"Headquarters 5th Corps,
"June 29, 1898.
"Return. Lt. Parker will send a man back tomorrow to obtain the
necessary oil.
"By command of Gen. Shafter.
"E. J. McClernand,
"A. A. G."
Third Endorsement.
"Headquarters Cavalry Division,
"June 29, 1898.
"Return Lt. Parker. Attention invited to the foregoing endorsement.
"J. H. Dorst,
"Lieutenant-Colonel."
Fourth Endorsement.
"June 30, 1898.
"The Quartermaster, Altares, Cuba:
"Please furnish to Sergeant Green of my detachment transportation for
two (2) barrels of oil. He will show you an order from Gen. Shafter,
and the matter is urgent. The soldiers must have this oil at once, as
their rifles are rusting badly.
"John H. Parker,
"Lt. Comdg. Gatling Gun Detach."
[Illustration: Sergeant Greene's Gun at Fort Roosevelt.]
The quartermaster furnished the transportation and two barrels of oil
were duly forwarded to the front and placed in charge of brigade
quartermasters at different points, with orders to distribute out one
quart to each company. This oil, perhaps, had some bearing upon the
condition of the rifles in the fight following.
On the 27th of June, Captain Marcotte and the detachment commander
made a reconnaissance of a high hill to the left of Camp Wheeler, and,
having gained the top, reconnoitered the city of Santiago and its
surrounding defenses with a powerful glass, and as a result reported
to Gen.
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