The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-09-15
obtained clearly indicate the intrepid

obtained clearly indicate the intrepid
gallantry of our soldiers.
"The arrival of General Escario at
Santiago was not anticipated General
Garcia, with between 1000 and 5000
Cubans, was intrusted with the duty
OF watching for and interceptlng the
reinforcement expected. This, how
ever, he failed to do, and Escarlo pass
ed into the city along on my extreme
right, near the bay"
After speaking Of Admiral Cerveras
sortie and the destruction of his fleet
General Shafter says he again called
on the Spanish commanders to sur
render.
"On the same date 1 informed Ad-
miral Sampson that If he would force
his way into the harbor the city would
surrender without any further sacrifice
of life. Commodore Watson replied
that Admiral Sampson was temporarily
absent but that in his (Watson's) opin-
ion the navy should not enter the har-
Dor. The strength of the enemy's po-
sition was such I did not wish to as
sault II It could be avoided. An ex-
animation of the enemy's works. made
after the surrender, fully justified the
wisdom Of the course adopted"
General Shafter gives the various ef-
forts towards securing a surrender, and
his reopening the engagement on the
10th, when the truce ended. On the
11th the surrender was again demand
ed. by this date the sickness in the
army was increasing very rapidly, as
a result Of exposure in the trenches to
the intense heat OF the sun and the
heavy rains. Moreover, the dews in
Cuba are almost equal to rain. The
weakness of the troops was becoming
so apparent ! was anxious to bring the
| siege to an end. but, in common with
most of the officers of the army, I did
not think an assault would be tustifia-
BILE, especially as the enemy seemed to
be acting in good faith in their prelim-
mary propositions to surrender.
July u informed the Spanish com
mander that Major General Miles, com
mander-i in-cbief of the American army,
had just arrived in my camp, and re-
quested him to grant us personal in
terview on the following day. The in
terview took place on the 18th, and
informed him his surrender only
! could be considered. and that as he
was without hope Of escape, he had nc
right to continue the fight"
| General Shafter then gives the de
| tails of the final surrender. his entry
to the city and the raising of the Amer
| lean flag In closing, he says:
Before closing my report I wish t
dwell upon the natural obstacles I hat
to encounter and which no foresigh
could have overcome or obviated. Th
rocky and precipitous coast afforded n
sheltered landing places the roads wer
mere bride paths, the effect Of tn
tropical sun and rains upon unaccll
mated troops was deadly, and tn
dread of strange and unknown dis
eases had It's effect on the army.
"In conclusion, I desire to express t.
the members of my staff my thank!
for their efficient performance Of al
duties required of them and the gooc
judgment and bravery displayed on al
occasions when demanded"
General Shafter recommends for pro-
motion and brevets the following off,
GERS: Lieutenant Colonels e. j. McCler-
nand, George McC. Darby, j. f. Mlley
]. ]. Astor, b. f. Pope and Charles f
Humphrey Colonel John f. Weston
Majors c. G.. Starr, Leon Roudiez, II. j
Noble, S. w. Groesbeck and H. j. Gal
lagher, Captains e. H. Plummer, j. c
Gilmore, Jr., A. H. McKittrick, John
son and Brice.