Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-20
BEFORE THE FALL.
CONTINUED from page ~

| as to the place selected for the Spanish
forces to deposit their arms and 8
Spanish infantry detachment marche.
| forward to a position facing oul
halted. The latter were without theil
colors.
/ saluted and were saluted in turn By
our trumpeters, both giving fiourisbes
| for lieutenant and major generals. 7
Gen. ToraI then personally ordered
the Spanish company which in nina
| ture. represented the forces under his
command, to ground arms. Next, by
| his direction, the company wheeled and
| marched across our line into the rear
| and thence to the place selected for
| camping them. The Spanards moved
RAPIDLY to the quick notes Of the Span
| ish march played by the trumpeters.
But it impressed one like the Dead
March" from saul"
Although no attempt was made 20
humillate them, the Spanish soldiers
seemed to feel their disgrace keeny
and scarcely glanced at their conquer
ers as they passed by. But this appa-
rent depth Of feeling was not displayed
by the other regiments. Without being
sullen, the Spaniards appeared to be
utterly Indifferent 10 the revcrses sur
fered by the Spanish arms. and some
of them. when not under the eyes Of
their officers, seemed to secretly rejoice
at the prospect of food ana an immedi-
ate return 10 Spain.
Cen. Toral throughout the ceremony
was sorely detected. When Gen. Shat
ter introduced him by name to each of
his staff. the Spanish general appeared
to h> very broken man. He seems to
oe about so years Of age and Of frail
constitution though stern resolution is
shown in every feature. The lines are
strongly marked and his face is deep
drawn, rs if by physical pain.
Gen. Toral replied with an air Of alb
stiacJioH to the words addressed to him
and when he accompanied Gen. Shafter
al the head Of the escort, into the city,
20 take formal possession Of Santiago.
Gen. Togal spoke but few words. The
appealing faces Of starving refugees
streaming back into The ely did not
move him. ror ala In groups Of Span
ism soldiers lining the road and gazing
curlously al the fair-skinncd, stalwart-
framed conquerers. Only once did the
faint shadow Of smile Turk about the
corners Of his mouth. This was when
the cavalcade passed through barbed
wire entang,emen<. NJ body Of infan-
Try could ever get through this defence
alive. ana Gen. Shafters remark about
its resisting power found the first graf
flying echo in the defeated generals
heart.
Further alone the desperate charac-
Ter of the Spanish resistance, as plan
i. amazed nur officers. Although
primitive. it was we'll done Each ap-
preach ID The city was thrice b4rri-
cld,d ana wired ana the barbados
We're nigh enough and sufficiently
strong 10 Withstand shrapncl. Tn
slaughter among our troops would have
been frishtful had it ever become NEG
rsSary II storm the ci<y,
Around she hospitals ana public
buildings along the west side of The
Tine. tAere were additional works ana
emplaccments for guns. though ~
guns were mounted in them.
The streets OF Santiago are very crook
"a. with narrow lines Of one-story houses.
most Of which are very dilapidated, but
every veranda Of every house was
thronced by its curious inhabitants ana
disarmod soldiers. These We're mostly of
the lower classes.
Few expressions of any kind were
heard along the route. Here and there
| there was a shout for Free cuba from
some Cuban sympathizcr, but rs rul,
| there were only low offerings. The bet
| Ter class Of Spaniards remained indoors
or satisfied their curiosity from behind
drawn blinds. Several Spanish ladies in
;umble-down carriages averted their
faces as we passed.
The squalor in the streets was frightful.
The bones Of dead horses and other ami
| mails We're bleaching in the streets, and