From Yauco to Las Marias

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

APPENDIX

THE ILLUSTRATIONS