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mand, turning over the district of Santiago to Major-General Lawton.

Something may be said of the natural obstacles which had to be encountered and which no foresight could have overcome or obviated. The rocky and precipitous coast afforded no sheltered landing places, the roads were mere bridle paths, the effect of the tropical sun and rains upon unacclimated troops was deadly, and a dread of strange and unknown diseases had its moral effect upon the army.

At Daiquiri, the landing of the troops and stores was made at a small wooden wharf, which the Spaniards tried unsuccessfully to burn, and the animals were pushed into the water and guided to a sandy beach about 200 yards in extent. At Siboney, the landing was made on the beach and at a small wharf erected by the engineers. I had neither the time nor the men to spare to construct permanent wharves. At times the roads were impassable for wagons. The San Juan and Aguadores rivers would often suddenly rise so much as to prevent the passage of wagons, and then the eight pack trains with the command had to be depended upon for the victualling of the troops, as well as the 20,000 refugees, who could not, in the interest of humanity, be left to starve while we had rations. Often for days nothing could be moved except on pack trains. After the great physical strain and exposure of July 1 and 2, the malarial and other fevers began rapidly to advance throughout the command, and on July 4 the yellow fever appeared at Siboney.

The supply of Quartermaster and Commissary stores during the campaign was ample and, notwithstanding the difficulties in landing and transporting the ration, the troops on the firing line were at all times supplied with its coarser components, namely, bread, meat, sugar and coffee.

The sick and wounded received every attention that it was possible to give them. The medical officers, without exception, worked night and day to alleviate the suffering, which was no greater than invariably accompanies a campaign. Of the wounded, only fourteen died as the result of their wounds. Each soldier and officer carried into action what was termed a "First aid package,"-a small supply of bandages and anti

septic dressing. In many cases, the wounds were so well dressed on the battle-field by use of these packages that it was not found necessary to remove the dressing until after the wounded men returned to the United States.

In closing, it is proper to say a word in regard to the discipline of the command. It is a remarkable fact that not an officer or enlisted man was brought to trial by court-martial during this campaign. The discipline of the entire command was superb.

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CHAPTER X.

MILES'S CAMPAIGN IN PUERTO RICO.

BY

CAPT. HENRY H. WHITNEY, U. S. A., Assistant Adjutant-General.

During a campaign, whatever is not profoundly considered in all its detail is without result. Every enterprise should be conducted according to a system; chance alone can never bring success.”—NAPOLEON.

UERTO RICO was a strong base of supplies for the

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Spaniards in Cuba, and as it was known that the rainy season did not begin until late in August, it seems to have been the plan of the Major-General Commanding to strike the first real blow there, making it a secondary base of operations against Cuba later in the fall. But the presence of Cervera's fleet changed the plan, when the Navy asked for the Army's assistance at Santiago. When this bugaboo of the seas had been so brilliantly disposed of, and General Miles had taken reinforcements to Shafter's army and with them the prestige of a "Master of Victory," he hurried to Guantanamo to assemble his Puerto Rican expedition.

Every contingency that might arise had been foreseen, and on the 15th of July, requisition by cable was made for a train of Soo pack mules complete, 400 freight travois with saddles, an abundant supply of medical stores, hospital supplies, ambulances and tentage, dock construction corps with laborers, steam tugs and lighters, and $100,000 for hire of native transportation and purchase of horses. All infantry was to be supplied with smokeless powder arms, and there was to be sent a full allowance of transportation for all commands.

Several days were spent waiting for the necessary naval convoy; finally, on the 21st of July, the fleet set sail, composed of the following vessels: transports Lampasas, Nueces,

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