And this programme we were now ready to carry out.

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.

[Illustration:  Plaza Principal, Mayaguez.  Town Hall in background.]

The disposition and arrangement of our forces on the first day’s march can best be shown by the following document:—­

HEADQUARTERS INDEPENDENT BRIGADE (REGULARS), CAMP AT YAUCO, PUERTO RICO, Aug. 8, 1898.

GENERAL ORDERS No. 13.

This command will move out on the road to Sabana Grande at ten o’clock tomorrow morning.  It will observe the following rules and order of march:—­

1.  Macomb’s troop of cavalry will act as a screen, and will march about two miles in advance of the point of the advance-guard.  The extent of the front to be covered by, and the disposition of the cavalry, will depend upon the nature of the country, and will be left to the judgment of the troop commander.  He will communicate freely by means of orderlies with the commander of the advance-guard, who will at once transmit all messages to the commanding general.  Three mounted orderlies to be furnished by the troop, will march with the advance-guard.

2.  Two companies of infantry, one platoon of artillery, and two Gatling guns will constitute the advance-guard.  A pioneer detachment, consisting of one non-commissioned officer and eight men, to be carefully selected from the advance-guard, will march with the reserve, and will be under the direction of the engineer officer of the brigade.  The requisite tools will be carried on a cart.  Upon arriving in camp, the advance-guard will immediately establish the outpost.

3.  The main body will consist of nine companies of infantry, one battery and two platoons of artillery, and two Gatling guns.

4.  The trains following the main body will be under the direction of the brigade quartermaster, and their order of march will be:—­

  Hospital train. 
  Ammunition column. 
  Supply and baggage wagons.

The rear-guard will be composed of one company of infantry.  A detachment from it will protect exposed flanks of the train.  If horses can be procured for them, the commanders of the advance and rear guards will be mounted.

The above disposition for each day’s march will be conformed to, unless otherwise ordered.

By command of Brigadier-General Schwan.

GROTE HUTCHESON, Captain and Assistant Adjutant-General.

[Illustration:  Spanish Prisoners who were brought from Las Marias to Mayaguez.]

As Captain Macomb’s cavalry had not arrived at the hour appointed for our start, we set off without him.  And in fact there was little need of his services on that day, our march being through a section of the island already cleared of Spanish troops, and exceedingly slow and wearisome, besides.