ched under the brow of the hill. It was not until nearly
4 o'clock that the neighboring hills were occupied by our troops and
the final successful effort to crown the ridge could be made. The
obstacles interposed by the Spaniards made these charges anything but
the 'rushes' which war histories mention so often. They were slow and
painful advances through difficult obstacles and a withering fire.
The last 'charge' continued an hour, but at 4.45 the firing ceased,
with San Juan in our possession.

"The Spaniards made liberal use of barbed-wire fencing, which proved
to be so effective as a stop to our advance that it is likely to
take its place among approved defensive materials in future wars. It
was used in two ways: Wires were stretched near the ground to trip up
our men when on the run. Beyond them were fences in parallel lines,
some being too high to be vaulted over.

"The object of our attack was a blockhouse on the top of the hill of
San Juan, guarded by trenches and the defenses spoken of, a mile and
a half long. Our troops advanced steadily against a hot fire
maintained by the enemy, who used their rifles with accuracy, but did
not cling to their works stubbornly when we reached them. San Juan
was carried in the afternoon. The attack on Aguadores was also
successful, though it was not intended to be more than a feint to
draw off men who might otherwise have increased our difficulties at
San Juan. By nightfall General Shafter was able to telegraph that he
had carried all the outworks and was within three-quarters of a mile
of the city.

"Though the enemy's lines were broken in the principal places, they
yielded no more than was forced from them, and the battle was resumed
on the 2d. The last day saw our left flank resting on the bay and our
lines drawn around the city within easy gun-fire. Fears were
entertained that the enemy would evacuate the place, and the right
flank was pushed around to the north and eventually to the northwest
of the city."

In the fight at San Juan General Linares, commanding the Spanish forces
in Santiago, was severely wounded, and transferred the command to
General Jose Toral, second in authority.

THE DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA'S FLEET.

During the previous two days' fight by land the fleet of Admiral Cervera
in Santiago harbor had taken an active part in shelling our positions,
with no inc