en the hours named some of the
heaviest firing was going on, which does not indicate that
its defenders were ready to give up. Lord Wellington once
said, "At the end of every campaign truth lies at the bottom
of a deep well, and it often takes twenty years to get her
out." This may not be an exception. About half-past 4
o'clock the firing ceased and El Caney was ours.

The dead were collected near a hedge and the regiment was
formed in column of masses to pay a silent tribute of
respect to our departed comrades.

The regiment then started for the mango grove where we had
left our blanket rolls and haversacks. Just as we were
starting, some men with canteens started for water (about a
mile away), when orders were received to be ready to march
in twenty minutes. A few rods took us back to the road
leading to Santiago. We moved down the road about
three-quarters of a mile and halted. Two hours later, the
pack train arrived with ammunition and then another with
rations. Before the latter were issued orders were issued to
move at once to the rear. The regiment marched over the
trail it had come on the day before, arriving at El Poso
about 8 o'clock A.M. Here we took the road leading to
Santiago. About 9 A.M. we passed under San Juan Hill and
moved to our right. Our forces held the crest of the hill.
In passing along the hill we were sheltered from the fire
except a short space, where one or two men were slightly
wounded. Arriving at the La Cruz house near the road leading
from El Caney to Santiago about 3.30 P.M. and bivouacked for
the night. About 10 o'clock the troops on our left were
attacked by the Spanish. The firing was very heavy for an
hour, when it suddenly ceased, and we retired for the night.
During this time we were under the hill and protected from
the fire.

Next morning (Sunday, July 3d) desultory firing began at
daylight. About 7 A.M. the regiment left the La Cruz house
and moved across the Caney-Santiago road and formed line to
the left and moved forward to a ridge overlooking the city.
A number of shots fell about us, but no one was struck.
Shortly after, we were in possession of the ridge and began
intrenching. The firing was kept up and two men were
wounded. About noon we were informed that a truce had