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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http: //books .google .com/I \'^ Memories OF THE Campaign of Santiago. I r? IfLfrD^TANfORDj? UNIVERSITY^ ^.._.._.?^.Q-^"tvjt_':jrki.^. _...._ I L j . ^ ' •. ■ » ■I 1 ^ LmmOFTHE lELAND STUNFORD JR. UII//VERSITY. Ol. H-H-'S-i-i NOV 9 1900 T1]K StysKFLKOLLINS t ^fe:'' " Concho," Transport No. 14, carrying the 4th and the asth U. 5. Infantry to Santiago de Cuba. ruhroryBt & WTni»n. New Yoit, DEDICATION. The pablication of this unpretentious booklet is actuated by the sole desire of placing a fitting souvenir in the hands of the officers and the men by whose side the author endured the hardships and faced the dangers of the campaign — the gallant officers who did their duty with becoming modesty; the brave negro soldiers who neither hesitated at the command to advance, nor faltered at the order to charge, but who, with implicit faith and confidence, followed wherever their white officers led. Written and compiled with this motive, it is WITH AFFECTIONATE RESPECT THAT THESE PAGES f ARE DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF THE GALLANT OFFICER AND THE BRAVE MEN WHO FOLLOWED THE FLAG INTO THAT REALM WHERE * THE WAR DRUM THROBS NO LONGER, AND THE BATTLE FLAGS ARE FURLED.' General Aaron S. Daggett, U. S. v., Lieut. -Col., 25th U. S. Infantry, who commanded the ReKiment during the campaign. ITINERARY Of Co. "G'» Twenty-fifth United States Infantry From June 6th, 1898 To August 18th, 1898* Monday, June 6th. — In camp at Tampa, Florida. About 6 p. m., while the company was drawing clothing, orders were received for the regiment to get ready at once to proceed to Port Tampa, to embark on one of the transports. Much difference of opinion as to whether the transport would go to Puerto Rico or Santiago de Cuba. Regiment ready to move by 7:30 p. m., but marching orders were not received until the next morning. Tuesday, June 7th. — About 8:15 a. m. left camp and marched over to West Tampa, and took a train for Port Tampa, which we reached about 12 m. About 2 p. m. embarked on the steamer Concho, transport No. 14. Wednesday, June 8th. — At 1 :30 p. m. left dock and anchored in harbor, about one mile away. About 12 o'clock that night orders were received to return to the dock immediately. Various rumors as to why we were ordered back — one rumor being that ^In the preparation of this itinerary no attempt has been made at literary effects or rhetorical niceties — the whole matter is practically a transcript of the diary actually kept by the author. iuj^ki I^P ■I ■ HbBHl ^^^ ^S Iv^B^K 'l '■■^■■'•'7 '^^^^ ^mK ['^JjBj ^.^ '^'^^ ^^m 1 ^MiqlStfl m ^;::;^ ^1 ^m I ^^H fe '- ■ ^ Up H S"^^- ,,^ i^ 9 J^*-' S^^ ^^s jtjy^ V^^ f"- ...qH ^^^M. '■^S Bbi'^ ^t B''-' '•^ 1 •f *', ~^out half an hour after the last note of taps had vanished in the distance, word was passed back like lightning that the head of the regiment was being charged by Spanish cavalry. For a while there was considerable excitement and confusion at the rear of the column, but order was soon restored. The whole trouble was caused by two mules l)ecoming stampeded at the head of the column! The regiment went into camp about 9:30 p. m. In speaking of the battle of Las Guasimas, General Shafter says, in his official rei)ort : ** Our own loss was one officer and ten men killed, and six officers and forty-six men wounded. The reported losses of the Spaniards were nine killed and twenty-seven wounded.''* ^Stnce the campaign considerable has been said and written about the battle of Las Guasimas having been fought contrary to orders, and it seems to be the general opinion among officers qualifie i to judge, that the First United States Volunteer Cavalry (popularly known as " The Rough Riders") was ambushed, and saved from practical annihilation by the timely assistance of the First and Tenth United States Cavalry. Aiient thereto, the following statements are given : In an article on '* The Santiago Campaign " that appeared in the New York Tribune of March 17, 1899. *'Justitia." a person evidently unusually well posted in the matter, says: *• The General (Wheeler) proceeds to state, * With the aid of General Castillo I learned the features of the country.* The Army records show in the most positive fashion that whatever information our troops had of the country more than two miles beyond Siboney, was received from Cubin outposts and scouts, and members of the attacking party (fifty Cubans sent forward by Lawton to attack Spaniards retreating from Siboney), and that this information came to Wheeler through Lawton's men. Furthermore, I can not believe that General Wheeler really learned the features of the country, for, had he done so, he would never have permitted his men to walk into the V made by the two hills where the Spaniards lay so strongly posted. '*The General (Wheeler) now proceeds to give an account of the skirmish of Las Guasimas — which the country at large knows was the result of direct disobedience of orders — and claims that there were between two thousand and four thousand Spanish troops engaged / El Viso, the Slone Fort Captured ^y the 2^th— LonkJiiK North-we; MEMORIES OP THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 25 Saturday, June 25th. — Broke camp 1:30 p. m., and soon afterwards we passed the Twenty-fourth Infantry by the wayside. At 5 p. m. the regiment passed the battlefield of Las Guasimas, and an hour later went into camp. Sunday, June 26th. — About 5 p. m. '* G '' Company was ordered out on outpost duty. We had a hard time establishing Cossack posts, being compelled to walk and climb over precipitous places, covered with rocks, high weeds and thick underbrush. It rained during the night. The company returned to camp at 4:30 the next morning. Monday, June 27th. — Broke camp about 6:30 a. m., and at 8 o'clock a. m. w^ent into camp about five miles from Santiago. in this action. He further states that Genera] Kscario told him the Spanish losses that day were about two thousand ; but as General Escario was that day in Manzanillo, I can not accept his figures. As a matter of fact, the precise number of Spaniards at Las Guasimas is well known, being six hundred and twenty men ; these figures being from some half-dozen Spanish sources, not the least important of which is the now famous journal of Lieutenant Jos6 MuUer y Tejeiro, second in command of naval forces of the province of Santiago de CuJba. All know of the gallant work done by our troops that day, and the especial gallantry shown by a raw organization like the Rough Riders in this, their baptism of fire ; but reckless claims like these do not enhance the glory of the troops. In commenting upon this skirmish at Las Guasimas, the General says : * The moment General Lawton and the commander 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 less than an hour, they did not reach me until the action was over.* This is the GeneraPs airy way of disposing of the real facts of the case, which are: Early in the morning news came to General Lawton that the cavalry division had marched out, and he immediately sent for General Chaffee and ordered him to march up to Se villa, as he (Lawton) had not the faintest idea how many Spaniards there were there, and he knew that Wheeler must be equally ignorant. He had been warned the day previous that General Wheeler was going to make an attack. This he declined to believe. Nevertheless, he tried to send word to General Shafter, but failed to secure a boat to communicate with the transports. So, to guard against possible contingencies, he sent forward his crack brigade. The results of the day justified this action, for,*shortly after the beginning of the fight, a hurried appeal for reinforcements arrived from General Wheeler, stating that he was engaged with a much larger force of the enemy than he had anticipated. Upon receipt of this. General Lawton forwarded, by another trail, two regiments of the Second Brigade (the Fourth and Twenty-fifth Infantry), under command of General Miles. Neither of these two brigades, however, got into action, for the Spaniards saw the columns coming up the valley, and, making up their minds not to be outflanked, retreated into the city, carrying with them the report that they had been engaged with the entire American Army. Now, why does not General Wheeler (in his book) mention this call MEMORIESJOF THE CAMPAIGNfOF SANTIAGO. 27 From a number of places near our camp a part of the city was plainly visible. Tuesday, June 28th. — Hard rain in afternoon. Camp wet and slushy. Wednesday, June 29th. — Heavy rain in afternoon. Night very damp, cliilly, and otherwise disagreeable. Thursday, June 30th. — Regiment mustered about 7:30 a. m. About 3 p.m. llie officers assembled near the Commanding Officer's tent, and were officially informed that a general attack would be made on the Spanisli lines the following morning (July 1st), and that our brigade would be held in reserve near the Ducureau Mansion. The following was the plan of battle: ** Lawton's Division, assisted by Capron's light battery, was ordered to move out during the afternoon of June 30th toward El for reinforcements? There is ample evidence that sharp words passed between General Lawton and General Wheeler immediately after the skirmish, although Lawton congratulated the individual officers for their gallantry, but his soldierly spirit was shocked at the recklessness of the attack against an enemy whose numbers was absolutely unknown. Had the force which General Wheeler so lightly claimed was present, to wit : thirty-five hundred men, really been there, it is the opinion of every regular Army officer who knows anything about the ground, that our whole Army would have failed to dislodge them, and we should have received at the very outset, the second day after landing, a setback that would have proved simply disastrous in its effects." For one or two days after the battle of Las Guasimas. " Rough Riders ^ sent back to Siboney on account of wounds, sickness or other causes, openly stated that they had been ambushed. On the second or third day, however, these same men denied most emphatically that they had been ambushed. While the writer was sick in the Newport Hospital, his attending physician told him that a close friend of his, a Captain in the *' Rough Riders," had, only a day or two before, remarked to him that his command had undoubtedly been ambushed at Las Guasimas. An appeal for reinforcements was made, as the writer himself stopped and looked at the mounted courier who frantically rode by with no hat on his head, wildly calling out for some officer. On the afternoon of the 24th it was common talk among officers and men that the ** Rough Riders " were marching along the trail, chatting, smoking and laughing, when, all at once, their point was killed and the head of the column fired upon. It was the universal impression that the *' Rough Riders" must have come upon the enemy unexpectedly, as they unquestionably walked into the V made by the two hills, where the Spaniards were so strongy intrenched. MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OP SANTIAGO. 29 Caney to begin the attack there early the next morning. After carrying El Caney, Lawton was to move by the Caney road toward Santiago and take possession on the right of the line. Wheeler's Division of dismounted cavalry, and Kent's Division of infantry were directed on the Santiago road, the head of the column resting near El Pozo, toward which heights Grimes' Battery moved on the afternoon of the 30th, with orders to take position there early the next morning, and at the proper time prepare the way for the advance of Wheeler and Kent on San Juan Hill. The attack at this point was to be delayed until Lawton's guns were heard at El Caney, and his infantry fire showed he had become well engaged.'' (General Shafter's Official Report.)* Between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon some members of the Signal Corps ascended in a balloon in order to observe the position of the enemy. Shortly after 5 p. m. we broke camp, and after a delay of several hours started on a disagreeable night march, during which we passed a number of troops, and forded several shallow streams. Between 10 and 11 p. m. went into camp near the ruins of an old sugar mill, near El Pozo. ♦However, everyone familiar with the events of July ist knows that what actually happened is very different from this, the original plan. THE BATTLE OF EL CANEY,* Friday, July 1st.— At 5:30 a. m., July 1st, the Twenty-fifth Infantry started for a point near tlie Dueureau Mansion, a relic, of grandeur, and the object designated as the pivot of operations on the right of the American line. At 9 o'clock we reached our destination, a mango grove, a mile or so from El Caney, a village occupied by about six hundred Spanish soldiers. We were here held in reserve, and a detachment sent under Lieutenant Lyon to reconnoiter in the direction of a heavv, continuous fire. As we were taking cat-naps, nibbling at our rations and chat- ting, the musketry fire could be heard as plainly as our own words, but on account of the high weeds, underbrush and trees, we could see nothing, although some of the officers climbed into trees and used their field-glasses with diligence. The intensity of the firing varied considerably, and the many volleys fired were almost per- fect — indeed, so much so, that we all thought they were fired as only United States Regulars can fire volle3^s,and mvsf be American volleys. So, every time one was delivered, we would wish from the verv bottom of our hearts and souls that more men had been killed or wounded. Not many hours later, however, we learned, to our grief and sorrow, that they were Spanish and not American volleys! About noon orders were received to strip for action, and leav- ing a guard of eight recruits in charge of the blanket-rolls and *The only merit (if such it be) the author claims for this atticle is that every detail described actually happened, and not a single statement, however unimportant, is an invention; it is a plain, sequential description, woven of facts taken from notes made soon after the battle, and compiled as faithfully and as accurately as the exciting and confusing conditions under which they occurred would permit. i MEMORIES OP THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 33 havresacks, the regiment started to advance.* Two hundred yards takes them to the main El Caney-Santiago road; turning to the right they follow this road half a mile or so, and making another turn in the same direction, the command enters a by-road. Here they halt. A Spanish sharpshooter, stationed in the top of a cocoa- nut tree, has just seen the column, and is making things interesting for some of them — bullets from El Caney are beginning to whiz overhead — word is passed **Lie low, men! '* The dead, dying and wounded are being taken past to the rear; the wounded and their attendants are telling the Twenty- fifth: **Give them hell, boys; they've been doing us dirt all morning.'' A member of the Second Massachusetts, carrying several canteens, and going to the rear for water, says to our soldiers: '*The buggers are hidden behind rocks, in weeds and in underbrush, and we just simply can't locate them; they are shooting our men all to pieces." The procession is, indeed, terrible! Men with arms in slings; men with bandaged legs and bloody faces; men stripped to the waist, with a crimson bandage around the chest or shoulder; men staggering along unaided; men in litters, some groaning, some silent, with hats or blood-stained handkerchiefs over their faces; some dead, some dying! It all seems like a dream — a terrible dream! " Forward, march,'' comes the command. The regiment advances a few hundred yards and halts. Two companies (** G," Lieutenants McCorkle and Moss, and *' H," Lieutenant Caldwell) are at once ordered to form the firing line, the position of which is about 800 yards from and facing a stone fort on a high, commanding hill almost in the town of El Caney. *The main object in placing a guard over our effects was to prevent '* Our noble allies,'* the Cuban soldiers, from stealing them, as they looted our things on every possible occasion. i i MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 35 The other two companies of the Battalion (Capt. Scott's) are in support, and the rest of the regiment is in reserve. The Twenty-fiftli's left connects with the Fourth's riglit. *' Forward, guide left, march!," is given, and advancing two hundred yards through a grass field, hidden from the enemy's view by a double row of trees, they reach a barbed wire fence. Some of the soldiers are supplied with wire cutters — the command at once cuts its way through, and crossing a lane, enters an open pineapple patch. Ye gods! it is raining lead! The line recoils like a mighty serpent, and then, in confusion, advances again! The Spaniards now see them and are pouring a most murderous fire into their ranks! Men are dropping everywhere! ** CV Company (Lieuten- ant Murdock) is rushing up to re-inforce the line. The bullets are cutting the pineapples under our very feet — the slaughter is awful! One platoon of ** E '' Company (Lieutenant Kinnison) is running up to strengthen the left of the line. *^ D '' Company (Captain Edwards and Lieutenant Hunt) is on the right, working its way through high weeds and jungle underbrush. The Spaniards are using smokeless powder, and being under cover, we cannot locate them. A few yards to our left are high weeds, a few i)aces to the right thick underbrush and trees, a short distance to the front, a veritable jungle — all, for more than we know, alive with Spaniards. The bullets, missives of death from sources unknown, are raining into our very faces. A soldier comes running up, and cries out, '' Lutenant, we're shooting into our own men!*' Mid the cracking of rifles, the whizzing of bullets, the killing and wounding of men, and the orders of the officers, great is the con- fusion! How helpless, oh, how helpless we feel! Our men are being shot down under our very feet, and we, their officers, can do MEMORIES OP THE CAMPAIGN OP SANTIAGO. 37 nothing for them. It seems as if Fate is about to turn against us. Those faithful darkies, with determination and devotion stamped in every line of their black faces, are looking appealingly to their white officers, almost saying, **Lutenant, jes tell me wat ter do, an* ah'll do it!'' The officers in the pineapple patch are now holding a consulta- tion, and decide there is but one thing for United States Regulars to do — Advance! Advance until they find the enemy! The onward movement is just about to start. Lieutenant McCorkle is under a small cherry tree, kneeling on one knee; unbuttoning his shirt, he lowers his head and beholds in the pit of his right arm a ghastly wound, and then, poor fellow, he falls over, mortally wounded. A man on his right exclaims, '* Ugh," and dropping his rifle, falls dead! Another just in front cries out, *' I'm shot!" Bullets are dropping like hail! One officer and two privates make two attempts to carry their wounded commander's body to a place of shelter, but both times they are driven back by Spanish bullets; a third effort, however, is successful. McCorkle is dead! Moss takes command of the company. A rush of fifty yards takes them to a place of comparative shelter; here they rest a while. Lieutenant Murdock is wounded, and Lieutenant Moss takes command of his company also; another rush over exposed ground, and " C " and ** G " Companies find shelter in a small stream. Lieutenants Caldwell and Kinnison have been gradually working their way up another stream, and are now about two hundred yards from the fort, and for the first time since the firing line was formed do our men see the Spaniards. Zip, zip, zip! The air is filled with bullets! Captain Edwards MEMORIES OP THE CAMPAIGN OP SANTIAGO. 39 drops, wounded throiigli the right groin, and Lieutenant Hunt takes command of the company. **Now, men, altogether!'^ and a dash of forty yards takes *'C'' and '*G'' Companies to the crest of a small hill, where they join Lieutenants Caldwell and Kinnison. Lieutenant Hunt's company is firing over the crest of a hillock fifty yards to the front and right. Our firing line is now no more than one hundred and fifty yards from the fort, and our men are doing grand work. A general fusilading for a few minutes, and then orders are given for no one but marksmen and sharpshooters to fire. Thirty or forty of these dead-shots are pouring lead into every rifle-pit, door, window^ and porthole in sight. The earth, brick and mortar are fairly flying! The Spaniards are shaken and demoralized; bare-headed^ and without rifles, they are frantically running from their rifle-pits to the fort, and from the fort to the rifle-pits! Our men are shooting them down like dogs! A young officer is running up and down, back of the firing line, and waving his hat above his head, is exclaiming to the men in the rear: **Come on, come on, men — we've got 'em on the run!'' **Remember the Maine!" shouts a sergeant. ** Give them hell, men!" cries out an officer. ** There's another!" shouts a soldier — bang! bang! bang! and another Spaniard drops! Four are shot down in the door of the fort! A Spaniard appears in the door of the fort, and presents to the Twenty-fifth a white flag, but is shot down before the firing line can be controlled. Another takes up the flag, and he, too, falls! The fort has been silenced! However, a galling flank fire is now coming from the village and a small block-house on our left. As long as we remain in our present position, we can accomplish but little, as the walls of the MEMORIES OP THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 41 block-house are impervious to our bullets. It is, therefore, decided to rush forward and change direction to the left, thus gaining a position facing, and slightly above the block-house. The line is now being formed for the final rush — all is ready — thev're off ! One company of the Twelfth Infantry, which has been working its way up on the right, is also rushing up. Lieutenant Kinnison is wounded and taken off the field. Men are still dropping by the wayside, but on, on, up, up, they go, those dusky boys in blue ! The line is now occupying its new position — some of our men are shooting into the town, and others are shooting down through the roof of the block-house — the Spaniards are falling over one another to get out ! The heavy firing has ceased, and after twenty-five or thirty minutes of desultory firing. El Caney itself surrenders ! Where but a moment ago floated the Spanish flag, now flutters the Stars and Stripes ! And thus it was that at El Caney, ** The Hornets' Nest,'' our colored Regulars fought and won ! * *An inspection of the captured fort could but cause one to soliloquize with Gen. Sherman, '* War is hell." The rifle-pits were open graves, while the interior of the fort, with its walls, floor and ceiling bespatted with human blood, was a real •'Chamber of Horrors." One of the rifle-pits presented a scene which baffles description — a scene as ineffaceable as the image of death, for it was, indeed, death itself in a most horrible form. At one end of the pit lay a dead Spaniard in a sitting position, his back resting against the end of the pit, his knees raised, the legs being drawn toward the body, his hands flabbily resting by his sides, his head slightly thrown back, exposing to view the white of his eyes, and his partially opened mouth showing his teeth. In his lap rested a straw hat — partially filled with his own brains ! The fort captured by the Twenty-fifth was the key to the town, and was made of brick and stone, measuring twenty by twenty-one paces, and the walls being about two feet thick, except at two of the corners, where they were about five feet thick. There were from fifteen to twenty portholes on every side. By examining on the map the lines of advance of *' C *' and ** G " Companies, and that of " H '* Company, it will be seen that they cross each other. Neither the officer commanding MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 43 After the battle, the companies that had formed the firing line were marched back to the pineapple patch, where they found the rest of the regiment ; the men and officers sitting and standing around, many of them eating pineapples and chatting over their first battle. Here we waited — waited until the Pioneer Corps had finished digging the graves, when the regiment was marched to a field near by, where our dead were buried. As the trumpeter blew taps over the graves, we all uncovered, and, with heads bowed, paid a last, silent tribute of respect to our comrades who had that day, on the field of battle, given up their lives for their country's flag ! We then started for the mango grove where our blanket rolls and haversacks had been left. We passed the Second Massachusetts standing on the side of the road. They had seen the Twenty-fifth charging up the hills that afternoon, and gave us a grand ovation as we marched by. All along the line we were applauded and cheered. That night the regiment bivouaced in the main El Caney- Santiago road, and were continually disturbed by packtrains and *• H " Company, or myself knew, until after the battle, that the companies had crossed each other during the fight, so thick and high were the weeds and underbrush. It has been stated over and again that, a day or two before the battle, a thorough reconnaissance had been made of the country around El Caney. In connection with this statement, attention is invited to the following: (a) It was expected that Lawton's Division would carry El Caney after one, or perhaps two hours' fighting. Asa matter of fact, it took over nine hours to capture the place, and troops that had been designated to remain in reserve that da}' were ordered on the firing line by one o'clock in the afternoon. (b) Until about 4:00 p. ra. our Artillery did not know of the existence of the block-house that so annoyed the Twenty fifth's left. (c) None of the officers of our Brigade knew of the existence of the streams south-east of El Caney until they came across them in their advance on the stone fort. (d) The town was protected on the north by three block-houses and the church; on the west by three block-houses (and partially by the church); on the east by the stone fort, one block-house, the church, and three rifle pits; on the south and south-east by the stone fort, three block-houses, one loop-holed house, the church and eight rifle pits. However, the Second Brigade was sent forward against the south-east of the town, thus being exposed to fire {Totn/ouiteen different sources, nearly all of which were in diff*erent planes, forming so many MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 45 Artillery. During the night the troops were issued rations and ammunition. Saturday, July 2nd. — About 1 a. m. all fires were ordered put out, as an attack was feared from the Spaniards. At 3:80 a. m. we took up the march to the rear. ** H " Company was ordered to form the rear guard. About 4 a. m. there was a heavy, continuous fire (Artillery and Infantry) at our rear. For a time things looked squally. Our rear-guard, however, did not get engaged, although, from the statement of its commander (Lieutenant Caldwell), it looked as if it would be at any moment. About 8 a. m. we passed the old sugar mill near which the regiment had bivouaced the night of June 30th, and shortly afterwards the command stripped for action. The brigade took position in reserve a few hundred yards in rear of the firing line. Lots of bullets passing just above our tiers of fire. The cover on the south and south-east of the town was no better than, if as good as, that on the other sides. As well as the writer remembers, and as far as he has been able so learn from his fellow officers, the only orders given the firing line were: 'Our left is lo connect with the right of the Fourth Infantry; be careful how you fire, as some of our men (presumably the Second Massachusetts) are supposed to be in the weeds and underbrush to our front.* When the Fourth Infantry firing line started forward, the Twenty- fifth took up the march. In the second field the companies became separated, and in the high weeds, underbrujfh, etc. , lost sight of one another, so that from that time on, the battle (so far as the firing line was concerned) was necessarily fought by the company commanders and their lieutenants, the non-commissioned officers and privates. To go from one place of shelter to another it was sometimes necessary to advance along a narrow path, or pass through a narrow opening through a wire fence or dense underbrush, in which cases the rushes would be made by file, the company commander at the head of the column, and a lieutenant or non-commissioned officer at the rear. It is now well known that the Infantry at El Caney was ordered against positions that had not been shaken by artillery fire: in short, the Infantry was called upon to do the Artillery's work. An artillery officer who was with Capron's Battery at El Caney admitted to the writer that such was really the case, but stated that the artillery officers were not to blame, as the Division Commander not only regulated in person the intensity of the artillery fire, but also selected the objectives, which were being continually changed. The first two shots, according to this officer's statement, fired at the El Viso etone fort, took effect, and the place would have soon been razed to the ground, had not the objective then been ordered changed. It is the opinion of a number of old and experienced officers, that had the Artillery been properly handled at El Caney, our losses would have been at least fifty per cent. less. MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 47 heads, and one or two of our men were wounded. Were not ordered on the firing line, and bivouaced that niglit at the La Cruz house, about two thousand yards from the Spanish lines. Several hundred Cuban insurgents also bivouaced there that night. About 10 o'clock p. m. troops near by were attacked by Spaniards — lots of firing right around us ; the command at once turned out and prepared for action. In about an hour, however, things quieted down, and we again retired for the night. Sunday, July 3rd. — About 8 o'clock a. m. the regiment left the La Cruz house, and the First Battalion (Captain Scott) took a position back of a hill just on the right of the main El Caney- Santiago road. A Spanish sharpshooter or two kept us *' guessing '' for nearly two hours, by dropping an occasional bullet into our midst. At 10 o'clock we moved up to the foot of a hill about one thousand yards from the Spanish intrenchments, and an hour later ** G '' Company was ordered on top of the hill to relieve ** E " Company in digging trenches. About noon the company was informed that a truce had been established, and we were ordered to stop all work, which we did at once, and then returned to the foot of the hill, where everyone proceeded to enjoy a much needed rest. About 10 o'clock that night Major Webb, United States Volunteers, rode up to where we were, and informed us that the truce had expired that afternoon, and that an attack was expected at any moment. The whole thing turned out to be a false alarm, but succeeded in disturbing and breaking the rest of the command, as some of the companies were ordered out to resist the anticipated attack. The next morning the flag of truce was still flying. About 2:30 a. m. *' G '' Company went into the trenches again and worked until 5 a. m., when we returned to the foot of the hill. LIEUT. H. I.. MCCl>l*Kl,f; KilleJ at the Battle of tl Caiitv. Jiilv i , i8cjS. ^/ MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 49 Monday, July 4th. — Remained at foot of hill until 4:30 p. ni., when the company ('*G*') went out for outpost duty — relieved ** E *' Company (l^ieutenant Sturtevant). We intrenched on the left of the main El Cane\'-Santiago road until 2:30 a. m. Tuesday, July 5th. — Ahout 5 a. m. women, children and other non-combatants began to leave Santiago on account of the anticipated bombardment of the city. They left Santiago by two or three different roads, a great many coming through our lines by way of the El Caney-Santiago road. The procession was a pitiful sight — a number of old, sick men and women being carried in chairs, dogcarts, improvised litters, etc.; weak, decrepit persons were striiggling along, and young mothers, with babes in their arms, were leaving their homes to seek food and shelter— God only knew where ! About 9:30 a. m. the company (**G'') left the trenches it had occupied during the night, and the regiment started for a point about one mile to our right. *' G '' Company was ordered to intrench in a valley, so as to control a road coming from Santiago. The Company Com- mander (Lieutenant Moss) protested against intrenching the company in the bottom of the valley, as the position was far below the Spanish position and was controlled by the enemy's fire. Finally, authority was obtained from the Brigade Commander to intrench the company on the side, and near the end, of a spur, and about one hundred and fifty yards in front of the general line of in trench men ts. Wednesday, July 6th. — Started to extend the intrenchment on the crest, and at the end, of the same spur, with permission to have ** G" Company occupy the position, which was about five 60 HEH0BIE8 OF THE CAUPAIOH OF BANTIAeO. liiindred yards from, and sliglitly above the Spanish line, and which cunimandud the road and adjacent ground. Thursday, July 7th. — Worked liard and faitlifully the whole day on intronchnient and bomb-proof. Used for head logscocoanut trees, whicli liad to be carried about half a mile. Friday, July 8th. — Comptetcil intiL-nchmentand bomb-proof. On account of tlie jirominent, advanced position occupied by tlie company, the Company Coinniander expected to be slielled by Spanish artillery ; hence llio great pains taken in fortifying our position. Saturday. July gth. — Waited in trenches for developments. Sunday, July loth.— Spaniards given until 4 p. n\. lo surrender Lincunditioiuilly. About. 4:35 p. m. Spanish flag planted in front of our position, and feeble cheering by the Spaniards. General ongagftmenl began at 4:45 and lasted about two hours. Both sides being thoroughly iiiLrenclied, the losses were very small. Monday, July nth.— At daybreak the company was relieved by ii company nf the Seventh United States Infantry. At 6:15 n. ni, the regiment ntarted for another [losilion about three miles to our right, where wo dug more intrenchnienls. lietween 12 m. and I p. m. we were informeil that annlher truce had been established. About 10 o'clock p. m. the Uegimental Commander sent for the officers. They assembled in a drenching rain and were informed tliat the command was to advance that night by moonlight and intrench as near as possible to the Spanisli line!?. Tuesday, July 12th.— At I u. m. the comnumd formed with their blanket rolls, and stood on the li>|) of 11 liill in a drenching rain until 5:10 a. m., when we were (n"ed over tlie Palace of the Govrrnor of Santiago ! The following congratulatory order read to the tro{)pa Wiisliiugton, June 1«, 1898. To General Sliafter, Commanding Front near Santiago, Playa: The President of the United States sends to vou and your brave nrniy the pr ifound thnnks of the American people for the brilliant achievements at Santiago, resulting in the surrender of the cily and all of the Spanish troops and territory under General Toral. Your splendid command has endured not only the hardships and siiorificeB incident to campaign and battle, but in Blreea of heat and wealher has triumphed over obstacles which would have overcome many less brave and determined. One ar.d all have displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and eiirned the gratitude of the Nation. The hearts of the people turn with tender sympathy to the eick and wounded. May the Father of Mercies protect and comfort them. (Signed) WILLIAM M.KINLRY. MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 53 rionday, July i8th; Tuesday, July 19th, Wednesday July 20th, Thursday, July 21st, Friday, July 22nd, Saturday, July 23rd. — Waiting to be moved to a permanent camp further up intothe mountains. A great many men getting sick witli Cuban malarial fever. A few cases of dysentery. Scarcity of medicines; hospital accommodations abominable. Sunday, July 24th. — The regiment was marched over to a hill one thousand yards away, and about three miles north of Santiago. Late that night some of our tents and personal effects were brought up from the transport, and the rest of the camping equipage came up the next day. Our new location was an excellent camping site — high and open, with water near by, and affording an excellent view of Santiago, the harbor, and the surrounding country. The daily sick report averaged about one hundred and thirty, nearly all malarial fever. Our men suffered a great deal from the lack of proper medical care and treatment. Although the regi- mental surgeon worked hard, and performed his duties faithfully, he was unable to get proper food and sufficient medicine for the sick. The following correspondence is a fair index to the workings of the Medical Department: Headquarters Company " G," Twenty-fifth Infantry. In camp near Santiago de Cuba, August 2, 1898. The Adjutant, Twenty-fifth Infantry, Present. Sir; — I have the honor to state that Private Hezikiah Bell of my company has been on the sick report, and suffering from chronic diarrhoea for sixteen days. During the last few days he has been getting gradually worse, passing blood, and suffering great pain both day and night. Our surgeon, Major and Assistant-Surgeon Shillock, informs me that the hospital facilities at his disposal B4 MEMOBIhS OF THE CAMPAIdS OF SANTIAGO. dStftte^ are inadequate to properly treat and oare fur thia patient; that an effort n some time ago to transfer Private Bell to the Divisional Hoepit and that a, subsequent request that he, with othere, be sent to the United S has lilcewise been unsucceesful. Feeling that this man's life is being jeopardized through the lack of ptOj^^S, medical treatment, I would earnestly request that his case be at once reportedtl' the Major-General commanding the Fifth Army Corps. Very respectfully, (Signed) JAMF.S A. MOSS, Second Lieut. Twenty-fifth Infantry, Commanding Co. "G." First Endorsement. Cnnip, near Santiago, Cuba, August 2, 1898. Reepectfully forwarded to Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Diviaioiu Fifth Corpa. I hope this man will be sent where he can receive proper treatment. Captain Loughborough sends a similar communication on which tha! Surgeon and myself have put an endorsement ihat nill nearly ajiply tothia (Signed) A. S, DAGGETT, Lieutenant-Colonel Twenty-fifth Infantry, Commanding Regiment. . Second Endorsement. Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps, August 2, ' Respectfully forwarded. (Signed) C. McKIBBIN, Brigadier-General United States Vohinteers, Commanding Brigwls. Third Endorsement. Headquarters Second Division, August 4, I8d8> < Respectfully returned with the recommendation that this soldisi 1 transferred to the Divisional Hospital on a litter without delay. (Signed) KILBOURNE, Chief Surgeon. MEMORIES OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. 55 Fourth Endorsement. Headquarters Second Division, Fifth Array Corps, Near Santiago de Cuba, August 5, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Commanding Officer, Twenty-fifth Infantry (through Commanding General, Second Brigade), for compliance with preceding endorsement. By command of Major General Lawton. (Signed) H. C. CARBAUGH, Assistant-Adjutant General, A. G. Division. Fifth Endorsement. Headquarters Second Brigade, Second Division, Fifth Corps, August 5, 1898. Respectfully returned to the Commanding Officer Twenty-fifth Infantry for compliance. By command of Brigadier General McKibbin. (Signed) C. D. RHODES, Captain and A. A. G., U. S. V., A. G. NOTE. Captain I^oughborough's letter, referred to in the first endorsement of the preceding letter. BRIEF OF LETTER. Company **B," Twenty-fifth Infantry, Camp near Santiago, Cuba, August i, 1898. Loughborough, R. H. R., Captain Twenty-fifth Infantry, Commanding Company ** B," states that Private Lewis of Company " B," Twenty-fifth Infantry, is in a precarious condition ; that the surgeon has failed in repeated efforts to have this man, along with others, cared for at a place where they could be properly treated. Asks, in the name of humanity, that some steps be taken in this case. First Endorsement. Headquarters Twenty-fifth Infantry, Camp near Santiago, Cuba, August i, 1898. Respectfully referred to the surgeon, Captain P. Shillock, Assistant Surgeon, United States Army, for remarks. By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Daggett, •(Signed) J. P. O^NEIL, First Lieutenant and R. Q. M., Twenty-fifth Infantry, Acting Adjutant. MeMOR»» OF THE CAMPAIGN OF SANTIAGO. Second Endorsement. Camp Twenly-fifth Infantry. United States Atmy, Near Santiago, Cuba, August I, 1S98. e of nmiiy more such, to a lield hospital whei linve repeatedly they niight be Respectfully returned. This c made every effort to have these casi properly cared for, hut without sucee Our regimental hospital was brokeu up at Tatnpa to hel[i build up the DiTimtmal Hospital. This particular regimental hospital was stripped of all its bunks, several of its attendants and other articles, to help build np the Second Divisional Hospital. I was told at the time that the regimental remains of a hospital were to take ci only emergency cases; all seriously sick, or of long duration, were to go to Ihe Divisional Hospital. Furthei, I was told regimental hospitals had proved themselves failures, and OuA divisional hospitals were lAf thing. Practically, we find the divisional hospital, at least, &a far as this Second Division is concerned, a complete failure. In fact, it has not beea in existence part of the time, and, at others, was always in jiiocess of construction, and not ready for the reception of patients. I again repeal that 1 have been unable for severs! weeks, I believe, to transfer wen to the field hospital. I have sent the n the field hospital with all the technical formalities of properly 1 an accompanying attendant, but they were returned with the curt not be received, or that the hospllal wa^: full, or that they wet< patients, e of the hospitals, .eloved by all who kuen- him, and his name will always be fondly remembered by his regiment, especially those who participated in the Santiago camjiaign. The officers of the regiment will wear the prescribed badge of mourning for l.ieutenunt McCorkle for thirty days. And Corporal Benjamin Cousins, Privates Payne, Lewi?. Strolber, Bevill,* Tftliafoor, Howe, I'helps, Steele and I.eftwieh sacrificed their lives on their country's altar. Being of a race whieh only thirty-five years ago emerged through a long and bloody war from a condition of servitude, they, in their luro, engaged in a war which was ortiL'iiiliy pronounced lo be in the interest cf humanity, and gave ali they had, their lives, that the oppressed might he free, and enjoy the blessings of liberty giianintted by a stable government. They also died like true soldiers and received a soldier's burial. By order of Lieutenant-Colonel Daggett. M- D. CRONIN, First Lieutenant and Adjutant, Twenty-fifth Infantry. Saturday mortiitig, August 13tli, tlie rtginiciit started for Santiago, to embark on the transport " Comanclie,'' bound for Montauk Point, New York, All our tenls M'ere left standing, and the soldiers burnt all the old clothes worn through the cainpaign. Between 5 and 6 o'clock that afternoon the " Conianche " raised anchor, and with the band [ilaying "Home, sweet lionio," we started on our liomewurd journey. After passing Gayo Smith, the ruins of the " Merriroac " and tlie " Riena Mercedes," and then Morro Castle, the transport was soon steaming on the higli seas. After fin uneventful journey of five days, during wliich we covered about fourteen hundred miles, on the afternoon of August l8th tlie "Comanche" anchored witliin the quarantine limits of Montauk Point, and four days later we landed — all delighted to be once more in " God's Country !" ' Reported APPENDIX I. Roster of Officers with the Regiment. ¥¥¥ LiEi'T.-CoL. A. S. Daociktt, Commanding Regiment. Capt. W. S. Scott, Commanding 1st Battalion. Capt. C. L. HoDiiKvS, Commanding 2d Battalion. Capt. R. H. R. LouunBOROUdH, Commanding Co. '*B." Capt. E. A. Edwakds, Commanding Co. ** D."* 1st LiErT. M. D. Ckonim, Adjutant. Ist Lieut. J. P. O'Neil, Quartermaster.f 1st Lieut. V. A. Caldwell, Commanding Co. **H." Iflt Lieut. R. L. Bush, - Ist Lieut. H. C. Clark, - 1st Lieut. H. L. MuCorkle, Ist Lieut. J. S. Murdock, 1st Lieut. H. L. Kinnison, 1st Lieut. J. A. Moss, n a n a Co. '' A." Co. "F." Co. "G"untilJuly Ist.J Co. " C.'^g Co. **E" untilJuly lst.|| Co. ** G '' after July Ist. 2d Lieut. S. P. Lyon, Adjutant 2d Battalion untilJuly 13th. ^ 2d Lieut. G. Sturtevant, Commanding Co. " E ■' after July 1st. 2d Lieut. H. W. Frknuh, Adjutant Ist Battalion. 2d Lieut. J. E Hunt, Commanding Co. " D" after July 1st. 2d Lieut. B. Enochs, Adjutant 2d Battalion after July 13th. Capt. and As«t.Sur(JE()N Paul Shilock, Regimental Surgeon. ¥ ¥ ¥ * Wounded July Ist and taken to the rear. t Appointed Brigade Commissary August 8th. I Killed at El Caney, July 1st. g Slightly wounded July 1st and taken to the rear. Rejoined Regi- ment about July 8th ; for duty July 10th. II Wounded July 1st and taken to the rear. ^Taken sick with fever July 13, and sent to the rear. i APPENDIX 11. List of Killed and Wounded at the Battle of El Caney, July I, 1898. KILLED. NAME. CO. WHERE STRUCK. 1. LlKVT. H. L. McCORKLE, ••g;^ Chest and r. axilla. 2. PvT. Albert Sthother, ** h;' Head. 3. PvT. John W. Steele, "D,'' Right thigh. 4. Corp. Henj. Corsixs, " H," Through both hips. 5. PvT. John B. Phelps, " D," Head. 6. PvT. Frenth Payne, " h;' Neck. i . Pvr. Aaron Leftwich, '*G." Head. 8. PvT. Tom Howe, "D," Heart. WOUNDEO. 1 1 A" CO. WHERE STRUCK. 1. Pvt. Wm. H. Clarke, Shoulder and hip. 2. Sergt. Stephen A. Brown, Left shoulder. 1 1 1. Pvt. Tom Brown, B" CO Foot. APPENDIX III. WOUNDED I I 1. Lieut. John S. Murdock, 2. Pvt. Josepli L. Johnson, 3. Pvt. Samuel W. Harley, 4. Pvt. John A. Boyd, 1 1 C" CO. Contusion, left ankle. Right eye, nose and left shoulder. Left wrist. Right foot. D" CO. 1. Capt. Eaton A. Edwards, Right thigh. 2. Sergt. Hayden Richards, Left lower leg. 3. Pvt. Robert Goodwin, Left shoulder. f I E" CO. 1. Lieut. H. L. Kinnison, 2. Pvt. James Howard, 3. Pvt. John Saddler, 4. Pvt. David C. Gillam, 5. Pvt. Hugh Swann, Left chest and left arm. Left arm. Right shoulder. Right arm. Right leg. I f F" CO. 1. 1st Sergt. John Coalman, Left hand 1 1 G" CO. 1. Corp. James O. Hunter, 2. Pvt. Henry Brightwell, 3. Pvt David Buckner, 4. Pvt. Alvin Daniels, I^ft wrist. Left leg. Back. Face. APPENDIX IV. WOUNDED. "G- ' CO.~(<^'0»ii»ue«l.) 5. Pvt. Boney Douglas, Foot. 6. Pvt. George P. Cooper, Left hand. Pvt. John Thomas, Corp. Gov. Staton, 1 ■ 8. Right leg (very slight.) 9. Pvt. Eugene Jones, Side of abdomen (very slight.) 1 1 H " CO. 1. Pvt. James Bevili, 2. Pvt. Henry Gilbert, Abdomen (reported dead— error; was wounded.) Right lower leg. LIST OF MEN SUBSEQUENTLY WOUNDED. 1. Pvt. Elwood A. Forman, '^H^'Co., Left forearm, July 2. 2. Pvt. Smith, • '•D'*Co., Left shin, July 2. 3. Pvt. \Vm. Lafayette, " F '' Co., Left hand July 3. r f w3-. S m^mtmrntK um nil II ," . ^ a ■ >: • ••■ t- w i. f !• . L. ■■ V' p • r t. ■ I f « M M% I.I ■ /■ • # ■ ■ A^.l -*!. w. ^■♦■S'/v * ■ .-*»■■ V- ift^i.- * »-»te, bat t