between us and covered us both with water.
Pursuant to orders from its commander, with myself
as guide, the second squadron of the Tenth forced
its way through wire fence and almost impenetrable
thicket to its position. The regiment was soon
deployed as skirmishers in an opening across the
river to the right of the road and our line of
skirmishers being partly visible from the enemy's
position, their fire was turned upon us and we had
to lie down in the grass a few minutes for safety.
Two officers of the regiment were wounded; here
and there were frequent calls for the surgeon.

White regiments, black regiments, regulars and
rough riders representing the young manhood of the
North and South fought shoulder to shoulder
unmindful of race or color, unmindful of whether
commanded by an ex-confederate or not, and mindful
only of their common duty as Americans.

Through streams, tall grass, tropical undergrowth,
under barbed wire fences and over wire
entanglements, regardless of casualties up the
hill to the right this gallant advance was made.
As we appeared on the brow of the hill we found
the Spaniards retreating only to take up a new
position farther on, spitefully firing as they
retreated and only yielding their ground inch by
inch.

Our troopers halted and laid down but momentarily
to get a breath and in the face of continued
volleys soon formed for attack on the block houses
and intrenchments on the second hill. This attack
was supported by troops including some of the
Tenth who had originally moved to the left toward
this second hill and had worked their way in
groups slipping through the tall grass and bushes,
crawling when casualties came too often,
courageously facing a sleet of bullets and now
hung against the steep southern declivity ready to
spring the few remaining yards into the teeth of
the enemy. The fire from the Spanish position had
doubled in intensity. There was a moment's lull
and our line moved forward to the charge across
the valley separating the two hills. Once begun it