firing had ceased, and no
more shots were fired, to my knowledge, after this time.
With the First Cavalry, Troop G, we followed along the right
of the ridge and came down to the right front, encountering
no opposition or fire from the enemy, but finding the
enemy's breastworks in confusion, ammunition and articles of
clothing scattered around; also one dead Spaniard and two
Mauser rifles. At the foot of the ridge we met some of the
First Volunteer Cavalry, and being utterly exhausted, I was
obliged to lie down. Soon after, Captain Mills,
adjutant-general of Second Brigade, Cavalry Division, came
up to where I was and placed me in command of Troop K, First
United States Cavalry, whose officers were wounded. I then
marched them forward on the road to where General Wheeler
was sitting, and received orders from Colonel Wood, First
Volunteer Cavalry, to remain until further orders and make
no further advance. Directly afterwards, learning the action
was over, I reported back to General Young, and received
orders to remain camped with the First Cavalry Squadron,
where the action had closed. In the meantime, I should have
stated that I found the principal part of my troop and
collected them and left them under the first sergeant, when
I went back to receive orders. So far as I know, and to the
best of my knowledge, the men of my troop acted with the
greatest bravery, advancing on an enemy who could not be
seen, and subjected to a severe and heavy fire at each step,
which was only rendered ineffective to a great degree by the
poor marksmanship of the enemy, as many times we were in
sight of them (I discovered this by observation after the
engagement) while we could see nothing. We were also
subjected to a severe reverse fire from the hills in our
right rear, several men being wounded by this fire.
Throughout the fight the men acted with exceptional
coolness, in my judgment. The casualties were: Privates
Russell, Braxton and Morris, severely wounded; Privates F.A.
Miller, Grice, Wheeler and Gaines, slightly wounded, i.e.,
less severely. None killed.

Very respectfully,

HENRY O. WILLIARD.
June 24, 1898.
Troop B, Tenth Cavalry, during action near La Guasima,
Second Lieutenant, Tenth United States Cavalry, Commanding.