Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1898-07-20

According to dispatch received from
General Shafter at the war department
Sunday evening, the American flag was
raised over the governors palace IN Santi-
ago at noon that day in the presence of an
immense concourse of people, while sa-
Lutte of 21 guns was fired by a light bat
terry, snd 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" was
played by our regimcntal bands. The
thrilling story of this fiag-raising is told by
the American Press association as follows :
The American flag is floating in triumph
over the governors palace at Santiago DE
Cuba. Gen. McKibbin has been appointed
temporary military governor.
The ceremony of hoisting the stars and
stripes was worth all the blood and treas
ure it cost A vast concourse OF 10000
people witnessed the stirring and thrilling
scene that will live forever in the minds OF
all the Americans present. A finer stage
setting for a drsmatic episode it would be
difficult to imagine.
The palace, picturesque old dwelling in
the Moorish style of architecture, faces the
Plaza De La Reina, the principal public
square. Opposite rises the imposing Cath
olic cathedral On one side is quaint,
brilliantly painted building with broad
verandas-the club of San Carlos; on the
other, building of much the same descrip-
ton, is the Cafe De La Venus.
Across the plaza was drawn up the
Ninth infantry headed by the Sixth cavalry
band. In the street facing the palace
stood picked troop Of the Second cav
airy, with drawn sabres, under commar
of Capt. Brett. Massed on the stone
tagging between the band and the line OF
horsemen were the brigade commanders Of
Gen. Shafter's division with their stal1s.
On the red tiled roof of the palace stood
Capt. McKittrick, Lieut.. Miley and Lieut..
Wheeler, Immediately above them. upon
the flagstaff, the Illuminated Spanish arms
and the legend " Vive Alfonso NIII.' All
about, pressing against the veranda rails,
crowding the windows and doors arg lin
ing the roofs were the people of thestown,
prir cipally women and non-combatants.
As the chimes of the old cathedral rang
out the hour Of 12, the infantry and cav
airy presented arms. Every American
uncovered, and Capt. McKittri"k hoisted
the stars and stripes. AS the brilliant folds
unfurled in gentle breeze against hock-
less ky the cavalry band broke into the
strains of "The Star Spangled Banner, .
making the American pulse leap and the
American heart thrill with joy.
At the same instant the sound Of the
distant booming of Capt. .Capron's battery,
firing a salute of 21 gurs, drifted in.
When the music ceased, from all directions
around our line came floating across the
laza the strains of the regimental bands
and the muffled hoarse cheers Of our
troops. The infantry came to " order arms
a moment later after the flag was up and
the band played Rally Round the Flag,
Bows"
Instantly Gen. McKibbin called for three
cheers for Gen. Shafter, which were given
with great enthusiasm, the band playing
Sousa's =" The Stars and Stripes Forever .
The ceremony over, Ger. Shafter and bis
staff returned to the American lines, leav-
ing the city in the possession of the munic-
lpal authorities subject to the control Of
Gen. McKibbin.