USA > Ohio > The Fourteenth Ohio national guard- the Fourth Ohio volunteer infantry > Part 10
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Colonel Coit placed himself at the head of the Third battalion and marched rapidly into the streets.
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The companies that had been out in the firing line resumed their advance, through houses, across lots and over fences, all in a mad race to reach the center of the city first. The honor of reaching the plaza first is claimed by several. There is no official report decid- ing the matter, and it is not the intention to take up the question here, but the man who first set his foot on the property of the crown of Spain in the public square of the city of Guayama, must certainly have experienced the proudest moment of his life.
Whoever he was, he did not stand there alone many seconds, for the Third Battalion on the one side and the other two from the other sides were madly rushing toward the colors, and in less time than is re- quired to record it, the whole regiment was assembled in front of the Capitol of the province of Guayama. Everybody cheered as he went and everybody con- tinued to cheer when he had reached the square. The regiment had done excellent work, every man in it had helped to do the work, and every one of them had a right to cheer.
But all the cheering of that day was not done by the men of the Fourth Ohio. There were others there who had still better reason than they to raise the voice which God had given them, to cheer the final freedom which He had sent them. It was a happy day in the history of that quaint little city. Men cheered and women cried; children ran like wild creatures, shout- ing as loud as their little throats would permit, "Vivan los Americanos." Their happiness knew no bounds and no one attempted to restrain their demonstrations.
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They kissed the hands of their deliverers and fell at their feet to worship them. They opened wide the doors of their homes and the best of the land was of- fered in honor of the great event. As soon as it was possible to reach the top of the Capitol the regimental colors were planted there, and Guayama was no longer a Spanish province, but an American colony.
The ceremony of raising the American flag over the captured city was probably not attended with the eclat that would have been given it under different circumstances. The band had been drilled in the duties of the hospital corps and the band men had done excellent service in carrying litters and perform- ing other work usually devolving upon the hospital corps all day. Their instruments had been left at Arroyo, hence all the music there was to add joy to the already joyous occasion was the music of the little birds that seemed to take up the glad song of victory and of freedom, and of the men, women and children who joined in one glad refrain.
The flag was carried to the top of the building by the regular color guard. Those who were present and who helped to fasten the starry banner to the staff were Captain M. L. Wilson, regimental adjutant; Sergeant Major Frank C. Radcliffe, Color Sergeant McDonald, Color Guards Alger of Company H, Cor- poral Thrall of Company A and T Darte Walker, cor- respondent to "Harper's Weekly."
While the regiment was assembled the "alcalde" or mayor of the town, through an interpreter, made an address of welcome to the American soldiers.
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The interpreter on this occasion was Emanuel Lucin- arius, a gentleman who had been educated in the United States, who understood the English language and spoke it fluently, and who afterwards proved to be a very useful friend to the regiment and to its officers.
Colonel Coit also took advantage of this, the first opportunity, to thank the members of the regiment for their excellent work, and to congratulate them upon the victory of the day, but he had hardly gotten the words from his lips when the whirring of the bul- lets was again heard, and it was soon learned that the flag was the object of renewed firing. This was kept up for a few moments when a still greater danger developed. Investigation showed that all the Span- iards had not left the town and that those who had remained were doing what had been expected they would do, i. e., fire upon the men from the houses.
Colonel Coit closed that address more abruptly than any he had ever closed before in his life. He at once ordered the Third Battalion to the northwest part of the town to repel any attack that might be made. It was well that this was done and that it was done as soon as it was, for there is no doubt that had this part of the city been left unprotected, the hard work of the day would have been for naught. As it was, the Spaniards had returned to within range of the city and they were firing at the town at a lively rate when the Third Battalion arrived on the scene.
Unfortunately little provision had been made for the dynamite guns. There were no horses and the
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guns had to be dragged along the road by the men themselves. They did not reach the scene of action in time to be turned upon the town, but they came in for an important part in the defense of the city after it was captured. The guns were taken out to the city limits and planted in a commanding position. Then the hills where the Spaniards were known to be con- cealed were treated to a bombardment they had not experienced since the day they were created. Huge charges of dynamite were thrown across the fields, which, when they struck the earth, tore everything in their path. Great holes in the ground were torn up and rocks, dust and pieces of timber and roots were thrown high in the air. It is needless to say that this, added to the effective rifle fire of the Third Battalion, had the desired effect, and the enemy did not again attempt to disturb the Fourth Ohio at Guayama.
As soon as the Third Battalion returned to the city, strong guards were posted all over the town. Private William Walcut, of D Company, was placed on guard at the principal corner, within a few yards of the Capitol building. At a house near him, several shots had been seen to be fired and several times a man with a long black beard was seen to appear on a veranda. The shots came very mysteriously, and as there was no smoke, it was not known to an absolute certainty that they came from the house mentioned except as could be judged from the report of the rifle. One of the shots was well aimed and Sentinel Walcut was wounded in the foot.
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This created considerable excitement and the house was entered. The man with the black beard was Chief of Police Blanco, an avowed Spanish sym- pathizer, and there is no doubt but that he was the man who fired the shot which wounded Walcut. The house was entered by Colonel Coit in person, ac- companied by several men, and when they came out they had some arms, a Spanish flag and several pris- oners of war. Among them was Blanco. They were all taken to the provincial jail and locked up, a strong guard being placed over the jail.
When everything had quieted down, it was al- most dark and arrangements were begun for the night. Company B was detailed as guard in the town and the other companies were stationed as outposts on the north and west sides of the city. The Third Illinois took charge of the other approaches. The men that were left were permitted to camp for the night where- ever they chose and some pitched their tents in the street, others in the public buildings and others in the plaza. Most of the shelter tents and other baggage was discarded in the advance on the city so that many of the men were compelled to seek shelter under roofs or sleep in the open air.
CHEIF BLANCO AND GAUAYAMO POLICEMAN.
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CHAPTER XI.
THE ROAD TO CAYEY.
"Battle" of Guayama-Comments on the Capture Effect of This Duty Upon the Regiment-General Haines and the Fourth Ohio-Restlessness in the City-Reconnoiter of the Road-Spanish Camp Located-Orders for Second Reconnoiter-A False Alarm-A Break for Guayama- Stories of Ambush-Their Effect-Excitement at Head- quarters-Regiment Made a Rescuing Party-American versus Spaniard-Dynamite Guns in Action-A Make- Shift Caisson-Barrio De Las Palmas-Other Expe- ditions.
When the officers of the United States army were instructing the officers of the Fourth Ohio as to the preparation of blanks in the final muster out of the regiment at Columbus in January, 1899, one of them said: "In preparing the discharges of the men, you will in recording the militaryrecord of each, give those credit who were in action on August 5th at Guayama, Porto Rico, as the government has dignified that en- gagement with the name of "battle."
The simple facts that only two regiments were en- gaged on the one side and less than a thousand men on the other and that only a few American soldiers were wounded and none killed, does not show any insignifi- cance to the engagement. The Fourth Ohio was there in obedience to orders from the commanding officers and the spirit with which they performed their duty as it appeared to them, would have been the same had there been a million Spaniards to oppose them. Be- sides that, the work which they accomplished was cer-
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tainly one worthy the record which the regiment had made while it was a part of the Ohio National Guard. The capture of the city of Guayama at that time meant more than the mere defeat of a detachment of Spanish troops. Guayama was a city of five thousand in- habitants, and the province of which it was the po- litical, social and commercial center, contained twelve thousand people, who represented many million dol- lars of wealth. This was all lost to the Spanish gov- ernment and some of the hardest fought battles of the Civil war resulted in smaller gains to the federal government.
Nor should the value of that day's work be measured by the remarkably short list of wounded. It certainly was no fault of the Fourth Ohio that not more of their number were injured. They placed themselves in the path of the Spanish bullets and for four long hours they were subjected to a hot fire from an enemy which knew every foot of the contested ground, while the Ohio boys were in a strange land and among a strange people. The loss to the regiment was not confined by any means to the damage done by Spanish bullets, for the severe physical strain of the day had a telling effect indeed, and the sweltering rays of the tropical sun did far more damage than the poorly aimed Spanish rifles were able to accomplish. Captain White of B Company, who had been in the thickest of the fray from the time the assault was begun until the regiment reached the city, was com- pletely overcome by the heat and spent the night at the hospital in terrible agony.
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Many of the boys were overcome by the heat, and it was not an uncommon sight during the advance upon the city to see men throw up their hands and with a shriek, sink to the earth. These sights would probably have had a serious effect on men less de- termined than the Fourth Ohio, for from every ap- pearance the men thus fallen, were mortally wounded, and this was what their comrades naturally supposed had happened.
There are many reasonable objections to the ser- vice of volunteer troops, and there are many strong arguments for their efficiency, but it is very seldom that any confidence is reposed in volunteer regiments by general officers until they have once been under fire and proved themselves. General Haines had watched the Fourth Ohio all through its course of training at Chickamauga park. He had personally superintended their marches, rifle practice and other drills and had learned to know that they were made of the stuff that goes where duty calls. The Fourth Ohio had never as such been under fire, but they conducted themselves on the occasion of the capture of Guayama with so much judgment, precision and determination that General Haines freely announced that he could trust any officer or man in the regiment with any duty which falls to the lot of the soldier.
He formed a warm personal acquaintance with the officers and with many of the men. Anything which was in his power to bestow was freely given to the Fourth Ohio, and that regiment received every
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post of honor which General Haines had the privilege of giving.
On the night after the capture the town was in a very restless condition. A night attack was feared by the citizens, and property holders were fearful lest Spanish sympathizers would set fire to their buildings and escape to the Spanish camp in the hills beyond the city. Many arrests were made during the night, of men who it was claimed were avowed Spaniards, and before morning the little provincial jail was crowded with prisoners of war. These were all re- leased, however, on their promise not to take up arms against the United States or to assist in any way the Spanish cause.
Those citizens who remained quietly at their homes, whatever their sympathies might have been, were not disturbed, and with but few exceptions these liberal offers were not abused. The officers of the regiment had taken quarters for the night in a hotel adjoining the City Hall, and during the night a man wearing citizen's clothes was caught lurking near these quarters with a large "machete" concealed on his person. What his intentions were, could only be judged by appearances, and he was hurried away to the jail to join his friends and neighbors.
The soldiers and citizens continued to be the best of friends, the people ever ready to share their last comfort with the soldiers who had brought to them a new government. There were few households which did not contain an abundant supply of wine of various grades and quality, and this was liberally bestowed
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upon the Ohio soldiers. Some of the boys became too "sociable," however, and the regimental guard house was pretty well filled up at reveille on the morn- ing of the 6th.
The night having passed without serious trouble, General Haines directed that the day be spent so far as possible in rest. Guards were made as light as the circumstances would permit and the outposts were made as comfortable as possible. Some of these were some distance from the city, and had an attack been made upon them, they would have had to have fougb' like demons to have held their positions or to have gained the city in safety. D Company was on the top of a mountain next the city, but it was a hard and dangerous climb to reach their post, and they would have had a hard time retreating to the city had such an emergency presented itself. The other com- panies were stationed at a bridge across the stream "Rio Guayama," along the road from the city to the bridge and at other points along the little stream as it flowed along the outskirts of the city to the sea a few miles away.
In the afternoon, Colonel Coit directed companies A and C to make a short reconnoitre beyond the bridge before mentioned, to discover if possible the position and strength of the Spanish forces and to report on the condition of the road.
Corporal William Markeson, who had now been relieved of the duties of regimental clerk and returned to his company (F), accompanied this expedition in the capacity of interpreter. Every native that was
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met was questioned as to what he knew and the answers as to the number of Spaniards in the hills varied from one dozen to several thousand. It was definitely learned, however, that the main force was near the top of the mountain range, five or six miles further up the road and that they were busily en- gaged in throwing up intrenchments and preparing to receive an attack. No reliable information could be secured as to their strength.
The road leading from Guayama, extended from that city through Cayey, Caguas and Rio Piedras to San Juan, the capital of the island. It had been constructed by the Spanish government, and was found to be one of the finest Maccadam roadways in the world. It wound itself in graceful curves around the hills, keeping in the valley as much as possible, and cutting itself along the bluffs and by the side of precipices like a quiet mountain stream. At many places its foundation was the very rocks and at other places it was filled with closely packed stone which had been ground almost into powder. The heavy rains and the absence of freezing had rendered the road as hard as cement and its surface was almost as smooth.
The engineers had made ample provision for the little mountain gorges which would otherwise have destroyed the road in the course of time, and beautiful masonry marked the places where these little streams threaded their way through the rock under the road- way.
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At one of the turns in this road there was found evidence that the Spaniards fully expected that the American troops would push on toward Cayey. A clump of bushes was so arranged that a dozen men could conceal themselves and command a view of the road for a distance of a hundred yards. Had an enemy approached, they could have fired several vol- leys into its ranks and then dropped down the em- bankment and retreated to the next turn, where these tactics could have been repeated. In this way it would have been possible for fitfy Spaniards to have repelled the advance of an entire regiment of Ameri- can soldiers.
After the party had reached a distance of six kilometers from the city, the lengthening shades of night warned the officers that it was time to return to the city. The advance guard and flankers were called in and the march was made back to Guayama. Both A and C companies returned to outpost duty and the other companies remained at the posts to which they had previously been assigned.
The discoveries of the reconnoitering party con- vinced the officers that the Spaniards were preparing to carry on a stout defense against any advance of the Americans rather than an offensive campaign, and the fear of an attack was lessened. Saturday night was, therefore, spent in greater ease than the previous night, and Sunday was spent in much needed rest.
The baggage from off the St. Paul had now reached the regiment at Guayama and most of that which had been discarded on Friday between Arroyo
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and Guayama had been collected. H and M com- panies had reported for duty, the men had rested and the entire command was in better condition to hold the city or to make an advance than they had yet been since the landing at Arroyo on the 3rd.
General Haines established brigade headquart- ers in a large brick building at the southwest corner of the principal square, overlooking the plaza, and Colonel Coit established regimental headquarters in an abandoned residence at the rear of the cathedral. Arrangements were made to remain in the city until more forces should arrive before another advance would be attempted.
It was of course necessary to keep informed as much as possible as to what was going on in the Spanish camp and on Monday the following order was delivered to Colonel Coit:
Headquarters Second Brigade, First Division, First Corps, Guayama, Porto Rico, August 8, 1898. Colonel Coit, Commanding Fourth O. V. I .:
Sir-The brigade commander directs that you send a reconnoitering party on the road to Cayey toward the place where the road has been blown up. This party need not be a large one, not more than one company, strong enough to take care of itself and fall back in case of attack. The object is to secure information and not to bring on a fight. Lieutenant Darrow will accompany the party to sketch the country. Very respectfully,
C. W. FENTEN, A. A. G.
BIRDS' EYE VIEW OF GUAYAMA.
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A few moments after the receipt of that order, the following was issued:
Headquarters Fourth O. V. I., Guayama, Porto Rico, August 8, 1898. Regimental Order No. 77:
Captain Walsh will, when relieved by Captain Bostwick, make a reconnoiter with parts of Compan- ies A and C, leaving Company C at a point about two miles beyond Guayama bridge. This expedition is for information only and will be made with care. Lieutenant Darrow and interpreter will accompany the party. You will avoid an engagement and re- treat in order if you meet with aforesaid opposition. A written report with all information will be made as soon as possible. By order
COLONEL COIT.
M. L. WILSON, Capt. Fourth O. V. I., Adjt.
In obedience to these orders companies A and C left camp at about 8 o'clock Monday morning, August 8th. Advance guards and flankers were thrown out and the command proceeded cautiously up the moun- tain. The main column remained in the roadway, but the line of flankers extended on either side, in the valley at the right and on the mountain side at the left. It was very hard work to climb over the rocks and across the precipices and progress was therefore rather slow. It was not possible for the main column to proceed faster than the flanks which were to pro- tect the movement, so that by noon the command had not gone more than four miles from the bridge.
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Colonel Coit had accompanied the expedition, to be on the ground in person in case anything should happen, as well as to familiarize himself with the condition and outline of the country. Lieutenant Darrow, of General Haines' staff, was also a member of the party. It was his duty to make a topo- graphical map of the road and the adjacent country. The entire reconnoiter was in anticipation of a gen- eral advance from Guayama to San Juan, and for this reason a great deal of importance was attached to the movement.
As had been learned through the expedition on Saturday before, the main force of the Spaniards occupied a position at the top of the hill, where they commanded a complete view of the road from the bridge to their own camp. The Spanish officers could have seen the expedition leave camp and prob- ably did see their every movement while on the march.
After the command had reached an abrupt turn in the road, glasses were trained at the hillside to the right and there the Spaniards were in plain view. Men could be seen with the naked eye working in the trenches, which had already been made a most formid- able defense. There were rifle pits at the side of the road, artillery trenches in the hill sides and embank- ments thrown up in the middle of the passage. Bridges and culverts had been destroyed with dyna- mite, and an American cavalry or artillery detach- ment would have found it practically impossible to
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have climbed the mountain even if there had been no defense of the road by Spanish arms.
The expedition made careful notes of all they saw and of what they could learn from the natives, but they had not quite reached the bridge referred to in the communication from brigade headquarters. They had just passed one of the sharper turns in the road when a hundred Mauser rifles rang out in the fresh mountain air, directly above and in front of them. An instant later the shrill whistle of the bul- lets was heard directly over their heads and in another moment a second volley was fired. Fortunately the aim of the Spaniards, as it had been at Guayama, was very bad, and the bullets passed harmlessly over the heads of the Americans or struck the side of the cut in the roadway. Some of them, however, struck the surface of the road and had the effect of giving the Americans to understand that they were standing on very uncomfortable ground, to say nothing of the unhealthfulness of the surroundings.
The position of the command at this time was very peculiar. The road did not extend more than a few feet in any one direction at one place, but the curves were sharp, bounded on the one side by the rock at the side of the mountain and on the other side by a deep precipice which afforded even as much danger as the bullets from the Spanish soldiers. The head of the column had reached a point behind a steep bluff where it was impossible for the bullets to reach them, but the rear of the column was in direct range of the
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fire which was becoming thicker and more deadly every minute.
The firing had come like a thunderbolt from a clear sky and for a moment the officers and men of the command were dumfounded. The order from General Haines had been to "fall back in case of at- tack," but here was a situation that no one could have anticipated. To advance was in disobedience of orders and would have been murder on the part of the officers commanding it, and to retreat was plain suicide; still, at the rate the bullets were coming from the Spanish trenches, it was plainly seen that the command could not remain in that position many minutes.
The expedition had been placed in charge of Captain Walsh, but the colonel was there and of course the responsibility of getting out of the dilemma at once devolved upon him. Colonel Coit's first com- mand was to stand firm, but it was soon seen that that would not be safe, for the Spanish soldiers were aiming lower at every volley.
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