Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1898-07-21
OUR FLAG IS Up
Old Glory Hoisted Over
the City of San
tiago.
AN IMPRESSIVE CEREMONY

spanish Troops Laid Down Their Arms
-City Sacked by the Enemy-Gen-
eraI McKibben Has Been Appointed
Temporary Military Governor.
Santiago de Cuba, July l9.-Amid
impressive ceremonies, the Spanish
troops laid down their arms between
the lines of the Spanish and American
forces at 0 o'clock this morning.
General Shafter and the American
division and brigade commanders and
their staffs were escorted By troop OF
cavalry and General Toral and his staff
By 100 picked men.
Trumpeters on both sides saluted
with hourishes.
General Skater returned to General
Toral the latter's sword after it had
been handed to the American COM
mander.
Our troops, lined up at the trenches,
were eye witnesses OF the ceremony.
General Shafter and his escort, accom-
panied by General Toral, rode through
the city taking formal possession. The
city had been sacked by the Spaniards
before they arrived.
General McKibben has been appoint
ed temporary military governor.
The ceremony Of hosting the Stars
and Stripes was worth all the blood and
treasure it cost. a vast concourse of
1000 people witnessed the stirring
and thrilling scene that will live for
ever in the minds of all tho Americans
present 4 finer stage Getting for Il
dramatic episode ~ " gll he difficult
to imagine. Tie paia-v, a picturesque
old dwelling in thc Moorish style OF
architecture, faces thc Plaza de la
Reina. the principal public square.
Opposite rises the imposing Catholic
cathedral. On one side is q quaint,
brilliantly painted building with broad
verandas, the club OF san Carlos; on
the other a building Of the same de-
sCription, 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 Sec
ond cavalry with drawn sabers, under
command of Captain Brett. Massed
on the stone tagging between the band
and line OF horsemen were the brigade
commanders Of General Skaters divis-
ion with their stats. On the red-tiled
roof of the palace stood Captain Nc
Kittrick, Lieutenant Mley and Lieu.
tenant Wheeler. Immediately above
them on the flagstaff was the ilu-
minated Spanish arms and the legend
viva Alfonso Kill"
All about, pressing against the YER
anda rails, crowding the windows and
doors and lining the roofs We're the peo-
pie of the town (the women and non
con- batants).
AS the chimes OF the old cathedral
rang the hour of II, the infantry and
cavalry presented arms Every Amer
lean uncovered, and Captain Mckittrick
hosted the Stars and Stripes.
AS the brilliant folds unfured in a
gentle breeze against the tcckless sky,
the cavalry band broke into the strains
OF THE Star Spangled Banner" MAX
ing the American pulse leap and the
American heart thrill with Joy.
At the same instant, the sound of the
distant booming of Captain Capron' 5
battery, firing salute of 2l guns,
drifted in. When the music ceased.
from all directions around our line
came Floating across the plaza the
strains OF the regimental bands and the
muffled, hoarse cheers Of our troops.
The infantry came to "oider arms"
moment later, after the flag was up
and the band played ''Rally Round
the Flag, Boys" Instantly. General
Mckibben called for three cheers for
General Shaiter, which were given
with great enthusiasm, the band play.
ing Sousa's "The Stars and Stripes
| forever.'
The ceremony over, General Shafter
and his staff returned to the American
lines, leaving the city in the possession
OF the municipal authorities, subject to
the control of General McKibben.
The Thirteenth and Ninth regiments
of infantry will remain in the CITY to
enforce order and exercise municipal
authority.
The Spanish forces are to encamp
outside of our lines
The work of loading the Spanish
prisoners on transports preparatory to
sending them back to Spain will be
commenced as soon as ships are pro.
vided.