and missing amounted to 96, which number was swelled to 104
during the next two days. So many men falling in so short a time while
advancing in open order tells how severe was the fire they were facing
and serves to modify the opinion which was so often expressed about
the time the war broke out, to the effect that the Spanish soldiers
were wanting both in skill and bravery. They contradicted this both at
El Caney and at San Juan. In the latter conflict they held their
ground until the last moment and inflicted a loss upon their
assailants equal to the number engaged in the defence of the heights.
Since July 1, 1898, expatiation on the cowardice and lack of skill of
the Spanish soldier has ceased to be a profitable literary occupation.
Too many journalists and correspondents were permitted to witness the
work of Spanish sharpshooters, and to see their obstinate resistance
to the advance of our troops, to allow comments upon the inefficiency
of the Spanish Army to pass unnoticed. Our army from the beginning was
well impressed with the character of the foe and nerved itself
accordingly. The bravery of our own soldiers was fully recognized by
the men who surrendered to our army and who were capable of
appreciating it, because they themselves were not wanting in the same
qualities.

[Transcriber's Note: This footnote appeared in the text
without a footnote anchor:

"The intrenchments of San Juan were defended by two
companies of Spanish infantry, numbering about two hundred
and fifty to three hundred men. At about 11 o'clock in the
morning reinforcements were sent to them, bringing the
number up to about seven hundred and fifty men. There were
two pieces of mountain artillery on these hills, the rest of
the artillery fire against our troops on that day being from
batteries close to the city."--In Cuba with Shafter (Miley),
page 117.]

CHAPTER IX.

THE SURRENDER, AND AFTERWARDS.

In the Trenches--The Twenty-fourth in the Fever Camp--Are
Negro Soldiers Immune?--Camp Wikoff.

After the battle of El Caney the Twenty-fifth Infantry started for the
mango grove, where the blanket rolls and haversacks had been left in
the morning, and on its way passed the Second Massachusetts Volunteers
standing by the roadside. This regiment had seen the charge of the
Twenty-fifth up the hillside, and they now manifested their
appreciation of the gallantry of the b