3d Cavalry. 9th Cavalry. 3d Cavalry. 10th Cavalry. 10th Cavalry. 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. 10th Cavalry. 6th Cavalry. 10th Cavalry. 10th Cavalry. 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. 10th Cavalry. 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry. General Kent's report of casualties of officers has been forwarded. The strength given in tabulated statements 1 above, is the ago-reo-ate strength of the command ; but as there were many details, above figures are about 15 percent, greater than the forces actually engaged in battle. The command has been active in strengthening their position, and commanders and their staffs have thoroughly informed themselves as to the topograph- ical features of the country and the situation of the enemy. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major-General Vols., Commanding. 1 See pp. 55 and 5G. CHAPTER YI THE BATTLE OF SAN JUAN (CONCLUDED) OFFICIAL REPORTS OF GENERAL KENT, COLONEL LEONARD WOOD, OF THE "ROUGH RIDERS," AND THEODORE ROOSEVELT, LIEUTENANT-COLONEL COMMANDING FOLLOWING is the official report by Brig.- Gren. J. F. Kent, of the part taken by his command in the Battle of San Juan: Headquarters 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, In the Field, Fort San Juan, Near Santiago de Cuba, July 7, 1898. The Assistant Adjutant-General, Fifth Army Corps : Sir : I have the honor to submit the following re- port of the operations of my command in the battle of July 1 : On the afternoon of June 30, pursuant to orders given me verbally by the corps commander at his headquarters, I moved my second and third brigades (Parson and Wikoff) forward about two miles to a point on the Santiago road near corps headquarters. Here the troops bivouacked, the First Brigade (Haw- kins) remaining in its camp of the two preceding days, slightly in rear of corps headquarters. 60 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN On the following morning (July 1) at 7 o'clock, I rode forward up the hill where Capt. Grimes' Battery was in position. I here met Lieut. -Col. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant-General Fifth Corps, who pointed out to me a green hill in the distance, which was to be my objective on my left, and either he or Lieutenant Miley of Major-Gen. Shatters staff gave me directions to keep my right on the main road leading to the city of Santiago. I had previously given the necessary orders for Hawkins' Brigade to move early ; to be fol- lowed in turn by "Wikoff and Parson. Shortly after Grimes' Battery opened fire, I rode down to the stream, and there found Gen. Hawkins at the head of his brigade at a point about 250 yards from the El Poso sugar-house. Here I gave him his orders. The enemy's artillery was now replying to Grimes' Battery. I rode forward with Hawkins about 150 yards, closely followed by the 6th Infantry, which was leading the First Brigade. At this point I received instructions to allow the cavalry the right of way, but for some unknown reason they moved up very slowly, thus causing a delay in my advance of fully forty minutes. Lieutenant Miley, of Gen. Shatter's staff, was at this point, and understood how the division was delayed ; and repeated several times that he under- stood I was makin gall the progress possible. Gen. Hawkins went forward, and word came back in a few minutes that it would be possible to observe the enemy's position from the front. I immediately rode forward with my stall*. The fire of the enemy's sharp- shooters was very distinctly felt at this time. I crossed the main ford of the San Juan Kiver, joined General Hawkins, and with him observed the enemy's PANIC-STRICKEN SOLDIERS (KENT'S REPORT) 61 position from a point some distance in advance of the ford. General Hawkins deemed it possible to turn the enemy's right at Fort San Juan, but later, under the heavy fire, this was found impracticable for the First Brigade, but was accomplished by the Third Brig- ade, coming up later on Gen. Hawkins' left. Having completed the observation, with my staff I proceeded to join the head of my division, just coming under heavy fire. Approaching the First Brigade, I directed them to move alongside the cavalry (which was halted) . We were already suffering losses caused by the balloon, near by, attracting fire and disclosing our position. The enemy's infantry fire, steadily increasing in in- tensity, now came from all directions, not only from the front and the dense tropical thickets on our flanks, but from sharp-shooters thickly posted in trees in our rear, and from shrapnel apparently aimed at the bal- loon. Lieut. -Colonel Derby, of Gen. Shatter's staff, met me about this time, and informed me that a trail or narrow way had been discovered from the balloon, a short distance back, leading to the left of a ford lower down the stream. I hastened to the forks made by this road, and soon after the 71st New York Regiment of Hawkins' Brigade came up. I turned them into the by-path indicated by Lieut. -Col. Derby, leading to the lower ford, sending word to Gen. Hawkins of this movement. This would have speedily delivered them in their proper place on the left of their brigade, but under the galling fire of the enemy the leading battalion of this regiment was thrown into confusion and re- coiled in disorder on the troops in the rear. At this critical moment the officers of my staff practically (32 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN formed a cordon behind the panic-stricken men, and ursred them to again ao forward. I finally ordered them to lie down in the thicket and clear the way for others of their own regiment, who were coming up behind. This many of them did, and the Second and Third Battalions came forward in better order and moved them along the road toward the ford. One of my stall' officers ran back waving his hat to hurry forward the Third Brigade, who, upon approach- ing the forks, found the way blocked by men of the 71st New York. There were other men of this regi- ment crouching in the bushes, many of whom were encouraged by the advance of the approaching column to arise and go forward. As already stated, I had received orders some time before to keep in rear of the Cavalry Division. Their advance was much delayed, resulting in frequent halts, presumably to drop their blanket-rolls, and due to the natural delay in fording a stream. These delays under such a hot lire grew exceedingly irksome, and I therefore pushed the head of my division as quickly as I could toward the river, in column of tiles of twos, paralleled in the narrow way by the cavalry. This quickened the forward move- ment, and enabled me to get into position as speedily as possible for the attack. Owing to the congested condition of the road, the progress of the narrow column was, however, painfully slow. I again sent a stall' officer at a gallop to urge forward the troops in the rear. The head of AVikoff's Brigade reached the forks at 12.20 P.M., and hurried on the left, stepping over prostrate forms of men of the Seventy-first. This heroic brigade, consisting of the 13th, 9th, and 24th THE INFANTRY CHARGE (KENT'S REPORT) 63 United States Infantry, speedily crossed the stream and was quickly deployed to the left of the lower ford. While personally superintending this movement, Col. Wikoff was killed, — the command of the brigade then devolving upon Lieut. -Colonel Worth, 13th Infantry, who immediately fell, severely wounded ; and then Lieut.-Col. Liscum, 24th Infantry, who five minutes later also fell under the withering fire of the enemy. The command of the brigade then devolved upon Lt.-Col. E. P. Ewers, 9th Infantry. Meanwhile I had again sent a staff officer to hurry forward the Second Brigade, which was bringing up the rear. The 10th and 2d Infantry, soon arriving at the forks, were de- flected to the left to follow the Third Brigade ; while the 21st was directed along the main road to support Hawkins. Crossing the lower ford a few minutes later, the 10th and 2d moved forward in column, in good order, toward the green knoll already referred to as my ob- jective on the left. Approaching the knoll, the regi- ments deployed, — passed over the knoll, and ascended the high ridge beyond, driving back the enemy in the direction of his trenches. I observed this movement from the Fort San Juan Hill. Colonel E. P. Pearson, 10th Infantry, commanding the Second Brigade, and the officers and troops under his command, deserve great credit for the soldierly manner in which this movement was executed. I earnestly recommend Col. Pearson for promotion. Prior to this advance of the Second Brigade, the Third, connecting with Hawkins' gallant troops on the right, had moved toward Fort San Juan, sweeping through a zone of most destructive fire, scaling a steep and difficult hill, 64 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN and assisting in capturing the enemy's strong position, Fort San Juan, at 1.30 p.m. This crest was about 125 feet above the general level, and was defended by deep trenches and a loopholed brick fort surrounded by barbed-wire entanglements. Gen. Hawkins, some time after I reached the crest, reported that the 6th and 16th Infantry had captured the hill, which I now consider incorrect. The credit is almost equally due the 6th, 9th, 13th, 16th, and 24th Regiments of Infantry. Owing to Gen. Hawkins' representations, I forwarded the report sent to corps headquarters about 3 p.m., that the 6th and the 16th Infantry had captured the hill. The 13th Infantry captured the enemy's colors wav- ing over the fort, but unfortunately destroyed them, distributing the fragments among the men, because, as was asserted, " it was a bad omen," two or three men having been shot while assisting private Arthur Agnew, Company H, 13th Infantry, the captor. All fragments which could be recovered arc submitted with this re- port. The greatest credit is due to the officers of my command, — whether company, battalion, regiment, or brigade commanders, who so admirably directed the formation of their troops, unavoidably intermixed in the dense thicket, and made the desperate rush for the distant and strongly defended crest. I have already mentioned the circumstances of my Third Brigade's advance across the ford, where in the brief space of ten minutes it lost its brave commander (killed), and the next two ranking officers by disabling wounds. Yet, in spite of these confusing conditions, the forma- tions were effected without hesitation, although under ;i stinging fire ; companies acting singly in some cir- HONORABLE MENTION (KENT'S REPORT) 65 cumstances and by battalions and regiments in others, rushing through the jungle across the stream, waist- deep, and over the wide bottom thickly set with barbed-wire entanglements. At this point I wish to particularly mention First Lieut. Wendell L. Simpson, Adjutant 9th Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant- General Third Brigade, who was noticeably active and efficient in carrying out orders which I had given him to transmit to his brigade commander, who no longer existed. The enemy having retired to the second line of rifle- pits, I directed my line to hold their position and in- trench. At ten minutes past 3 p.m. I received almost simultaneously two requests, — one from Col. Wood, commanding Cavalry Brigade, and one from General Sumner, asking for assistance for the cavalry on my right, as they were hard-pressed. I immediately sent to their aid the 13th Infantry ; who promptly went on this further mission, despite the heavy losses they had already sustained. Great credit is due to the gallant officer and gentle- man, Brig.-Gen. H. S. Hawkins, who, placing himself between the two regiments leading his brigade, — the 6th and 16th Infantry, — urged and led them by voice and bugle-calls to the attack so successfully accom- plished. My earnest thanks are due to my staff officers present at my side and under my personal observation on the field, especially to Major A. C. Sharpe, Assistant Adjutant-General, Major Philip Reade, Inspector-General, Capt. U. G. McAlexander, Chief Quartermaster ; and my Aids, 1st Lieutenant George S. Cartwright, 24th Infantry, and 1st Lieu- tenant William P. Jackson, 2d Infantry ; — also to 66 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Mr. Adolfo Carlos Muncz ; the latter a Volunteer Aid, subsequently wounded in the light of the 2d inst. , who richly merits a commission for his able assist- ance given without pay. The officers enumerated should at least be breveted for gallantry under tire. I also personally noticed the conduct of 1st Lieut. T. J. Kirkpatrick, Assistant Surgeon, United States Army, on duty with 24th Infantry, giving most efficient aid to the wounded under fire. I observed several times 1st Lieut. J. D. Milcy, 5th Artillery, Aid to Gen. Shafter, who was conspicuous throughout the day for his coolness under fire, delivering instructions with apparent unconcern. The bloody fighting of my brave command cannot be adequately described in words. The following list of killed, wounded, and missing, tells the story of their valor : Report of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing, — 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, — July 1, 1898. FIRST BRIGADE. Killed. Wounded. Miss- ing. Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. 6th Infantry ....... 71st N.Y. Vol. Infantrv . . . 1 4 13 13 12 5 7 1 82 95 47 6 43 5 38 13 224 49 THE CASUALTIES (KENT'S REPORT) (37 Report of July 1st, — concluded. SECOND BRIGADE. Killed. Wounded. Miss- ing. Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. 10th Infantry 21st Infantry 1 4 5 1 5 1 4 21 25 16 1 10 10 62 THIRD BRIGADE. Brigade Commander .... 1 1 3 23 1 2 16 5 81 1 2 10 4 73 7 6 29 9 177 9 12 77 32 463 58 At daylight on the morning of July 2d, the enemy resumed the battle, and tiring continued throughout the day, part of the time in a drenching rain. At nightfall the firing ceased, but at 9 p.m. a vigorous assault was made all along our lines. This was completely re- pulsed, the enemy again retiring to his trenches. The 68 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN following morning, firing was resumed, and continued until near noon, when a white flag was displayed by the enemy, and firing was ordered to cease. The casualties in these two days (July 2d and 3d) are as follows : Report of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing, — 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, - July 2, 1898. FIRST BRIGADE. Killed. Wounded. Miss- Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. ing. I 1 1 21 o 7 16th Infantry 1 1 71st N.Y. Vol. Infantry . . . 1 • • 1 1 2 30 1 SECOND BRIGADE. 10th Infantry 1 1 4 14 7 31 3 21st Infantry 'M Infantry 6 52 3 1 Mr. A. C. Munoz, Volunteer Aid to Division Commander. THE CASUALTIES 69 Report of July 2d, — continued. THIRD BRIGADE. Killed. Wounded. Miss- ing. Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. 4 3 1 24th Infantry 1 2 1 2 8 Grand Totals 90 Report of the Killed, Wounded, and Missing, — 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, -July 3, 1898. FIRST BRIGADE. Killed. "Wounded. Miss- ing. Organizations. Offi- cers. Men. Offi- cers. Men. 16th Infantry 1 2 4 71st N.Y. Vol. Inf Total 7 70 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Report of July 3d, — concluded. SECOND BRIGADE. Killed. Wounded. Organizations. Offi- cers. MeD. Offi- cers. Men. ING. 10th Infantry , 1 Total 1 THIRD BRIGADE. 13th Infantry 1 1 1 8 Grand Totals : July 1, 2, 3, 1898 .... 12 87 3G 561 02 One Hospital Corps man attached to the 10th In- fantry, killed, not included in above report. I desire, in conclusion, to express my gratitude to Major-Gen. Joseph Wheeler for his courteous conduct to me, and through me to my division, under the try- THE CAVALRY TROOPS (WOOD'S REPORT) 71 ing circumstances enumerated. Though ill and suffer- ing, Gen. Wheeler was so perfectly at home under fire that he inspired all of us with assurance. Attention is invited in this connection to the report of brigade and subordinate commanders, and of my Inspector-General, herewith. I cordially indorse their recommendations. Very respectfully, J. Ford Kent, Brigadier- General U.S.A., Commanding. The report of Col. Leonard Wood, command- ing Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, of the same battle, was as follows: Headquarters 2d Cavalry Brigade, In Trenches about Santiago de Cuba, July 6, 1898. Adj. -General, Cav. Division, 5th Army Corps : Sir : I have the honor to submit the following re- port relative to the 2d Cavalry Brigade in the assault on the works to the east of Santiago de Cuba, and the action on the heights, during the afternoon and night of the 1st of July. The brigade was composed of Troops A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and I ; also Headquarters and Band of 10th U.S. Cavalry, under command of Lieut. -Colonel T. A. Baldwin, 10th Cavalry; Troops A, B, C, D, E, G, I, and K, 1st U.S. Cavalry, under command of Lieut. -Colonel C. D. Viele, 1st Cavalry ; and Troops A, B, D, E, F, G, K, and L, 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, under command of Lieut. -Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. On the morning of July 1, 1898, the brigade was camped at El Pozo, about three miles from Santiago de 72 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Cuba, in support of Grimes' Battery of artillery, which was in position on a ridge just above the old sugar- mill. Early in the morning we received orders to prepare for a move to the front in support of a move which Lawton's Division was making upon Santiago by way of Caney. At 7 a.m., Capt. Grimes' Battery opened fire on the Spanish works ; which fire was rapidly returned by Spanish artillery, using smokeless powder, with the result that they promptly located our position by the clouds of smoke from our guns, and inflicted quite a severe loss upon both the brigade and battery, — the 1st Vol. Cavalry being principal suflerers. The brigade moved down the road toward Santiago, in rear of the 1st Cavalry Brigade, with instructions to deploy to the right after crossing the San Juan, and continue to extend to the right, reaching out toward General Lawton's left and holding ourselves in rear of the First Brigade as a support. On reaching the stream the 1st Volunteer Cavalry, which was in lead, crossed the stream with comparatively slight loss and deployed to the right in good order : but at about this time a captive balloon was led down the road in which the troops were massed, and finally anchored at the cross- ing of the stream. The approach and anchoring of the balloon served to indicate the line of approach of our troops, and to locate the ford ; and the result was a terrific converging artillery and rifle fire on the ford, which resulted in severe loss of men. Under this fire the 1st U.S. Cavalry and the 10th U.S. Cavalry crossed the stream and deployed to the right, where they were placed in position in rear of the First Brigade. We lay in this position some time, partially cov- ered by small rises of ground, but generally speaking TAKING THE HILL (WOOD'S KEPORT) 73 exposed to a heavy dropping fire from the forts and block-houses. After remaining in this position for about an hour and one-half, the order to advance was given, and the brigade advanced in as good order as possible, but more or less broken up by the masses of brush and heavy grass and cactus ; passing through the lines of the First Brigade, mingling with them, and charging the hill in conjunction with these troops, as, well as some few infantry who had extended to the right. Our first objective was the hill with small red-, roofed house on it. This was promptly taken, and after short delay the brigade went forward to the right of the main hill covered with heavy intrenchments, and took it under very heavy fire, swinging around to the right, and flanking and taking the angle to the right of the hill ; our right finally resting about 800 yards to the right of the road passing into Santiago de Cuba. Here we held on under heavy fire all night, the enemy making repeated and fierce attempts to regain this lost position and works. The brigade intrenched itself as best it could, and before morning had covered itself fairly well. All during the 2d, and a portion of the 3d, the enemy kept up a constant fire, and made repeated attempts to regain this lost position on our front. In regard to the conduct of the brigade as a whole, I can only say that it was superb. That dismounted cavalry should have been able to charge regular infan- try in strong position, supported by artillery and the general lay of the land, seems almost incredible ; yet this is exactly what the Cavalry Division of the 5th Army Corps did in this fight, passing over a long zone of tire, and charging steep hills topped with works and 74 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN block-houses. Some idea of the severity of the enemy's tire may be gained from the fact — that of the five officers of the brigade staff, four were killed or wounded and one exhausted by the intense heat. In an action where every one so well performed his full duty, it is difficult to select cases of especial merit. I desire, however, to mention the following : Lt. W. E. Shipp, Brigade Quartermaster, killed while leading a charge ; Capt. M. J. Henry, shot through the leg while delivering an order ; Capt. A. L. Mills, shot through the head while assembling men for a second charge; Lt. J. H. Parker, 13th U.S. Infantry, for marked gallantry while in charge of the Gatling Gun Battery; Lt. J. B. Hughes, 10th Cavalry, for con- spicuous gallantry in handling his Hotchkiss Battery ; Lt.-Col. Theodore Roosevelt for conspicuous gallantry in leading a charge on one of the hills ; Hugo Win. Brittain, Troop G, 1st U.S. Cavalry, for great gallantry in supporting and waving the regimental standard to encourage and lead on the 1st under heavy fire, he having been wounded; Cadet E. Haskell, U.S. M. A., for gallantry in action, coolness, and courage, after being shot through the body. Lt.-Col. Viele and Lt.- Col. Baldwin handled their regiments with skill and courage, and by their example encouraged and steadied their men. Major Wint, 10th Cavalry, displayed great courage, and was severely wounded while repelling a charge on our front during the night of the 1st of July. I have the honor to submit herewith reports from Lt.- Col. Viele, Lt.-Col. Baldwin, and Lt.-Col. Roosevelt; also reports from one of the surgeons and various com- pany commanders of the regiments composing brigade. CAPTAIN O'NEIL AND OTHERS (WOOD'S REPORT) 75 I desire also to invite attention to the coolness, courage, and gallantry of Captain Wm. O. O'Neil, 1st U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, killed in action. This officer had already been recommended for a medal of honor, for gallant service in attempting to rescue some drown- ing men of the 10th Cavalry at Daiquiri during the lauding. Major Webb Hayes, 5th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry, temporarily on duty with the brigade, did gallant service, — was cool and collected under fire. He was slightly wounded. The brigade took into action 75 officers and 1,446 men ; and lost 21 officers killed and wounded, and 217 men killed and wounded, — a loss of 26 per cent, of officers, and 15 per cent, of enlisted men. I desire also to state that Capt. McCormack, 7th U.S. Cavalry, on temporary duty with 1st Volunteer Cavalrv, rendered efficient and gallant service during the action until finally overcome by heat. The intense heat of the day and almost entire absence of wind added much to the difficulty of the work. Very respectfully, Leonard "Wood, Col. 1st U.S. Vol. Cavalry, Comm'd'g 2d Brigade, Cav. Div. [Endorsement :] Headquarters Cavalry Division, U.S. Armt, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 10, 1898. Respectfully forwarded. Colonel Wood commanded the 2d Brigade during the fight of July 1st and 2d. He showed energ}*, courage, and good judgment. I here- tofore recommended him for promotion to a Brigadier- General. He deserves the highest commendation. He was under the observation and direction of myself and of my staff during the battle. Jos. Wheeler, Maj.-Gen. U.S. Vols., Commd'g. 76 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Lieutenant-Colonel Theodore Roosevelt re- ported as follows, concerning' the part taken by his command in this battle: Trenches outside Santiago, July 4, 1898. Col. Leonard Wood, Commanding 2d Cavalry Brigade: Sir : On July 1st the regiment with myself in com- mand was moved out by your orders, directly follow- ing the First Brigade. Before leaving the camping- ground several of our men were wounded by shrapnel. After crossing the river at the ford we were moved along and up its right bank, under tire, and were held in reserve at a sunk road. Here we lost a good many men, including Captain O'Neil killed and Lieutenant Haskell wounded. We then received your order to advance and support the regular cavalry in the attack on the intrench- ments and block-houses on the hills to the left. The regiment was deployed on both sides of the road, and moved forward until we came to the rearmost lines of the regulars. We continued to move forward until I ordered a charge ; and the men rushed the block-house and rifle-pits on the hill to the right of our advance. They did the work in line shape, though suffering severely ; the guidons of Troops E and G were first planted on the summit, though the first men up were some A and B troopers who were with me. We then opened tire on the intrenehments on a hill to our left, which some of the other regiments were assailing, and which they carried a few minutes later. Meanwhile we were under a heavy rifle fire from the intreneh- ments along the hills to our front, from which they OX THE LINE (ROOSEVELT'S REPORT) 77 also shelled us with a piece of field artillery until some of our marksmen silenced it. "When the men got their wind we charged again, and carried the second line of intrenchments with a rush. Swinging to the left, we then drove the Spaniards over the brow of the chain of hills fronting Santiago. By this time the regiments were much mixed, and we were under a very heavy lire, both of shrapnel and fine rifles, from the batteries, intrenchments, and forts immediately in front of the city. On the extreme front I now found myself in com- mand, with fragments of the six cavalry regiments of the two brigades under me. The Spaniards made one or two efforts to retake the line, but were promptly driven back. Both General Sumner and you sent me word to hold the line at all hazard, and that night we dug a line of intrenchments across our front, using the captured Spanish intrenching-tools. We had nothing to eat except what we captured from the Spaniards ; but their dinner had fortunately been cooked, and we ate theirs with relish, having been fighting all day. We had no blankets or coats, and lay by the trenches all night. The Spaniards attacked us once in the night, and at dawn they opened a heavy artillery and rifle fire. Very great assistance was rendered us by Lieutenant Parker's Gatling Battery at critical moments; he fought his guns at the extreme front of the firing-line in a way that repeatedly called forth the cheers of my men. One of the Spanish batteries which was used against us was directly in front of the hospital, so that the Red Cross flag flew over the battery, saving it from our fire for a considerable period. The Spanish 78 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Mauser bullets made clean wounds ; but the}- also used a copper-jacketed or brass-jacketed bullet which ex- ploded, making very bad wounds indeed. Since then we have continued to hold the ground. The food has been short, and until to-day Ave could not get any blankets, coats, or shelter-tents ; while the men lay all day under the lire from the Spanish batteries, intrenchments, and guerillas in trees, and worked all night in the trenches, never even taking off their shoes ; but they are in excellent spirits, and ready and anxious to carry out any orders they receive. At the end of the first day the eight troops were commanded, two by captains, three by 1st lieuten- ants, two by 2d lieutenants, and one by the sergeant whom you made acting lieutenant. We went into the fight about 490 strong ; 8rotected by the Red Cross flag. There was no doubt that the Spaniards had abused their privilege in this respect; and later inspection showed this to be correct. In front of the bar- racks, for instance, which had been converted into a large hospital, the Red Cross flag was in evidence in various parts of the building, and just in front of this hospital they had placed some guns, evidently with the idea of being able to fire at us from that locality, and prevent us from replying, owing to the Red Cross flag and hospital immediately in their rear. CHAPTER XYII OUR GENERALS IN THE CAMPAIGN THE SPANISH GENERALS AND CIVIL OFFICERS " SOCIETY OF THE ARMY OF SANTIAGO " GETTING THE TROOPS NORTH PLACED IN COMMAND AT MONTAUK POINT I HA YE already spoken of General Shatter, our commander. He is a man of more than ordinary intellect and force of character. The great success of the expedition, resulting in the capture of twenty-four thousand prisoners by an army of about two-thirds of that strength, is a full answer to the criticisms which were made by some of the papers regarding his conduct of the campaign. The most marked criticism that I have heard of him was that he spent too much time in attending to details; but the more I have thought of it the more I could see the evident ne- cessity of this. He gave special orders about the management of his pack-trains, and had special supervision of the bringing forward of rations and ammunition. These were the indispensable questions. Mismanagement in these depart- ments would have caused great suffering. The failure of one or two days' rations for the whole GENERAL SHAFTER 197 army would have caused great suffering and would have been very serious, and it required all General Shafter's energy and administratability to prevent such a disaster. He was without a harbor, and was compelled to unload his ships on an open coast, often baffled by the waves and surf. The roads, especially after rains, became very bad and sometimes almost impassable, and yet from first to last General Shafter overcame these difficulties, and if any regiment failed to get sufficient rations for every day of the campaign it was probably owing to their own neglect or carelessness. His plan of the battle of July 1st was for General Lawton and General Bates to attack El Caney, which was defended by four hundred and sixty Spaniards. He expected this place to be taken in an hour, and Lawton and Bates were ordered then to move on toward Santiago by the Caney and Santiago road, where their left would join the right of our cavalry. Unfortu- nately, Lawton was occupied till nearly 4 o'clock with this undertaking, and by that time the fight at San Juan was practically over. Lawton then started to join the rest of the army; but, being met by fire from the Spaniards early in the night, he turned and made a circuit, so that he did not reach his destination until the next day. Bates had started earlier and his brigade reached the foot of San Juan Hill at daylight on the morning of the 2d. 198 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN General Lawton and the commander of his 1st Brigade, General Chaffee, are both superb soldiers. They have spent their lives in military service and are thoroughly familiar with military business. General Ludlow — another of Law- ton's brigade commanders — is a very superior officer, though he is younger and has had less experience than either Lawton or Chaffee. Gen- eral Bates is also a very superior soldier, and in a long military life has built up a most enviable reputation. General Kent was a schoolmate of mine at West Point. He has always stood very high in the army as an officer of the most excellent qual- ities. He commanded the 1st Division of In- fantry, which went into the battle on the left of the cavalry. As I was directed to give instruc- tions to him, as well as to my cavalry command, his conduct was under my own personal observa- tion. This was rather necessary, as my cavalry and his division were the only troops that at- tacked San Juan, and as General Shafter was responsible for the entire army, he very properly took a position where he could observe the troops at Caney, as well as those at San Juan. The distance between the two places being some six miles, it really made two separate battles which it became General Shafter's duty to direct. As will be seen, the orders that I received since the 25th had virtually placed me in command of the troops on shore, and this character of delegated THE OTHER GENERALS 199 control to me was continued to a certain degree until some time after General Shafter had come ashore. I always had had a high opinion of General Kent, but his management of his divi- sion in this engagement increased my admiration for him. Gen. Hamilton S. Hawkins, who commanded his 1st Brigade, was also at West Point with me. He was greatly distinguished in the battle, exhibiting courage and determination. He was wounded on the evening of July 2d; and very properly he and General Kent, General Lawton, General Chaffee, and eventually General Sumner, were all of them promoted to the rank of major- general. General Young, who was absent sick, had been distinguished in the Battle of Las Guasimas, and I recommended him very strongly to the Government for promotion, and I am very glad that he received promotion also. He is an officer of large experience, and in all respects possesses the very highest qualifica- tions. General Ludlow had only been in com- mand for a few days; he was raised as an officer of engineers, but his management as a commander of soldiers, while brief, has been most creditable. I saw a good deal of the Spanish Commander of Division, Don Jose Toral, and also of General Don Federico Escario. Both of these offi- cers stand high in their army, and they im- pressed me very favorably. General Escario 200 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN won his brigadier-generalship by the rapid and skilful march by which he reinforced General Toral. He marched some two thousand five hundred men a distance of some fifty miles, and on his approach to the city was opposed by General Garcia; he, however, drove back that officer and reached the city without difficulty. General Linares, who commanded the troops at Las Guasimas on the 21th, and at San Juan on the 1st, was severely wounded towards the close of that action. I had some correspondence with him, and had quite a talk with him one morn- ing. He was lying in bed, his arm bandaged up and resting upon a pillow. It had given him much pain, and had caused him to have an almost constant fever. This officer impressed me very favorably; he is a lieutenant-general in the Spanish army, and evidently a man highly re- garded by his countrymen. When I went to the palace at the time of the capitulation I met the archbishop, the civil gover- nor, the judges, and other public functionaries. Of course I could not judge much of them in a short interview, but they did not impress me at all as well as the ordinary American official. The attention of the country has been at- tracted by the number of people of wealth who enlisted in the army as privates or went into the Santiago campaign with subordinate commis- sions. Prominent among these was John Jacob Astor, a man said to be worth some hundred mil- RICH YOUNG AMERICANS IN THE RANKS 201 lion dollars, who went to the front and incurred the dangers and underwent the hardships incident to the campaign. Among others I might mention were his cousins, William Astor Chanler and Mr. Woodbury Kane. These three members of the Astor family left their luxurious homes and went with the army to Cuba. I think the first is the only instance on record of a man with the wealth of Colonel Astor voluntarily incurring the hardships and risks which were involved in so arduous and dangerous a campaign. Many other similar instances could be mentioned, among them young Lieutenant Tiffany, 1 Major Creighton Webb, Henry Bull, Craig Wadsworth, Joseph Stevens, Captain Brice — son of Senator Brice, and young Sergeant Hamilton Fish, who fell while bravely fighting at Las Guasimas — the first battle on Cuban soil. On Sunday, August 1st, officers from the various organizations which had participated in the campaign met at the palace in Santiago. The meeting was called to order by General Lawton, who explained that the object of the meeting was to establish the " Society of the Army of Santiago," and upon his motion General Wheeler was unanimously elected chairman. 'From exhaustion following the voyage north in a transport, weak- ened by fever, Lieutenant Tiffany died in Boston, soon after landing, and before he could be removed thence to his home in New York. 202 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Upon taking the chair, General Wheeler ad- dressed his fellow-officers as follows: Gentlemen : I thank you for the honor of being called as the temporary chairman of this gathering of my fellow-officers, who have met to consider the advisa- bility of organizing a Society of the Army of Santiago. The rapidly occurring events of the campaign of the past live or six weeks have been of a character which will ever brine; together the hearts of those who have participated. This army by its endurance and courage has already won the admiration of the civilized world, and it is most natural and appropriate that men who have stood shoulder to shoulder in such a struggle, crowned us it has been with glorious victory, should desire to cherish and perpetuate such memories. [General Wheeler adverted to the historic character and value of similar societies, which had been organ- ized at the close of the several wars in which our country has been engaged ; enumerating the Order of the Cincinnati, organized by Washington's officers at the close of the American Revolution, the Society of the War of 1812, the Aztec Society, which grew out of the war with Mexico, and the various societies growing out of the War of 1861-G5.] The campaign in which we have been engaged, though brief in duration, has probably been more fruit- ful in results than those of any of the wars I have mentioned, and will certainly be classed as one of the most remarkable in military history; and, in closing, I repeat, has made this army famous throughout the world. OFFICERS OF THE NEW SOCIETY 203 Upon the motion of General Ludlow, the chairman appointed the following officers to draw up a constitution and by-laws: General Ludlow, General Bates, General Lawtox, Capt. Woodbury Kane, General Kent, Lieut. J. D. Miley. The meeting then adjourned, to assemble at the same place at 3 o'clock, Sunday, August 7th. At the adjourned meeting, the committee on by-laws and the constitution were unable to make a further report than to recommend that the society proceed to elect a president, vice-president, and secretary. General Wheeler requested General Lawton to take the chair; and, after speaking in complimentary terms of Gene- ral Shatter, he nominated him as the permanent president of the society. General Wheeler's motion was unanimously adopted. General Wheeler was elected vice-president ; and Major F. D. Sharpe, secretary. The chair appointed a committee, who notified General Shafter of his unanimous election as president; after which the society adjourned, to meet at the call of the president. After the surrender on the 17th, the only duty left for the army to perform was to guard the unarmed Spanish prisoners; but the hardships and exposures to which our troops had been sub- jected had so seriously affected the health of the 204 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN entire command, that the army surgeons made a unanimous report that a change in locality was absolutely essential to restore the command to health. It must be remembered that this army was composed of two regiments from Massachu- setts, one from New York, two from Michigan, one from Ohio, one from Illinois, one from the District of Columbia, and the "Rough Riders" Regiment, about one-half of which came from the North and most of the rest from the healthy plains of New Mexico and Texas. These or- ganizations, together with the regular army, most of which was from the North and nearly all of which had for years been stationed in the extreme North, were the composition of the army in Cuba. It would have been difficult to have found a body of men so ill-adapted to maintain its health in the tropical and malarious climate of this part of Cuba in the sickly season. To make matters worse, this army had left the ships without carrying with it any tents; and had slept upon the ground for more than three weeks, with no protection whatever from the severe dews of night and the alternations of the heavy rain and the torrid sun of the day. On the morning of the Battle of San Juan the army was compelled to wade the San Juan River, many of the officers and soldiers becoming soaked to their waists ; and, as they were without a change of clothes or shoes, they were wet for days. THE CAVALRY DIVISION RE-EMBARKED 205 The necessary consequence was, that after the capitulation of July 17th, the naturally strong men who composed this army had be- come so weak that a march of five miles was almost an impossibility. By August 1st, this condition, instead of becoming improved, as was hoped, had grown steadily worse. By that time the immune regiments had arrived in Santiago, and orders were received for the embarkation of General Shatter's army. From the day of the capitulation on the 17th, I had urged most strenuously that the Cavalry Division be sent to Porto Rico, as I felt that the five days' voyage, together with the change of cli- mate and diet, would put them in good campaign- ing condition ; and I am still impressed that such a movement would have resulted in the favor- able way that I anticipated. Unfortunately, my repeated applications for my command to go to Porto Rico were not acted upon, and on August 6th I was directed to embark my command upon the Gate City, Matteawan, and Miami. I there- fore directed General Sumner to go in advance on the Gate City, and, after the Matteawan had pulled out into the bay, I, in compliance with orders, went on board the Miami with seven hundred of my men and sailed out of the har- bor on Monday, August 8th. On Monday night we sailed through the Windward Channel, passing Cape Maisa at 3.10 a.m. Tuesday. We passed Castle Island 206 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Light-house at 4.40 Tuesday afternoon. "We passed Wattling's Island at 5 o'clock on Wed- nesday morning, August 10th. Upon this island Columbus landed, four hundred and six years ago. "Very few houses except those occupied by light-house keepers could be seen on Castle Island. It is a low island rising but a little above the water. The chief occupation of the inhabitants is fishing and catching sea-turtles. Our ship then took a direct line for Montauk Point, which threw us some four hundred miles east of the Florida coast, and quite out of range of the usual line of travel. Our voyage was therefore without moment, our efforts being specially directed to taking care of the sick. On Thursday night we lost by death Sergeant George Walsh, a soldier of Troop A, 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry ; and on Friday morn- ing he was buried with the usual soldierly and Christian services. AVe sailed into the harbor at Montauk Point on Sunday, August 14th, and disembarked next day. I was at once summoned to Washington by the President; who, together with the Secre- tary of War, gave me a very pleasant interview, and ordered me to return to Montauk Point and lake command of the troops at that place. This involved the supervision of the disembarkation of troops, the locating of camps, the erection of tents, and the caring for the numerous sick, with which important work I am still engaged. CHAPTEK XVIII CAMP WIKOFF, MONT AUK POINT SANITARY CARE OF THE SOLDIERS GIFTS FROM THE AMERICAN PEO- PLE, OF MONEY, GOODS, AND PERSONAL SERVICE A STATEMENT TO THE ASSOCIATED PRESS VISITS OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR, PRESIDENT MCKINLEY, AND SURGEON-GENERAL STERNBERG I]S" the space of less than three weeks, twenty thousand soldiers, fully half of whom were suffering from diseases contracted in Cuba, were landed upon the barren fields of Montauk Point, Long Island. Hospitals, storehouses, and tents for the soldiers were erected. Nurses, physicians, and medicines for three thousand sick were brought from the various localities where they could be found, and shelters provided for them, aud they were installed in the various wards of the mammoth hospitals. To be brief, a city of twenty-two thousand people (the actual number which landed at this place from Cuba being 21,221), half of them invalids, was erected in this brief space of time ; and medicines, provi- sions, transportation, sanitary contrivances, and all else necessary to such a city were provided. So perfectly was this done that, on September 208 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN 5th, Dr. Sands, the eminent Chicago physician, stated that the fever patients at the camp at Montank Point were better taken care of, both medically and in nursing, than in any other hospital he had ever seen ; and that, in fact, the convalescents were living luxuriously. The Pennsylvania and New York Central railroad companies notified me of their decision to issue, to the officers and men of the various commands who were going home on furlough and paying their own transportation, tickets at half rate ; no letter of authority being necessary, the tickets being freely issued to any one wearing the uniform of a soldier. It is pleasant to report that no sooner had this camp been thoroughly established, than offers of money, help, and supplies came in in such quan- tities from all parts of the United States as to speak well for the liberality of the American people. One gentleman who does not wish his name mentioned telegraphed me that he had placed to my personal credit the sum of $5,000 to be ex- pended by me in such a way as I thought best, to increase the comfort of the soldiers. I pre- ferred, however, not to expend this money myself, and so notified my generous correspondent ; who afterwards spent it in sending a barge of ice to Montank Point for the use of the command. Mr. Stuyvesant Fish, President of the Illinois Central Railroad, telegraphed me, offering $1,000. SOME OF THE DONATIONS 209 The Messrs. Kane, Tan Cortland & Co., of New York, offered also a large sum of money ; and Mrs. Ireland sent her steamboat " Kelpie," loaded with delicacies. The Hon. Sherman Hoar, 1 on behalf of the Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association, do- nated cargoes of very valuable supplies; as did also The Merchants' Association of New York; the War Relief Committee of Philadelphia; the Hon. George F. Hoar, of Worcester, Mass.; the Hon. Melville Bull; Mrs. S. E. Winthrop, and Mr. C. Dorcher, and others, of Newport, R.I. We were similarly indebted to Mr. D. W. Lord and a committee from Illinois; to Com- mander Gerry, who in person donated stores for the sick, bringing them to Montauk Point in his own yacht ; to Commissioner Powers of the United States Fish Commission, who sent one thousand pounds of fresh fish for distribution to the soldiers ; to Mrs. K. M. Bostwick of the Woman's Veteran Auxiliary Corps of Brooklyn, Mrs. R. B. Cooley of the Soldiers' Relief Com- mittee, Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and to R. S. How- land, esq., editor of the Providence " Journal." The Murray Hill Hotel, New York, gratui- tously furnished our hospital with forty quarts consomme daily; and Mr. George H. Cassidy, New York, offered to receive into his home, 1 Mr. Hoar died at his home, Concord, Mass., Oct. 7, 1898, of typhoid-pneumonia, caused by his overwork in twice visiting the several camps in which were Massachusetts volunteers, and providing for their comfort through the Massachusetts Volunteer Aid Association. 210 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN furnishing medical attendance and nurses free of charge, a number of our soldiers who needed such care. Mr. Charles Pullman of Watch Hill, E.I , and his colleagues, did most excellent work in donating supplies and superintending their dis- tribution at the Detention Hospital ; while the kindly interest manifested in the welfare of the soldiers by Mrs. S. N". McMaster, then staying at Watch Hill, and by my numerous other cor- respondents in all parts of the United States, was much appreciated. A complete list of the generous-hearted people who gave freely of their substance for the benefit of the soldiers is impossible; but mention cannot be omitted of the help given by the officials of the "Red Cross" and other kindred societies; or of the liberality of Miss Helen M. Gould, whose donations probably far exceeded any like gifts ever made before for such a purpose, and who personally devoted her time and efforts to relieve the sufferings of the soldiers. Almost every mail brought me sums of money from one to one thousand dollars to be expended in like manner, but I felt it my duty to decline to accept all such remittances, feeling that it would not be right for the Commanding General to have sums of money placed to his personal credit for this purpose. I made it a rule, how- ever, to suggest that those who wished to pro- vide comforts for the soldiers should send an EXTRA SUPPLIES AND TRAINED NURSES 211 agent here who could use his discretion and order whatever supplies he thought were most needed; and, in nearly every case, this sugges- tion was acted upon, and the money expended in purchasing desirable supplies. Shortly after taking command it was deemed advisable to establish more hospitals and increase the hospital supplies; and complete outfits for this purpose were telegraphed for to New York and promptly installed. When the pleasing duty of commanding this large army of 20,000 men, many of whom were very sick, was intrusted to me, the President particularly instructed me to spare no expense in providing for the comfort of the soldiers and in endeavoring to restore the sick to health. Accordingly, I took upon myself the responsi- bility of ordering large amounts of extra supplies and the nourishing articles of diet which I judged necessary, and some little hitch at first occurred in the Commissary Department at Washing- ton with regard to this additional expenditure ; yet in a very short time these luxuries were at the disposal of every soldier. Permission was also obtained from the War Department for the expenditure by surgeons of money, not to exceed sixty cents per day per man, in purchasing un- usual and extra supplies for the sick under their care. Some hundred trained nurses were brought 212 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN here, and authority given to employ extra phys- icians, cooks, hospital stewards, and all other persons whose services were necessary to a com- mand of this size and importance. Special attention was given to the abundant supply of medicines, and to the construction of the nec- essary hospital accommodation, until in the last days of August I telegraphed the authorities in "Washington that I had just been through the hospitals, that the health of the command was improving very much, that every possible care was taken of the men, and that all the sick to whom I spoke assured me that the pure air at this place was bracing them up and rapidly re- storing them to health. A doubt being cast upon the continuance of the purity of the water supply, a mammoth fil- tering-plant was purchased and erected at a cost of some seven thousand dollars. Within a few days a steam laundry was erected for the sole purpose of laundering clothing and linen for the sick, its capacity being sufficient to do all this work lor five or sick thousand inval- ids. A disinfecting machine was also erected by which all the clothing and linen of the hos- pitals was thoroughly disinfected. Five hundred chairs were sent for the use of the convalescents who were able to get off their cots, and so far did the solicitude of the govern- ment go for the soldiers who had been in Santi- ago that men who were not acquainted in New CONVALESCENTS ATTENDED HOME 213 York were not permitted to leave on the evening train for that city, the authorities fearing they would arrive there too weak, and, being in a strange city, would not know where to go. The convalescents that were put on the trains had attendants, so that they should not suffer en route. A competent officer and men were detailed at Long Island City to meet all trains and provide comfortable lodgings for them, and to see that they were fully instructed as to how to go to take their trains. On the New York side, also, there were ambulances for those who were not able to walk or to hire car- riages to convey them to their places of destina- tion. The Red Cross Society joined nobly in this work. In connection with the officers and soldiers detailed from the army, they arranged to meet all trains from Montauk Point, assisted in collecting the furloughed men, to the number of seventy-five or one hundred each day, and to give them food and shelter for the night after they arrived in Long Island City. Money was also donated for the same purpose by the Mer- chants' Association of New York and the New York Board of Trade, who heartily co-operated in the work. Large numbers of letters reached me every day from anxious relatives asking of the where- abouts and well-being of their relations; and special arrangements were made to investigate 214 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN promptly and telegraph immediate replies; the Government even authorizing, in case informa- tion was desired concerning any certain soldier of whom no trace could be found in camp, and who it was thought had probably been left be- hind in Santiago, to cable directly to that point, at the expense of the Government, in order to furnish information to his friends. Notwithstanding that doctors, nurses, hospital stewards, and all necessary supplies were in abundance, and that a small army of civilian laborers, carpenters, teamsters, and other work- men were busily engaged in their respective de- partments; that there were unlimited supplies of delicacies for the sick; and that everything was done which hand could do and brain devise for the well-being of the soldiers, yet so numerous had become the newspaper articles concerning what they were pleased to call the maladministra- tion and mismanagement at our military camps, and which according to them had entailed un- told hardships and privations upon our brave soldiers, and so many private letters were re- ceived by me from relatives of soldiers regard- ing the hitter's well-being, that, on September 2d, I determined to make a full statement to the Associated Press on this subject, — which state- ment was in these words: The following is a sample of the letters we are con- stantly receiving regarding the soldiers in the camp : SPIRIT OF THE SOLDIERS THEMSELVES 215 In regard to my stepson, we feel very uneasy about him on ac- count of the newspaper reports of the privation and suffering in- flicted on the private soldiers. Although he has never uttered a complaint since he has been in the army, we hear from other sources of the cruel and horrible treatment inflicted on our own soldiers under the pretence of humanity for our neighbors, and the whole country is in a state of terrible excitement. I should not be surprised if the feeling should lead to a revolution of some kind, for I assure you I hear on all sides the most violent and bitter denunciations of the War Department and the Administra- tion. It is, indeed, a great pity that the glory of our triumph should be dimmed by such a shameful thing as the ill-treatment and starvation of our own brave soldiers, while the Spanish pris- oners have the best treatment that the country can afford. It w r ill be seen that this letter says that not a word of complaint has been received from this soldier, and, so far as my investigation goes, no complaint has been made by any of the brave soldiers that have added glory to our arms in the Cuban campaign. A great many anxious fathers, mothers, brothers, or sisters ar- rive here from all parts of the United States to look after their relatives, who, they say, the papers tell them are suffering, and many of them have heard that their relatives are in a condition of starvation. Most of these people are little able to expend the money for such a journey, and they are surprised when they come here to find their relatives surrounded with everything to eat which can be procured by money, and, if sick, in hospital. They are gratified and surprised to find that they receive every possible care. In reply to a direct request that I give the exact facts as I see them, I will state that every officer and soldier who went to Cuba regarded that he received a great and special privilege in being permitted to engage in that campaign. They knew they were to encounter yellow fever and other diseases as well as the torrid 216 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN heat of the country, and they were proud and glad to do so. They knew that it was impossible for them to have the advantage of wagon transportation, which usually accompanies armies, and yet officers and men were glad to go, to carry their blankets and their rations on their backs, and to be subjected without any shelter to the sun and rains by day and the heavy dew by night. They certainly knew that the Spaniards had spent years in erecting defences, and it was their pleasure to assault and their duty to capture the Span- ish works. They were more than glad to incur these hardships and these dangers. They went there and did their duty ; each man seeming to feel that American honor and prestige were to be measured by his conduct. The brave men who won the victories did not com- plain of the neglect of the government, but, on the contrary, they seemed grateful to the President and the Secretary of War for giving them the opportunity to incur these dangers and hardships. They realized that in the hurried organization of an expedition by a government which had no one with any experience in such matters it was impossible to have everything arranged to perfection ; and they will testify that under the circumstances the conditions were much more per- fect than any one could have reason to expect, and that the President and the Secretary of War and others who planned and despatched this expedition deserve high commendation. One reason why our army was lacking in some respects in equipment was that a telegram was received from Admiral Sampson stating that if the army reached there immediately they could take the city at once, but if there was delay the fortifications of the Spaniards would be so perfected that there might be great dim- THE SELECTION OF MONTAUK POINT 217 culty in taking it. On receiving this despatch from Admiral Sampson the War Department directed the army to move at once, and, as all connected with the army will recall, the orders were received after dark, and the army was in motion, had travelled nine miles, and was on the ships at daylight. When the expedi- tion sailed for Cuba it went there escorted by a large fleet of warships. At that time it was regarded as impossible for a merchant ship to sail on the ocean safely from any American port to Santiago, but as soon as the Spanish fleet was destroyed, so that it was possible for unarmed ships to sail safely to Santiago, the generous people of the United States subscribed money without limit and despatched ship after ship, loaded with luxuries and delicacies for the Santiago army, and everything that could be accomplished for their comfort was done by the President and Secretary of War. After the sur- render had been completed and arrangements perfected for transporting the Spanish army to Spain the Presi- dent and Secretary of War sent ships into Santiago and transported our army to one of the most healthful localities in the United States. The point selected by the Secretary of War was so situated that thorough pro- tection was given to the people of the United States from the danger of yellow fever contagion. The soldiers upon their arrival at this place received every care and bounty which could be procured by money. The President and the Secretary of War directed that their health and comfort should be cared for without reference to expense, and in addition the people within a circuit of three hundred miles vied with each other in shipping to them carloads and steamboat loads of luxu- ries of all kinds. 218 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN I have just finished my daily inspection of the hos- pitals. With rare exceptions the sick are cheerful and improving. I have nurses and doctors to care for them and in all my many tours I have not seen a single patient who made the slightest complaint. It is true that there has been suffering, and great suffering. The climate of Cuba was very severe upon all our soldiers, and with rare exceptions they were stricken by severe illness ; but instead of complaining, the hearts of these brave men are filled with gratitude to the people for the bounteous generosity which have been extended to them. There is no doubt that there have been individual cases of suffering and possibly neglect among the soldiers, not only in Cuba, but since their arrival at this place. Nearly 20,000 men were brought from a yellow fever district to the United States. It would have been criminal to have landed them and allowed them to go promiscuously among the people. It has been stated by physicians that if it had been done yellow fever would have spread through many of our States. To avoid such a catastrophe, a point which is more thoroughly isolated from the people than any other locality which could be found was selected. By these wise means the country has been saved from a scourge of this fearful disease. Every one will realize that to land 18,000 men and put them on bare fields without any buildings whatever could not be done without some hardships. Over 5,000 very sick men have been received in the general hospital and as many more sick have been cared for in the camps, and yet only about sixty deaths have oc- curred in these hospitals. Tents had to be erected and hospitals constructed and preparations made to supply these 18,000 with wholesome water, food, medicines, physicians, nurses, cooks, hospital furniture, wagons, SECRETARY ALGER'S VISIT 219 ambulances, and the other numerous needs essential to caring for 18,000 men, fully half of whom are very sick or in a feeble physical condition. In addition to this, most of the bedding and much of the clothing was left in Santiago to prevent yellow fever infection. All of these deficiencies have had to be supplied. We had but one line of railroad to bring these supplies and sometimes there have been delays. On August 24th, the Secretary of "War paid a visit to Montauk Point. He made a thorough investigation of all parts of the camp, and was much pleased with what he saw. He stayed here two days, and slept under canvas one night. His visit was productive of much good and attended by very beneficial results. On August 28th, after his departure, I telegraphed the Sec- retary of War in these words: The orders which you issued when here are still having a beneficial effect, and are causing a constant improvement. Things are better than when you left, except that the fever is developing in a great many who came off the ships, which makes our list look large. Wheeler, Commanding. It was a gratification for me to learn from Sec- retary Alger that the President also purposed visiting the camp within the next few days, and I accordingly, on August 26th, telegraphed the Chief Executive as follows: 220 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN August 26, 1898. President : I was very glad to hear that you would visit Moutauk Point very soon. The visit of the Secretary of War has accomplished more than I can express. He has promptly corrected evils and made valuable suggestions, and given directions regard- ing administration. In addition, his personal visit to 1,500 sick soldiers in the hospital has cheered them up, and it is difficult to adequately convey to you the change for the better since the Secretary's arrival. The an- nouncement that you were to visit the soldiers has already added to this improvement ; and your presence here for even a single day will accomplish good, the great extent of which you can only realize after you make your visit. Wheeler, Maj. - Gen . , Commanding . Following" is a letter I wrote the President 'n Headquarters U.S. Forces, Camp Wikoff, L.I., August 31, 1898. Hon. William Mckinley, President U.S.A., Meadville, Pa. : Dear Mr. President : I am very glad indeed to hear that you will be at Montauk on Saturday. The Secretary states that you wish the visit to be very informal, but I know you will not object to the pre- parations that have been made. We have arranged to tire the President's salute, and a regiment .of cavalry with the band will meet you at the depot. Will you please telegraph me the hour at which you will arrive? THE SURGEON-GENERAL SATISFIED 221 I hope you will stay over at least one night and sleep in camp. I have a tent all fixed for you, and nothing would please the soldiers more than to know that the President of the United States had slept in a camp which contains nearly all the regular army, and that his accommodations were precisely the same as those they enjoyed. The Secretary of War slept in camp one night and was very much pleased with his night's rest. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major- General Commanding . Early on the morning of September 3d, the President and party arrived to make his visit of inspection, with the details of which the country is familiar. September 6th, General Sternberg, Surgeon- General of the Army, also paid a visit to the camp, and after a rigid inspection of all its de- partments expressed himself as highly gratified at the result of his investigation. The " New York World " on September 7th, in reporting this visit, quotes the Surgeon-General as saying: "It is the finest place in the United States, and the water is all right. Lieutenant- Colonel Smart's present investigation is the second on his part. The first analysis of the water was made before the camp was opened, and we are having another analysis made, largely to reassure the public." CHAPTER XIX MUSTERING OUT THE REGIMENTS FAREWELLS OX August 27th orders were received from Washington to prepare the 71st New York Volunteer Infantry to be sent on furlough, at the expiration of which time they were to be mustered out. I thereupon addressed to them the follow- ing letter : Headquarters U.S. Forces, Camp Wikoff, L.I., Aug. 27, 1898. To the Officers and Soldiers of the 71st Regi- ment, New York Vol. Infantry : Pursuant to the directions of the President, you will proceed to your homes and friends to receive the wel- come which Americans love to accord returning heroes who have fought, endured, and suffered for the sake of country, its honor and its prestige. This short but severe campaign has made ours the leading among the great countries of the earth, and you have done your full part in this great accomplishment. Your comrades who fell in battle, and those who became victims of disease in a tropical clime, will be revered and honored, not only by the people of your Empire State, but by the seventy millions of this great republic. FAREWELLS 223 In bidding you adieu, I shall always remember each and all of you as honored comrades of the Santiago Campaign, the effect of which, in importance and far- reaching benefits to our Republic, can hardly be esti- mated. Jos. Wheeler, Major- General Commanding. I here insert my farewell letter to the officers and soldiers of the 33d and 34th Michigan Vol- unteers, when they left camp on furlough, prior to being mustered out : Headquarters U.S. Forces, Camp Wikoff, L.L, Sept. 1, 1898. To the Officers and Soldiers of the 33d and 34th Michigan Volunteer Infantry : When your country called upon the brave men of the West to rally to the standard which waves as the em- blem of American liberty, you were among the first to respond. You made no request but to be given the post of danger and honor. You gladly faced the torrid sun and the disease of a tropical climate. You bravely hastened to the firing line in front of Santiago, and nobly did your duty as heroic soldiers. During this short but sharp campaign, in which you well performed your part, our country was elevated to a leading position among the greatest nations of the earth. Your work having been accomplished, the Sec- retary of War directs that you proceed to your homes, where the people of your great commonwealth await your coming, eager to shower plaudits and honors upon you. To those of your comrades whose lives became a 224 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN sacrifice to the cause you so bravely upheld, we rever- ently how our heads; and it will be the delight of a grateful country to cherish and perpetuate their memories. You take with you to your homes my best wishes for your prosperity and happiness, and in bidding you adieu, with my whole heart I say, may God give you His best blessing ! Joseph Wheeler, Major- General U.S.V., Commanding. Shortly after the Michigan regiments had left, the 8th Ohio, the 1st District of Columbia, and the 1st Volunteer Cavalry were also ordered to prepare for departure, and the following are the letters of farewell to these regiments, re- spectively : To the Officers and Soldiers of the 8th Ohio Volunteer Infantry : By direction of the Secretary of War you are to pro- ceed to your homes, where you will receive the heart- felt welcome and generous plaudits of the people of the great State of Ohio. You were prompt to answer the call of your country. You eagerly sought to meet your country's foes upon far distant foreign soil. You braved deadly disease in a tropical land. You did your full duty in a war which has won for us the highest place among the nations of the earth. In bidding you adieu, I wish you Godspeed, and may health, prosperity, and honor be showered upon you. Joseph Wheeler, Major- General Commanding . FAREWELLS 225 Headquarters U.S. Forces, Camp Wikoff, L.I., Sept. 6, 1898. To the 1st District of Columbia Volunteer Infantry : The purpose for which you so promptly gave your services to your country has been accomplished. You were among the first to respond to the nation's call to arms. In the face of tropical suns you hastened to the scene of conflict, and with eager steps marched to the front of our line of battle at Santiago, and together with your brave comrades engaged your country's foes until you saw them surrender their strongholds and lay down their arms at the feet of the valorous American army. The results of this campaign, in which you did your full duty, have been so momentous and beneficial as to win for you and your fellow soldiers the applause and gratitude of your countrymen. In bidding you adieu, I beg to express my personal admiration for the fortitude, endurance, and soldierly qualities which you displayed, and to wish for you eve im- possible blessing and the best prosperity and happiness. Jos. Wheeler, Major- General U.S.V. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Camp Wikoff, L.I., Sept. 7, 1898. To the Officers and Soldiers of the Cavalry Division, Army of Santiago : The duties for which the troops comprising the Cav- alry Division were brought together have been accom- plished. On June 14th we sailed from Tampa, Florida, to encounter in the sickly season the diseases of the 22(5 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN tropical Island of Cuba, and to face and attack the historic legions of Spain in positions chosen by them and which for years they had been strengthening by every contrivance and art known to the skilful military engineers of Europe. On the 23d one squadron each of the 1st and 10th Regular Cavalry, and two squadrons of the 1st Volun- teer Cavalry, in all 964 officers and men, landed on Cuban soil. These troops marched on foot fourteen miles, and, early in the morning of the 24th, attacked and defeated double their number of regular Spanish soldiers under the command of Lieutenant-General Linares. Eagerly and cheerfully you pushed onward, and on July 1st the entire Division, consisting of the 1st, 3d, 6th, 9th, and 10th Cavalry and 1st Volunteer Cavalry, forded San Juan River and gallantly swept over San Juan Hill, driving the enemy from its crest. Without a moment's halt you formed, aligning the Division upon the First Infantry Division under Gen- eral Kent, and, together with these troops, you bravely charged and carried the formidable entrench- ments of Fort San Juan. The entire force which fought and won this great victory was less than seven thousand men. The astonished enemy, though still protected by the strong works to which he had made his retreat, was so stunned by your determined valor that his only thought was to devise the quickest means of saving himself from further battle. The great Spanish fleet hastily sought escape from the harbor and was destroyed by our matchless navy. After seizing the fortifications of San Juan ridge, you, in the darkness of night, strongly intrenched the position your valor had won. Reinforced by Bates' FAREWELLS 227 Brigade on your left and Lawton's Division on your right, you continued the combat until the Spanish Army of Santiago Province succumbed to the superb prowess and courage of American arms. Peace promptly followed, and you return to receive the plaudits of seventy millions of people. The valor displayed by you was not without sacri- fice. Eighteen per cent., or nearly one in five, of the Cavalry Division fell on the field either killed or wounded. We mourn the loss of these heroic dead, and a grateful country will always revere their memory. Whatever may be my fate, wherever my steps may lead, my heart will always burn with increasing admir- ation for your courage in action, your fortitude under privation, and your constant devotion to duty in its highest sense, whether in battle, in bivouac, or upon the march. Joseph Wheeler, Major- Geti! U.S.V., Commanding. Note. — The Cavalry Division lost eighteen per cent., or nearly one in five ; Kent's Division lost thirteen and three-quarters per cent., or nearly one in seven; while Lawton's Division lost seven per cent., or one in four- teen. In the Cavalry Division the proportionate losses were twice as great as those in many great battles of Europe. At Waterloo the English lost but about ten per cent., and the average loss in Napoleon's great battles did not exceed eight per cent. ADDENDA. A. — Officers of the Cavalry Division who participated in the Battle of Las Guasimas, June 24, 1898. Maj. -Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Commanding. Maj. William D. Beach, Chief Engineer. Aurelius E. Mestre, Volunteer Aid. Brig.-Gen. S. B. M. Young, U.S.V. Capt. A. L. Mills, A.A.G., U.S.V. 1st Lieut. T. R. Rivers, 3d Cavalry, Aid. 2d Lieut. W. R. Smedberg, jr., 4th Cavalry, Aid. 1st Lieut. L. A. Fuller, Ass't Surgeon. FIRST U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Maj. James M. Bell, Commanding Squadron ; wounded. Capt. Thomas T. Knox, Commanding Troop K ; wounded. Capt. R. P. Page Wainwright, Commanding Troop G. Capt. Jacob G. Galbraith, Commanding Troop B. 1st Lieut. Edmund S. Wright, Commanding Troop A. 1st Lieut. George L. Byram, Squadron Adjutant; wounded. 1st Lieut. Peter E. Traub, duty with Troop G. 2d Lieut. Walter M. Whitman, duty with Troop G. 2d Lieut. Charles McK. Saltzman, duty with Troop B. 2d Lieut. Henry C. Smither, duty with Troop A. 230 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN TENTH U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Maj. S. T. Norvell. Capt. W. H. Beck. Capt. J. B. Watson. Capt. C. G. Ayres. Lieut. R. J. Fleming. Lieut. G. Vidmer. Lieut. H. O. Williard. Lieut. A. M. Miller, jr. Lieut. F. R. McCoy. Lieut. R. L. Livekmore. FIRST U.S. VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. Col. Leonard Wood. Lieuten't-Colouel Theodore Roosevelt. Maj. Alexander O. Brodie. Capt. Micah J. Jenkins. Capt. Frederick Muller. Capt. Maximilian Luna. Capt. R. B. Huston. Lieut. Woodbury Kane. 1st Lieut. Frank Frantz. 2d Lieut. R. C. Day. Capt. W. H. H. Llewellyn. Capt. Wm. O. O'Neill. 1st Lieuteuaut and Adjutant John Hall. 2d Lieut. Maxwell Keyes. 2d Lieut. J. C. Greenway. 2d Lieut. D. M. Goodrich. 1st Lieut. J. A. Carr. 1st Lieut. J. B. Wilcox. 1st Lieut. J. R. Thomas, jr. 2d Lieut. Thomas Rhyning. 2d Lieut. J. 1). Carter. 2d Lieut. D.J. Leahey. 2d Lieut. H. K. Devereux. Major and Assist'nt Surgeon Henry La Motte. 1st Lieutenant and Surgeon J. R. Church. Captain L. S. McCormack, 7th U.S. Cavalry. U.S. Military Cadet Ernest Haskell. Capt. J. C. McClintock. ADDENDA 231 B. — Officers of the Cavalry Division who participated in the Battle of San Juan, July 1, 2, and 3, 1898. Maj.-Gen. Joseph Wheeler, Commanding. Lieut. -Col. J. H. Dorst, Adjutant-General. Maj. E. A. Garlington, Inspector-General. Maj. William D. Beach, Chief Engineer. Capt. Joseph T. Dickman, 8th Cavalry. Capt. William Astor Chanler. 1st Lieut. Matthew F. Steele, 8th Cavalry, Aid. 2d Lieut. James H. Reeves, 6th Cavalry, Aid. 2d Lieut. Joseph Wheeler, jr., 4th Artillery, Aid. Maj. Valery Ha yard, Chief Surgeon. Aurelius E. Mestre, Volunteer Aid. Leonard Wilson. Brig. -Gen. S. S. Sumner, U.S.V. Capt. Robert L. Howze, A.A.G., U.S.V. Capt. R. H. Beckman, C.S., U.S.V. 1st Lieut. J. A. Harman, 6th Cavalry, Aid. 2d Lieut. L. C. Andrews, 3d Cavalry, Aid. THIRD U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Maj. H. W. Wessells, jr. ; wounded. Maj. Henry Jackson. Capt. Chas. Morton ;w'nded. Capt. Geo. A. Dodd. Capt. F. H. Hardie. Capt. G. K. Hunter ; w'nded. Capt. Henry L. Ripley. Capt. George H. Morgan. Capt. Daniel H. Boughton. Capt. F. O. Johnson. 1st Lieut. Thomas B. Dugan. 1st Lieut. Arthur Thayer; wounded. 1st Lieutenant Francis J. Koester. 1st Lieut. Alfred C. Mer- rill at ; wounded. 1st Lieutenant O. B. Meyer ; wounded. 232 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Third U.S. Regular Cavalry, — concluded. 2d Lieut. J. T. Conrad. 2d Lieut. Wm. D. Chitty. 2d Lieut. A. E. Williams. 2d Lieut. E. A. Sirmyer. 2d Lt. Harry H. Pattison. Additioual 2d Lieut. JohnC. 2d Lt. John Morrison, jr. Raymond. SIXTH U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Lieut. -Col. Henry Carroll ; wounded July 1. Maj. Thos.C.Lebo ; com'd'g. Capt. John B. Kerr; w'nded July 1. Capt. William Stanton. Capt. Henry P. Kingsbury. Capt. F. AVest. Capt. George H. Sands. Cpt. A. P. Blockson ;w'nded. 1st Lieut. James A. Cole. 1st Lt. Richard B. Paddock. 1st Lt.EDW.C. Brooks, Adj't. 2d Lieutenant W. C. Short; wounded July 1 . 2d Lieutenant George C. Barnhardt. 2d Lieut. Henry H. Stout. 2d Lieut. A. C. Nissen. 2d Lt. A. Van P. Anderson. 2d Lieuten't N. K. Averill, 7th Cavalry, attached. NINTH U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Lieutenant-Colonel John M. Hamilton ; killed. Capt. C. A. Stedman. Capt. Charles W. Taylor; wounded. Capt. John F. McBlain. 1st Lt. Charles J. Stevens. 1st Lieut. Henry A. Barber. 1st Lieutenant Michael M. McNamee. 1st Lieutenant W. S. Wood, Adjutant; wounded. 2d Lieut. K. W. Walker. 2d Lieut. E. E. Hartwick. MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. Maj. Geo. McCreery, Surg. Maj. Henry S. T. Harris, Surgeon, U.S.V. Capt. Geo. J. Newgarden, Assistant Surgeon. Dr. Menocal, Acting As- sistant Surgeon. Dr. H. W. Danforth, Act- ing Assistant Surgeon; killed. ADDENDA 233 SECOND CAVALRY BRIGADE. Col. Leonard Wood, 1st U.S.V. Cavalry, Com'd'g Brigade. Capt. A. L. Mills, A.A.G., U.S.V. ; wounded. Capt. Robert Sewell, A.A.G., U.S.V. Capt. Morton J. Henry, C.S., U.S.V. 1st Lt. W. E. Shipp, 10th Cav., Brigade Q'termaster ; killed. Major Webb Hayes, 1st Ohio Vol. Cav., attached ; wounded. Capt. L. S. McCormick, 7th U.S. Cavalry, attached. FIRST U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Lieut. -Col. Charles D. Viele, Commanding Regiment. Maj. Albert G.Forse, Com'd'g 1st Squadron ; killed July 1st. 1st Lieut, and Adjutant Peter E. Traub. Capt. R. T. Page Wainwright, Commanding Troop G. Capt. Herbert E. Tdtherly, Commanding 2d squadron. Capt. Jacob G. Galbraith, Commanding Troop B. Capt. William C. Brown, Commanding Troop E. 1st Lieut. J. F. Reynolds Landis, Act'g Reg'l Quartermaster. 1st Lieut. George W. Goode, Commanding Troop I. 1st Lieut. Edmund S. Wright, Commanding Troop A. 1st Lieut. John A. L. Hartman, Commanding Troop K. 1st Lieut. Clough Overton, Commanding Troop D. 1st Lieut. Milton F. Davis, Commanding Troop C. 2d Lieut. William H. Osborne, duty with Troop E. 2d Lieut. Robert C. Williams, duty with Troop C. 2d Lieut. Walter M. Whitman, duty with Troop G. 2d Lieut. Hugh D. Berkley, duty with Troop D. 2d Lieut. Newton D. Kirkpatrick, 1 duty with Troop I. 2d Lieut. Charles McK. Saltzman, duty with Troop B ; sent to hospital sick, July 2d. 2d Lieut. Henry C. Smither, duty with Troop A. 1 On the afternoon of September 7th, Lieutenant Kirkpatrick and Naval Cadet Thomas H. Wheeler, General Wheeler's younger son, both Aids on General Wheeler's staff, were drowned while surf-bathing 234 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN TENTH U.S. REGULAR CAVALRY. Lieut. -Col. T. A. Baldwin. Major S. T. Norvell. Major L. J. Wint ; wounded. Adjutant M. H. Barnum ; wounded. Capt. W. H. Beck. Capt. John Bigelow, jr. ; wounded. Capt. T. W. Jones. Capt. C. G. Ayres. Capt. J. W. Watson. 1st Lieutenant W. H. Smith ; killed. 1st Lient. J. J. Pershing, Quartermaster. 1st Lieut. J. B. Hughes. 1st Lieut. E. D. Anderson; wounded. 1st Lieut. R. L. Livermore ; wounded. 1st Lieut. R. J. Fleming. 2d Lieut. G. Vidmer. 2d Lieut. H. O. Williakd ; wounded. 2d Lieut. A. M. Miller. 2d Lieut. A. E. Kennington. 2d Lieut. H. C. Whitehead ; wounded. 2d Lieuten't F. A. Roberts ; wounded. 2d Lieutenant T. R. McCoy ; wounded. FIRST U.S. VOLUNTEER CAVALRY. Lieuten't-Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, commanding Regiment. Major and Surgeon Henry La Motte ; wounded. 1st Lieut, and Ass't Surgeon, J. R. Church. Maj. Micah J. Jenkins. Capt. Frederick Muller. Capt. Maximilian Luna. Capt. R. B. Huston. Capt. Henry ; wounded. Capt. Frank Frantz. Capt. R. C Day ; wounded July 1st. Capt. W. H. H. Llewellyn. Capt. Wm. O. O'Neill ; killed July 1st. Lieut. Woodhury Kane. 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant Maxwell Keyes. 1st Lieut. J. C. Greenway. at Montauk Point. Cadet Wheeler, seventeen years old, entered An- napolis in '97, and had spent his first vacation on board the Columbia in Cuban and Porto Rican waters. His name has been confused by the press with his elder brother, Joseph Wheeler, who graduated at West Point in ' ( .). r >, and who served as Aid on General Wheeler's staff in Cuba during the entire campaign. ADDENDA 235 Fikst U.S. Volunteer Cavalry, — concluded. 1st Lieut. D. M. Goodrich. 1st Lieut. J. B. Wilcox. 1st Lieutenant J. A. Carr; wounded July 2d. 2d Lieut. Shenard Coleman. 2d Lieut. Thomas Rhyning. 2d Lieuten't D. J. Leahey ; wounded July 1st. 2d Lieut. J. D. Carter. 2d Lieut. H. K. Devereux ; wounded. Captain L. S. McCormack; 7th U.S. Cavalry. U. S. Military Cadet Ernest Haskell ; w'nded July 1. PART II -DESPATCHES ON THE FIELD Note. — Several important Despatches are not placed in their order here, because they have been incorporated with the text in Part I. THE DESPATCHES CHAPTER I ADVANCE FROM THE COAST — CUBANS' SKIRMISH WITH THE SPANIARDS — IN SIGHT OF SANTIAGO — EXAMIN- ING SPANISH PRISONERS — DIRECTIONS FOR THE LINE OF BATTLE FROM GENERAL SHAFTER, ON BOARD S.S. SEGURANCA — RATIONS FOR CASTILLO'S TROOPS rriHE despatches in the Santiago Campaign X form by themselves a continuous official story. As such, their interest and importance will be apparent; and I give many of them here, practically verbatim et literatim, in their order as issued on the field, Avith one or two descriptive personal letters. Important statements made in the original portions of this book may for the most part be substantiated by reference to these official despatches. Reports of operations not referred to here will be found incorporated with the text in Part I. : On Board S.S. Seguranca, Off Daiquiri, Cuba, June 22, 1898. Secretary of War, Washington, D.C. : Landing at Daiquiri this morning successful. Very little, if any, resistance. Shafter. 240 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Daiquiri, Near Santiago, Cuba, June 23, 1898. 'Yo * * * * My dear Friend : We commenced going ashore yesterday. I rode about 8 miles, penetrating the country about four miles from the sea. The road to Santiago is a very good military road. Bananas and cocoanuts abound, the growth of all kinds so luxuriant it is difficult to leave the road at all except in certain elevated places which are quite open or only have a scrubby growth. The Spaniards have block houses at various points along the road ; the nearest one now occupied is 3 or 4 miles beyond the point occupied by our advanced troops. I think they will abandon these places as we approach. I don't think there are more than 18 or 20 thousand Spanish troops in the Province and probably less than 10,000 in the city of Santiago. Cuba is not so entirely different from other coun- tries as people make out. Our horses are so weakened by the trip that we cannot get them off the ships and make a general forward movement to Santiago for about two days. I suppose you know that our cavalry are dismounted, having come without their horses as we could only bring animals for transportation. Gen. Miles will send our horses as soon as possible. If I had them I could sweep through the Island. The shores are lined with coral rocks. I enclose a little fragment. Soon after getting ashore I sent the flag of the 1st Volunteer Cavalry and had it waved on a high eminence. All the ships answered by blowing their whistles. With respect, your friend, Joseph Wheeler. THE DYNAMITE GUN WANTED 241 Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 23, 1898. Col. Wood, Commanding 1st Vol. Cavalry, Daiquiri : Sir: The Major-General com'd'g directs that you send forward without delay the dynamite gun and development. Very res'p'y, M. F. Steele, 1st Lieut., 8th Cav., Aid. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Juraguacito, Cuba, June 23, 1898. Adjt-Genl 5th Corps, On the Steamer Seguranca : Sir : I have the honor to report that Genl Lawton was at this place when I arrived here. He informed me that he has reported to you in full. The people here report that Genl Linares was here yesterday and left on the train at 4 a.m. to-day. Genl Castillo reports that the men of his command that followed the Spaniards to-day are now at Sevilla — about 6 miles from here and nine miles this side of Santiago. He reports that 120 insurgents under Lt.- Col. Aguierre (of Genl D. Castillo's command) began fighting the Spaniards about 2 miles w r est of here, and continued the fight as far as Sevilla. I have seen the 7 Cubans wounded in the fight ; one is wounded severely, the others slightly. Two Cubans were killed. It is reported that about 1000 or 1200 Spaniards were at this place ; they left early this morning. I directed Col. Wood to come to this place in com- 2-±2 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN pliance with your instructions. He will bring his dynamite gun. Genl Lawton and the Cubans have accomplished all that can be done at present. I think Genl Lawton has shown energy and good judgment. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Genl U.S. Vol. P.S. — Genl Castillo reports that one dead Spaniard was left in the hands of the Cubans. I understand that Genl Lawton reported the locomo- tives and coal at this place. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Juraguacito, June 24, 1898. Adjutant-Gen. 5th Army Corps : Dear Sir : Yesterday afternoon I went out three miles towards Santiago. The road is very good, and there are several good camping places. At dark the Spanish rear guard was this side of Sevilla. The in- surgents think the enemy has artillery. I go out this morning with Wood's Regiment and will press on to Sevilla. Respectfully yours, Jos. Wheeler. Siboney, June 24, 1898. Major-General Joseph Wheeler : Sir : Colonel Gonzales and Lieut. -Col. Aguierre have orders to proceed with their commands and join Major Duany's forces which occupy positions in advance. Being the Senior Cuban officer in this district my OCCUPYING THE ENEMY'S GROUND 243 duties keep me at this place ; but as soon as General Garcia gets here, whom I expect at any moment, I will have the pleasure of presenting my respects to you. Respectfully yours, D. Castillo. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, S.S. Seguranca, June 24, 1898, 1 p.m. Major General Wheeler, U.S.V., Commanding Cavalry Division : Sir : The Comd'g Gen'l directs me to say he is glad to hear such good news and that you are occupy- ing the enemy's ground. A battery will be sent to you as soon as it can be unloaded and horses are off. Will also send you some saddle horses from the Artillery. The Mounted Cavalry will be dispatched as fast as possible. Kent's Division now disembarked at Siboney and ordered to hold themselves in readiness to support you if needed. The Navy are firing at the point probably where the railroad crosses the river (San Juan) ; it was likely the enemy was sending reinforcements by rail. Rations will be in Juraguacito to-night and we will have pack trains out for you during the night, one for each division. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, £ Mile beyond Sevilla, June 24, 1898, 5 p.m. Adjutant General 5th Corps : Sir : I have the honor to report we can see Santiago very plainly from this point, about 7 or 8 miles dis- tant. The country appears level for six miles this side 244 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN the city except for heights on the south which extend to within 3 miles of Santiago and from which the city can be shelled. These hills now appear deserted. The country is fairly open, a good tract for campaigning over, and is said to be well watered. The road from this point to Santiago is said to be very good. An engineer force ought to be put to work immediately to repair the road between Juraguacito and Se villa, as considerable work must be done to it to make it passable for guns and wagons. Sevilla is abandoned, and Genl. Chaffee will occupy it to-morrow. Very resp., Jos. Wheeler, Major Genl Vol. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Sevilla, June 25, 1898. Adjutant General 5th Corps : Sir: Col. Dorst having informed me that the Com- manding General directs I take general charge of the troops, I have therefore directed the various com- manders to commence repairing the road in their vicinity and the officer at Juraguacito to maintain strict police and order at that place. I think it would be a good plan for a Cavalry Engineer Officer and party to come forward and have general superintendence of the work. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major General Volunteers. EEPORT OF TWO BOY REFUGEES 245 Headquarters Cavalry Division, In Front of Sevilla, on Santiago Road, June 25, 1898. To General Sh after : I have just seen two negro boys who left Santiago this morning (Saturday). They report that the soldiers and citizens are very short of food. The soldiers and officers have seized all the food in the shops. They are killing young horses for food, and in the hospitals are subsisting on bread made of rice flour. Three Spanish generals took part in the fight at Sevilla yesterday. Five wagon-loads of wounded were carried into Santiago, and many other wounded got there on horses or afoot. We can see Morro Castle and the flag very distinctly from our posi- tion. The Cubans confirm the reports as to the fine character of the fortifications around the city. Seven lines of barbed wire are stretched around the trenches. The Spaniards have recently dug deep trenches around the entire city, connecting a series of small forts. Wheeler. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, June 25, 1898. Gen. Wheeler : I wish you to very carefully exam- ine the valley to the right of the road you are now on. Maps indicate running water there, also a short distance down into the valley in front, and on the left into the hills. If the enemy is developed in the hills to the left, we will work on them when we get ready, with artil- lery. Should you find the country unoccupied by the enemy, and you find plenty of water there, occupy it with Lawton's Division and bring up Kent, leaving Bates 246 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN where he now is. Three batteries are now on land. One of them has already gone to you and the others will go in the morning. Four troops of cavalry should also join you to-day. Be very careful of them as they are tired and I want them ready when we need them. Gatling battery is also already on the way. Four es- cort wagons have been sent out this afternoon to Si- boney to Bates, and four ambulances go in the morning. These are all for sick and wounded if needed. Have sent a pack train to each division for the purpose of taking rations and forage (for officers' private horses) of each division. These pack trains must not be di- verted to any other purpose, and will be under the charge of the respective Division Quartermasters. Lt. Brooks will have a pack train for the supply of ammu- nition to the entire command. If you can get up a supply by any means to-morrow it would be a good idea. Two reserve pack trains will be used to forage and ration Bates' command, the Light Artillery and the Cavalry. Very respectfully, Wm. R. Sh after, Major- General Commanding . Headquarters 5th Army Corps, June 25, 1898. General Wheeler : Yours in reference to issuing rations received, and all right. Also your report from the negroes in town. Have no doubt it is as they say, but with the single exception of making a little recon- naissance, as I have explained to your Aide as well as written you, there must be no forward movement until TOPOGRAPHICAL OFFICERS DETAILED 247 I get the troops all up, which I hope will be to-mor- row. If you do find water in abundance, advance Lawton's Division, using your dismounted cavalry for the flanks, and bring Kent up and put him where Law- ton now is. Very truly yours, Wm. R. Shafter, Maj. Gen. Comdg. Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 25, 1898. Orders : By direction of the Commanding General U.S. forces in Cuba, the following officers are detailed as topographical officers and will report without delay to Major W. D. Beach, Acting Engineer Officer Cav. Division, viz. : 1st Lt. E. D. Anderson, 10th Cav. 2nd Lt. M. Batson, 9th Cav. By command Maj. Gen. Wheeler, J. H. Dorst, Lt. Col. & AsstAdj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, On Board S.S. Seguranca, off Daiquiri, Cuba, June 25, 1898, 5.50 a.m. Major Gen. J. Wheeler, U.S.V., Commanding Cavalry Division, Near Sevilla, Cuba : Sir : Despatch of 5 p.m. just received. Your news is excellent. Have ordered Bates to repair road to Sevilla at once. One battery of Artillery is on way 248 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN to you, and will have another battery before night. Four troops 2d Cavalry will be gotten to you just as early to- day as possible. Will send them in detachments as ready : also three pack trains, one for each division, to carry rations to you. The Ordnance Officer with an- other pack train will get ammunition to you. General Kent with two transports could not be found up to last night. The most of his division is at Juraguacito under General Hawkins. Order it to join you, if you »an place it in good position ; they are not required where they are, and should be with you. Expect General Garcia's command up to-day, and it will dis- embark at Juraguacito. Keep your front thoroughly picketed and also your right flank, and well in advance ; but do not try any forward movement until farther or- ders. From where you are now, or approximately there, I wish to advance in force, and will not move until all the troops are well in hand. I will see you to-day there. Very respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter, Major General U.S.V., Commanding. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Sevilla, June 25, 1898. Adjutant General 5th Corps: Sir: I send Maj. W. D. Beach, who will give you full information about the condition of the troops and the country. I am doing what I can with scouts to get information about the enemy. I think it important that we send spies into Santiago and to do this effi- ciently we should have funds to pay them. Maj. Beach PRECAUTION IX ADDRESSING DESPATCHES 249 is an excellent officer to have charge of this fund and I request that he be furnished $100 or $200 for this purpose. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Genl Vols. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Sevilla, June 25, 1898. Col. McClernand, Adjutant General oth Corps: Dear Colonel : Several of the communications that I have forwarded have been addressed to General Shaf- fer direct for the reason that I have had to send them by Cubans or such couriers as I could find, and by the use of the General's name, I thought it would make the letters more sure of safe delivery. Respectfully, Joseph Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 25, 1898. Genl Castillo, Juraguacito : Dear Sir : Will you be kind enough to send one of your officers to report to the Commanding Officer of troops of General Kent's command now out alono- the water pipe line, with a view r of guarding against acci- dental conflict between your men and his. 250 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN General Kent will give your officer directions where to go. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gent Vol. Headquarters Cavalry Division, In Front of Sevilla, June 25, 1898. Adjutant General U.S. Army in Cuba, S.S. Seguranca : Sir : Gen. Castillo has 600 men at this place and at the picket in front of it, who are without rations. I have told their officers that I would have rations furnished them if they would remain here on duty under our orders, and they have promised to do so. I respectfully request that 1800 rations be turned over to them at Juraguacito. They will send a detail to receive the rations with the bearer of this note. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Comdg. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Camp near Seyilla, June 25, 1898, 3 p.m. Asst Adjt.-Genl U.S. Army in Cuba, S.S. Seguranca : Sir : I am investigating the matter of cutting off the water supply of Santiago and would suggest that it would be a very good thing to do. If you will order me to do it I should be very glad to undertake it. It would also be an excellent thing for the Chief Signal BRINGING UP THE COMMANDS 251 Officer to put the telegraph line from here to Juragua- cito in order and to establish a series of signal stations on the high ground to the front and overlooking the right of this portion of the Army. These stations would also overlook the ground in front. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Comdg. In compliance with your instructions I will not make any forward movement until further orders from you. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Sevilla, Cuba, June 26, 1898. Adjutant General 5th Corps : Sir : Before receiving your last order, Capt. Dick- man of my Staff and Lt. Rivers of General Young's had already reconnoitered to the front of our forces, Capt. Dickman going 3£ beyond Sevilla, and I had ordered General Young to a point 2 miles beyond Sevilla, and had ordered the 4 troops, 2d Cavalry, to the same point. General Lawton will go out with me this morning and select his camp, and I will arrange the troops as nearly as possible as directed by you, taking- into consideration water and conformation of the country. I have directed General Kent to bring his command to the front as soon it is supplied and ready to move, — unless he is otherwise ordered by the Commanding General. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. V., Comdg. 252 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN J>.S. — Before receiving your instructions to move to the front, there was no room for General Kent's Division — that difficulty is now removed — I do not think there is any possibility of the arrangement I am making bringing on an engagement. Will carefully comply with directions and take great pains to avoid it. Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 2G, 1898. Maj. Hugh Gallagher, U.S.V., Chief Coimnissanj, Cavalry Division, Aboard S.S. Alleghany: Sib : The Commanding Officer directs that you supply Brigadier General Demetrio Castillo, command- ing Cuban forces at Siboney, with the necessary blanks upon which to make requisitions for rations; explain to him the way to make them out and draw his sup- plies, and that you issue subsistence supplies to his troops the same as to our own troops It is understood that you have been placed in charge of the subsistence stores at Siboney. In case you should be relieved of this duty, please refer this matter to the proper officer. Information is received that General Garcia has :n rived at Siboney. Gen. Castillo's forces are a part of his command, and he may already have drawn rations lor Castillo's forces. Please inform yourself upon this point, with a view of not issuing twice to Castillo's forces for the same time. Very respectfully, J. H. Dokst, Lt. Col. and Asst Adj. Gen. CHAPTER II REINFORCEMENTS EXPECTED CUBAN REGIMENT RE- PORTS FOR DUTY DELAY FOR REINFORCEMENTS A REFUGEE'S STATEMENT OF THE FOOD, POPULA- TION, AND DEFENCES OF SANTIAGO — PANDO COMING FROM MANZANILLO TO ITS AID WITH 5,000 TROOPS Headquarters 5th Army Corps, On Board S.S. Seguranca, Off Siboney, Cuba, June 26, 1898. Major-General Joseph Wheeler, U.S.V. : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say he expects four thousand reinforcements to-morrow. This additional force will probably postpone the advance a little. Get your men well in hand, but make no forward movement. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. Siboney, Cuba, June 26, 1898, 7 p.m. Major General Wheeler : Sir: Colonel Pearson, Commanding 2d Brigade, took 20th Infantry out to reconnoiter along the beach road on receipt of your order. He had not yet re- turned and may not to-night. When I hear the results 254 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN I will forward report if the matter is of importance, otherwise will see you in the morning. My division will start from here for General Law- ton's old camp at 5 a.m. to-morrow. Would like an officer sent to meet the head of the column on arrival near your old headquarters. Very respectfully, J. Ford Kent, Brigadier General U.S. Vols. Comdg 1st Div. oth Army Corps. Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 26, 1898. General Chaffee, Commanding Advance : Sir : By direction of General Castillo, Colonel Gonzales, the bearer, reports to me with 509 men — 413 armed. I have directed him to report to you for duty in your advance guard. Col. Gonzales under- stands that he is subject to your orders. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Comdg. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, On Board S.S. Seguranca, Off Daiquiri, Cuba, June 26, 1898. My dear General Wheeler : I had expected to join you to-day, but there have been so many things that needed special attention, that I could not do it. I mean to come to-morrow. Do not advance, but have the country, to the right and left of the road, carefully reconnoitered. I especially desire to know if there is a STORES FOR TROOPS AND REFUGEES 255 short cut to the right to Caney, as I believe it will be a good plan to put a division in there and assault the town on that road. Very respectfully, Wm, R. Sh after, Major General U.S.V., Commanding. Major General Joseph Wheeler, U.S. V. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, On Board S.S. Seguranca, Off Daiquiri', Cuba, June 27, 1898. My dear General Wheeler : I had intended to make an advance to-morrow, with the troops that I have, but, in view of telegrams received yesterday, that a large number of reinforcements (about 4,000) are on the way, and the further fact that one of the ships has arrived this morning, I will not feel justified in advancing until I get them on shore. The Govern- ment seems to be very solicitous about us, and it is possible they have information of which we know nothing. I hope your scheme of sending spies into San- tiago has worked. I also understand that a large num- ber of poor people came out yesterday and are within the lines. Of course they will be received, as we can't drive starving people back, at least not at the present time. Question them carefully and get as good an idea as you can of the condition of affairs there and of the location of the forces that are said to be on the road to oppose us. I am shipping out stores as fast as possi- ble : ammunition, forage and rations, and will direct it all sent to you, to avoid confusion. Will you have your Quartermaster take charge of it and pile it where we can get at it conveniently ? The forage please issue 25(5 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN to the artillery horses and cavalry, as well as horses of officers ; and issue subsistence stores to any troops that require it, but not more than three days' at a time for any command. Best should have reached you yesterday morning, but I found late yesterday afternoon that he had been lying in Juraguacito all day waiting for forage to be sent to him. * ***** I hope you will look out the subject of finding if there is any means of moving a division off to your right, bringing it out at El Caney, a good point from which I do not believe we will be expected, which is only about four and a half miles from the city. My Engineer Officer tells me there is a large road leading off to the left on the high ground generally in the direction of the mouth of the San Juan River, and which Avill be on Kent's left. From the fact that I hear Spanish troops are evidently working down to- wards the Morro, it is possible they may try or be thinking of attempting to flank us on our left flank ; so send at least a regiment of Kent's out that road, a couple of miles I should say, to pretty near opposite the left of where Lawton is to be placed this morning, and establsih a picket line connection with him, if practicable. I am going to have Garcia keep men well to the front on our left. I am coming out to see you this afternoon. I hope the mounted cavalry are doing well. I had them bring four days' forage on their horses, instead of riding them. Very truly yours, Wm. R. Shafter, Major General 11.8. Volunteers, Commanding. To Major General Joseph Wheeler, U.S.V. DISEASE AND HUNGER IN THE CITY 257 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Off Siboney, Cuba, June 27, 1898, 9 p.m. Adjutant General, Washington : All is progressing well. We occupied to-day an advance position abandoned by the enemy yesterday on the Sevilla and Santiago road west of the San Juan River, within three miles of Santiago, and from which it can be plainly seen. Shafter, Major General Commanding. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Camp, f Mile beyond Sevilla, Cuba, June 28, 1898. Adjutant General 5th Army Corps : Sir : I have to-day examined a young man of fair intelligence who left Santiago yesterday to join the Cubans. According to what he tells me many of the Spanish troops are sick of malarial fevers and other diseases, (not yellow fever), and that they have of late been trying to find extra hospital attendants. The food in the hospitals is sardines and rice bread, as previously advised. He says there is still a little meat to be had which sells at a dollar a pound to those who are allowed to buy it. Eight days ago it was said by Officers that meat would only last for 12 days. Chief food is rice, of which a large shipment was brought in by a German steamer that failed to get into Havana on account of the blockade, and came here. There are still a number of Cubans who would like 258 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN to come out to join the Insurgents, perhaps five or six hundred, but they fear being arrested on attempting to leave the city. There are but few young Cubans in the city, the population being chiefly composed of women, Spaniards and some few Cubans who are more or less in sympathy with the Spaniards. My infor- mant was unable to say whether, in case we notified the Spanish authorities of the bombardment of the city, they would allow the families to leave ; but considers that, as General Linares and other influential Spaniards have their families there, they would avail themselves of this warning and others might then do the same. Their line of exit would probably be to the N.W. of Santiago, along the bay towards Cobre. The Spanish soldiers and lower classes speak enthu- siastically of their coming victories over us, as they are kept deceived by the ruling classes, but these do not seem to be enthusiastic and appear to be pre- occupied. One of the newspapers of the day before yesterday stated that our numbers were about 16,000, but the people generally believe that we have 25 to 30 thou- sand. The Spaniards state to the people in Santiago that their forces are 20,000, but my informant does not believe they can have over 12,000. When asked what practice he had in calculating large numbers like that, he said he formed his opinion from what he had pre- viously seen of garrisons in Santiago. Part of the troops in Santiago he says have gone towards the Morro. This man tells me that the armored cruisers Vizcaya, Oquendo, Maria Teresa and Colon are in the harbor, as also the torpedo boats Pluton and Furor. He was quite familiar with the names and description of the boats. OLD-FASHIONED GUNS: NEWS OF HOBSON 259 He says that they have been repairing the upper work of the lieina Mercedes (damaged by our shells) but cannot say whether they really expect to make the ship again serviceable. He has explained to me more clearly what the defences of the city consist of. It appears that instead of the 7 lines of barbed wire fence, there are but two lines of fences running parallel to each other and about 3 yards apart. Each fence has from 7 to 9 lines of barbed wire, and then there are numerous threads running criss-cross in every direction between the two lines of fences. These fences run around the city with only six entrances left open. As to the trenches about the city, he tells me they are not continuous, and are not made with the idea of opposing Cavalry, but are simply made at inter- vals on rising ground where they can be used for rifle fire. The block houses on the northern side of city do not have any cannon as no attack is expected from that side, my informant telling me that the war ships are supposed to be able to prevent any attack there. On the eastern and southern sides some cannons are mounted in the larger block houses. They are all old-fashioned muzzle loaders, my informant not knowing of any modern gun having been put up there. He tells me that, according to what the Spaniards themselves say, they had 2,500 men in Las Guasimas. He did not himself see the army re-enter Santiago, but a friend of his did, having seen Lieut. -General Linares, Div. General Toral and Brig.-General Vara del Key. There were from 4 to 6 carts with sick and wounded, besides stretchers and others on horseback. He says that Lieut. Hobson and his companions are held in a part of the Hospital Mercedes, and are said to be well cared for. 260 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN The forces of San Juan seem to be larger than at first, having been reinforced the night before last. Light mountain Artillery was sent out there, and my informant thinks there must be about a thousand men, although he was not able to take note on passing through. He thinks the Ducrot house is now aban- doned, so that it might be occupied, and also thinks that the intrenchments they are making about San Juan will not be quite finished this week. The tw r o hills at San Juan command the road perfectly well, being one on each side of the road. Other heights around Santiago are also being occupied by the Spaniards, but there are only small block houses on them, without cannon. To the south of Santiago there is a commanding height which overlooks the bay and which we can clearly see from the heights we occupy. At this place there is a very old fort made of masonry and a couple of wooden block houses. My informant thinks some small cannon have been set up there. At Aguadores there is another old stone fort which is a splendid position in every way, commanding all the country up to Santiago. This fort has only very old-fashioned brass guns, and could readily be destroyed from the sea, according to this man's opinion. The Spaniards are supposed to be very scant of larger ammunition, and what they have is thought to be old. I am told that 1,000 Marines have been landed from the Spanish war ships, and are now posted in the Santa Ursula battery, in the southeastern part of the city. My informant tells me that almost every day wounded men are brought into Santiago from the Morro, but that every effort is made to keep the people from ascertaining their numbers. THE FORCES IN EL CANEV 261 According to popular report, General Pando is expected from Manzanillo with 5,000 men. I have been unable to learn the strength of the Spanish forces in Caney from this man, but he does not think they can be very large, nor does he think the Spaniards have any cannon there. This man fears that, in case we notified the Spanish Authorities of an intended bombardment, they might purposely fail to notify the Cuban families, and that it would be advisable to notify them independently so that they might leave in time. Yours respectfully, Joseph Wheeler, Major General Volunteers, Commanding . CHAPTER III RATIONS, FORAGE, AND ROADS THE WIRE NIPPERS A REFUGEE'S REPORT OF EL CANEY CONFERENCE OF THE AMERICAN AND CUBAN GENERALS NUMBER AND KIND OF TROOPS IN SANTIAGO ORDERS CON- CERNING OUTPOSTS Headquarters 5th Army Corps, On Board S.S. Seguranca, Off Daiquiri, Cuba, June 28, 1898. Major General Wheeler, U.S.V. : Sir : Some mutters have come up this morning that I may not be able to get out to see you to-day, but, under no circumstances, unless you are attacked, must any tight be precipitated. I have a very strong telegram from the Secretary, saying some more rein- forcements will be here to-morrow, and that a division is also being forwarded, and that I must not be hasty. I feel the same way about it, as we are growing stronger every day and the enemy weaker, so that a waiting policy is one that we can afford, at least for a few days, to carry out strictly. I wish you would select some good officer and have him take charge of the wagon loads of rations, that I shall send out now, in establishing a depot. I want to get three or four days' rations out to the front just as soon as possible, in addition to the three days' rations in the men's hands. WIDENING TRAILS FOR PACK-TRAINS 263 See that from the forage that comes out the artillery are supplied ; also that the artillery and cavalry are supplied with rations, as they have no transportation set aside for them. I also wish you would have the road widened at short intervals, so that trains can pass, and to further insure that there is no blockade of the road by trains meeting in narrow places ; order all guards along the road not to permit any train of wagons to leave the front to come this way after 9 o'clock in the morning. I will order that trains do not leave here going out until after 11 o'clock. This will give time for the wagons coming in to get down to Siboney before those going up leave. Very respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter, Major General U.S. Volunteers, Commanding. Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 29, 1898. Adjt Genl 5th Corps, S.S. Seguranca : Sir : Colonel Viele, 1st Cavalry, reports that the wire nippers pertaining to his regiment were left aboard the Leona. These nippers are very necessary in our work here and I request that the bearer be fur- nished a launch to transport him to the Leona for the purpose of getting the nippers. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Genl Vols., Comdg. 26-i THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 29, 1898. Adjutant General 5th Corps, S.S. Seguranca : Sir : Two men and 3 boys have come in from Caney this morning and I learn from them, as follows : The garrison of Caney consists of 500 regulars under General Vara del Rey, who was in the engagement at Las Guasimas and 70 local guerrilla. The latter man the six forts that defend Caney — 1 masonry and 5 wooden. About 3 days ago the garrison received from Santiago a pack train of munitions and provisions. The provisions will probably last 8 or 10 days. The informant does not believe this garrison can offer seri- ous resistance and believes it will evacuate promptly if attacked. There are no cannon in the forts at Caney. The population of Caney is estimated at about 500, which, with the garrison, amounts to about 1,070 persons. The people are all poor and have very little to live on — the only article of food that can be bought in town being rice and a little oil. Col. Gonzales informs me to-day that his reconnoit- erers report that they examined the Ducrot house and found it abandoned, as also the forts in Marian ej a. He has at present parties out examining the block-houses on the heights north of us, with a view to seeing if they are occupied. The work on the San Juan forts seems to be pro- gressing. I still believe that the garrison at Caney can be driven out or captured. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major Genl Vols., Oomdg. COUNCIL WITH GARCIA AND CASTILLO 265 [By the Associated Press.] At the Front on the Eio Guama, June 27, 1898. Gen. Lawton, Gen. Chaffee and Gen. Wheeler have thoroughly reconnoitered the Spanish position, and with the aid of information furnished by the Cubans have very good maps of the roads and defenses of the city. Much information has also been obtained from Span- ish pacificos who have slipped out of the city. The sick in the hospitals — the pacificos say — are suffering from lack of food, and they also report that seventy- seven Spaniards were killed and that eighty- nine were wounded as the result of the ensragenient on Friday last. New York, June 28, 1898. A despatch to the " Journal " says that on Sunday night Gens. Shafter, Garcia, Wheeler, Kent, Lawton and Demetrio Castillo held a council of war at Siboney and decided to move upon Santiago Tuesday morning. The water-supply of the city of Santiago, the des- patch adds, was cut off Sunday night, and nothing but cistern water is now available to the Spaniards. A bulletin issued to the fleet by Rear-Admiral Sampson yesterday said : From a report made by one of the wounded, a nephew of Surgeon Berry hill of the flagship New York, a considerable part of the' damage to our troops on Friday last was done by seven-millimeter machine guns manned by seamen, so that there would seem to be some probability in the report of the use ashore of the crews of Admiral Cervera's squadron. 266 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [Special Cable to the " Sun."] Siboney, June 29, 1898. Another conference was held this morning between Generals Shatter, Garcia and Wheeler. The meeting was arranged by General Shatter and is still in pro- gress as this despatch is written. — New York Sun, July 2. [Special Cable to the " Sun."] Washington, July 1, 1898. According to the latest information received by the War Department, there are now in Santiago city thir- teen battalions of infantry of 800 men each, four squadrons of cavalry of 75 men each, one battery of artillery, three companies of sappers and miners of 100 men each, two transport companies of 100 men each, a telegraph company of 100 men, one telegraph sec- tion, and 750 other men besides, making in all 11,450 men, exclusive of volunteers. In the province alto- gether there are 37,825 men, of which the Manzanillo Division and 4,000 men from the Holquin Division are hurrying toward Santiago city. Shatter has at present 10,000 men, and with the second expedition will have 24,000 men to attack the city. — New York Sun, July 2. DUTIES OF OUTPOST COMMANDER 267 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, In the Field, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, June 30, 1898. The Commanding General Cavalry Division, In Camp near Sevilla, Cuba : Sir : In addition to rationing the four batteries of light artillery and four troops of mounted cavalry, as you have already been directed to do, the Commanding General directs that you also furnish them with forage. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Asst Adjutant- General. Headquarters Cavalry Division, June 29, 1898. Outposts. Each Division will furnish the outposts for its own front. An Officer shall be detailed to command the entire outposts ; he shall make his headquarters with the reserve (support), which should be posted as centrally as practicable. The Outpost Commander receives from the Commander of the Forces (Commander of the Division) instructions as to the general front to be occupied by the outposts, their object, and the amount of resistance they are expected to make. He is also informed about the trails and roads of approach from the direction of the enemy, and is made acquainted with everything known in regard to the position and probable intention of the enemy. He will also be informed of the location and orders under which the Cuban forces are operating. If in existence, a topo- 268 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN graphical sketch of the position selected for the camp and the surrounding country should be furnished the Commander of the Outposts. The Outpost Commander -ends to the Commander of the Forces (Division Com- mander), all information received, first testing its accuracy as far as practicable. He instructs his subordinate Commanders as follows : 1. General front of outpost line. 2. The ground to be occupied by each. 3. The position of neighboring supports and pickets. 4. The night position of pickets and supports. 5. What is known of enemy. 6. Trails by which enemy might advance. 7. Direction and method of patrolling. 8. What is to be done in case of attack. 9. How flaffs of truce and deserters are to be received. 10. Kind of reports required. 11. Where he is to be found. 12. Countersign and parole. (The countersign and parole of Cuban forces should be identical cal with those of U.S. forces.) The outpost should strengthen the position by intrenching; the pickets and supports should intrench and the sentinels should shelter themselves in pits about 2i feet dee]), the earth being thrown up towards the enemy and covered with grass, twigs, etc., in order that they may not attract attention. Part of the picket should be constantly under arms at night, separated from others who sleep close at hand. The pickets should be under arms an hour before daybreak and remain in ranks until it is full daylight, SENTINELS' DUTIES 269 and word has come from the line of observation that all is clear and no enemy in sight. Sentinels should be posted so as to have a good view to the front and the flanks, and be concealed as much as possible. Each sentinel should clearly understand : 1. The countersign. 2. The number of his own post. 3. The number and position of his own picket and the name of its Commander. 4. The position of the neighboring sentinels. 5. The direction of the enemy and probable line of his advance. 6. The points to which all roads, trails, or paths in sight lead. 7. The name of villages, hamlets, and rivers in view. 8. The signals by which he should communicate with the pickets or detached posts. Only persons in the performance of duty with the outposts or having authority over, and Cuban soldiers havino- an Officer in command are allowed to cross the line of sentinels. All other people, except deserters and bearers of flags of truce, are halted, and, after examination, are conducted by one of the sentinels to the picket. If they refuse to halt or attempt to escape they must be shot down. Deserters should be halted some distance from the post and required to lay down their arms. The Com- mander for the picket is at once notified and he sends out a patrol to bring them in and sends them, under proper guard, to the Officer commanding the forces (Division Commander). No conversation should be had with deserters. The bearer of a flag of truce and 270 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN his escort (if he has one) tire halted in front of the line of sentinels and ordered to face in the direction in which they came. Word is sent at once to Commander of the picket. The sentinel must not converse with the bearer of a flag of truce or his escort nor allow them to reconnoiter while they remain halted. The Commander of the picket will receive any communications the bearer of the flag of truce may have and send them at once to the Commander of the forces. When immediate alarm is not necessary, firing should be avoided. Everything observed by the sentinel in regard to the enemy should be communicated at once to the pickets. If the sentinel is satisfied that the enemy is advancing to attack he gives the alarm at once by firing. The same men should be kept on same posts. The more intelligent men should be selected for the most important posts. When sentinel's post is not in plain view of picket, a connecting sentinel should be posted. Joseph Wheeler, Maj.-Gen. U.S.V. CHAPTER IY THE STATUS, MORNING OF JULY FIRST GENERAL SHAFTER TAKES COMMAND ON SHORE DESPATCHES DURING FIRST DAY, BATTLE OF SAN JUAN INTER- viewing spanish prisoners washington notified of the engagement Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898. General Shafter : General : I am at the foot of the hill, and will en- deavor to carry out your directions. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Genl Vols. P.S. — I hope reinforcements will arrive soon. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898. Lt. Miley : Sir : The crest of the hill and houses are occupied by our troops and the reserves are just in rear below the crest. I hear reinforcements are coming up ; they should get up as soon as possible to support the artil- lery which has now gone to the crest of the hill. The Gatling gun reached the crest some time ago and has done 2;ood work. 272 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Please ascertain from General Shatter if I shall continue commanding and supervising as I am, and commanding the Cavalry Division through General Sumner, or shall I resume command of the Cavalry Division and displace Sumner, or shall I wait till to-morrow before doing this? I have just sent the ammunition up to the Grading gun. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Mai. Genl Vols. Headquarters oth Army Corps, July 1, 1898. General Wheeler : Resume command of your Division. Conform your movements to those who join you on the right and left. I have ordered Lawton an hour ago to join on your right. From my position in the center I can supervise the battle better than from anywhere else, as I have it in full view. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 1, 1898. Brig. Gen. Sumner, U.S.V. : Pursuant to direction of the Commanding General I hereby resume immediate command of the Cavalry Division; you will resume command of the 1st Cavalry Brigade. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major General U.S.V., Comdg Gov. Div. ON THE CREST OF THE HILL 273 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 1, 1898. General Wheeler : Just received your note. Have urged Second Battery and reinforcements to be sent to top of hill. Your note has gone back to Gen- eral Shafter. J. D. Miley, A.D.C. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898. General Shafter, Comdg : General : Our skirmish line is on top of the crest, and reserves this side the crest to avoid Spanish fire. The Gatling guns reached the crest of the hill and did good work. Capt. Best's field battery is also now on the hill. I think that position should be supported by more infantry. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, El Pozo, July 1, 1898, 2.05 p.m. To General Wheeler, Commanding Dismounted Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say your message about Generals Sumner and Kent are received. We understand all are over the San Juan now, and that all is going Avell at the front. A battery has just been ordered over the San Juan to give what assistance it can. Do you think another 274 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN can be used to advantage? I send two extra letters. Please send to Generals Sumner and Kent by two of the mounted orderlies you have. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 1, 1898. General Wheeler : Hold the ground where you are until night, keeping under the hill where entrenching tools will be sent to the front as soon as it is dark. Rations and artillery will be sent also. Lawton's Divi- sion and Bates' Brigade which have practically been out of the main fight trying to capture the town of Caney were ordered an hour and a half ago to close in on Sumner's right. Shafter. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 1, 1898. General Wheeler, Cavalry Division : Sir : Commanding General directs me to say he has just heard from General Lawton. He will move and join on your right to-night. General Kent says he is short of ammunition. Can you not spare him some from the train you received? Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. TRAVERSES AND INTRENCHMENTS 275 Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898, 5.45 p.m. Geneeal Shafter : Sir : I think the important question now is to fortify this ridge. To do this effectively we should have Col. Derby and the Engineers to lay out the lines, and the Generals should be here to superintend the work and press it forward. We will probably have to make some traverses. If we get this work well forward to-night we can continue it to-morrow and the men can have comparative security. The left flank is our weakest point. I have called Gen. Kent's attention to this and asked him to do all he can. I cannot hear of Gen. Lawton's approach. Please express your wishes to me for to-night. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 1, 1898. Major Gen. Wheeler, Cavalry Division: Sir : Commanding General directs me to say am- munition, rations and intrenching-tools (all that we have of the latter) will go forward. General Lawton has captured Caney and will join the right of our line before daybreak, bringing his battery with him. All artillery are ordered to open at daylight. McClernand, A.A.G. 276 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898, 6.40 p. m. General Shafter : Sir : It is now approaching dark, and the situation remains unchanged. Our right is weak, as so many men have been wounded and drifted away. I am now trying to strengthen it, but wish very much for Lawton to make connection on my right. Capt. Galbraith, on the extreme right, fears a return attack by the Spaniards to-night, but I do not think this is probable. I have just seen Gen. Hawkins ; he says he will commence intrenching and his line is all right for to-night. I have given him part of the intrenching tools. The three commanding officers of Sumner's Brigade are wounded. We need more intrenching-tools. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. p.S. — Have just seen Col. Wood, and he will com- mence intrenching at once. Will give him what tools I can. J- " • Will you send Col. Derby to me at once? Maj. Beach and I are making a preliminary recon- naissance now. J- " • Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898, 8.20 p.m. General Shafter : Sir : I examined the line in front of Wood's Brigade and gave the men shovels and picks and insisted on their ffoine right to work. I also sent word to Gen- ^ & © eral Kent to come and get intrenching-tools, and saw General Hawkins in person and told him the same thing. They all promise to do their best, but say the earth is very difficult, as a great part of it is rocky. THE APPEALS "TO WITHDRAW THE LINE" 277 The positions our men carried were very strong and the intrenchinents were very strong. A number of officers have appealed to me to have the line withdrawn and take up a strong position farther back, and I expect they will appeal to you. I have positively discountenanced this, as it would cost us muck prestige. The lines are now very thin, as so many men have gone to the rear with wounded, and so many are exhausted ; but I hope these men can be got up to- night, and with our line intrenched and Lawton on our right we ought to hold to-morrow, but I fear it will be a severe day. If we can get through to-morrow all right, we can make our breastworks very strong the next night. You can hardly realize the exhausted condition of the troops. The 3d and 6th Cavalry and other troops were up marching and halted on the road all last night, and have fought for twelve hours to-day, and those that are not on the line will be digging trenches to-night. I was on the extreme front line. The men were lying down and reported the Spaniards not more than three hundred yards in their front. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Jos. Wheeler, Major-General Volunteers. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 1, 1898, 8.45 p.m. General Kent : Dear General : There seems to be a good deal of apprehension about the left of your line. I do not know the situation myself. You understand it better than I do ; I know you will protect it. Gen. Shafter writes that Lawton will be up and form on the right of 278 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN your Cavalry by morning. I also learn that he has taken Caney. If you get some covering for your troops I think we can stand our ground to-morrow. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Genl Vols. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 1, 1898. General Shafter : My interpreter, Mr. Mestre, has been interviewing some Spanish prisoners captured in the trenches of San Juan, with the following result : The intrenchments of San Juan, or one of them, appear to have been defended by 2 companies of the Porto Rico Battalion, under the command of Major Lamadrid, numbering proximately 250 to 300 men. At about 1 1 o'clock in the morning, reinforcements were sent out under Col. Vaquero, including some more regulars of the Porto Rico Battalions and volunteers, to the total number of about 500 men. They brought with them 2 mountain pieces, which were planted in the road between the two heights of San Juan a little to the front. Gen. Linares also came out from the City of Santiago, but did not £o to the front. The cannons that were fired at El Pozo in the morning, in answer to our fire, are from batteries in Santiago, from which the fire was kept up during the whole engagement, as also from the mountain pieces set up in the road. From the report of 2 of the soldiers, there appear to be about 6 larger cannons in Santiago and 2 smaller in the dif- ferent batteries, as follows : In Transeunte fort 1 can- non, in Seuno 2 large and 2 small, in Canadas 1 cannon, probably the one that has done most of the firing at the entrance from Caney, and 1 cannon in front of the bar- racks and Mercedes hospital where Lt. Hobson is kept. Y * O r # V> o o "* * A ' -\ Fold-out Placeholder is fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. Fold-out Placeholder rhis fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. EL CANEY CARRIED 279 According to all the prisoners (examined separately), the regular troops in the City are not more than 6000 to 8000 and as many more volunteers and guerrillas. The troops are all very badly fed, but the soldiers admit that since the blockade they have been a little bet- ter, having had some of the American relief provisions. These provisions are gone or only kept now for the hospitals. The Porto Rico Battalion received a little pay some days ago for the first time in 10 months. According to these prisoners, there are numerous heads of cattle in the city, but only the officers eat meat. These men had no idea how large our army is and say their officers have given them no information on this head. The prisoners are all wounded and are being sent down to the hospital. Yours respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major General Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 1, 1898. Secretary of War, Washington : Had a very heavy engagement to-day, which lasted from 8 a.m. till sundown. We have carried their out- works and are now in possession of them. There is now about three-quarters of a mile of open between my lines and the city. By morning troops will be intrenched, and considerable augmentation of forces will be there. Gen. Lawton's Division and Gen. Bates's Brigade, which have been engaged all day in carrying El Caney, which was accomplished at 4 p. m., will be in line and in front of Santiago during the night. I regret to say that our casualties will be above 400. Of these not many killed. Shafter. CHAPTER Y THE STATUS, MORNING OF JULY SECOND DESPATCHES DURING SECOND DAY, BATTLE OF SAN JUAN ORDER FOR LIST OF CASUALTIES Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 2, 1898, 4 a.m. General Shafter : Sir: The batteries are in position. Shall they com- mence bombardment at daylight, though Lawton is not up? There has already been some firing against our right, and the Chief of Artillery understands that the order for Lawton to be on the right was a part of the order for him to commence firing, and each depended on the other. Major Dillenback thinks if he com- mences firing before Lawton gets up he will be subject to a flank fire from the enemy's infantry. We certainly expect Lawton up very soon and there will not l)e much delay. We still hope he will get up by daylight. Another reason is, Lawton will have to go on line under fire if the firing begins before he gets up. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. DISPOSITION OF THE TROOPS 281 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 2, 1898, 4.50 a.m. To General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Division: Sir : The Commanding General directs you do not commence firing until General Lawton's Division is up. Very respectfully, McClernand, A.A.G. General Lawton will probably come via our camp and El Pozo House. Guide was sent him at 1 a.m., but no news from him yet. E. J. McC. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. Gen. S. S. Sumner, Commanding 2d Brigade, Cavalry Division : Sir : Col. Wood is making his defenses very strong, and the infantry are also improving theirs very much. I wish you to improve yours and it might be well for you to send an officer to see the work clone by Col. Wood. Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. Col. Wood, Comdg 2d Brigade : The Commanding Officer Division directs that you relieve the 13th Infantry, and have it report as soon as practicable to General Kent, on the left of the line. 282 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Please arrange with General Lawton to connect with your right before you withdraw the 13th. You will of course close in the 9th Cavalry to the left on the 3d. If not safe to do this to-day, make the change to-night. Very respectfully, M. F. Steele, 1st Lt. 8 Cav., Aid. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, El Pozo House, July 2, 1898, 8 a.m. To General Wheeler, Gomdg Dismounted Cavalry : Sir : A message from you announcing the arrival the head of General Lawton's Division is just received. Major Dillenback arrived here a moment ago and re- ported this as the only place for artillery, and all four batteries will be placed here and shell the town to the left of our line. The balance of General Lawton's Division and General Duffield's Brigade are moving to the front. By command of Major General Shafter, McClernand, A.A.G. P. S. — If you see General Lawton please say the 1st Infantry will be held, temporarily at least, to guard the batteries. ARTILLERY TO HOLD THEIR FIRE 283 Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 2, 1898, 10.15 a.m. Major Dillenback, El Pozo Hill : Sir : In shelling the City from your present position please hear in mind that we have troops to the left of the blockhouse on a hillside about 400 yards nearer the City than the blockhouse is. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, El Pozo House, July 2, 1898, 10.45 a.m. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General desires to be informed of your position and the general situation in your front. The four batteries of artillery will take posi- tion near the Pozo House, but will not open fire to-day unless the enemy provokes it. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Asst Adjt Genl. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 2, 1898, 11 a.m. Major General Shafter, 5th Corps: The situation is the same as it has been all day. I have reinforced Kent's left with one of Duffield's regiments. 28-i THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN The Duffield regiment to remain only until I can give Kent back the 13th Infantry. I regret that we are having some killed and wounded. The Cubans are still at this point. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898, 12.15 p.m. General W. R. Shafter, Comdg, etc. : Sir : General Bates is now on our extreme left with his left flank refused or thrown back so as to face southwest and also to face batteries that we feared would intilade us. Kent's Division is on Bates' right ; the Cavalry Division is on the right of Kent ; Lawton is formed on the right of Cavalry Division. One regi- ment of Duffield sent over to strengthen Kent's left to remain until I could lend him the 13th Inf., which in the hurry of movement got mixed in with Cavalry yes- terday. I asked General Lawton to put one platoon in the San Juan building to N.E. of us for purpose of observation. The men have made some breastworks and they are endeavoring to keep as quiet to-day as possible so as to secure rest and peace which they need very much. We are losing a few killed and wounded, but are lighting as little as possible. I suppose Lawton will throw his right forward so as to somewhat encircle the city, but I presume he will await instructions from you on that point and that he has already received such POSITIONS OF THE COMMANDS 285 instructions. One regiment of General Duffield is in reserve near my Headquarters. The Cubans have moved over to our right. We have distributed ammunition and rations so far as I learn there is any need for them. Very respectfully, Joseph Wheeler, Major Genl, Gommndg Cav. Div. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. General Shafter : General Lawton's Division is now taking position on the right of our Cavalry. I had to let the artillery withdraw to take a better position. They were exposed to so hot infantry fire that they were unable to fire where they were. Maj. Dillenback is sure of being able to effectively bombard Santiago from the position he had withdrawn to. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. General Shafter : General Chaffee's Brigade of General Lawton's Division is now in line on the right of Cavalry. General Lawton's other two are on the road coming up. The Cubans under Col. Gonzales have come up and General Lawton is holding them to decide where to put them in. The batteries have been 286 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN delayed by bad ford and have caused General Lawton's two Brigades some delay, but they are pushing on and hope they will be here soon. General Ludlow's Brigade is now arriving and Gen- eral Lawton is putting it in position. The men are tiring as little as they can and we are tiyingto let them rest as much as possible, in order that they may be in condition to work on the intrenchments to-night. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Genl Vol. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 2, 1898. My dear Gen. Wheeler : What do you think of the idea of sending a division in rear of the left divi- sion to clear out the forts along the entrance to the bay so as to let the Navy in and have the business over. Can it be done? Very respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. Major General Shafter, Comdg U.S. Forces: Dear General : I regret to say that I do not think Infantry can take the forts along the entrance of the bay. I would like to do it, but the effort would be attended with terrible loss. We can procure artillery ammunition without limit. It seems to me it would be LOCATING SIEGE-GUNS 287 a good plan to place our siege guns and other artillery in position and hammer at Santiago and at all the bat- teries that interfere with us. Our artillerymen should be studying positions to do this work and I can have no doubt as to the final result. If we hammer at the enemy's batteries they will fire back upon ours, and we all know that there are so few men connected with bat- teries and they learn to take such care of themselves that losses are comparatively small. Again, if there is a heavy fire at the batteries which can enfilade our line they will be apt to neglect our line and devote them- selves to our batteries. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major Genl Comdg. What I mean by infantry not being able to take forts along entrance of bay is that it would take a large force and an enormous loss would be sustained. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. Major Dillenback, Chief Artillery : Sir : Will you please have an artillery officer recon- noiter the extreme right of General Sumner's line (which may now be occupied by General Lawton) passing around the foot of the hill on top of which Sumner's right is posted? There appears to be a range of low hills near by at right angles to Sumner's right, from which an oblique fire could be had on the Spanish lines of approach from Santiago, and which 288 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN may be beyond infantry range from the positions the Spanish infantry occupy. By command of Maj. Genl Wheeler, Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, J. H. Dorst, Lt. Col., A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898, 2 p.m. General Shafter : Referring to enclosed note from General Kent, it is believed that the position toward which the gun is being taken enfilades our lines and takes part of it in reverse. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Comndg Cav. Div. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. General Shafter : The enemy's battery near the city, which faces southwest, will I fear be a serious menace. I have told General Kent's Adjt General thai they must do the best they can by building traverses until our siege guns can be gotten up to silence it. Could not our field guns silence this battery V Jos. Wheeler, Major Gen. Vols. THE FIRING CEASED 289 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 2, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to call upon you to submit as early as possible a list of the killed and wounded in your command. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Asst Adj.Gen. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 2, 1898. General Shafter : I have received your note directing me to send a list of killed and wounded and I will attend to it at once. Everything is about as it has been all day, but firing has ceased all along the line. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols, CHAPTER YI THE STATUS, MORNING OF JULY THIRD NEWS OF THE DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA's FLEET LETTER FROM GENERAL TORAL CONSULS NEGOTIATING FOR REMOVAL OF CIVILIANS DURING PROPOSED BOMBARD- MENT A FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 3, 1898. To Col. McClernand, In Field : The Spanish fleet ran out of Santiago harbor about 9 a.m. to-day. Terrific naval battle outside. Three Span- ish gunboats and one torpedo boat destroyed. Run on beach and burned up. One Spanish gunboat still at large going westward and greater portion of fleet in pursuit. I saw the three gunboats and one torpedo boat. Signal fires on hills west of Morro Castle last night. The torpedo boat on beach about 3 miles, two gunboats about 6 miles and third imnboat about 20 miles west of Morro Castle. Fred A. Smith, A.A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 3, 1898. General Shafter : General : I saw General Miles' telegram asking what we wanted. Among other things they should send underclothing and shoes enough to give every "KUSH THIS AROUND OUR LINES" 291 man a change. When we get our line a little stronger, many of the men can rest while a few hold the trenches. This should keep the whole Army sufficiently rested. There is a little fire along the position this morning. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, El Pozo, July 3, 1898, 1 p.m. Col. McClernand : Lieut. Allen, 2d Cav., from our extreme right where he overlooked the bay states that Admiral Cervera's fleet steamed out this morning and encased our fleet. French consul who came into our lines yesterday informed Gen. Garcia, Admiral Cervera said yesterday, it was better to die fighting than to sink his ships. Rush this notification all around our lines to the front. Shafter, Comdg. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 3, 1898. Major Gen. Wheeler : Sir : Now that the fleet is destroyed I believe the garrison will surrender, and all we have to do is hang on where we are and very soon starve them out. Law ton is with Garcia charged with stopping the reinforcements the advance of which have arrived too near where Garcia tore the railroad up and are there disembarking. I do not believe he can get in. If necessary we can move Bates around to your immediate right and let Lawton's whole Division cut loose on Gen. Pando, whose men will have to come into the open 292 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN and charge us. I have sent Lawton a battery of Lt. Artillery to play on them. There is but one road which they can come in on which heretofore has been under the guns of the fleet. Very respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 3, 1898. Gen. Wheeler : Have just sent message to you say- ing that I will accede to the request of the foreigners not to fire on the town if the Spanish will keep quiet. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, U.S. Army, July 3, 1898. General Shafter : General : I have received your communication and will send it forward promptly. The condition here is about the same as last reported. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Army of the Island of Cuba, 4th Army Corps, Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 1898, at 9 o'clock. To His Excellency The General of the Cavalry Division of the Forces of the United Slates : Your Excellency : I am receiving at nine at night through the English Consul your esteemed communi- cation dated this afternoon at 6.45 and referring to the withdrawal, from danger of the bombardment, of for- eign subjects and women and children in the city. I do TRUCE FOR THE CONSULS' VISIT 293 not hesitate to order my troops to remain quiet during that time, if they be not attacked by the Americans ; this in aid of the proposals of Your Excellency and be- lieving that the commissioners of the foreign govern- ments will go to-morrow, the fourth, and have a con- ference with Your Excellency, in accordance with a communication presented by the Dean of the Consuls. I remain, Your Excellency, Your most obedient servant, J. Toral, Commander-in-Chief in the Interim, 4th Army Corps, and Military Governor of Santiago de Cuba. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 3, 1898. Genl. Shafter : I enclose a copy of the letter which I sent forward with the flag of truce. I wrote it as I did so as to convey the impression to the Spaniards that the line I occupy was only an advance line. Do you send Orders to Lawton to make the move, or do you expect me to send them ? If you send the Orders to Lawton please advise me when to move Bates. Very respectfully, Joseph Wheeler, Major General Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, El Pozo, July 3, 2.30 p.m. Gen. Wheeler, Comdg Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to ask if any reply has been received to our message sent under flag of truce, and for the situation generally. 294 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN A good many of our men can be seen straying away from the trenches where they would be at disadvan- tage if the enemy should attack suddenly. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 3, 1898. Gen'l Shafter : Generals Kent and Sumner wrote you this morning concerning the importance of cutting two or more new trails cut through from this point. A great deal could be done very promptly to relieve the situation by widening the main road to the width of two or three roads. The Cubans could do this with their machetes, or if they are not available our men should be put at it with axes. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj.-Gen. Vols. p.S. — Qenl Sumner and Col. Wood are now with me. They report entire loss of Cavalry Division last night one killed and one wounded. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 3, 1898. Genl Sttafter : Col. Dorst has just returned bring- ing the British, Portuguese, Chinese, Norwegian Pro- Consuls representing the Consular Corps. They wish to know if the old men and all non-combatants may conic out and occupy Caney and places on the railway line. They also want a postponement till 10 a.m. the NAMES OF THE CONSULS 295 5th instant. Please answer at once as these gentlemen desire to return before dark. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major- General Vols. They received notice only at 3 o'clock. There are 15 to 20,000 women and children in the city. Consuls who called under flag of truce, July 3d, 1898: Frederick W. Ramsden, H.B.M. Consul, Santiago de Cuba ; Isidoro P. Agustini, Swedish and Norwegian V.-Con. ; Modesto Ras, Porkcgtiese Consul; Robert Mason, British Pro-Consul and Chinese Consul; Frederick Wm. Ramsden (fils). Headquarters 5th Army Corps, El Pozo, July 3, 1898, 4.25 p.m. To General Wheeler, Commdg Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say it has been reported a truce has been arranged for part of the afternoon, and to ask you to state the details if the rumor be true. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. 296 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 4, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : I enclose herewith copies of a telegram received last night from General Miles, which I desire to have read at the head of each regiment this morning. At noon have bands play. No salutes will be fired. Very respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter, Major-General U.S. Vols., Commanding. Washington, D.C., July 3, 1898. General Shafter, Siboney : Accept my hearty congratulations on the record made of magnificent fortitude, gallantry and sacrifice dis- played in the desperate fighting of the troops before Santiago. I realize the hardships, difficulties and suffering, and am proud that amidst it all the troops illustrated such fearless and patriotic devotion to the welfare of our common country and flag. Whatever the result to follow, their unsurpassed deeds of valor is already a gratifying chapter of history. Expect to be with you within one week with strong reinforcements. Miles, Major-General Comdg. Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. CHAPTER VII GARCIA ALLOWS PANDO WITH REINFORCEMENTS TO SLIP PAST HIM GENERAL MILES COMING A PRISONER'S INFORMATION ABOUT FORT AGUADORES WOUNDED SPANISH OFFICERS EXCHANGE OF HOBSON AND HIS MEN RETURNS OF THE KILLED AND WOUNDED Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 4, 1898, 7.50 a.m. General Sumner, Comdg 1st Cav. Brgde: Sir : General Wheeler desires that you instruct your officers to make all reasonable efforts to locate definitely the position of the enemy's batteries. Very respectfully, James H. Reeves, Aid. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 4, 1898, 10.20 a.m. To General Wheeler : Just received letter from General Garcia that five thousand men entered the city last night over the Cobu road. I understood from Lawton that this road was securely covered by Garcia's men, nearly 4,000 in number since day before yester- day. Garcia must have withdrawn and given them free entrance. If this was the case there will probably be an attack made at any minute. Our lines must be 298 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN made as strong as possible. I am expecting 6,000 men every hour and 3,000 from Camp Alger hourly. Tele- gram from General Miles last night savs thut he will be here with strong reinforcements within a week. Have just wired above information. Acknowledge receipt. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 4, 1898, 11.25 a.m. General Shafter : I have received your message regarding Spanish reinforcements. Will instruct troops to be on strict guard. Joseph Wheeler. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 4, 1898. To Major General Wheeler : General Shafter has instructed me to say that he has sent for Major Dillenback in regard to sites selected by his Engineer Officer yesterday. J. D. Miley, Aid. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near San Juan Kiver, Cuba, July 4, li Commanding General Cavalry Division: Sir: I am directed by the Commanding General to inform you Capt. L. M. Brett, 2d Cavalry, has been appointed Provost Marshal General at these Head- quarters, and with his Troop F, 2d Cavalry, will per- form the duties pertaining to that position. Your attention is invited to the fact that a great many stragglers coming to the rear claim to have been sent Go ' back by different officers for various kinds of property. STRAGGLERS TO THE REAR 299 No man will be sent to the rear except in cases of ur- gent necessity, and will be provided with written passes signed by the proper officer. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 4, 1898. Adjutant Gen'l 5th Corps : Sir : I have your communication with reference to the men straying from the front and have given imme- diate orders to have it stopped. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major- Gen'l Vols. I am sending this to Lawton also. Is that right? J. W. Headquarters U.S. Forces, San Juan River, July 4, 1898. General Orders ) No. 21. 5 I. The General Commanding congratulates the army on the results of its first general engagement with the enemy. The strongly fortified outpost and village of Caney was captured after a most stubborn resistance, nearly its entire garrison being killed, wounded or captured by the 2nd Division, 5th Corps, Brigadier-General Lawton commanding. The heroic valor displayed by those troops adds another brilliant page to the history of American warfare. To Major- General Wheeler of the Cavalry Division was prob- ably given the most difficult task, that of crossing a 300 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN stream under fire, and deploying under the enemy's rifle-pits. These he almost immediately charged, and carried in the most gallant manner, driving the enemy from his strong positions to the shelter of the stronger works in rear. This was only accomplished by the most persevering and arduous efforts, officers and men exposing themselves to the deadly fire of the Spanish troops. In these efforts he was ably seconded by Brigadier-General Kent with the 1st Division on the extreme left, who also captured the works on his front. Numerous distinguished acts have been reported, and in due time will be made known to the proper author- ities. By command of Major-General Shafter, E. J. McCleknand, Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 4, 1898. Maj. Gen. Wheeler, Com'dg Cavalry Division: Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say he agrees with vou, it would be a mistake to move Bates under the present circumstances. He intended to do it only to stop Pando, but as he got into the city last night with probably five thousand men, through the ineffici- ency of the Cubans, there is no occasion to move him. McClernand, A.A.G. FLAG OF TRUCE, WITH LETTERS 301 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 4, 1898. Major General Wheeler, Comdg Dismounted Cavalry Division: Sir : The Commanding General directs you to send the three accompanying communications to the Spanish Commander, under a flag of truce. He believes the best results will be obtained by hav- ing the same officer attend to such matters, and there- fore desires Lieut. Col. Dorst to be sent. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant- General. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 4, 1898. Adjutant General 5th Corps : Sir : There are several dead animals lying in the San Juan River above the point where this command obtains its drinking-water. The only way to remedy this is to have a wagon sent up there to haul them out. We have not the facilities for doing this here. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major GerCl Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 4, 1898. Wagon will be sent you to-morrow forenoon to draw the animals out of the way. Very respectfully, McClernand, A.A.G. 302 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 4, 1898. General Shafter : Oommdg 5th Army Corps; Your order has been received about General Bates and about letters to be forwarded to the Spanish Com- mander, and Colonel Dorst is getting ready to start. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 4, 1898. A.-G. 5th Corps : Sir : Please notify me when Lawton is to move so I can move Bates to take his place. Very resp., Wheeler, Maj.-Gen. Vol. Headquarters 5tii Army Corps, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 4, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs you send in, to-day, a list, by regiment, of the killed and wounded in your command. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant- General. A SPANISH INFORMER 303 Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 4, 1898, 6.30 p.m. Major General Shafter, Commanding : Sir : I send with 2 men from the 9th Massachusetts, a Spanish soldier, whom they captured to the left of our line, with his rifle. He belonged to the garrison of Fort Aguadores, which he says is in command of Major Soler. He says there is only one company of 100 men in the fort, which is of stone and has 3 cannons. Of these cannons, however, only one is serviceable. Its bore seems to be about 6 inches. The men will tell you the circumstances of his capture. The prisoner informs me that the back part of the fort has been somewhat damaged by the guns of our navy. Yours respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj.-Gen. [Telephone message.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 4, 1898. General Shafter : The Artillery Officers ought to be at San Juan examining the ground and forts of the enemy. This is very important. Joseph Wheeler, Major- General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898, 1 a.m. General Wheeler, ComcTg Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say you will inform the Spanish officers that our Navy having destroyed the Spanish fleet is probably attack- 304 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN ing the forts near the mouth of the harbor with a view of reducing them. We are pledged here not to open fire until noon to- day, and it will be observed by the Army. So inform the Spaniards. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898. Maj. Gen. Wheeler : I had intended to come out to see you this morning, but do not feel able to do so. Large reinforcements are expected. Hoping you are all well, Very respectfully, W. R. Shafter. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898. To General Wheeler : Have the ambulances with the wounded Spanish Officers reached your lines yet? Send them on under nag as soon as they do. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 5, 1898. Major General Shafter : No wounded Spanish officers have come out this way. Are they to come out by this road or direct through Caney? I have just returned from the extreme left of our line. We have strengthened it very much. Yours respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Major General. THANKS FROM TORAL : HOBSON 305 [Telephone message.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 5, 1898, 6.25 p.m. General Shafter : General Toral sends word by a flag that the wounded have arrived safely and he expresses his thanks for the kindness shown them. Jos. Wheeler. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898. General Wheeler : General Toral has just ac- ceeded to my proposition to exchange Hobson and his men, and it will be done to-morrow a. m. Shafter. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near Santiago, July 5, 1898. Adjutant General, Washington : I am just in receipt of a letter from Gen. Toral, agreeing to exchange Hobson and men here. To make exchange in the morning. Yesterday he refused my proposition of exchange. Shafter, Major General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 5, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir: The Commanding General directs me say he desires to get a list by regiments of the killed and wounded in your command during our operations since 306 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN the 30th ultimo, and hope you will send it in as soon as possible. If you have the necessary blanks, use the " Return of Casualties " ; if not, forward the information in the best form you can. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, In Camp near Santiago, July 5, 1898. Adjutant General, Washington : Impossible to get returns, but there have been treated in the hospital at Siboney, 1,052 wounded and there are still 200 in the hospital here. In Lawton's Division there are killed 4 officers and 74 men ; wounded, 14 officers and 317 men; missing, 1 man. In Kent's Division : killed, 12 officers and 87 men ; wounded, 36 officers, 562 men ; missing, 62 men. In Bates' Brigade : killed, 4 men ; wounded, 2 officers and 26 men ; miss- ing, ( ?) men. Signal Corps : killed, 1 man. General Wheeler's report not yet received. Shafter, Major General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898. Maj. General Wheeler: General Randolph with 3,000 men and six batteries of Artillery cnrouted here. Make it known along the line. Shafter. CHAPTER VIII reinforcements reported from key west, new york, and charleston a siege preferred to another assault exchange of hobson effected no fighting on the 7th and 8th the line swung forward and strengthened Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898. General Wheeler : Please communicate the fol- lowing dispatches, just received, along the whole line : Washington, D.C., July 5, 1898. General Shafter, Siboney : Reinforcements are being hurried to you. Randolph leaves Key West to- night with fast convoy ; he has about 3500 men, includ- ing the six light batteries from Tampa. The St. Paul will leave New York Wednesday evening with the 8th Ohio Volunteers. The Yale and Harvard will take all the troops they can carry, sailing from Charleston ; the day and hour of their departure will be communicated to you as soon as known, probably the 6th. By command of Major General Miles, H. C. CORBIN, Adjutant General. 308 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 5, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : The Commanding General directs me to say great care must be exercised in arresting men claiming to be Cubans, and that nothing will be done to them until their identity is thoroughly established. Several Cubans have been arrested and mistaken for guer- rillas. Please give the necessary orders to prevent these occurrences in your command. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 6, 1898. General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Division: Sir : Referring to your letter of this date about the general order complimenting the troops, the Command- ing General directs me to say he is aware many officers who performed gallant deeds have not been mentioned, but it is his intention to do so to the proper authori- ties, as soon as possible. Your request about blindfolding the prisoners going to the front will receive attention. We are waiting for an additional Spanish Officer (prisoner) to come from Siboney. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. TRANSPORTS SAIL WITH WOUNDED 309 Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 6, 1898. General Shafter : A battery has been reported as being constructed on the ridge near the bay, near the place where the battery was located that bothered us on the 1st day. I should like to have an Artillery Officer come out and examine it. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 6, 1898. General Wheeler : There is no Artillery Officer available just now. Artillery is being put in posi- tion that will cover the whole line. Call on Derby when you see him. Respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter. Headquarters 5th Army CoRps, In Camp near Santiago, July 5, 1898. Adjutant General, Washington : The Iroquois sailed two days ago with 300 wounded. Cherokee sails to-day with 325 wounded. Shafter, Major General Commanding. 310 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters 5th Army Corps, In Camp near Santiago, July 5, 1898. Adjutant General, Washington : Iroquois already sailed for Key West. If Cherokee has not sailed will have her go to Fort Monroe. Here- after all wounded will be sent to Fort Monroe. Shafter, Commanding . Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 6, 1898. My Dear Gen. Wheeler : Yours in reference to armament received. I dislike very much the thought of working another assault, it would be attended with fearful loss of life. I have hoped to so entrench ourselves that we could hold the position and starve them out. If it was possible to get between the town and the lower bay and try and clear those batteries out and let the Navy in the capture of the city would be easy ; but I am at a loss how to accomplish it. At present the only thing seems to be to hang on. I have told Kent to look out for the gun on his left which you report they are trying to get out. Very truly yours, Wm. R. Shafter. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near San Juan River, Cuba, July 6, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs you will cause to be detailed, immediately, in each brigade of your command, an Acting Engineer Officer, who will THE PRISONERS EOR EXCHANGE 311 report to Lieut. Col. Derby, Chief Engineer, for in- structions, without delay. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 6, 1898. To General Wheeler : Send flag General Toral and inform him that 2nd Lieut. C. T. Emilia Vallez, 29th Regiment and 7 men have arrived at my Head- quarters for exchange for Lieut. Hobson and men. Through an error, 2d Lt. Constanzio Germain, of the 29th Regiment, and 1st Lt. Adolfo Ariaz, of the Pro- visional Battalion of Porto Rico, were not sent, but within the next four hours they will be here, so that General Toral can make his selection of Officers. Wm. R. Shafter. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, Cuba, July 6, 1898. To His Excellency Lt. General Toral, Commanding Spanish Forces, Santiago, Cuba : General : I am directed by the Commanding Gen- eral, U.S. Forces, to inform you that 2nd Lieutenant C. F. Emilio Valez, 29th Regiment, and seven men have arrived at my Headquarters for exchange for Lieut. Hobson and men. Through an error 2nd Lieu- tenant Constanzio Germain, 29th Regiment, and 1st Lieut. Adolfo Arioz, Provisional Battalion, of Porto Rico were not sent. The Commanding General, how- 312 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN ever, states that within the next four hours these officers will be here, so that you can make your selection of Officers for exchange. Lieut. Hobson should be sent on the San Juan road. Your Officers will be sent on this road. With great respect, Joseph Wheeler, Major General, Commdg Advance Line. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Near Santiago de Cuba, July 6, 1898. To His Excellency Lieutenant General Toral, Commanding Spanish Forces at Santiago de Cuba : Sir : There has been delay in getting the Spanish prisoners up to this point. They are now en route and we will follow them on immediately to effect their ex- change for Lieutenant Hobson and his seven sailors. With respect, Joseph Wheeler, Major General Commanding Advance Line. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 6, 1898. Colonel McClernand : Will get you ammunition at once. Send this to the front. Wm. R. Shafter. STATIONERY AND SAND-BAGS WANTED 313 Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 6, 1898. General Shafter, Commanding US. Forces in Cuba: Sir : We are short of rations. Please hurry them up and also please send us some stationery. Col. Derby promised us sand bags. They have not come : we need them very much. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 6, 1898. General Wheeler : I send half of the stationery we have in camp. I hope to get some more to-day. Rations and sand bags will be sent to the front as soon as possible. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. [Circular.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 6, 1898. Owing to the irregular shape of our line, particularly the forward bend on the extreme risdit, there is danger of men at one point firing by mistake at our own men. To designate our lines, each regiment will place its national colors on its own works. By command of Major General Wheeler, J. H. Dorst, Lieut. Col. U.S. Vols., Assistant Adjutant General. 314 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [Circular.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 6, 1898. The exchange of prisoners will be over in an hour, and we may expect an attack at any moment. Have your men prepared for it. By command of Major General Wheeler, J. H. Dorst, Assistant Adjutant General. [Circular.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 6, 1898. The Major General Commanding directs me to inform you that the truce will cease at 5 o'clock p.m. this date. By command of Major General Wheeler, J. H. Dorst, Lieut. Col. U.S. Vols. Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters 5ra Army Corps, Camp near Santiago, July 7. Hon. R. A. Alger, Secretary of War: Perfect quiet to-day. At request of Spanish general, employes of the English Cable Company were sent in to him to telegraph his government as to surrendering. Men are in good spirits and are making themselves more secure every hour. Wounds are much less dan- gerous than similar ones made of caliber 45. Among the large number of wounded there are few amputations. THE GENERAL HEALTH 315 Perhaps ten will cover it. General health of the com- mand is good. One hundred and fifty cases of fever, which runs its course in four or five days, but is not serious. I am feeling much better. Shafter, Major General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 7, 1898. Major General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say he wishes you to forward at once the accompanying com- munication to the Spanish Commander, using the flag of truce. There is little probability of fighting to-day. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 7, 1898. General Wheeler : Message received. Important communications have passed and others will probably follow. Little danger of any fighting to-day. By command of General Shafter, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 7, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : Commanding General directs that whenever an officer or enlisted man leaves your command to go to a hospital at the rear, his blanket, shelter tent, and haversack be sent with him. E. J. McClernand, A. A. G. 316 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 8, 1898. To Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding 5 th Army Corps: Dear General : I have nothing special to report except that everything is quiet. We are still strengthen- ing our position and advancing our lines in many places. I have most of my staff out reconnoitering and I think everything is perfectly satisfactory. Some of the regi- ments have more sickness, but, taking all in all, we are in pretty fair health. I sent in my report this morning. 1 am trying digging wells for water and will report to you the result. With great respect, Your obedient servant, Jos. Wheeler, Major General U.S. Volunteers. Independent Brigade, in Front of Santiago, July 8, 1898. Major General Joseph Wheeler : My dear General : Your note just received. I have swung my line forward so that it is now along the bluff next to the city. Am holding the 9th Mass. to cover any turning movement the enemy might make around my left Hank. It was my intention, as soon as the truce was over, to feel out on the left to see if more advantageous positions could be secured. I should therefore be sorry to lose the 9th now. While I feel that I can make good use of them, the Regiment "THANKS OF THE NATION" 317 will be returned to you at once if you say so. I wish to thank you for numerous courtesies. Most respectfully, J. C. Bates, Brig. Gen. Vols. Washington, D.C., July 8, 1898. General Shafter, Playa, Cuba : Telegram which it appears you did not receive read as follows : The President directs me to say you have the grati- tude and thanks of the Nation for the brilliant and effective work of your noble Army in the fight of July 1st. The sturdy valor and heroism of officers and men fill the American people with pride. The country mourns the brave men who fell in battle. They have added new names to our roll of heroes. R. A. Alger, Secretary of War. CHAPTER IX GENERAL TORAL'S DEFINITION OF M ARMS " THE TRUCE CONTINUES PENDING RESPONSE FROM WASHINGTON UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER DEMANDED AND DE- CLINED THE LINES EXTENDED, AND NAVY OPENS FIRE ORDER TO STOP ALL FORWARD MOVEMENTS ON ADVANCE LINES Army of the Island of Cuba, 4th Army Corps, Santiago de Cuba, July 9, 1898. To His Excellency, Commander-in-Chief of the United States Forces, In camp at San Juan : Your Excellency : In acknowledging to your Excellency the receipt of your communication of this day, stating that you had notified Washington of my proposition of evacuation of the territory of Division of Santiago de Cuba, I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I repeat the orders for my troops to preserve the same attitude as the American troops. By "arms" is to be understood portable weapons, that is, those that soldiers carry and the field artillery that is transported on mule back ; there being excluded field guns and fixed siege and coast defence guns, which cannot be considered as forming an integral part of the SPANISH PROPOSAL TO MARCH OUT 319 units of the army. I make this explanation in reply to your note, and beg your Excellency to consider me Your obedient servant, Jose Toral. Commander-in-Chief of the 4th Corps of the Army of the Island of Cuba. To His Excellency The Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Forces, In camp at San Juan River. [Telephone message.] Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 9, 1898. To General Wheeler, Commanding : The Spanish Commander submits proposition to march out of Santiago, abandoning all this territory and not to be molested by our forces until he reaches Holguin. Have submitted the matter to Washington. Meanwhile the truce will continue. J. D. Miley, Aid. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 9, 1898. General Wheeler: The Commanding General directs me to say that the Spanish Authorities claim our troops with some civil- ians with them are taking advantage of the truce to pass to the front of our line. He wishes you to give strin- gent orders in your Division that no one shall pass from the rear to the front of our line and to immediately in- form other Division Commanders and General Bates in his name to the same effect. McClernand, A.A.G. 320 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 9, 1898. Special Order ) No. 22. £ Pursuant to instructions from the War Department, Captain William E. English, Assistant Quartermaster, U.S. Volunteers, is assigned to duty as Aide to the Major General Commanding, to date June 10, 1898, the day on which he reported for duty. By command of Major General Wheeler, J. H. Dorst, Lieut. Col U.S. Vols. Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters Cavalry Division, In Front of Santiago, Cuba, July 9, 1898. To Hon. Secretary of War, Washington, D.C. : Sir : In my official report I have stated the gallant services of the Officers of my Staff. I especially request that the following Officers be given a brevet upon their rank in the regular army for their services during this campaign : Lieutenant Colonel J. H. Dorst. Major William D. Beach. Major E. A. Garlington. Captain Joseph E. Dickman. 1st Lieutenant M. F. Steele. 2nd Lieutenant James H. Reeves. 2nd Lieutenant Joseph Wheeler, junior. Very respectfully, Joseph Wheeler, Major General Volunteers. PORTO RICO FOR OUR TROOPS ? 321 Headquarters, Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 9, 1898. Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding 5th Army Corps: Dear General : Since I saw you this evening I have seen the New York " Times " of July 1st, which has what appears to be an authoritative statement that Major General Brooke is to take troops from Chick- amauga Park to Porto Rico and that our troops are to be left here. One of the reasons I gave in my letter to-day for closing the campaign here promptly was the importance of the troops being carried to Porto Rico, which I regard as a very important movement, and one that should be done quickly. Now if it is the intention of the Government to carry other troops to Porto Rico and leave us here, this reason for prompt action would cease to exist and it is possible that the Government would think we should occupy ourselves against the Spanish troops until they were captured. I simply suggest this as I know you desire to carry out the wishes of the Government and I have a special desire to help you in doing so. With regards, Truly your friend, Jos. Wheeler, Major General Vols. 322 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [By telephone.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago de Cdba, July 9, 1898, 8.35 p.m. To Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Comdg 5th Army Corps: There is a movement among the Spaniards to-night. It looks as though they were preparing to get away. Of course I cannot be certain about this. Jos. Wheeler, Maj.-Genl Vols. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near Santiago, July 10, 9.10 p.m. General Wheeler : Information about suspicious movement of the enemy received. Have notified Law- ton and direct him to notify General Garcia. By command of General Shafter, McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 10, 1898, 10 minutes past midnight. Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding 5th Army Corps: Sir : The enclosed letter has just been brought into our lines from the Spanish. The man who brought it, who has been halted at our outpost, said he would wait for an answer. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj.-Genl Vols. NEW MAJOR-GENERALS AND BRIGADIERS 323 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 10, 1898. Maj. Genl Jos. Wheeler : Dear Genl : The following promoted to Maj. Genls : Lawton, Chaffee, Hawkins, Bates, Kent, Young; to be Brig. Genls: Col. Wood, Lt. Col. McKibbin, Carroll. J. C. GlLMORE. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 10, 1898. Major General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Division: The Commanding General directs you find 25 or 30 teamsters in your command and send them here at once ; they are absolutely necessary to keep wagons going. McClernand, A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Camp near Santiago, Cuba, July 10, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs me to say a demand has been made this momma: for the uncondi- tional surrender of Santiago, with notification that unless favorable reply is received by 3 p.m., hostilities will be resumed at 4 p.m. In resuming hostilities, it is the intention of the General Commandina: to drive the enemy out of his works and into the town by means of artillery and rifle fire. To do this the volume of fire is of importance, but its accuracy is of the utmost im- portance. The greatest care, therefore, should be exercised to direct your fire wherever men can be seen, 32-i THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN tiring deliberately and taking good aim and keeping your own men well covered. An advance upon the City is not expected to be made until after the bom- bardment and until ordered. A shot from the battery with General Lawton's Division will be the signal to authorize firing to be commenced. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 10, 1898, 3.45 p.m. All Division Commanders : The Spanish Com- mander having declined to surrender, the cessation of hostilities will be regarded as no longer existing after 4 p.m., but there will be no firing until a shot fired from a battery on Gen. Lawton's front. By command of Gen. Shafter, McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 10, 1898, 12.20 p.m. To Major General Wheeler : The Commanding General wishes that you would please send in to these Headquarters immediately the Spanish prisoners you captured this morning. J. C. Gilmore, A.A.G. "SPANISH REVEILLE AS USUAL" 325 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 10, 1898. To Commanding General, 1st & 2d Brigades : Sir : The Commanding General directs that all Offi- cers and men of your Brigade be prohibited from going to the town of Caney or thereabouts or from holding any communication with refugees in that vicinity. This precaution is taken with a view to guarding against in- fectious and contagious diseases. Your obedient servant, M. F. Steele, Aid. Headquarters Cavalrt Division, Before Santiago, July 11, 1898. Commanding General 1st and 2nd Cavalry Brigades : The Commanding General desires you to inform him immediately of the position at your front this morning. Everything appears quiet. Jos. Wheeler, jr., Aid. [By telephone.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 11, 1898, 6 a.m. Major General Wm. R. Sh after, Commanding 5th Army Corps: The Spanish lines seem to be very thinly manned ; but they had reveille this morning as usual. Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. 326 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 11, 1898. General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding 5th Army Corps: Dear General : When I received an intimation yesterday that you desired my lines spread out to the right, I went up and examined the line and arranged to have it done the moment I received your order. This morning when I received the order I went in person to the extreme right of the line, and also over to the line occupied by General Chaffee, taking General Sumner and General Wood with me, and personally made the arrangements for extending the line which was done with all the promptitude possible. Respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Commdg. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 11, 1898. Major General Wm. R. Sh after : Sir : Your telegram message received. I have just returned from the front, where I have been all morn- ins:. Together with General Sumner and General Wood I examined the lines and arranged to communi- cate with General Lawton's left, as directed. The movement will be made with all celerity possible. Very respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. NAVY SHOTS WELL PLACED 327 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 11, 1898. To General Wheeler : Navy will begin firing slowly soon. Have an officer on the picket line to note fall of each shot, and report it to me at once. Sh after, Maj. Gen. Headquarters 1st Division, oth Army Corps, July 11, 1898. Dear General Wheeler : I judge the navy shots to be well placed by smoke of bursting shells. I think you can assure Gen. Shafter more certainly of effect if you could send mounted man to right, where city is in view. I see here only suburbs. Kent. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 11, 1898. To General Wheeler : The Commanding General wishes to know if the Spaniards are making any return fire either with artillery or small arms. McClermand, A. AM. Headquarters 1st Division, 5th Army Corps, July 11, 1898, 10.40 a.m. General Wheeler : None since navy opened from artillery, but few shots from small arms. I judge they are saving themselves for an attack. Kent. 32S THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 11, 1898. General Wheeler, Commanding Cavalry Division: It is reported General Chaffee is ready to move to extreme right. Please arrange at once to connect with Gen. Lawton's left as directed this morning. By command of General Shafter, McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, July 11, 1898. Maj. Gen. Wm. R. Shafter, Commndg U.S. Forces: Everything seems quiet. I am investigating and will telephone you shortly. JOS. WnEELER, Maj. Gen. Vols., Commndg. [Telephone message.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 12, 1898. General H. W. Lawton : General Shafter directs me to say that he does not wish you to extend your lines any further. Joseph Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Commndg. Headquarters 5th Army CoRrs, July 12, 1898. To Generals Wheeler and Kent : General Shafter desires that you stop all movements of your troops in the direction of the City of Santiago. J. D. Miley, Aid. Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. CHAPTER X " ROUGH RIDERS " FOR THE PACK-TRAINS THE ARCH- BISHOP, PRIESTS, AND NUNS OF SANTIAGO THE TRUCE EXTENDED TILL NOON, JULY FOURTEENTH MEMORANDUM OF CONFERENCE BETWEEN GENERALS SHAFTER AND TORAL GENERAL MILES AUTHORIZES appointment of commissioners the question of submitting terms to madrid Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 12, 1898. To General Wheeler : The Commanding Gen- eral directs me to inform you that he has two pack trains which are practically useless on account of sick- ness. He says he desires you to call for two squads of 12 men each from the Eough Riders. Send men who have had some experience in packing, if possible, for temporary duty with these trains. Have them report here as soon as possible. Gilmore, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 12, 1898. My dear General Wheeler : All right. Will send the 24 men, but this most seriously depletes my already thin line ; I have but 340 officers and men fit for duty 330 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN all told ; I should have some relief for the men in the trenches against a possible attack. Yours respectfully, Theodore Roosevelt. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cdba, July 12, 1898. Major General William R. Shafter, Commanding United States Forces: Sir : The Archbishop of Santiago met the Officer who went out with the flag of truce to receive the last message, and said he had come out to speak to this Offi- cer without consulting the Commander-in-Chief of the town. He wishes to get permission for himself and all his priests — about 30 in number — and for the nuns — some 28 in all — to leave the city and come within our lines before the bombardment recommences. He said that he made this request without letting the Mili- tary Authorities know that he was going to make it. He would like to get the answer in duplicate in two envelopes left unsealed, one addressed to him and one addressed to the Commander-in-Chief, so that there will be no delay in the permission getting to him. He stated that about a dozen houses were blown down b}' the shells yesterday but no one was killed. Respectfully, Joseph Wheeler, Maj. Gen. U.S. Vols., Commndg. WHITE FLAG MESSAGES BOTH WAYS 331 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 12, 1898. To General Wheeler : General Shaft er inquires if Capt. McKittrick has started back to Headquarters ; he also wishes nie to say that two letters have just started to you and that they must go in by flag to-night. J. D. Miley, Aid. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 14, 1898. Major General Wheeler : Sir : The Commanding General desires you to send the two accompanying letters through to the Spaniards, under a flag of truce, as quickly as possible. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 12, 1898. To General Wheeler : I wish to know if two flags of truce have been received from the Spanish this afternoon and what disposition was made of them. Sh after, Maj. Gen. Commndg* [Telephone message.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 13, 1898. To General Wm. R. Shafter : The enemy is send- ing in another white flag. I will send the message by mounted courier as soon as received. Joseph Wheeler, Major General Volunteers. 332 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [By telephone.] Headquarters Cavalrt Division, July 13, 1898. To Major General Wm. K. Shafter, Commanding U.S. Forces: There is a quantity of lumber on the " Alleghany " which I had placed on board at Tampa. I respectfully suggest that you give orders for it to be disembarked, as it would be useful for the erection of hospitals, shelters, etc. Joseph Wheeler, Major General Vols., Commdg. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 13, 1898. Maj. Gen. Wheeler : Genl. Lawton reports the enemy is entrenching and throwing up entanglements in his front. The Commanding Genl. directs you to send a message to the Spanish commander that he asks this work stopped. By command Genl Shafter, McClernand, A.A.G. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 13, 1898. To His Excellency Major General Toral, Commanding Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba : Sir : Major General Lawton reports that your troops are entrenching and throwing up entanglements in his front. The Commanding General directs me to write you and ask that this work be stopped. We regard it as a TORAL STOPS THE WORK ON TRENCHES 333 violation of the truce. We are certain that this work is being done without your knowledge. With very great respect, Your obedient servant, Joseph Wheeler, Major General Commanding Cavalry Division and Advance Lines. Army of the Island op Cuba, 4th Army Corps, Santiago de Cuba, July 13, 1898. To His Excellency The General Commanding the Cavalry Division of the American Army : Your Excellency : In reply to your favor of this date I have the honor to inform you that I order the suspension of the works of intrenchnients to which your Excellency refers and of which I have no knowledge, begging you on your part to take similar action. The only thing I have knowledge of is that the rains have washed down some trenches, and perhaps the sedi- ment may have made your officers believe that a new kind of work was being constructed on the first line, which I did not order. I remain, Your Excellency's Most obedient servant, Jose Toral, Commander-in-Chief of the 4th Army Corps. 334 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [By telephone.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, July 14, 1898. To Major-General Wm. R. Shafter : Everything is quiet. General Toral states that what we thought was working on trenches was simply baling out water as they had become inundated. He asks that we abstain from working on our trenches. Joseph Wheeler, Major-General Vols., Commdg. Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 13, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Brigade : The truce will continue until twelve o'clock noon to- morrow the 14th instant. General Shafter directs that not a shot be fired until this time and not then until ordered. By command Major General Wheeler, J. H. Dorst, Lieut. Col. U.S. Vols., Assistant Adjutant Gen. Headquarters, U.S. Army, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 14, 1898. General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding 5lh Army Corps: Sir : The Cavalry Division are separated from their horses and have been doing most extraordinary service. If it is possible I desire to have them separated from the rest of the Command, so they can be put on board PROSPECTS OF CAPITULATION 335 ship and sent to other fields, as I desire to have them remounted as soon as possible. Veiy respectfully, Nelson A. Miles, Major General Commdg U.S. Army. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 14, 1898. General Wheeler : Am not particular as to minor details, but General Toral must withdraw from his fortification and trenches and the taking up of torpedoes must begin at once, so as to clear the way for our ships. The navy will probably assist in the moving of obstructions to-morrow. SH AFTER, Maj. Gen. Commndg. NOTES OF CONFERENCE OF GENERALS MILES, SHAFTER, AND WHEELER, WITH GENERAL JOSE TORAL, COM- MANDING SPANISH FORCES, JULY 14, 1898. [Taken by Mr. Aurelius E. Mestre, of General Wheeler's staff. ~\ General Toral said he was authorized by the Captain- General of Havana to treat with us on the basis of capitulation and " repatriacion," — that is, sending home of the troops to Spain ; but the agreement reached is to be accepted by the home Government. He thinks this will surely be confirmed, as otherwise the Captain- General would not' have authorized it. He wishes to begin treating at once, so as to gain time. Being 336 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Commander-in-Chief of numerous forces, he would like to have the whole of the Division under his command included in the capitulation. These troops are in Guantanamo, BaraQoa, Sagua de Tanamo, along the railway and at different points, and should be embarked from the nearest port to the place where they are. He agreed with General Shatter that there should be a total cessation of hostilities in Santiago and in the other places as soon as information can be brought out to them. All the forces in General Toral's Division are embraced in this capitulation, as above stated ; that is, the forces of his own command, but not those of General Linares' command which are by accident now under his orders. The dividing line o-oes from Aser- radero through Palma to Sagua de Tanamo and all the territory lying East of this is comprised. General Toral said that the "City of Texas " could not enter the harbor of Santiago, but that he would study the matter with the Technical Commission. He agreed to let the people of Caney return to Santiago and be provisioned by us. He also agreed to let the Juragua railroad be used by us to bring in food, if assured that it would only be used for that purpose. This assurance was given him. The "Texas" would come under the rules of the Geneva Society for the gratuitous distribution of food and hospital supplies, whereas the railroad would be for rationing the American and Spanish troops and the people in Santiago. General Shatter offered to post troops around the city to prevent the entrance of American or Cuban troops. ^ ft & s s Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. Or * Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. AMERICAN COMMISSIONERS INSTRUCTED 337 Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 14, 1898. Generals Wheeler and Kent : Apparently there is every prospect of a capitulation. I will inform you at the earliest practicable moment. Shafter, Maj. Gen. General Wheeler's Camp, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 14, 1898. To Major General William R. Shafter, Commanding U. S. Forces: Sir : You are authorized to appoint Commissioners to draw up Articles of Capitulation on the terms upon w T hich the Spanish Division have been surrendered, namely the return of the Spanish troops to Spain at the expense of the United States. The Spanish troops will be supplied at the expense of the United States and assembled at such a place as may be available for their embarkation on the arrival of the necessary transporta- tion. The attention of the Commissioners should be called to the importance of the return of the people that have fled from the City of Santiago and the supplying them with food. 2. The sending of supplies into the Harbor on the Red Cross ship and other vessels. 3. The removal of all obstructions to the entrance of the Harbor or notification to the fleet that no obstacle will be placed in the way of their removing such ob- structions. Respectfully, Nelson A. Miles, Major General Commanding the Army. 338 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 16, 1898. To His Excellency General Jose Toral, Commanding Spanish Forces: Dear Sir: Your Excellency's suggestion that the Representatives be here at 4 o'clock to arrange for the final act of capitulation is received and we will wait until that time. The troops I referred to requesting you to withdraw are those at Aguadores, those along the railroad to the City and those on the bluff in a Southeasterly direction from the City. Respectfully, Wm. R. Shafter, Major General Commanding U.S. Forces. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 15, 1898. General Wheeler: What is the prospect? That surrender yesterday was as positive as it possibly could be made and commissioners were appointed to arrange details. They cannot go back on it now. Shafter, Maj. Gen. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 15, 1898. Gen. Wheeler : It is impossible to submit terms of surrender to Madrid. Surrender was, as you know, made yesterday. Shafter, Maj. Genl. "THE BEST POSSIBLE" TERMS OBTAINED 339 [By telephone.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 15, 1898, 3.40 p.m. To General Wm. E. Shafter, Commanding U.S. Forces: I received your despatch and am certain that when you know all the facts you will concur that we did the very best possible. To have an agreement which we had drawn up by authority of Generals Blanco and Toral is as complete as surrender can be without being an absolute surrender, and Mr. Mason and General Toral assured us that there could be no doubt about the Madrid Government consenting to it. I know you will appreciate that we used our best efforts to comply as near as possible with your wishes. Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Commdg. CHAPTEK XI ANNOUNCING THE CAPITULATION PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FEVER REFUGEES ONLY TO PASS THE LINES ARRANGEMENTS FOR FORMAL ACT OF SUR- RENDER FINDING GOOD WATER AND LOCATING CAMPS AMENITIES BETWEEN SPANISH AND AMERICAN HEADQUARTERS General Wheeler's Camp, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 14, 1898. To Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, D.C. : General Toral formally surrendered the troops of his Army Corps and Division of Santiago on the terms and understanding that his troops would be returned to Spain. General Shafter will appoint Commissioners to draw up conditions of arrangement for carrying out the terms of surrender. This is very gratifying, and General Shafter and the Officers and men of this Command are entitled to great credit for their tenacity, fortitude, and the almost insurmountable obstacles which have been overcome. A portion of the Army has been infected with yellow fever, and efforts will be made to separate those who are infected and those free from it and keep those that are still on board ship GENERAL MILES ON SANITARY CONDITIONS 341 separated from those on shore. Arrangements will be immediately made for carrying out the further instruc- tions of the President and yourself. Nelson A. Miles, Maj.-Gen. Gommndg the Army. General Wheeler's Camp, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 14, 1898. To Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding U.S. Forces: Sir : The Spanish Army having surrendered, the terms of capitulation will be carried into effect with as little delay as practicable on the understanding that their troops will be returned to Spain at the expense of the United States. You will, with as little delay practicable place such troops as are not infected with yellow fever in separate camps and as soon as practicable report the number that will be available for service with another expedi- tion. Those organizations which have been infected with yellow fever, every effort will be made to improve their sanitary condition and to check the spread of the disease by placing them in as healthy camps as pos- sible. Respectfully, Nelson A. Miles, Major General Commanding the Army. 342 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN General Wheeler's Camp, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 14, 1898. To Honorable Secretary of War, Washington, D.C. : Your second dispatch received. Have already anti- cipated in part by giving directions for separating the troops that have been infected and have kept the troops that came on the " Yale," " Columbia," " Duch- ess," and part of those on the " Comanche " ready to disembark at Cabanas, on the West side, where I had made all arrangements for putting the troops in on that side of the Harbor and opening the entrance of the bay in conjunction with Admiral Sampson. I will now keep these troops away from the infected districts and will probably let them go ashore at Guantanamo. Other vessels en route will go into the Harbor at Guantanamo. Presume that will be a good rendezvous at least for the troops coming from Tampa. They could come in on the South side and go into a safe harbor there. Will consult with the Admiral with regard to rendezvous our troops at Porto Rico or one of the Islands immedi- ately adjacent thereto. Will keep you fully apprised of any important information. Nelson A. Miles, Major General Commanding the Army. General Wheeler's Headquartfrs, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 14, 1898. To Major General William R. Shafter, Commanding U.S. Forces: Sir : For a double reason I think it would be advis- able to isolate the troops that have just joined your Command in separate camps on healthful ground to EEFUGEES GOING BACK 343 keep them free if possible from infection by yellow fever, and it will also form a strong force to meet any force that might by any possibility come from Holguin. Respectfully, Nelson A. Miles, Major General Commanding the Ar'my. Headquarters Cavalry Division, San Juan, July 15, 1898, 8 a.m. General Shafter : Sir : The French Consul has gone into Santiago from Caney. Shall other people be allowed to go in? Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. [By telephone.] Headquarters Cavalry Division, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 15, 1898, 6.15 p.m. To Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding U.S. Forces: There is a woman here who says she is the wife of a Spanish Major and another the wife of a Spanish Lieu- tenant, with their children and mother. They want to go through the lines to Santiago. Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols., Commdg. 3:14 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN [Telephone message.] Headquarters Cavalry Divsion, July 15, 1898, 7 p.m. To Major General Wm. R. Shafter, Commanding U.S. Forces: Mr. Ramsden, British Consul at Santiago, asks that Mr. Barrueco and family (three in number) from Caney be permitted to go into Santiago. He already has the permission of the Spanish General to cross their lines. Two carts have come out from Santiago to get their effects which he desires to cross and recross our lines. Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. Vols. Commdg. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, July 16, 1898. To General Wheeler and General Kent : The Commanding General directs you strictly pro- hibit any of our troops, Cuban Forces or other persons other than those authorized refugees to pass beyond our trenches towards Santiago. McClernand. Headquarters Cavalry Drvisiox, Before Santiago, Cuba, July 16, 1898. General Leonard Wood, Commanding 2nd Cavalry Brigade: Sir : You will place an Officer of discretion and one who understands the Spanish language with a guard at both the points where the roads from Caney to San- tiago pass your line. The Officers will be instructed to permit the passage through the lines to Santiago of GENERAL OFFICERS TO ENTER THE CITY 345 all refugees without arms, but they will be careful to permit no other persons to pass the line. Respectfully, Jos. Wheeler, Maj. Gen. U.S. Vols. Commndg. Headquarters 5th Army Corps, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 16, 1898. Commanding General Cavalry Division : Sir : The Commanding General directs you report with your staff at these headquarters at 8.45 a.m. to- morrow, to accompany him to receive the surrender of General Toral. Direct each General Officer in your division to report with his staff also. Have all your regiments drawn up on the lines from 9 to 9.30 a.m. At 11.45 all the troops will again be put in line, and at 12 o'clock pre- cisely a salute of 21 guns will be fired from Captain Capron's Battery which will indicate that the American flas; is beino; hoisted over the Governor's Palace. Bands will play the Star Spangled Banner and other national airs, and the men will cheer. Acknowledge receipt. Very respectfully, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. Before Santiago de Cuba, July 16. n^Q * * * My dear Sir : We have been very busy and have had some hard fighting and the men have suffered a great deal on account of their exposure, the intense 346 THE SANTIAGO CAMPAIGN heat, and terrible rains ; and even when it does not rain the dew makes everything as wet as though it had been raining. Yesterday, after working for many Hours, including work in the open air, until half past twelve o'clock the night before, we succeeded in getting an agree- ment from the Spaniards. The agreement was made by order of General Blanco and General Toral, the Spanish Commander here, General Linares, having been badly wounded. The matter is, however, to be confirmed by the Madrid Government, and if they do not confirm it we will open on them terribly and they will be compelled to surrender soon. General Toral told me yesterday that he would not wish his worst enemy to be in his place ; he said his Generals and Colonels were all killed or wounded, and, pointing to Santiago, he said, " There are other secret things which I cannot tell, which makes things very bad." I was quite sick on June 30th but nothing was done that day ; my temperature was up to 103£ but it did not prevent me from doing full duty on July 1st, the day of the battle, and ever since that time. As they have burnt the Post Office at Siboney on ac- count of the yellow fever I understand that a good deal of the mail is lost. With high regards, truly your friend, Joseph Wheeler. P.S. — Since writing the above I have received the news that the preliminary agreement made with the Spaniards for the capitulation of Santiago has been confirmed by the Madrid Government. Fold-out Placeholder This fold-out is being digitized, and will be inserted at a future date. * Y * ° J> r # # No. 32. 5 Regiments about to go north will take with them only clothing and blankets ; all tents will be left stand- ing. 100 rounds of ammunition, in belts, will be taken ; all other is to be packed up and left in camp, where it can be gathered up by the Quartermaster's Department. The day before, or on the morning of, embarkation, careful examination will be made of each regiment, by a medical board, and any man whose case appears likely to develop yellow fever will be sent to CARE OF THE SICK ABOARD 369 hospital. Notice will be given from day to day to each command as ships are ready to transport them. Eegi- mental officers will see that their commands are sup- plied with 10 days travel rations, to be drawn at the wharf when they go on board. The most careful attention must be given to details by every officer as to looking out that convalescents are properly cared for. By command of Major General Shafter, E. J. McClernand, Assistant Adjutant General. illMli LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 013 900 396 2 •