ntioned as coming in sight; and that a white flag was waved to
the companies of the Twenty-fifth. It was doubtless upon this ground
that a captain of the Twenty-fifth had the temerity to claim the
capture of the place, even from a Major-General. I do not know who the
captain was, but it is evident that he had what he believed ample
grounds for his claim. Colonel Daggett says, also, that when the men
of the other regiment advanced to this fort after it had waved the
white flag to the companies of the Twenty-fifth, the men of the
Twenty-fifth advanced and entered the fort at the same time. Bonsal
says: "Almost at the same moment that the Twelfth started up the hill
the Twenty-fifth started up the hill also;" while according to Colonel
Daggett's testimony the Twenty-fifth was well up the hill already and
the fort had waved to it the white flag.

Colonel Daggett makes this further report:

Headquarters Twenty-fifth Infantry,
Near Santiago, Cuba, July 16, 1898.

The Adjutant-General, Second Division, Fifth Corps, near Santiago,
Cuba.

Sir:--Feeling that the Twenty-fifth Infantry has not
received credit for the part it took in the battle of El
Caney on the first instant, I have the honor to submit the
following facts:

I was ordered by the brigade commander to put two companies
(H, Lieutenant Caldwell, and G, Lieutenant McCorkle) on the
firing line in extended order. The right being uncovered and
exposed to the enemy, I ordered D Company (Captain Edwards)
to deploy as flankers. The battalion was commanded by Capt.
W.S. Scott. The battalion advanced about 300 yards under
fire, the Fourth Infantry on its left, where the line found
cover, halted, and opened fire on the blockhouse and
intrenchments in front of it. After the line had been
steadied and had delivered an effective fire, I ordered a
further advance, which was promptly made. As the Fourth
Infantry did not advance, my left was exposed to a very
severe fire from the village on the left. I immediately
ordered Company C (Lieutenant Murdock), which was in
support, to the front, and E. Company (Lieutenant Kinnison)
from regimental reserve to take its place. Thus
strengthened, the four companies moved up the hill rapidly,
being skilfully handled by company officers. On arriving
near the fort the white flag was waved toward our men, but