The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-10-15
SKATER.
His w eakness
Of Heart
BEFORE SANTIAGO
Alleged Interview Between
Him and Breckenridge.

Lexington, Ky, Oct. 13.-The follow
ing statement was made public here
today by man who was present at the
interview between Gems. shafter and
Breckenridge at Siboney;
"On the morning of July 8 Gen. Shat
ter sent for Gen. Breckenridge to come
to his tent. At the interview which
then took place the two generals, Lieut.
S. M. Foote, aid to Gen. Breckinridge
and others were present.
Gen. shafter said;
Breckenridge, what is the matter
with your
Gen. Breckenridge, in surprise, re-
Piled;
Why, Shafter, what do you mean?
Gen. shafter, who was lying on his
embraced cot. made especially to sus-
tain his enormous weight, and with his
face red and swollen from the effects
of the intense heat and his great ex-
element, replied with much fire:
You look so - well, and here |
am sick in body and mind. What's The
matter with your
Why, said Breckenridge, I never
felt better in my life.
After some further complaint as to
his pitiable condition, Gen. Shafter rose
on his couch and said: Breckenridge,
you must take charge Of my army
Gen. Breckenridge replied What
for, Shafter? I am sick, was the an
sWer Look at the ulcers on my leg,
look at my head; my brain IS upset.
I'm not fit to lead the army. You must
take it
ITO this surprising request, or rather
demand, Gen. Breckenridge answered as
follows: Shafter, I'd take It in Is
minutes, but you must listen to me
hrst. You have made ready to re-
treat; | will not retreat. Tomorrow
is the Fourth of July. No army under
me retreats on the Fourth of July
will take your army, but when I do
will order it not to retreat, but to
move on Santiago, and l will lead my
men
Gen. Shafter listened with manifest
amazement. 1t was a revelation to him
81 the courage of an American soldier.
Presently he said: Who IS there fit TO
take my place except your
Then Gen. Breckenridge began to
name the other commanding officers,
beginning with Gen. Wheeler. and as
each name was called Gen Shaftar
would break out with violent objec-
tons to Wheeler, Lawton and the rest
of them.
And so the conference went on. at
last Gen. Breckenridge said: Shafter,
you must for your own sake, stay at
the head of this army and you must not
retreat To this Gen Shafter replied
with an evident effort to summon
back his lost stamina: Give me "a
hours to think about it -"
Gen. Breckenridge answered: If YOU
please, at the end of that time, 1 will
take your army, if you so insist; but,
remember, if I do take it, it will be to
advance on Santiago, and not to re-
treat
Gen. Shafter then ordered his ser
want to bring him something to eat,
saying he had not eaten anything for
several days. And when the food
came, its nourishing effect began to
arouse his energies. He turned to Gen.
Breckenridge and said: Breckenridge,
I feel better. This is the first food /
have taken for several days
Here the interview practically
closed. No "a hours consideration on
the part of Shafter was necessary. Ger
veras attempt to escape gave back to
Gen Shafter what he hoped to regain
by "a hours meditation on Gen. Breck-
inridges kindly counsel, and the sur
render of Santiago followed as an easy
consequence"