enemy from the sound and direction of his fire. However, had
it not been for this dense jungle, the attack would not have
been made against an overwhelming force in such a position.
Headway was so difficult that advance and support became
merged and moved forward under a continuous volley firing,
supplemented by that of two rapid-fire guns. Return firing
by my force was only made as here and there a small clear
spot gave a sight of the enemy. The fire discipline of these
particular troops was almost perfect. The ammunition
expended by the two squadrons engaged in an incessant
advance for one hour and fifteen minutes averaged less than
ten rounds per man. The fine quality of these troops is also
shown by the fact that there was not a single straggler, and
in not one instance was an attempt made by any soldier to
fall out in the advance to assist the wounded or carry back
the dead. The fighting on the left flank was equally
creditable and was remarkable, and I believe unprecedented,
in volunter troops so quickly raised, armed and equipped."

The five hundred men of Colonel Wood's regiment were stretched over a
space of 800 to 1,000 yards, and were entirely without support or
reserve, and appear to have advanced to a point where this very strong
force on the right swept a good part of their line both with rifle
fire and the fire of their two machine guns. Men and officers were
falling under both the front and flank fire of the enemy, and had not
the squadrons of the First and Tenth made their successful assault
upon that ridge, which, according to General Wood's report, was "very
strongly held," the situation of the Rough Riders would have been
extreme. Because this successful assault was participated in by the
Tenth Cavalry the story arose that the Rough Riders were rescued by
that regiment. The fair statement would be: That the Regular Cavalry,
consisting of a squadron of the First and a squadron of the Tenth,
made their advance on the right at the precise moment to deliver the
Rough Riders from a fire that threatened their annihilation. The
marksmanship and coolness of the men of the Tenth have been specially
commented upon and their fire was described as very effective, but the
same remarks could be made of the men of the First, who fought side by
side with them. It is probable that the volunteers advanced more
rapidly than did