The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-08

men who would have been glad to undef-
take the same thing.
''While we were in MORO Castle we
were naval prisoners, but at the end OF
four days. we were transferred to the
jurisdiction OF the army. and were re-
moved to the Reina Mercedes hospital,
on the outskirts of Santiago, where we
remained until to-day. We knew but
little of what was going on in the city.
though of course we could always tell
when our fleet was bOmharding the shore
batteries. and we could easily distinguish
the terrific explosions caused by the
NeSuvius throwing dynamite shells.
Several times at night we were also fully
aware that the land batteries were fight
ing outside the city. Last Friday ana
Saturday it would be difficult to explain
how anxious we were for news of the
success of our side during the engage
ment The little information the Span
iards would give did not relieve us.
1--WE knew nothing about the deStruc-
ton of Admiral Cervera'S fleet until told
by our own people to-day. OF course
our confinement became very irkSome,
and | cannot tell YOU how great was the
relief we felt to be free again. ] cannot
express by gratitude to our soldiers who
gave us such Il welcome when we came
into the lines. All of us are in excellent
health. and glad to go back to our posts
again and see the war through to the
end
Hobson had little to say in regard to
his experiences except that he and his
companions had been well treated by
the Spaniards. and that they were all in
excellent health.
The Spanish authorities consented this
morning to exchange Hobson and his
men. and Il truce was established for
that purpose.
The place selected for the exchange
was under n tree between the American
and Spanish lines, twO-thirds of n mile
beyond the entertainments occupied by
Col. Woods Rough Riders. near Gen
eral Wheeler's headquarters. and in tie
center of the American line.
The American prisoners left the
Reina Mercedes Hospital on the out
skirts of Santiago, where they had been
confined. at 2:45 this afternoon i'm
charge of Major Irles. a Spanish staff
officer who speaks English perfectly.
The prisoners woreoconducted to the
meeting place, but were not blindfolded.
Col. John Jacob Astor and Lieutenant
Miloy, accompanies by Interpreter
Maestro. were in charge of the Spanish
prisoners. These consisted Of Lieut..
Amelio Volez and Lieut. Aurelias. a
German belonging to the Twenty-ninth
regular infantry, who were captured at
El Caney on Friday last, and Lieut..
Adolfo Aries. of the First Provisional
regiment of Barcelona. one of the most
arstocratic military organizations Of the
Spanish army. and fourteen on-commfS
stoned officers and privates
Lieut.. Aries and Il number of the men
were wounded in the fight at El
Caney. The Spanish prisoners were
taken through the American lines mount
cd and blindfoded. The meeting he
tween Colonel Astor and Major Ires
was extremely courteous. but very for
NAL and no attempt was made by
either Of them to discuss anything but
the matter in hand
Major Irles was given his choice of
three Spanish lieutenants in exchange
for ll0bson, and was also informed that
he could have all of the fourteen men in
exchange for the American sailors. The
Spanish selected Lieutenant Aries and
the other two Spanish officers were
-
II was then not later than 4 O'Clock
and Just as everything was finished and
the two parties were separating. Major
lrles said c0urteouSly enough. but in n
tone which indicated considerable de-
lance. and gave his hearers the impress
sion that he desired hostilites TO be
renewed at once:
Our understanding is, gentlemen. that
this truce comes to an end at : o'clock" ;"
Col. AstOr looked ut his watch, bowed
TO the Spanish officer without making Il
reply and then started back slowly to
the American lines with Uobson and his
companions. following.
The meeting of the two parties and the
exchange Of prisoners had taken place in
full view of both the American and
Spanish regulars, who. entrenched near
the~meeting place. and the keenest in
terest was taken in the episode
The men whose return to their com
rades has been secured by the negotia-
tions detailed above are:
RICHMOND l.. HOBSON, Lieuten-
ant t. S. n.
OSBORNE DEIGNAN. Coxswain.
GEO. +. Phillips, Machincst.
JOHN. KELLY. water tender.
GEO. CHARETTE. Il gunners mate.
DANIEL MONTAGUE. SEAMEN.
J. c. MURPHY, CoXswain.
RANDOLPH CLAUSEN, Coxswan.