Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-08-03
AN INSPIRING SIGHT
Graphic Description Of Santiago's
Surrender.
RAISING OF TEE STARS AND STRIPES
District Men Played an important
Part in the Ceremonies.
Using OF TEE STARS AND STRIPES
PRAISE FOR COLORED TROOPS
From a Staff Correspondent.
IN FRONT OF SANTIAGO,


Santiago at noon today The Spanish bu-
ceremony today was merely the outcome of
the negotiations regarding the manner of
capitulation. These negotiations had been
carried On by Gems. Wheeler and Lawton
and Lieut.. Miley on our part and a like
commission of officers from the Spanish
side. There had been numerous bitches
over questions of more or less Importance,
and now and again 1t was given out that
failure of the whole schema was imminent.
At these reports the men along lines
braced themselves for another fight and
became impatient that these bubbles
should be seriously entertained Give them
another dose of American shot and they
will be easier to deal with" was the senti-
ment one heard expressed on all sides.
Carrying Out the Program.
But today all these questions have been
settled, and nothing remains but to carry
cut the program.
1t is a bright, beautiful day, just enough
clouds floating over to modify the glare of
the tropical sun.
Soon after reveille there are evidences Of
activity along our lines, Indicating that
something unusual is in the wind TIE Of
fcers and men all wear all air of eager
buoyant expectancy. Soon we begin to see
columns of Spanish troops coming from the
direction of the city and taking place along
our front at distance of about 200 yards
n beautiful target they make and no doubt
prove temptation to many of our boys.
But they are protected by the white flag,
which all civilized nations are proud TO re-
spect.
Out in front of Gen. Wheeler's headquar-
tiers, where L stand, is aligned. the Kings
Guard, said to be the crack cavalry organi-
zation of Spain, and commanded by Col.
Geronimo Alonzo, veteran Of many cam
palgns. They make a pretty picture with
their clean uniforms of light cotton mate
rial with narrow blue and white stripes rum
ming through it and showing up at d DIS
lance like a light gray, in ii background of
dark green foliage and rank vegetation
Out to our left We see regiment Of infan-
try move out from our line in the direction
of Santiago, and learn that IL is TIE Jtil In
fantry, detailed to go into the city and at
noon to receive the arms of the Sranlards
and raise the flag Of the Unitcd States over
the governors palace.
The Whole Line on Parade.
About 11:30 am our whole line turns out
on parade just in rear of the trenches
which had been the fighting line of few
days ego From point we can see this
long brue line extending away for two or
three miles to the right and left and form
ing in its entirety crescent-sflaped curve
the apex of which is nearest to the city.
In the center of this line is General
Wheeler's division of cavalry. The 9th
and 10th cavalry, colored troops form a
picturesque break in the line, though many
of our troopers have become so bronzed by
the weather one can scarcely distinguish
the color of the Caucasian from the Afri-
can at a distance.
Out on the right are the District troops
aligned along the trench which bears the
| distinguished honor of being nearest to
these of the enemy in the immediate front.
| On the right CT each regiment is it's band
| ready to strike up the national air.
An Imposing Scene.
Promptly at II o'clock, boom! goes a
| field gun from Capron's battery on the ex-
| treme right of the line, the beginning of
| national salute of twenty-one guns
| simultaneously a dozen or more bands
| strike up Keys immortal ode to Old Glory,
| ard tie men uncover in honor 1t is an in
| spring scene and a most affecting occa-
| SIGN. 1 see grizzled captains wipe tears
| stripes futter out from the dome of the
| governor generals palace over yonder in
| the city. The thought occurs to me how
| ineffably weak and feeble are all attempts
| at stage representation of this the real
| elimination of war and victory. The last
| nc tie of the national air dies away and
| tfen from way over on our right bursts
| forth the deep bass cheering of the boys
| in blue and the wave of exultant sound
\ gees on along the line till it dies away al
| mcst like an echo on our extreme left.
| The Victors and Vanquished.
who stand up, bravely enough now that
| peace is here and see and hear all this
eXultation? They the vanquished, we the
| victors, stand face to face. 1 cannot help
| wondering how it would feel 10 cnangc
places. Whatever their thoughts or feel
| ings, they simply stand at attention and
| make no sign. Our troops now break ranks
| ard return to their tents, leave their guns
| and begin 10 drift back by twos ana threes
| to see more of this great event II their
| lives. The SDaniards who for few mo-
| ments after this final ceremonial attending
| their surrender, stood apparently irresolute
as to what was to come next. They oul
men coming out to the trenches, and they
take heart and start out cautiously and
with some hesitation in our direction A
group of officers. more confideat than the
enlisted men, come up to our lines. They
salute they reach the trenches, and OIL
officers return it most cordially. Still closer
they come. and the senior officer present
mounts the earthwork at the trench and
extends his hand to cavalry officer near
him, who grasps it warmly, while Doth
raise their hats. More officers gather on
either side of the trench, which IS the pick
ct line, and there are more nandshakings
and salutes.
| Presently some of their orierlies cor G
running UP the slope from the Spanish po-
sition, carrying bottles in their hands II
is wine and rum, and the Spaniards draw
the corks and hand the bottles across the
line to the American officers. They drink
to each others health, the bottles passing
back and forth across the trenches. Oul
officers have little to offer in the way OF
refreshment in return, except their can.
teens of water, which form u most neces.
sary adjunct to the hot Spanish rum, e ore
wants to keep actual fame from shoo.ire