Annual Report of the Major-General Commanding the Army to the Secretary of War (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1898 Excerpt: ...advanced close behind the firing line nearly to the crest of the hill. So far as it was possible for me to observe the troopers individually, they kepi their heads and strove to do effective work, and showed considerable endurance, most of them carrying their entire equipment through to the end. Lieutenant Smither's conduct of nis platoon, which was advanced directly upon the strongest part of the enemy's defense, was in every way commendable. He held his line well in hand, preceded his men at times in order to direct then better, exercised good judgment in the control of their fire, and by word and example encouraged them when they were nearly exhausted from fatigue. Lieutenant Smither's separate report of the operation of his platoon, hereto attached, is made a part of this report. Respectfully, E. S. Wright, First Lieutenant. First Cavalry. Commanding Troop A. In The Field, Near Santiago De Cuba, June 37. 1898. The Adjutant. Tenth Cavalry. Sir: In obedience to verbal instructions of this date I report as follows relative to the affair of June 24 with the Spaniards at La Guasimas: Shortly after the Hotchkiss guns, under Captain Watson's direction, opened fire upon the Spanish position and the squadron of the First United States Cavalry had been deployed in front of the works occupied by them, I was directed to take my troop (A, Tenth Cavalry) and proceed to the left of Captain Galbraith's troop f the First Cavalry, which was on the left of the First Cavalry squadron, and upport him. This I immediately proceeded to do. I found Captain Galbraith's roop. and after a short consultation with him extended his line with my troop nd pushed the line parallel to the hill upon which the Spaniards were located. The First Cavalry squadron was pushing its line forward ...