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wings of the night winds, and sounding singular and solemn on that vast natural stage, heretofore a stranger to the exultant notes of Freedom's sons. Night creeps on more stealthily than a Spanish guerrilla through the dense encircling foliage, until taps gives warning that the hour for sleep and silence has struck. Soon the entire command, with the exception of the watchful outposts, reclining on mother earth's broad bosom and canopied by the starry heavens, is wrapped in merciful oblivion or beguiled by dreams of distant loved ones. And, alas! many a noble fellow slumbering so peacefully there will, ere another sun has set, fall fighting into that sleep that knows no awakening, after recording in his own life-blood his name upon the scroll of his country's heroes.
The sharp rattle of the reveille arouses the camp to preparation for the onward march, and the scene closes with the advance of the army towards the stronghold of San Juan.
THE ROUGH RIDERS' IMMORTAL CHARGE.
The second scene reveals the regiments already named massed in the forks of the trail at the foot of San Juan Hill, a most exact and effective representation and reproduction of which is introduced, showing the blockhouse, the breastworks, the rifle pits, and the natural and apparently insurmountable difficulties our soldiers were obliged to encounter and overcome in their final and victorious assault. From the fancied impregnability of their position the superior Spanish force is seen pouring an incessant torrent of shrapnel and Mauser bullets into our exposed ranks, which choke up the narrow trail beyond the hope of extrication, and apparently beyond the possibility of escape. To add to the horrors of the situation, the infernal Spanish guerillas, concealed in the treeptops and using smokeless powder, which renders it impossible to locate them, make targets of our wounded and the surgeons and wearers of the sacred Red Cross. It is an hour of supreme trial and agony, in a veritable hell-pit and snare. The situation renders division and brigade commanders powerless and manoeuvering impossible. Retreat they cannot; to remain is destruction, and to advance, according to all precedent and estimation, but speedier annihilation. But, casting theories, dictums and doubts to the winds, contemptuously fearless of conspicuous exposure, with splendid intrepidity, assuming and divining that what must be done can be done, a horseman, wearing the uniform of the Rough Riders, presses to the foot of the death-swept hill, and, calling upon the men to follow him, rides straight up and at the fortressed foe. There is a frantic yell of admiration and approval as the soldiers--white, red and black--spring from their cowering position of utter helplessness and follow Roosevelt and the flag. On and ever onward they leap, struggle and crawl, at first in small groups, but finally in a long thin line, which widens as it rushes, pants, wallows and creeps toward the flame-crowned summit. Inch by inch, and foot by foot, it mounts, with a tenacity of purpose, the moral effect of which carries, first, misconception; next, apprehension; and, finally, unreasoning fear into the enemy's works. The Spaniards cannot believe that so small a force would dare an assault so forlorn of all hope. They erroneously infer that an army is charging close behind it, and as it breathlessly comes closely on for a hand-to-hand death grapple, they pale, they flinch, and at last they turn and fly in panic. Their cold and crimson emblem of ruthless oppression is torn from the ramparts, and Old Glory steams on the breeze, triumphant in its place. Their defences are turned against themselves, and Santiago is doomed.
MULE BATTERIES.
Among the advanced warlike novelties for the first time introduced to peaceful public attention by Col. Cody in the great Wild West arena is a mountain battery, similar to those with which Uncle Sam has provided our armies in Cuba, Porto, Rico and the Philippines. These guns as their name indicates, are intended for use in rough, hilly country, which may be impassable for the heavier field-pieces.
Wherever a mule can go one of these mountain guns can be taken, for gun, carriage and equipments will be carried on the backs of the long-eared, humble animals thus put to heroic use. Mules are to be employed, since they stand hardship better than horses, and, what is of still greater importance, they are more sure-footed. One mule carries the gun, a second the carriage and trail piece, and a third the ammunition. The manner of transporting and manipulating these guns will be illustrated just as in action.
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