Campaign of the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry / April 25-November 11, 1898

was blowing, and the cavalrymen's ideas of the country began to take on a roseate hue. Everywhere their eyes met deep green tropical foliage and the cute

advantage. The guard, the fourth platoon, tumbled out fully armed, and were standing in place in two minutes, and one minute later the entire Troop, in column of fours, with the captain in command, was double-quicking toward the do

isorganized, to the scene. While the men in other companies were hesitating and wondering what to do, the City Troop broke into regular squads, under the command of the non-comm

t, however, until satisfied; although they were in a state of complete exhaustion upon their return. Indeed, all the men's faces for the first few days in Puerto Rico showed plainly the enervating influence of the climate, to which they could not easily get accustomed. Their tasks done, the Troopers

placed his front porch at the disposal of the Troop as a guard house. This furnished protect

mong the natives because of the size of the American horses. In Puerto Rico all the horses are small, mere ponies in fact, less than fourteen hands high, and the islanders never failed to stare with open mouth at the City Troops handsome greys. The siz

ng from distemper when they left Newport News, but there was not a case noticed after the animals landed. The

were packing and saddling their horses, they heard the voice of a priest conducting early mass in the tiny cathedral close by. The cavalrymen walked with their horses' bridles over their arms. As they passed through Ponce they encountered many scowling faces, but once in the country a majority of the natives shouted a welco

n General Brooke's command at Guayama. Mounted for the first time, off the Troop went, retracing its steps through a glorious stretch of country to Ponce, where on the main southern road the long supply train for General Brooke's army was overtaken. Thus hampered, the

frequently informed by natives that quite a large number of Spaniards were retreating a short distance ahead. The City Troopers came upon many signs of the enemy's presence along the road, and at four o'cl

, however, and at four o'clock the next morning camp was broken and the march resumed in dead earnest. The City Troopers acted as rear guard to the train. No American troops had passed through this part of the island before, and as it was said to

ienda Magdelane, an English estate. There the two cavalry troops and the tremendous m

AT AR

McFadden commanded the advance guard and Corporal Merrill commanded the point. Reports of native spies left no doubt as to the serious character of the situation, and

which fact was at once reported to Captain Groome, who gave orders for the Troop to advance at a gallop. In a few minutes the point came in sight, talking with arm

toward Arroyo, one mile from which place the Troop went into

s camp a Spanish blockhouse could be seen on the mountains two miles away. Several batteries, encamped near the Troop, wheeled into position in the morning and indulged in target practice. Many of the Troopers wit

e side of the Troop's shelter tents. Within an hour the clouds would come rolling back to the sea, and the wind and rain would besiege the opposite side of the te

careful inspection of carbines took place upon their return from bathing, the Troopers were fully prepared for the orders which came to them at retreat that evening, to be ready to move