The Yale expositor., 1898-12-09

10 silence the batteries at Cardenas.
against Matanzas. Ensign Worth Bagey
and four seamen falling.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepare
TOYS had been pushed with great vigor.
A powerful squadron under Admiral Ger
vera. which had assembled at the Cape
Verde islands before the outbreak of hos
ulttes had crossed the ocean. and by
its CrT@tic movements In the Caribbean
sea. delayed our military operations while
battling the pursuits of our fleets. Not
until Admiral Cervera took refuge in the
harbor Of Santiago de Cuba about May 10.
was II practicable TO plan systematic
military attack upon the Antillean pos
sessions of Spain. Several demons ra-
tons occurred on the coasts Of Cuba and
Porto Rico, in preparation for the larger
event. on May 10. the North Atlantic
squadron ghelled San Juan de Porto Rico.
On may 80 COMMODORE Schleys squadron
bombarded the forts guarding the mouth
OF Santiago harbor. Neither attack had
any material result. 1t was evident that
well-ordered land operations were in6s-
pensable to achieve a decisive advantage
The wonderful journey OF the Oregon
from san Francisco around Cape Horn
to Cuba: the heroic achievement of Hob
son and seven volunteers who sank the
collier Merr1mac under tremendous fire
to bottle Cervera's fleet in Santiago har-
hor, and the landing of 800 marines at
Guaptanamo. are recountcd by the pres
ident. who then comes to $50.
shnfter's Landing In Cuba.
On June % the advance OF the invading
army. under Mai. Gen. Shafter, landed
at Baiquiri. about fifteen miles east OF
Santiago. This was ACCOMPLISHED under
great difficulties. but with marvellous dis
patch. On June % the movemert against
Santiago was begun. on the 9th the first
serious engagement took place. in which
the First and Terth cavalry and the First
United States volunteer cavalry Gen.
Young's brigade of Gen. Wheelers divis-
ion, participated, losing heavily. BY
nightfall, however ground within five
miles Of Santiago was won. The advant-
age was steadily increased. On July n
severe BEETLE took place, our forces gain
ing the outworks OF Santiago: on the 2i
Ell Caney and San Juan were taken after
a desperate charge. and the investment of
the city was completed. The navy CO.
coast forts.
Destruction OF Cervera's Fleet.
ON the day following this brilliant
at movement of our land forces, July g.
occurred the decisive naval combat of
me war. The S"auish fleet. attempting
American squadron under command of
commodore Sampson. In less than three
hours all the Spanish ships were Ge-
stroyed, the two torpedo boats being
sunk, and tho Maria Teresa, Almirante
Cquendo, ViZcaya and Cr!stobal Colon
o"iVen ashore. The Spanish admiral and
while the cnemy's loss of life was Ge-
plorabiy large, some 6O0 were killed. Al
though our ships were repeatedly struck
not enc was seriously injured
ifibutc 10 Navy and Army.
Where all so COnspIcuously distinguished !
thf mSelVeS-frCm the commanders to ,he !
gunners and the unnamed heroes IN the !
boiler rooms-oach and all contributing to- !
ward the achievement Of this astound- |
ing victory, for which neither ancient |
nor modern history affords a parallel in !
the completeness of the event and The |
marvellous disproportion of casualties, 4 |
would be iuVidious to single out any for |
especial honor. Deserved promotion las |
rewarded the more conspicuous actors !
the nations prof)undest gratitude Is Que |
to all those brave men who by her |
skill and devotion in few short hours |
crushed the sea power of Spain and |
wrought triumph whose decisiVeneSs |
and far-reaching consequences can |
scarcely be measured.
With the catastrophe of Santiago |
SPANS effort upon the ocean virtually |
ceased. a spa Smodic effort toward the
fleet under Admiral Camara to relieve
Manila was abandoned. the expedition |
being recalled after It had passed through
tiago followed. The individual valor OF
officers and soldiers was never more
shown than in the several
Santiago. while the prompt movements
and successive victories won instant and
applause. TO those who gained
this complete triumph which CstabliJncd !
the ascendancy Of the United States upon
land as the fight of Santiago had fixed
our supremacy on the seas. the earnest
and lasting gratitpdS Of no the nation 1os is
the gallantry OF the living;
tho dead claim our tears, and our losses
by battle and disease must cloud any eX-
weigh the awful cost of war; however
-ightful the cause or signal the VIC
.Ory.
Porto Rico Is Ours.
With the fall Of Santiago. the occupa-
ion of Porto Rico became the next STRAIT
O. |
'uted with great vigor and by the 18th Of
August much of the iFland was i'm our
possession and the acquisition of the re-
nainder was only a matter of n short
ime. AZ most of the points In the island
,ur troops were enthusiastically well
omed. Protestations Of loyalty to the
lag and gratitude for delivery from Span
sh rule met our commanders at every
stage.
The last scene Of the war was enacted
1t Manila, its starting place. On August
;, after a brief assault uOon the works by
he land forces, in which the squadron
assisted. the capital surrendered uncon-
litionally.
Our Casualties in the War.
The total casualties in XII led and wound
"a in the army during the war was as
ollows: officers killed, %; enlisted mon
killed, PSI: total. $50: officers wounded ll3;
Unlisted men wounded: 1.46i; total. 1.50.
or the navy: Killed Il; wounded, ca;
lied as result of wounds, /; invaded from
service, 6; total 81.
Praise for the Volunteers.
II Is fitting that l should bear testimony
o the patriotism and devotion of that
argc portion of our army which, although |
Eager to be ordered to the post of great
fortunately was not required
outside OF the United States. They did
heir whole duty, and like their comrades
It the front, have earned the gratitude OF
he nation. In this connection, 1t Is
pleasure for me to mention in terms OF
cordial appreciation the timely and useful /
work of the American National Red Cross.
In tracing these events we are cons tant-
Y reminded OF our obligations to the Di-
zine Master for His watchful care over us
md His safe guidance, for which the ma
ion makes reverent acknowledgment and
,ffers humble prayer for the continuance
IF His favor.
Ovcrturca of Peace.
The humiliation of Admiral Ceryera's
leet followed by the capitulatiou of San
iago, having brought to the Spanish gov
,rnment a realizing sense OF the hopeless
less Of continuing n struggle now becom-
ny wholly unequal IL made overtures or
,eace through the French ambassador,
Who with the assent of his government, |
lad acted as the friendly representative
II Spanish interests during the war.
The president here details the negotla-
ions which led to the signing OF the peace
protocol and to the appointment ~ the
'eace commission which is now IN session