The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05


Philippine Islands, virtually accom-
plished when the Spanish capacity for
resistance was destroyed by Admiral
Dewey s victory of the first of May was
formally sealed. To General Merritt,
his officers and men for their uncOm-
planning and devoted services, for their
galantry in action, the nation is sin
cerely grateful. Their long voyage was
made with singular success and the SOL
dierly conduct of the men, of whom
many were without previous experience
IN the military service, deserves IN
measured praise.
The total casualties in killed and
wounded in the army during the war
was as follows: Officers killed, %; en-
listed men killed, 257; total, 2S0; Off
GERS wounded, 113; enlisted men wound
ed, LIZA; total, 1877; of the navy, killed,
II; wounded, 81; died as result of
wounds, 1; invaded from service, 6;
total, 81.
1t will be observed that while our
navy was engaged in two great battles
and in numerous perilOus undertakings
in the blockades and bombardments, and
more than $4,000 of our troops were
transported to distant lands, and en-
gagged in assault and siege and battle
and many Skirmishes in unfamiliar ter
ritory, we lost in both arms of the ser
vice a total of 1,668 killed and wounded;
and in the entire campaign by land and
sea we did not lose gun or a flag or a,
transport or a ship and with the eXcep-
ton of the crew of the Merrimac, not a
SOluAeI OF d sailor was taken prisoner.
On August z, forty-six days from the
date of landing of General Skaters
army in Cuba and 81 days from the sur
render of Santiago, the United States
home, and our entire force was return
ed to the United States as early as
August "a. They were absent from the
United States only two months.
1t is fitting that I bear testimony to
the patriotism and devotion of that
large portion of our army which, al
though eager to be ordered to the post
of greatest exposure, fortunately was
not required outside of the United
States. They did their whole duty, and
like their comrades at the front, have
earned the gratitude of the nation. In
like manner, the officers and men of the
army and of the navy who remained
in their departments and stations of the
navy, performing most important duties
connected with the war, and whose re-
quests for assignment in the field and
at sea it was compelled to refuse be-
cause their services was indispensable
here, are entitled to the highest com
mendation- 1t is my regret that there
seems to be no provision for their suit
able recognition.
In this connection it is a. pleasure for
me to mention in terms of cordial APP
probation the timely and useful work of
the American National Red Cross, both
IN relief measures, preparatory to the
campaigns, in sanitary assistance at
several of the camps Of assemblage and
leadership of the president of the So
Ciety, Miss Clara Barton on the fields
of battle and in the hospitals at the
front in Cuba Working in conjunction
with the governmental authorities, and
under their sanction and approval, and
with the enthusiastic cooperation of
many patriotic women and societies in
the various states, the Red Cross has
fully maintained its already high repu-
tatiOn for intense earnestness and abil-
ity to exercise the noble purpose of it's
organization, thus justifying the con-
hdence and support which it has re-
ceived at the hands of the American
people. To the members and officers
of this society and all who aided them
in their philanthropic work, the sincere
and lasting gratitude of the soldiers and
the public is due and is freely accorded
In tracing these events we are con-
stantly reminded of our obligations to
the Divine Master for His watchful care
over US and His safe guidance, for
which the nation makes reverent ac-
acknowledgements and offers humble pray
er for the continuance of His favor.