At one time during this fight one of the big military balloons used by the signal corps for reconnoissance hung over San Juan, not over 500 yards from the enemy, and for five minutes the Spaniards below tried to puncture it, but they were unable to get the range.  This balloon proved of inestimable service in the engagement.  It floated just over the tree tops, and was easily guided along three miles of the road toward the lines of the enemy.  Whenever it halted for the purpose of taking a photograph of the fortifications below, the Spaniards seized the occasion for taking pot shots.

In the fighting at San Juan a Spanish shell two and a half inches in diameter burst in the midst of Captain Puritier’s Battery K of the First artillery, wounding several.  Among those injured was.  Private Samuel Barr.  Eoosevelt’s Rough Eiders were also in this fight and bore themselves with as much credit as in the battle of last Friday in the bush.  Several of the Rough Riders were wounded.

The fight before Caney.

Meanwhile the battle was raging fiercely at Caney and Aguadores.  In General Lawton’s division the Second Massachusetts up to the middle of the day sustained the heaviest loss, although other regiments were more actively engaged.  During the afternoon the fight for the possession of Caney was most obstinate, and the ultimate victory reflects great credit upon the American troops.  It was a glory, too, for Spain, though she never had a chance to win at any time during the day.  Her men fought in intrenchments, covered ways and blockhouses, while the American forces were in the open from first to last.  The Spanish soldiers stuck to their work like men, and this, the first land fight of the war, may well cause Spain to feel proud of her men.  The American soldiers attacked the intrenchments through open ground, and, from the firing of the first shot until they were on the hills above Caney, they fought their way forward and the Spanish were driven backward.  General Chaffee’s brigade held the right of the line with the town of Caney.  General Ludlow’s division was in the center and Colonel Miles held the left.

The firing at times was very heavy during the morning, but the Spaniards in the covered way made a most obstinate defense and refused to yield an inch.  Time and again the shells from Captain Capron’s battery drove them to cover, but as soon as his fire ceased they were up and at it again.  Despite the heavy firing of the American troops they were able to make but little apparent progress during the morning, although eventually they steadily drew in and inclosed the town on all sides.