The Red Cloud chief., 1898-08-26
THANKS OF THE CONQUERED.
A Notable Letter From Torsi's Army to
American Soldiers.

American Soldiers.
WASHINGTON, Aug. ga document,
Entirely unique in the annals of war
fare, was cabled last night to the war
department by General Shafter. II is
in the form Of a congratulatory fare
we'll address issued to the soldiers of
the American army by Pedro Lopez de
Castillo. a private Spanish soldier, on
behalf OF the II, 900 Spanish soldiers.
No similar document. perhaps, was
over before issued to a victorious
army by "A vanquished enemy. The
President was very much impressed by
the address, and after reading it care
fully, authorized its publication.
Major General Shafter, Command
ing the American Army in Cuba: Sir
The Spanish soldiers who c~apitulatcd
In this place on the 10th Of July last,
recognizing your high and just posi-
ton. pray that through you all the
courageous and noble soldiers under
your command may receive our good
wishes and farewell, which we send
them on cinbarking for our beloved
Spain. For this favor, which we have
no doubt you will grant, will gain the
everlasting gratitude and considera-
ton Of II 900 Spanish soldiers, who
ire your most humble servants.
''PEDIo LopEz DE CASTILLO,
Private of Infantry.
Also the following letter addressed
10 the soldiers of tho American army:
Soldiers of the American army:
We would not be fulfilling our duty ms
wcll-born mon, in whose breasts there
1--we gratitude and courtesy, should we
embark for our beloved Spain without
sending to you our most cordial and
sincere good wishes and farewell. We
fought you with ardor, with all our
strength. c~ndcavoring to gain the vic
tory, but without the slightest rancor
or hate toward the American nation.
We have been vanquished by you $50
our generals and chiefs judged in sign
ing the capitulation) but II surrender
and the bloody battles preceding 1t
have left in u souls no place for re-
sentiment against the men who fought
us nobly and valiantly.
You fought md acted in compli.
ance with the same call Of duty rs we.
for we all but represent the power OF
our respective states. You fought us
ms men face TO face. and with great
courage, "a before stated, a quality
which we had not met during the
three years that we have carried ON
this war against n people without
morals, without conscience and OF
doubtful origin, who could not con
front the enemy, but hidden. shot
their noble victims from ambush, and
then Immediately fed. This is the
kind of warfare we had to sustain IL
this unfortunate land.
You have complied exactly with all
the laws aud uslyes Of war as recog.
nizcd by the armies OF the most civil
lied nations of the world; have given
honorable burial to the lead OF tn,
vanquishcd. have cured their wounded
with great humanity. have respected
and cared for your prisoners and Their
comfort, and, lastly, to US, whose con
dition was terrible, you have giver
freely of food, of your stock Of med
icines, and you have honored us with
distinguished courtesy, for after tn,
fighting tho two armies mingled with
the utmost harmony.
With this high sentiment Of appre
citation from rs all, there remains bu'
to express our farewell, and with tn,
greatest sincerity we wish you all thu
happiness and health in tbs lane
which will no longer belong to oul
dear Spain, but will be yours, VIII,
have conquered il by force aud watere.
it with your blood, as your conscience
called for, under the demand Of civil
isation and humanity; but the de
sccndants of the Congo and OF Guinea
mingled with the blood of unscrupulou
Spaniards and of traitors and advcn
turers-these people + not able T.
exercise or enjoy their liberty, 70
they will find IL II burden to compl,
Nth the laws which govern civilize'
communities.
From 1000 Spanish soldiers.
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO,
Gnl1iar ~ Ipfnptry