l
on a governor's staff, was killed, and the other sergeant was shot
through the wrist. In the space of three minutes nine men were lying on
their backs helpless. Before we got away, every third man was killed, or
wounded. We drew off slowly to the left, dragging the wounded with us.
Owing to the low aim of the enemy, we were forced to move on our knees
and crawl. Even then men were hit. One man near me was shot through the
head. Returning later to locate the body and identify him, I found that
the buzzards had torn off his lips and his eyes. This mutilation by
these hideous birds was, without doubt, what Admiral Sampson mistook for
the work of the Spaniards, when the bodies of the marines at Guantanamo
were found disfigured. K Troop meantime had deployed into the valley
under the fire from the enemy on the ridge. It had been ordered to
establish communication with General Young's column, and while advancing
and firing on the ridge, Captain Jenkins sent the guidon bearer back to
climb the hill and wave his red and white banner where Young's men could
see it. The guidon bearer had once run for Congress on the gold ticket
in Arizona, and, as some one said, was naturally the man who should have
been selected for a forlorn hope. His flag brought him instantly under a
heavy fire, but he continued waving it until the Tenth Cavalry on the
other side of the valley answered, and the two columns were connected by
a skirmish-line composed of K Troop and A, under Captain "Bucky" O'Neill.

G Troop meanwhile had hurried over to the left, and passing through the
opening in the wire fence had spread out into open order. It followed
down after Captain Luna's troop and D and E Troops, which were well
already in advance. Roosevelt ran forward and took command of the
extreme left of this line. Wood was walking up and down along it,
leading his horse, which he thought might be of use in case he had to
move quickly to alter his original formation. His plan, at present, was
to spread out his men so that they would join Young on the right, and on
the left swing around until they flanked the enemy. K and A Troops had
already succeeded in joining hands with Young's column across the valley,
and as they were capable of taking care of themselves, Wood was bending
his efforts to keep his remaining four companies in a straight line and
revolving them around the enemy's "end." It was in no way an easy thing
to do. The men were at tim