July 1st 1898

[litl rooster]

from Arizfoto.com

On July 1, 1898, at about 10 o'clock in the morning, the Rough Riders and the 10th cavalry were stationed below Kettle Hill. The Spaniards, who were on top of the hill, poured down on the Americans with machine gun and Mauser fire. Buckey O'Neill was killed in action.

Teddy Roosevelt wrote about the death of O'Neill: "The most serious loss that I and the regiment could have suffered befell just before we charged. Bucky O'Neill was strolling up and down in front of his men, smoking his cigarette, for he was inveterately addicted to the habit. He had a theory that an officer ought never to take cover - a theory which was, of course, wrong, though in a volunteer organization the officers should certainly expose themselves very fully, simply for the effect on the men; our regimental toast on the transport running, " The officers; may the war last until each is killed, wounded, or promoted." As O'Neill moved to and fro, his men begged him to lie down, and one of the sergeants said, " Captain, a bullet is sure to hit you." O'Neill took his cigarette out of his mouth, and blowing out a cloud of smoke laughed and said, " Sergeant, the Spanish bullet isn't made that will kill me." A little later he discussed for a moment with one of the regular officers the direction from which the Spanish fire was coming. As he turned on his heel a bullet struck him in the mouth and came out at the back of his head; so that even before he fell his wild and gallant soul had gone out into the darkness."

[Guns Garrett]

Reminiscient of what befell Gen "Uncle John" Sedgewick at Spotsylvania:  - "What? Men dodging this way for single bullets?...I am ashamed of you. They couldn't hit an elephant at this distance!"  The quote is often cut off in mid-sentence (incorrectly) for comic effect.  He was actually shot a minute or so after uttering these ironic words.

[litl rooster]

I had read the shorten version at one time

[1stSgt Fritz King]

Bucky O'Neil died as he lived...leading from the front!

[Guns Garrett]

Gives a whole new meaning to the phrase, "Shooting your mouth off"...