YALE ALUMNI WEEKLY
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all I could to make him comfortable
and said goodbye. He asked if I
thought we would fight, and I said I
thought so, and he broke down and
cried. He was rational before I left.
AT LAS GUASIMAS.
We started our march about six
o'clock A. M., and went straight up over
the mountains with a terrible climb.
We advanced in single file most of the
way; and made a march of three miles,
by a side path, to avoid the main road.
Suddenly I heard a few stray shots;
then volley after volley. We _ halted,
and, at order, dropped behiné a ridge.
Then came order to advance and load
guns and magazines. Then we pushed
on, hearing stray bullets in the trees.
Soon Capt. Houston started out to the
leit and climbed through a fence. We
all followed as regularly as possible,
hearing this firing constantly. We ad-
vanced a few paces and then dropped,
prepared to fire, and fired some shots;
but seeing nothing of the Spaniards,
and recognizing our men, tried to get
all to stop firing. This was the hardest
thing to do. To keep men from firing
was almost impossible in the excite-
ment; but it was amazing to see how
cool our raw volunteers were.
Simpson and I seemed to turn up
together everywhere. We tried to keep
with our Company but lost it, and in
advancing down hill met o.xer men.
Beal and Newcomb were fighting on
my right next to me, and on orders to
return to my Company I saw poor Beal
twisting on the ground. He asked to
be helped. I stopped to tell him to
bind his leg above the wound, which
showed plainly above the knee. Right
here was the greatest fire, and, coming
from the rear, we thought it must be
from another of our own Companies.
But it was the Spaniards, as we learned.
Orders strictly forbade us to stop to
help in action, so I had to leave Beal.
We collected our Company under
Lieut. Carr and waited. Advance was
ordered and Simpson and I hurried
down the hill ahead, but early became
separated from the rest of our troops,
and fell in with F Troop awhile, under
Capt. Lima, the Mexican; but soon
Capt. Houston turned up alone, and
Simpson and I stuck to him. We
found a man of F shot in the arm. We
helped him back under a tree, and an
emergency bag man was there.
Cols. Wood and Roosevelt shortly
turned up, and we had a sort of rendez-
vous there under the trees. We ad-
vanced a short distance and found
Stewart and Rae. We looked across
the valley and saw soldiers lined up
behind entrenchments. Before firing
on them, I had asked Capt. Houston
if they were Cubans or Spaniards. He
called Col Wood, and it was decided
that they were Cubans; but I still had
my doubts. Stewart decided for him-
self and opened fire. We soon fell in
with our Troop, and made a wide for-
ward swing to the left, going through
a large patch of Cuban palmetto plants,
and on through a wrecked plantation
house, through thickets, to a ravine
and further about 200 yards, where I
decided to drop my roll, or a portion
of it, which I did not actually need.
From this point we heard the recall
from a bugle, and retreated to a ravine,
where our Troop re-organized under
Capt. Houston, Lieuts. Carr and Good-
tich. While lying in the ravine, a
regular officer came up and informed
us that Major Brodie had been shot,
and that Capt. Houston was to take
charge of left wing. We lined up, and
advance was ordered; and I with
MacMillan, Wolf, Hill, et al., advanced
through the mill and down a dense
thicket, cutting our way through with
knives. Finding nothing, we returned
to our former station, where Col.
Roosevelt and Wood and the staff
officers were, who had been there be-
fore. We had quite a rest here and a
plan of guard was planned. Roosevelt
went to the left. We advanced with
Hill’s squad to hold the mill, and E
advanced to the right. We stayed in
the mill for two hours, under Seret.
Hill. Lieut. Goodrich was there early
in the guard. Lieut. Carr came in
several times, and Capt. Houston in-
spected the post. We left this post
about five o’clock, and, meeting our
Troop, lined up in front of sugar fac-
tory or distillery, used as hospital by
us, while other troops advanced by us.
Soon we came up to our camp, cross-
ing the main road from Juragua to-
Quasimas, the scene of the battle.
get any protection.
ABOUT THE BATTLE.
The battle itself lasted about two
hours and a half, from about eight-
thirty to eleven. The shots seemed to
come from all sides. It was a complete
ambush; but we fooled the Spaniards
by taking the less frequented’ road, and
advancing in spite of fire. Our loss
in the regiment was 9 killed and 31
wounded. Total loss, 17 killed. and
60 wounded. Our Rapid Fire gun
was rendered useless by the escape of
a packer with a mule which carried
the ammunition. Capt. Capron shot
two Spaniards just before he was killed.
Hamilton Fish was shot through the
heart and died instantly. Old Doc
Doherty was shot in the head, and I
think died very soon. I saw Ham the
night before at Juragua, and had quite
a talk with him.
Pitched camp about five o’clock, and
turned in early. I slept in a tent cover
and was quite comfortable; but about
two o'clock Russell came along with-
out anything, not even a coat. I built
a fire and he found two coats, and slept
rest of night. We were liable to be
attacked, so were somewhat excited all
night. J was detailed to carry in dead,
and brought Dawson from P Troop.
Fish and seven others were brought
right to camp and laid near the hospital.
“TEDDY”
BRINGING BACK.
Sunday, June 26th. Teddy (who had
rejoined the Regiment) seemed pretty
bad this morning, so he went to hospi-
tal, and Lamont said he had a very
high fever and could not come any
further. He laid down in the hospital
under their care. I went up to see
him and had a talk, and then saw
Doctor Lamont, who said he had a
severe case of typhoid fever, and must
go back immediately. We decided that
I should keep his rubber blanket. I
thought I could help him in town, and
got permission from the Captain, after
a lot of red tape. I fixed up every-
thing in my pack, and put it with
hospital sttff. The Regiment started
off and we stayed behind, and saw them
off. Poor Teddy was broken-hearted,
and cried two or three times. Soon
the mules came and we all mounted. I
took my gun and cartridge belt. I
told Davis and Whitney about Teddy,
and Whitney came over to see him be-
fore we leit. Got in town all right
by the side road, and over the ground
we came on. Teddy simply went
through on his sand. Arrived in town
about noon, and found the hospital O.
K. Captain or Sergeant Winter took
care of Teddy, of whom Remington
had spoken to him the night before.
He was a fine man, and let me help
Teddy all I could. I cooked a most
delicious meal out of bacon, hard tack
fried and sugar on it, and coffee. I
had some beans, too, which the cook
gave me. The port wine which I men-
tioned. above as being at this place,
was stored in barrels in the hospital;
and while I was there Rhodes tried to
rustle some for me, but I was disap-
pointed, for he could not get any out.
* Se
Started back to camp alone about
3.15. After some difficulty we found
our camp, and I at once reported to
Col. Wood, and delivered the note
I had for him. Then reported to Dr.
Lamont the mesage from Captain
Winter; and while there at head-
quarters, Doc. Lamont spoke to Col.
Roosevelt of my voluntary trip to
town, and the Colonel turned and
thanked me for it, calling me by name.
Caspar Whitney was there and we
talked about Teddy quite a good deal.
The camp I found very comfortable at
first, with a fine stream running just
behind it, and furnishing splendid
water. The ground was level and well
grassed, so everything looked favorable;
but when it rains it is too low to shed
the water, and will be damp continually,
I am afraid. |
Tuesday, June 28th. This day was
passed on guard duty, with the same
routine. The passing of troops along
the road varied the montony some-
what. Between one and three I was
on duty again, and it began to rain
early. It was a shower at first, and I
thought it was over, so did not stop to
Soon it came down
again and simply poured. I never saw
it rain harder for two hours consecu-
tively. Perhaps that is exaggerated,
considering our Chatauqua rains. I
soon was wet, then became careless, and
consequently wetter, then absolutely
drenched. When my time was up I
went to the guard house and stripped,
put on a dry coat and blanket, and
built a fire with great difficulty, on
account of dampness. Soon we had
guard mount and I was dismissed.
Went to my tent and cooked a little
supper, fixed my gun up and turned in
early.
PLENTY. OF WORK.
Wednesday, June 20th. Bill Larned
came around this morning to get me
to go out for a tramp toward the city
of Santiago. I asked the Captain and
he threw me down hard; so we tried
to get permission to go back to Jura-
gua, since Teddy had written me a note
asking me to come in and see him.
We found we could not go in, for the
very unpleasant announcement of old
guard fatigue duty met our ears, and
CAPT. LAZARUS DENSION STEARNS, ’96S.
DIED OF TYPHOID FEVER CON-
TRACTED AT CHICKAMAUGA.
we were told to report to headquarters.
I was put on a detail, under Lieut.
Goodrich, to repair the road. We
looked up picks, shovels, etc., and
started out reminding me very much
of the street cleaning gang at home
as they used to file out of the station
house. We first marched down the
road a quarter of a mile and there met
a regular officer, who ordered us back
again. The road was a simple stream
of mud with a spattering of huge rocks.
We found our place and began picking
out the big stones and broadening
the road.
This is the main road from Juragua
and Santiago, but having been used
for mules and carrying only, was not
fit for wagons; so we have to fix it
up for the army wagons continually
passing. We are improving the coun-
try to that extent any way. Later we
went up the road and with a detail from
2d Infantry, colored trops, built a turn
off for empty wagons returning. Had
dinner later, and was just about tuck-
ered out with the work on the road in
the hot sun when orders came to report
at one o'clock at headquarters for
further orders. We found waiting for
us here a job that had been attempted
by Bill Larned and his squad in the
morning, and consisted of building
benches for the officers’ mess. At noon
the officers were thoroughly enjoying
their meal, sitting on their benches.
R. H. Davis came along with his plate
and cup and sat down with a comfort-
able relaxation, when it suddenly
crashed under his weight. It became
our duty, and I suppose privilege, to
build another stronger one in place of
this broken one. It was threatening
rain when we came, so I brought a
poncho with me, and, sure enough, as
we started work, it began to pour. We
took shelter under officers’ headquar-
ters, and waited for rain to stop; then
finished our work. We thought this
would certainly end our day’s work,
but decided differently when they orderd
us over to help unload the commis-
sary’s stuff. Hard tack, bacon, tents,
etc., by the wagon-load. Bill Larned
and I got aboard one wagon to load
up some stuff to take down to
another regiment. We had quite a
ride, and a terrible shaking up, but did
not report back at the squad, thus
escaping, perhaps, a lot more of work.
We had certainly done our legitimate
share, as some days the fatigue duty is
$$...
omitted altogether. I felt pretty well
done up that night, and had the first
bad feelings, a pain in my stomach
which I think came from eating SO
much green, and perhaps from my wet-
ting. I had felt great the last few days,
in fact, never better in my life; but
our food has been nothing but bacon,
hard tack and coffee. We fried our
bacon, then took the green and fried
hard tack, sometimes having soaked it
in water before frying, but generally
without. But such is army life, and
rae must take it as it is. I am satis-
ed.
Things to-day looked as though
we were going to stay here for
weeks to come. There was a rumor
of an armistice, but not verified.
We are only a few miles from the
city, which can be seen from the
top of the hills near by. They say
it 1s strongly fortified, and a formidable
antagonist. We hope that we may cap-.
ture it as a Fourth of July celebration.
I turned in early to-night. I end this
here and mail it home. |
THE LAST DAY.
Thursday, June 30th. This morning
my surprise was complete at the arrival
of mail. A letter from mother, Mame,
Grace, Brown, Judd, telegram from
father. Teddy had a big batch. Sent
them to him.
About two o'clock, after we had spent
morning in fixing up our camp, orders
came to break camp; so we packed up
and got under way about four o’clock.
Marched about two miles, and arrived
by moonlight on an eminence about
two miles and a half from the city.
We passed several Cuban Regiments.
The camp was an old building, mostly
in ruins, occupied by Cubans. Prob-
ably a monastery. We had a cold sup-
per and turned in soon. ;
Friday, July tst. A week ago we
had our battle. I went up on a hill in
advance, and got a glimpse of an out-
post; small village occupied by Span-
iards. Bombarding began about twenty
minutes after six, and was centered on
a small village in our rear. About an
hour later, after constant bombardment,
a skirmish took place. Must stop.
Now in line. Goodbye, will send this.
Please excuse mistakes, for I have writ-
ten in a hurry.
It was not long after those last words
were written that Miller received his
fatal wound.
<> >
mS
Gerard Merrick Ives, °96.
Gerard Merrick Ives, a member of
Troop K, Rough Riders, died at his
home in New York City on Tuesday
afternoon, August oth, from typhoid
fever contracted while encamped with a
portion of his Troop at Tampa.
He was born in Rome, Italy,.and pre-
pared at Lawrenceville, graduating from
Yale in 1896. He was popular in his
Class, and made many friends while in
the University. When the war began
Mr. Ives resigned his position in New
York and although he was a member of
Squadron A, volunteered in the Rough
Riders, believing they would be more
likely to see. active service. When
orders came for a portion of the Rough
Riders to proceed to Tampa, the fortune
of war was against him and he was
one of the detachment left behind to
take charge of the horses. On July
23d he was appointed Lance Corporal
of the troop but shortlv afterwards was
stricken with the typhoid fever, and not
being able to secure relief there ob-
tained a furlough and started for home
unattended on August 4th. He arrived
in New York two days later completely
exhausted and died at his home on the
oth. |
The burial was in Trinity Cemetery,
a detail from Squadron A attending.
Lazarus Denison Stearns, ’°968.
Lazarus Denison Stearns, Captain
Co. B, oth Pennsylvania, U. S. V., died
at his home in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., on
Tuesday, Sept. 7th, of typhoid fever,
contracted while in camp with his regi-
ment at Chickamauga.
Capt. Stearns was born in Wilkes-
Barre, Dec. 27, 1875, and was a son of
Irving A. and Clorinda Shoemaker
Stearns. He graduated from Phillips
Academy, Andover, Mass., in the Class
of 1893, after which he entered the
[Continued on 7th page.]
