The Cavalry at Santiago 131 



Bardshar stopped to shoot, and two Spaniards fell 

 as he emptied his magazine. These were the only 

 Spaniards I actually saw fall to aimed shots by any 

 one of my men, with the exception of two guerillas 

 in trees. 



Almost immediately afterward the hill was cov- 

 ered by the troops, both Rough Riders and the col- 

 ored troopers of the Ninth, and some men of the 

 First. There was the usual confusion, and after- 

 ward there was much discussion as to exactly who 

 had been on the hill first. The first guidons planted 

 there were those of the three New Mexican troops, 

 G, E, and F, of my regiment, under their Captains, 

 Llewellen, Luna, and Muller, but on the extreme 

 right of the hill, at the opposite end from where we 

 struck it, Captains Taylor and McBlain and their 

 men of the Ninth were first up. Each of the five 

 captains was firm in the belief that his troop was 

 first up. As for the individual men, each of whom 

 honestly thought he was first on the summit, their 

 name was legion. One Spaniard was captured in 

 the buildings, another was shot as he tried to hide 

 himself, and a few others were killed as they ran. 



Among the many deeds of conspicuous gallantry 

 here performed, two, both to the credit of the First 

 Cavalry, may be mentioned as examples of the others, 

 not as exceptions. Sergeant Charles Karsten, while 

 close beside Captain Tutherly, the squadron com- 



