of Company I were killed and five others wounded. During the battle the South Dakotans showed perfect discipline and courage, and their work was most effective.
From that time forward, until the end of the campaign, the South Dakotans were constantly upon the firing line, sleeping in their clothes and patiently enduring all the discomforts of forced marches through the swamps and jungles of a tropical climate, where the heat was oppressive, the rain almost incessant, and the food frequently insufficient and of inferior quality; but in all things they met the full expectations of their superiors and they received the warm commendation of the government. The regiment took active part in the affairs at La Loma church on February 6, at Malolos on March 25, and at Palo and Meyacanyan on March 26.
At Meyacanyan, John Holman, then a corporal of Company C, was promoted to a lieutenancy for exceptional bravery in action. As the regiment approached the bridge spanning the Meyacanyan it was discovered that the enemy had intrenched on the opposite shore, having first set the nearest end of the bridge afire. From their intrenchments the enemy commanded the bridge and were pouring a heavy musket fire across the river in the direction of the regiment. The fire at the further end had not made great progress, but the bridge was endangered unless the fire was at once extinguished. With the hostile bullets singing about his ears, Holman dashed across the bridge and extinguished the blaze, and then, undaunted, stood upon the approach and opened fire upon the intrenched enemy but a few yards away.
