Evening star., 1898-07-15

miral Sampson telling him the chances for
a surrender were good, and that no shots
must be fl ID from the feet without definite
orders from the shore.
As the Jur of noon approached the New
York ran close in shore at Aguadores and
took up a position in readiness for the ex-
pected bombardment Of the, to the fleet,
hidden city. The Brooklyn ranged in the
rear of the New York, and the other ves-
sells took up the positions previously as
signed to them. The swift little Hist
steamed down to Juragua to await word
from General Miles.
Noon came and, although the expected
call to quarters was not issued. the men
fingered anxiously close to their places.
eager to begin the work of bombardment.
From the bridges of the warships the Off
GERS trained their glasses alternately on
the signal station ashore and on the feet
of transports off Juragua, behind which the
Hist had disappeared.
AS 1 and 2 o'clock passed without an
order to begin bombradment the excitement
among the officers, who knew the signifi-
canoe of the delay, became intense.
1t was few minutes after o'clock when
the Hist pushed her way from behind the
anchored transports and started on a short
run from Juragua to Aguadores. Rolling
and pitching in the rough sea, the gallant
little yacht dashed for the flagship, sig
Mailing as she pressed onward.
The battle ship Oregon was the first ves-
sci in line, and the signal The enemy has
surrendered'' was first made out from the
bridge of Captain Clarks ship. A cheer
burst from the officers on the after deck
and it was echoed by the men clustered
forward.
At almost the same instant the other ships
in the fleet caught the momentous mean
ing of the bright-colored signal flags which
flashed at the Hists swaying masthead,
and a great cheer from host of American
throats swept through the squadron from
ship TO ship, while answering pennants
flew from each vessel in response to The
New YoIk's repetition of the Hists signals.
Eventually the Hist ran alongside the
flagship and delivered her dispatch. 1t con-
tained no details, being simply a brief mes
sage by wire to Admiral Sampson from
General Shafter saying that the enemy had
surrendered.
Sampson Consulted Freely.
The admiral has not taken an active part
i'll the negotiations, but he has been con-
suited freely by Gen. Miles and Gen. Shaf
ter, and undoubtedly he will be considered
In the settlement of the final details of the
surrender. He declined to discuss the mat
ter, further than tc express Joy at the fact
that the taking of Santiago was accom-
plished without further bloodshed, and to
remark that the terms of the captulation
ware not to be rade public for some time.
Within FIVE minutes of the Hist's arrival
the signal officers ashore began sending
messages With the wigwag flag on the hill
top to the right of the ravine in which the
ruins Of Aguado1es fort lie. This hill has
been selected es the signal station, and
from there was telegraphed to Admiral
Sampson confirmation of the surrender.
This message was as unsatisfactory as
was the Hist's to the officers of the fleet,
who were anxious to know the terms of the
surrender and other details, while the wig
wagged message simply set forth the bare
statement that the surrender of Santiago
had occurred.
Tha Iowa was at once ordered to steam
west to Moro Castle, evidently being sent
to watch the movements of the men man
ming the shore batteries.
In the Nick of Time.
General Toral surrendered In the nick of
time, for had the plans of today's battle
been carried out the city of Santiago would
have been torn to pieces before night.
The feet had the exact range, and al
though the city was about eight miles
away and hidden by the hills along the
coast, Commodore Schley said that shells
could be dropped in the heart of the town
every two minutes for as long a time as
General Shafter thought it necessary.
Aside from the work of the fleet, seven
batteries of artillery were in position and
so placed that three-inch shells could have
been hurled into the town from all sides.
The Spaniards, however, had made care
full preparations, and had even erected bar
ricades in the streets, ready to fight to the
very last.
General Shafter and his officers confident
ly expected the American loss to be heavy
if the attempt had to be made to capture
the city by assault and elaborate hospital
arrangements We're made in anticipation of
such an occurrence, a large number of
tents having been erected at Siboney since
the buildings there We're burned