During the past week the Times has printed some very
interesting letters from its correspondent before Santiago, describing the course of events. They give a most terrible picture of the comlition of the American troops after the first serious fighting, and show that if the Spaniards had not been incredibly inept in the art of war the Americans might have suffered in a way which it is anything but pleasant to contemplate. The organisation of the com- missariat and medical departments and the handling of the troops generally resemble nothing so much as the Crimea. As in the Crimea, the only bright spot was the splendid gallantry of the men, who were ordered to charge up a hill in broad daylight, and to storm trenches filled with Spaniards armed with repeating-rifles. Then was seen,' to paraphrase Napier, with what a strength and majesty the American soldier fights.' Of course the trenches were taken; but that is no sort of excuse for this infantry charge of Balaclava.
Previous page
