Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-07-14
The Hero Of the MerrimaC and
His Seven Brave Companions
Have Been Exchanged.
WELCOMED BY CAPT. CHADWICK
Soldiers Make Their March to
the Sea Glorious ovation,
and the Sailors Greet
Them With Mighty
Che erS,

VII uly VI oNubibEt ~ $50 /
Associated Press dispatohboat Wanda |
tu Port Antonio, Jamaica, July Z, IA.
M, via Kingston, Jamaica, July z, 7W |
O. IN. - Assistant Naval Constructor |
Richmond r. 1obson of the flagship |
New York, and the seven seamen who,
with him, sailed the collier Merrimac
into the channel of the harbor of San
lingo de Cuba ON June Sd last, aud
sunk her there. were surrendered by
the, Spanish military authorities to.
day in exchange for prisoners captured
by the American forces
HUbson and his men were escorted
through the American linos by Cant.
Chadwick of the New York, who was
awaiting them. Every step Ut their
journey wac marked hy the widest
demonstrations on tho part OF the
American soldiers, who threw aside all
semhlance OF order, scrambled out OF
the entrenchments knocked over tent
guys aud other camp parapheraalja in
their eagernoss to see the returning
heroes and sent UP cheer after cheer
for the msn who had passed safely
| through the jaws Of death to serve their
| country.
The same sceuee OF enthusiasm we're
repeated upon the arrival of the mon ut
tina hospital station and at our base at
Juragua. I1obson. who reached there
in advance OF his companions, was
taken on hoard the New York imme-
diatsly The hagship's decks wero
| lined with officers aud men, mud as
Hohson clambered up her eide and
stepped ON hoard his vessel the hsrbor
rang with the shouts aud cheers of his
comrades, which were echoed by the
crews of dozen Transports lying nearby.
Hobson had little to say in regard to
his experiences. except that he and bis
companions had been well treaten by
the Spauiards and that they were all in
excellent nealth.
DETAILS OF TUE EXCHANGE.
The Spanish authorities having con-
sented to exchange Hobson and his
men, a truce was established for that
purpose. The place selected for the
exchange was under trse between the
American and Spanish lines, thirds
of mile beyond the entertainments
occupied by Col. Woods Rough Riders,
near Gan. Wheeler's headquarters and
in the centre OF the American line.
The American prisoners left the
Reina Mercedes hospital, in the out
skirts Of Santiago. where they had beer
| ab III III tub HltbfuOUuy III
, charge of MINOR Irles, a Spanish statl
! officer who speaks English perfectly.
A This prisoners were conducted to the
meeting place on foot, but were moi
I. blindfoldeci. Col. John jacob Astol
/ and Lieut.. Miloy, accompanied by In
4 terpreter Maestro, were in charge o
/ the Spanish prisoners. These consisted
y of Lieuts. Amelio Volez and A urclius
! a German, belonging to the Twenty
ninth Regular Infantry, who we're cap
a tured at Ell Caney on FRIDAY last, ant
u Lieut.. Adolfo Aries of the First Pro
\ visional Regiment of Barcelona, one o
the most aristocratic military organiza
u tions of the Spanish army, and IA non
d commissioned officers and priyates
i. Lieut.. Aries and n number of tho me-
Ia were wounded in the fight at Ell Caney
d The Spanish prisoners were take
through the American lines mounte
"a and blindfolded.
M Major Irles was given his choice Q
n three Spanish lieutenants In exchang
"a for Robson and was also informed tina
n be could have all OF the Ia men in eS
a. change for the American sailors. lib
N Spanish officers selected Lieut.. Arit
W and the other two Spanish officers wei
I'd conducted back to Juragua.
OF 1t WIS then not later than o'cloc
ar and Just as everything was finished an
ut fine two parties were separating Matt
Irlea turned and said. courthouse
Il. enough but in tone which indicate
adj considerable defiance. and gave b
X. hearers the impression that he desire
hostilities to be renewal at once:
"Our understanding is, gentlemen
that this truce comes to an end at
ne o'clock.
q. Col. Astor looked at his watch, bow
is to the Spanish ufficer without makiI
ho reply and then started hack slow
n. to the American lines with llobson al
ris his companions following.
10 The mseting of the two parties al
nd the exchange of prisoners had taxi
no place in full view of both the Americl
bs and Spanish soldiers, WHO we're o
"a. trenuhed nepr the meetii G place. al
,re the keeneet interest was ,aken in Il
rs episode.