The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-08-23
SOLDIERS TO SOLDIERS
The Retiring Spaniards Say Fare
we'll to Their Conquerors.
1T Is FULL OF PATHOS
A Letter That Stands Unique in the An
mails of wariare-American Heroism
Strongly Contrasted With the
Sneaking Methods of ofCubans.

Washington, Aug. ga document
entirely unique in the annals of war
fare was cabled to-day to the war de-
partment by General Shafter. 1t is in
the form of a congratulatory farewell
address issued to the soldiers of the
American army by Pedro Lopez de Cas-
tillo, a private Spanish soldier. on be-
half of the 1000 Spanish soldiers. No
similar document. perhaps. was ever
before issued to victorious army by
vanquished adversary. The president
was very much impressed by the ad-
dress, and after reading ii carefully,
authorized its publication. Following
is the text of the address as cabled by
General Shafter:
Santiago de Cuba. Aug. 22.-H. c.
Corbin, adjutanr general. L. $. A,
Washington: The following letter has
just been received from the soldiers Just
embarking for Spain:
Major General Shafter command
ing the American army in Cuba. Sir:
The Spanish soldiers who capitulated
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 the good
wishes and farewell which we send
them on embarking for our beloved
Spain. For this favor. which we have
no doubt you will grant, you will gain
the everlasting gratitude and consider
alton Of ll,0o0 Spanish soldiers, who are
your most humble servants
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO.
Private of Infantry"
Also the following letter. addressed
TO the soldiers of the American army:
Soldiers of the American Army: We
would not he fulfilling our duty as we'll
born men, in whose breasts there lives
gratitude and courtesy, should we en-
bark 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. endeavoring to gain the vic
tory, but without the slightest rancor
or hate toward the American nation.
We have been vanquished by you ESQ
our generals and chiefs judged in sign
ing the capitulation), but our surrender
and the bloody battles preceding II
have left in our souls no place for re-
sentiment against the men who fought
so nobly and gallantly. You fought In
compliance with the same call of duty
as we. for We all but represent the
power OF our respective states. You
fought us as men, face to face. and
with great courage, as before stated, a
quality which we had not met during
the three years we have carried on this
war against people without morals.
without conscience. and of doubtful
origin, who could not confront the enc
my, but, hidden, shot their noble vic
Tins from ambush and then immedi-
ately fled.
This was the kind of warfare we
had to sustain in this unfortunate land.
You have complied exactly with all the
laws and usages of war as recognized
by the armies of the most civilized ma
tions of the world, have given honor
able burial to the dead of the van
quished. have cured their wounded;
with humanity have respected and
cared for your prisoners and their COM
fort and, lastly. to us. whose condition
was terrible, you have given freely OF
food, of your stock of medicines and
you have honored us with distin-
guished courtesy. for after fighting the
two armies mingled with the utmost
harmony. With this high sentiment of
appreciation from us all there remains
but to express our farewell, and with
the greatest sincerity. we wish you
all happiness and health in this land
which will no longer belong to our
dear Spain, but will be yours. who have
conquered IL by force and watered IL
with your blood. as your conscience
called for, under the demand of civil
ization and humanity, but the descend
ants of the Congo and of Guinea,
mingled with the blood of unscrupu-
lous Spanards and of traitors and ad-
venturers. these people are not able to
exercise or enjoy their liberty. for they
will find IL a burden to comply with
the laws which govern civilized COM
munities.
From II. 600 Spanish soldiers. Pedro
Lopez de Castillo, Soldier of In
fantry."