82 The Rough Riders 



along both roads. There were stone breastworks 

 flanked by block-houses on that part of the ridge 

 where the two trails came together. The place was 

 called Las Guasimas, from trees of that name in 

 the neighborhood. 



General Young, who was riding a mule, carefully 

 examined the Spanish position in person. He or- 

 dered the canteens of the troops to be filled, placed 

 the Hotchkiss battery in concealment about nine 

 hundred yards from the Spanish lines, and then de- 

 ployed the white regulars, with the colored regulars 

 in support, having sent a Cuban guide to try to 

 find Colonel Wood and warn him. He did not at- 

 tack immediately, because he knew that Colonel 

 Wood, having a more difficult route, would require 

 a longer time to reach the position. During the de- 

 lay General Wheeler arrived; he had been up since 

 long before dawn, to see that everything went well. 

 Young informed him of the dispositions and plan 

 of attack he had made. General Wheeler approved 

 of them, and with excellent judgment left General 

 Young a free hand to fight his battle. 



So, about eight o'clock Young began the fight 

 with his Hotchkiss guns, he himself being up on 

 the firing-line. No sooner had the Hotchkiss one- 

 pounders opened than the Spaniards opened fire in 

 return, most of the time firing by volleys executed 

 in perfect time, almost as on parade. They had 



