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
the fire from the village on our left was so severe that
neither our officers nor Spanish could pass over the
intervening ground. After about twenty minutes some of the
Twelfth Infantry arrived in rear of the fort, completely
sheltered from the fire from the village, and received the
white flag; but Privates J.H. Jones, of Company D, and T.C.
Butler, H. Company, Twenty-fifth Infantry, entered the fort
at the same time and took possession of the Spanish flag.
They were ordered to give it up by an officer of the Twelfth
United States Infantry, but before doing so they each tore a
piece from it, which they now have. So much for the facts.
I attribute the success attained by our line largely to the
bravery and skill of the company officers who conducted the
line to the fort.
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