The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1898-12-08

| occurred the decisive naval combat of the
! war. The Spanish fleet attempting Ia
| leave the harbor, was met by the Ameri-
| can squadron, under command of Com
modore Sampson. In less than three
hours all the Spanish ships were destroy
cd, the two torpedo boats being sunk and
the Maria Teresa. Almirante Oquendo,
Nizcaya and Cristobal Colon driven
ashore. The Spanish admiral and over
thirteen hundred men We're taken prison
ers, while the enemy's loss of life was de-
plorably large, some GOO perishing. On
our side but one man was killed. on the
Brooklyn, and one man seriously wound
ed. Although our ships were repeatedly
struck, not one was seriously injured.
Where all so conspicuously distinguish
cd themselves. from the commanders 10
the gunners and the unnamed heroes in
the builer-roomS. pnch and all cOntribut-
ing toward the achievement of this as
founding victory, for which neither an
cient nor modern history affords a par
allel in the completeness of the event and
the marvellous disproportion of casualties.
it would he invidiouS to single out any for
especial honor. Deserved promotion has
rewarded the more conspicuous actors
the nations profoundest gratitude is due
to all of those brave men who by their
skill and devotion in few short hours
wrought 4 triumph whose decisiveness
and far-reaching consequences can
scarcely he 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 warshps.
With the catastrophe of Santiago
Spain's effort upon the ocean virtually
ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the
end OF June to send her Mediterranean
q. 4 4 -
Manila was abandoned. the expedition
being recalled after it had passed through
the Suez CanaI.
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 truce to allow of the removal of
non-combatants, protracted negotia tions
continued from July 3 until July II,
when, under menace of immediate as
sault. the preiminaries of surrender were
agreed upon. On the 18th General Shaf-
Ter occupied the city. The capitulatiOn
embra ced the entire eastern end of Cuba.
The number of Spanish soldiers surren-
dcred was 22.OO0. all of whom were sub
sequently conveyed to Spain at the
charge of the United States. The story
u
report of the Secretary of War, which
will be laid before You.
The individual valor of officers and SOL
dierS 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
fight off Santiago had fixed our suprcm-
gratitude of the nation is unsparingly
due. Nor should we alone remember the
gallantry of the living: the dead claim
our tears. and our losses by battle and
disease must cloud any exultation at the
result and teach us to weigh the awful
cost of war; however rightful the cause
or signal the victory.
Occupation of Porto Rico.
With the fall of Santiago. the Occupa-
ton of Porto Rico became the next STRAIT
egic necessity. General Miles had pre-
viously been assigned to organize an eX-
petition for that purpose. Fortunately,
he was already at Santiago, where he had
arrived the 11th of July, with reinforce
ments for General Shafter's army. With
these troops, consisting of 3,415 infantry
and one company of the signal corps,
General Miles left Guantanamo July 81,
having nine transports conveyed by the
feet under Captain Higginson. with the
(iagship), Dixie, Glouces-
Ter. Columbia and Yale. the two latter
troops. The expedition landed
ut Guanica July %, which port was en-
tered with little opposition. The Major |
General commanding was subsequently |
by General Schwann's bri-
yade of the Third Army Corps. by Gener- |
II Wilson, with part of his division. and
llso by General Brooke, with part of |
his corps. numbering in all 16,973 officers |
md men,
July % he entered Ponce. one of the |
most important ports of the island. from !
which he thereafter directed operations |
or the capture of the island.
With the exception of encounters with |
he enemy at Guayama. Hermigueres. |
}oamo and Yauco, and an attack on a
orce landed at Cape San JIan. there
vas no serious resistance. The campaign |
vas prosecuted with great vigor. and by
he 18th Of August much of the island
vas in our possession, and the acquisition
# the remainder was only matter of 4
hort time.
The last scene of the war was enacted
t MalSila, its starting place. Aug. 10.
fter a brief assault upon the works by
he land forces, In which the squadron
ssisted. the capital surrendered uncon-
itionaly. The casualties were compara-
lively few. BY this conquest of the Phil
ppine Islands. virtually accomplished
vhen the Spanish capacity for resistance
vas destroyed by Admiral Dewey's vic
ory of the 1st of May, victory was for
lally sealed. To General Merritt. his of
GERS and men, for their uncOmplaining
nd devoted services. for their gallantry |
4 action. the nation is sincerely grateful.
heir long voyage was made with singu-
ir success, and the soldierly conduct of
he men, most of whom were without
revious experience in the military serv-
e, deserves unmeasured praise.
Total Casualties of the War.
The total casualties in killed and
founded in the army during the war was
S follows: Officers killed, .; enlisted
len killed. 2o1: total, $50; officers
-ounded. 113; enlisted men wounded,
.464; total, 1,5II7. OF the navy: Killed.
{; wounded, 61; died as result of
-ounds. l; invalided from service, q;
,tal, 81
1t will be observed that while our navy
as engaged in two great battles and in
perilous undertakings in block
des and bombardment. and more than
.ty thousand or our troops were trans |
orted TO distant lands and engaged in
ssault and siege and battle and many
1irmishes in unfamiliar territory, we
st in both arms of the service total of
66S killed and wounded; and in the en-
re campaign by land and sea we did not
se gun or a flag or 4 transport ship,
nd with the exception of the crew of the
[errimac not soldier or sailor was
ken prisoner.
Aug. {. forty-six days from the date of
lie landing of General Skaters army in |
uba, and twenty-one days from the sur
'nder of Santiago, the United States
oops commenced embarkation for home,
nd our entire force was returned to the |
nited States as early as Aug. "a. They |
ere absent from the United States only
vo months.
1t is fitting that 1 should bear testi-
ony to the patriotism and devotion of |
at large portion of our army which, al
ough eager to be ordered to the post of
'eatest exposure, was not required out ,
de of the United States. They did their |
hole duty and earned the gratitude of
lie nation. 1t is my regret that there
ems TO be no provision for their suitable /