Chapter I: Front Matter

FROM YAUCO TO LAS MARIAS

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

by

KARL STEPHEN HERRMAN

TO ROBERT SMITH COBB

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

CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

CHAPTER I

The Independent Regular Brigade

Place of meeting--Forces comprised by the command--Why we were not like the Volunteers--Characteristics of the professional soldier--Sketches of the more 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's burden--Wayside hospitality--Hard tack and repartee--Into camp and under blankets--Arrival of Macomb's troop--A smoke-talk.

CHAPTER III

The People of Puerto Rico

Their attitude toward the invading Americans--The proclamation of General Miles--Justice and the private soldier--Depravity of the native masses--Men and women of the better class--Local attributes of life--A hint to the weary.

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 Spanish skirmishers--Our advance-guard comes into contact with the foe--General Schwan reaches the firing line--The main body arrives and joins in the fray--Subsequent manoeuvres of our column--The Spanish retreat--A computation of losses.

CHAPTER VI

The Second Day Ends

A personal résumé of the fight--Lack of melodramatic accompaniments--A lost chance of glory--Another neglected opportunity--A glimpse of the flag--Once more into camp.

CHAPTER VII

The Occupation of Mayaguez

We enter the city in triumph--An enthusiastic reception--A pretty girl and the star-spangled banner--Other memorable incidents--Our rags and tatters--A description of Mayaguez--We pitch our tents in a swamp--The First Kentucky Volunteers.

CHAPTER VIII

The Engagement at Las Marias

Difficulties encountered in locating the retreating enemy--Final determination upon pursuit--Lieutenant-Colonel Burke sets forth--Discovery of Spanish troops near Las Marias--A one-sided encounter--Unwelcome notification of truce--The rest of the brigade comes up--Feeding the prisoners--Our disappointment.

CHAPTER IX

The Territory Won

General Schwan returns to Mayaguez--Business and pleasure--A custom we abolished--Extent of the district captured by our brigade --Aguadilla--Facilities for transportation--Labor and the laborer--The cost of living--Rents and real estate--Skilled workmen--A word about investments.

CHAPTER X

The End of the Campaign

Arrival of the mail-steamer--The soldier-boy and his letters--The greater part of the brigade is quartered in Mayaguez--Agriculture in Puerto Rico--Material result of our campaign--A farewell order--General Schwan departs for the United States.

A Brief Sketch of the Life of Brigadier-General Schwan