'Yauco'dan Las Marias'a: General Schwan Komutasındaki Bağımsız Düzenli Tümen'in Porto Riko'daki Son Seferi' - From Yauco to Las Marias
A recent campaign in Puerto Rico by the Independent Regular Brigade under the command of Brig. General Schwan

E-text prepared by Lazar Liveanu and Project Gutenberg Distributed

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FROM YAUCO TO LAS MARIAS

A Recent Campaign in Puerto Rico by the Independent Regular Brigadeunder the command of BRIG. GENERAL SCHWAN

KARL STEPHEN HERRMAN

[Illustration: Theodore Schwan, Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers.]

TO ROBERT SMITH COBB

MY BROTHER LORD IN CERTAIN ISLES OF FRIENDSHIP AND OWNER OF PRECIOUS CARGOIN MY SHIP OF DREAMS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I

The Independent Regular Brigade

Place of meeting—Forces comprised by the command—Why we were not like theVolunteers—Characteristics of the professional soldier—Sketches of themore important officers—What we were ordered to do.

CHAPTER II

The First Day's March

Disposition of our column—The road to Sabana Grande—The infantrymen'sburden—Wayside hospitality—Hard tack and repartee—Into camp and underblankets—Arrival of Macomb's troop—A smoke-talk.

CHAPTER III

The People of Puerto Rico

Their attitude toward the invading Americans—The proclamation of GeneralMiles—Justice and the private soldier—Depravity of the native masses—Menand women of the better class—Local attributes of life—A hint to theweary.

CHAPTER IV

The Second Day Begins

We march to San German—Removal of the sick from the ambulances—An
approaching Spanish force—Our scouts and their leader—Concerning Señor
Fijardo—Visible effects of imminent battle—Something about the town of
San German.

CHAPTER V

The Engagement at Hormigueros

Topography of the battlefield—Macomb's cavalry fired into by Spanishskirmishers—Our advance-guard comes into contact with the foe—GeneralSchwan reaches the firing line—The main body arrives and joins inthe fray—Subsequent manoeuvres of our column—The Spanish retreat—Acomputation of losses.

CHAPTER VI

The Second Day Ends

A personal résumé of the fight—Lack of melodramatic accompaniments—A lostchance of glory—Another neglected opportunity—A glimpse of the flag—Oncemore into camp.

CHAPTER VII

The Occupation of Mayaguez

We enter the city in triumph—An enthusiastic reception—A pretty girland the star-spangled banner—Other memorable incidents—Our rags andtatters—A description of Mayaguez—We pitch our tents in a swamp—TheFirst Kentucky Volunteers.

CHAPTER VIII

The Engagement at Las Marias

Difficulties encountered in locating the retreating enemy—Finaldetermination upon pursuit—Lieutenant-Colonel Burke sets forth—Discoveryof Spanish troops near Las Marias—A one-sided encounter—Unwelcomenotification of truce—The rest of the brigade comes up—Feeding theprisoners—Our disappointment.

CHAPTER IX

The Territory Won

General Schwan returns to Mayaguez—Business and pleasure—A customwe abolished—Extent of the district

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