22nd Infantry Regimental History 1898 Pt 2

1st Battalion 22nd Infantry

Regimental History 1898 Part Two

From a period stereoview a US Soldier writes a letter home.
"Dearest Annie, -- To-morrow we move on toward Santiago where we expect a hard battle."

The march toward Santiago was resumed at 3:30 A. M., July 2.
At noon the regiment was placed in position and entrenched on the extreme right of the line.
The morning's march was under desultory fire, but fortunately only one man was wounded.
Most of this fire came from bullets aimed so high as to clear our entrenchments and strike far beyond,
or from sharpshooters effectively concealed in the trees.
The activity of the regiment in the battle of July 1 earned for it congratulatory orders from high sources.
The following order was the first received:

GENERAL ORDERS '
HEADQUARTERS IST BRIG., 2ND DIVISION, 5TH ARMY CORPS.
In front of Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 1898.
The Brigadier General Commanding desires to congratulate the officers and men of this command on the gallantry
and fortitude displayed by them in the investment and capture of Caney on Friday, July first, inst.
Infantry attacks on fortified positions well defended are recognized as the most difficult of military undertakings and are rarely successful.
The defense was conducted with admirable skill behind an elaborate system of blockhouses, entrenchments and loop holes.
Nevertheless after a stubborn and bloody combat of nearly eight hours, the place was taken and its garrison practically annihilated.
The exploit is the more notable that the affair was entered upon and carried through by men most of whom had never been under fire.
The high percentage of casualties shows the severity of the work; 14% of loss among officers and 8% of the enlisted forces.
This action, though relatively of minor importance, will take its place as one of the conspicuous events in military history,
by reason of its success under conditions of great difficulty, and all who contributed toward the achievement
have reason for present and future congratulations.
BY COMMAND OF BRIGADIER GENERAL LUDLOW: (Signed) W. H. KELL,
Captain, 22nd Infantry, Act. Asst. Adjt. General.

Spanish irregulars fire from their trench

A second order of congratulation was issued on July 4, 1898, from General Shafter's 5th Army Corps Headquarters.
At 10:30, the night of the second of July, the Spaniards made a determined attack on our lines with heavy fire from both artillery and infantry.
The entire regiment was put in the trenches and after half an hour of spirited fighting the attack was repulsed.
Casualties in the regiment: two men killed and two wounded.
The regiment remained in camp July 3. At about 9 o'clock heavy firing to the south of Santiago was heard, continuing several hours.
That a naval engagement was on was confirmed by repeated rumors. The lines waited anxiously for news of the result.
At noon the enemy sent out a flag of truce and all firing was suspended by order of General Shafter.
Disheartening rumors about the result of the naval engagement began to spread along the line—
Cervera's fleet had broken out of Santiago harbor and destroyed the American fleet. Rumor next destroyed Cervera's fleet.
Then false reports came thick and fast first in favor of the Americans and next in favor of the enemy.

Finally the regiment heard the same kind of good, American cheers that had gladdened its heart late on the afternoon of July 1,
very faint at first, then taken up by regiment after regiment, growing constantly louder until at last it reached the 22nd on the extreme right—
a mighty cheer announcing the truth that the American fleet had won. Man danced on the trenches; regimental bands blared forth triumphant airs,
Santiago became alive with music and cheers and waving flags.
The regiment, throughout the investment of Santiago, had position on the extreme right of the line, and as the line was extended from time to time
the 22nd was moved out and compelled to construct new trenches. July 4 it broke camp at 7 A. M.,
marched three miles and took position to the right closer to Santiago.
July 5 to July 9, the regiment remained in camp, with outposts in the trenches. On the 10th, the line was again extended to the right and intrenched.
At 4:30 P. M. this day the truce was concluded, the Spaniards opening fire and continuing until 7 P. M.
The regiment remained in the trenches during the night.
July 11 and 12, the regiment was moved to its final position.
This position was attained only after overcoming many difficulties. The 22nd Infantry was now intrenched with full battalion front
between two roads leading to the city. The second battalion was behind the first with the Eighth Infantry as reserve.

In forwarding General Ludlow's report of the position to the Adjutant General of the Fifth Corps,
Major General Lawton lauded the extension of the right of the line as follows :

"General Ludlow has practically executed the orders communicated to him to move forward,
extending his right to the northeast point of Santiago bay, thus completely cutting off the Spaniards from communication in that direction.
This movement has been executed during the night under the most trying conditions of weather.
Neither of the other brigades succeeded in changing their lines to the front right because of the terrific storm which was experienced last night.
General Ludlow has displayed great energy and perseverance for which I heartily commend him and request that it be given consideration".

Spanish soldiers in Cuba.
They are cavalrymen, or possibly irregulars, being equipped with sabers
and Spanish made rolling block carbines.

In the final position the regiment's trenches were one hundred and sixty yards from the trenches of the enemy.
During this period of investment the men worked at times day and night in the trenches, often in heavy rains,
often under and returning fire—always on scant rations.
The Cuban force to the right, supposedly completing the investment, withdrew from its position, leaving a gap
between the regiment and the bay, and rendering increased vigilance necessary.
July 13 the regiment remained in camp.
July 14, from 11:30 A. M. to 3 p. M., the regiment occupied the trenches pending the informal surrender of Santiago.
July 15 and 16 the regiment again remained in camp.
At 8:45 A. M., July 17, the regiment was formed in the trenches, and, midway between the representatives of the two armies the city,
surrounding provinces and 24,000 troops were formally surrendered.
At noon the American flag was raised over the governor's palace, the regiment during this ceremony parading in front of the trenches.
Immediately afterward the following message from the President of the United States was published in each regiment:

WASHINGTON, July 16, 1898. GENERAL SHAFTER:
The President of the United States sends you and your brave army the profound thanks of the American people
for the gallant achievement at Santiago, resulting in the surrender of the city and all of the Spanish troops and territory under General Toral.
Your splendid command has endured, not only hardships and sacrifices incident to campaign and battle,
but in stress of heat and weather has triumphed over obstacles which would have overcome men less brave and determined.
One and all have displayed the most conspicuous gallantry and earned the gratitude of the nation.
The heart of the people turns with tender sympathy to the sick and wounded.
May the Father of Mercy protect and comfort them.
(Signed) WILLIAM McKiNLEY.

The following day, July 18, the regiment was moved back-to the hills. It had suffered greatly from unavoidable exposure.
Great discomfort, sickness and suffering prevailed. During the almost daily rains, the men had been able to get only the slight protection
afforded by shelter halves; frequently it had been necessary to bivouac without even these.
For days and nights they had worn the same wet clothing and had slept on wet ground. Malaria and dysentery had spread
until only a few officers and men were available for duty, and even these kept their feet only because they were less sick than the others.
The only bright spot in this period of depression came from the activities of 'Captain J. T. Clarke, assistant Surgeon., U. S. A.,
and E. H. Fitzgerald, Regimental Chaplain. Though sick and suffering themselves, these two men were unceasing in their cheering efforts
to lighten the burden of officers and men.
On July 19, General Shafter issued an order commending the American troops for their success in Cuba
and particularly in the investment and capture of Santiago. This order set forth in detail the difficulties of the operations,
citing the obstacles encountered in the tropical undergrowth and terrain of the island.
August 11, orders came to return to the United States. The command was inspected for yellow fever cases or suspects,
and infected clothing was burned. All that was left of the regiment embarked on the Mobile August 12, and sailed for home at 1:30 P. M., August 13.
The departure of Ludlow's brigade involved the dissolution of the 2nd Division of the 5th Army Corps.
Its gallant commander, Major-General Lawton, paid it a parting tribute in an order describing in detail the operations of the corps
on Cuban soil and expressing his appreciation of the gallant and soldierly manner in which the duties and labors required had been performed.
The regiment's already long list of hardships was added to on the return journey to the United States.
No provision had been made for the sick; men suffering from fever, chills and various intestinal disorders were compelled to eat the ordinary ration.
On the voyage the brigade lost eleven men. August 20, the Mobile reached Montauk.

A view of Camp Wikoff, Montauk, N.Y. 1898

August 21, the regiment went into camp at Camp Wikoff, so named in honor of the regiment's colonel
who had been killed in front of Santiago.
Here suffering was turned into surfeit. Nothing was left undone by the government and private citizens
that could add to the comfort of the returned soldiers.
September 16, the regiment left Camp Wikoff for its former station, Fort Crook, Nebraska.
September 18, Lieut. W. L. Taylor died in New York city of malarial fever contracted during the campaign.
Lieut. Taylor was one of the most active officers on the battle front in Cuba and had been commended during the fighting
for his bravery and coolness under fire as follows:

NORTH OF SANTIAGO, CUBA, July 19, 1898.
THE ASSISTANT ADJUTANT GENERAL, 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 5th A. C., (Through intermediate commanders.)
SIR:
Having succeeded Captain Lockwood in command of the 2nd battalion, 22nd Infantry, and not knowing whether or not,
on account of his sickness, he was able to make a report of the fight at El Caney, I take this opportunity to recommend to your consideration
1st Lieut. W. L. Taylor, who was as cool and collected as if on target practice, kept his company under perfect fire discipline
and super-vised personally the direction of fire and the adjustment of sights.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, ROBERT N. GETTY,
Captain 22nd Infantry, Commanding 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry.

The regiment arrived at Fort Crook September 19. Of the twenty-nine officers and four hundred and eighty-four enlisted men
that had left the post five months before, only five officers and one hundred and sixty men returned.
Of the remainder, many were dead and many were still too sick for duty.
Of those that returned almost all were still suffering from hardships suffered on Cuban soil.
October 12, the regiment acted as escort to President Mc-Kinley at the Trans-Mississippi exposition at Omaha, Nebraska.
As authorized by Congress April 26, 1898, Companies I, K, L, and M, were organized,
the two former having been out of existence since July 21, 1890, the latter as new organizations.

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