FROM YAUCO TO LAS MARIAS A Recent Campaign in Puerto Rico by the Independent Regular Brigade under the command of BRIG. GENERAL SCHWAN by KARL STEPHEN HERRMAN [Illustration: Theodore Schwan, Brigadier-General U.S. Volunteers.] TO ROBERT SMITH COBB MY BROTHER LORD IN CERTAIN ISLES OF FRIENDSHIP AND OWNER OF PRECIOUS CARGO IN MY SHIP OF DREAMS CONTENTS INTRODUCTION CHAPTER I The Independent Regular Brigade 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