Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-08-25
FAREWELL ADDRESS
The vanquished Spanish Soldiers
Thank the American Soldiers.
AMERICAN BRAVERY ACKNOWLEDGED
The Lstter 10 signed ON Behalf Of 1000
spanish soldiers and Says They Have
No Resentment Agsinat Men
Who Fought 80 Nobiy.

Washington. Aug. GA document
entirely unique in the annals Of war
fare was cabled last night to the war
department by Gen. Shafter. II Is in
the form Of q congratulatory farewell
address issued to the soldiers OF the
American army by Pedro Lopez de
Castillo, private Spanish soldier, on
behalf Of the 1000 Spanish soldiers
No similar document, perhaps was
ever before issued to a victorious army
by vanquished enemy. The presi'
dent was very much impressed by the
address, and, after reading 1t carefully,
authorized its publication. Following
is the text Of the address, as cabled by
Gen. Shafter from Santiago:
Maj Gen. shaftcr, Commanding the American
Army In Cuba:
Sir: The Spanish soldiers who capitulated
In this place on the 10Th OF July last, recog-
nizing your high and just position, pray that
through you oil the courageous and noble SOL
diers under your command may receive our
good wishes and farewell which we send them
on embarking for our beloved Spain. For this
favor which we have no doubt you will grant
you will gain the everlasting gratitude ana
consideration Of HOO Spanish soldiers, VINO
are your most humble servants
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO,
Private Of Infantry
Also the following letter, addressed
to the soldiers Of the American army:
Soldiers Of the American Army We would
not be fulfilling our duty as well-born men, In
whose breasts there live gratitude and courtesy
should we embark for our beloved Spain WITH
out sending TO you our most cordial and sincere
good wishes and farewell We fought you with
ardor, with oil our strength, endeavoring to
gain the victory but without the slightest ram
cor or hate toward the American nation. we
have been vanqulshed by you $50 our generals
and chiefs Judged in signing the captulation),
but our surrender and the bloody battles pre-
cedlng it have left In our souls no place for re-
sentiment against the men who fought US nobly
and vallantly.
You fought and acted In compliance with the
same call OF duty as we, for we all but repre-
sented the power Of our respective states
You fought us as men, face to face, and Win
great courage, as before stated, quality
which we had not met during the three years
we have carried on this war against o people
without morals without conscience. and OF
doubtful origin. who could not confront tht
enemy but hidden, shot their noble victims
from ambush and then Immediately fed. This
was the kind OF warfare we had TO sustain II
this unfortunate land. You have complied ex
actly with all the laws and usages Of war o.
recognized by the armies OF the most civillzet
nations OF the world, have given honorable
burial to the dead Of the vanQuished, have
cured their wounded with great humanity
have respected and cared for your prisoners
and, lastly, to us, whose condition was ter
rible. you have given freely Of food. Of you
stock OF medicines and you have honored u
with distinguished courtesy, for after I'M
fiphting, the two armies mingled with I'M
utmost harmony
With this high sentiment OF appreciation
from us all, there remains but to express on
farewell, and, with the greatest sincerity, W
wish you all happiness and health in this lam
which will no longer belong to our dear Spain
but will be yours who have conquered 1t o.
force and watered 1t with your blood Us you
conscience called for, under the demand OF civ
ilization and humanity; but the descendants
the Congo and Of Guinea, mingled with To
blood Of INSCRIPTIONS Spaniards and Of trait
ors and adventures, these people are not abb
to exercise or enjoy their liberty, for they wi
find 1t q burden to comply with the laws whic
govern civilized communities From ll,0
Spanish soldiers
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO,
Soldier Of Infantry.
gontiaoo de Cuba Aug, 81. 1888