Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1898-12-16

decisive operations in that quarter should
be accomplished by the strong arm of
the United States alone.
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack, powerful forces were as
semblcd ut various points on our coast
to invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Mean
while naval demonstrations were made
at several exposed points. May Ill the
cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat
Winslow We're unsuccessful i'll an attempt
10 silence the batteries at Cardenas and
Matanzas, Worth, Bagley and four sea-
men falling.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara-
lions had been pushed with great vigor.
A powerful! squadron under Admiral Ger
vera. which had assembled at tine Cape
Verde Islands before the outbreak of
hostilities, had crossed the ocean. and by
Sen delayed our military operations while
battling the pursuit of our fleets. Not
until Admiral Cervcra took refuge in the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba about May
y was it practicable to plan q systematic
military attack upon the Antillcan pos
sessions of Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coast of Cub and Porto Rico in prepare
ton for the larger event. On May 13 the
North Atlanic squadron shelled San Juan
dc Porto Rico. On May 30 Commodore
Schlcy's squadron bombarded the forts
guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor.
Neither attack had any material result.
EobsoM's Daring Act.
The next act in the wal thrilled not
alone the hearts of II countrymcn, but
the world, by its exceptional heroism. On
the night of June 3 Lieutenant Hobsoil,
aided by seven devoted volunteers, block
ed the narrow outlet from Santiago har-
Dor by sinking the collier Merrimac in
the channel. under a fierce fire from the
shore batteries. escaping with their lives
as by a miracle, but falling into the
%scaucntly exchanged July. Z.
ny June 3 The cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolated the island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On
June 10, under a heavy protecting fire, a
landing OF 90 marines from the Oregon,
Marblchcad and Yankee. was effected in
Guantanamo Bay. where 1t had bccn de-
termincd to establish a naval station.
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after sever fight
ing by the marines, who were the first or
ganized force of the United States TO
land in Cuba The position so won was
held despite desperate Attempts to dis;
lodge our forces. By June 16 additional
forces We're landed and strongly intrench-
ed. On June %, the advance of the in
vading army under Major General Shaft
er landed Mt Baiquiri, about fifteen miles
east of Santiago. This was accomplished
under great difficulties, but with marvel
Gus dispatch. On June % the movement
against Santiago was begun. On the Path
in which the First and Tenth Cavalry
and the First United States Volunteer
Cavalry, General Young's brigade of
Genera! Wheeler's division, participated,
losing heavily. Fly nightfnll, however,
ground within five miles of Santiago was
Won. The advantage WAS steadily in
creased. On July 1 q severe battle took
place. II forces gaining the outwork OF
Santiago; on the I'd El Cam. and San
Juan We're taken after n desperate
charge, and the Investment of the city
was completed. The navy co-operated by
shelling tho tow and coast forts.
Destruction of Ccrvera's Fleet.
On the day following this brilliant
achievement of our land forces. July 8,
occurred the decisive naval combat of the
war. The Spanish fleet, attempting 10
cave the harbor, was met by the Amcri-
can squadron, under command of Com
imodorc Sampson. In less than three
hours NIL the Spanish ships were destroy
ed, h two torpedo boats being sunk and
the Maria Teresa. Almirante Oquendo,
Eizcaya and Cristobal Colon driven
ashore. The Spanish admiral and over
thirteen hundred men We're taken prison
U.s. NAAAS ~ S4iS!hS . 1OsS VI ll1C MdS Ne.
plorably large, some 600 perishing. On
our side but one mar was killed, on the
Brooklyn, and one man seriously wound
ed. Although I'LL ships were repeatedly
struck, not one was seriously injured.
Where al SO conspicuously distinguish
ed themselves, from the commanders TO
the gunncrs and the unnamed heroes in
the boiler-rooms, each and all contribut-
ing toward the achievement of this as
founding victory, for which neither an
Gent nor modern history affords q par
allel in the completeness of the event and
the marvellous disproportion of casualties,
ii would be inyidious to single out my for
especial honor. Deserved promotion has
rewarded the more conspicuous actors
the nations ~profoundeSt gratitude is due
to nil of those brave men who by their
Skill and devotion in a few short hours
crushed the sea power Of Spain and
wrought n triumph whose decisiveness
and ,far-rcachins consequences can
scarcely be measured. Nor can we be un-
mindful of the achievements of our build
ers, mechanics and artisans for their skill
in the construction of our warships.
With tho catastrophe of Santiago
SPANS effort upon the ocean virtually
ceased. "A spasmodic effort toward tho
end of June to send her Mediterranean
Manila was abandoned, the expedition
being recalled after it had passed through
tho Sucz Canal.
capitulation of santiago.
The capitulation of Santiago followed.
The city was closely besieged by land,
while the entrance of our ships into the
harbor cut off all relief on that side.
After a truce to allow of the removal of
non-combatants, protracted negotiations
continued from July 3 until July IS,
when, under menace of immediate as
sauit, the preliminaries of surrender were
agreed upon. On the 18th General Shat
ter occupied the city. The capitulation
embraced the entire eastern end of Cuba.
The number of Spanish soldiers surren-
dered was $4,000, all of whom were sub
sequently conveyed to Spain ut the
charge of the United States. The story
of this successful campaign is told in the
report of the Secretary Of War, which
will be laid before you.
The individual valor of officers and SOL
dicrs was never more strikingly shown
than in the several engagements leading
to the surrender of Santiago, while the
prompt movements and successive victor-
les won instant and universal applause.
To those who gained this complete tri-
umph, which established the ascendency
of the United States upon land, as the