Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1898-07-21
|HO|STING OF OLD GLORY.
It Was Worth All the Blood and
Treasure II Cost at Santiago.
A MAGNIFICENT SPECTACLE.
A Stirring and Thrilling Scene That WIN
Live Forever In the Minds of All
Those PrOsent-T"Tho Star spangled
Banner" Played.

| ----------
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July II, noon. -
Amid impressive ceremonies the Span.
ish troops laid down their arms be.
tween the lines Of the Spanish and
American forces at o'clock this morn.
ing,
General Shafter and the American
division and brigade commanders and
their STATS were escorted by n troop OF
cavalry and General Toral and his STAFF
by 100 picked men. Trumpeters on
both sides saluted with fourishes.
General Shafter returned TO General
Toral the latters sword after II had
been handed to the American COM
mander.
Our troops, lined up at the trenches,
were eyewitnesses OF the CO remony.
General Shafter and his escort, accom-
panied by General Toral, rode through
the city, taking formal possession.
The city had been sacked before
they arrived by the Spaniards.
Az the palace elaborate ceremonies
took place. Exactly at noon the Ameri-
can flag was raised over the palace
and was saluted by twenty-one guns
by Captain Capron's battery. At the
same time all the regimental bands in
our line played "The Star Spangled
Banner" after which President Nc
Kinley's congratulatory telegram was
read to each regiment.
The Thirteenth and Ninth regiments
OF infantry will remain in the city to
enforce order and exercise municipal
authority The Spanish forces are to
encamp outside Of our lines.
General McKibben has been up.
pointed temporary military governor.
The ceremony Of hosting the stars and
stripes was worth all the blood and
treasure II cost. A vast concourse Of
10, 900 people witnessed the stirring
and thrilling scene that will live for
ever in the minds of all the Americans
present. A finer stage setting for u
dramatic episode IL would be difficult
to imagine. The palace, picturesque
old dwelling in the Moorish style of
architecture faces the Plaza de la Rel
ma, the principal public square. OPP
posite rises the imposing Catholic ca
thedral. On one side is quaint, brill
liantly painted building, with broad
verandas-the club of San Carlos-on
the other building of the same de-
scription is the Cafe de la Venus.
Across the plaza was drawn up the
Ninth infantry, headed by the Sixth
cavalry band. In the street facing the
palace stood picked troop of the Sec
ond cavalry, with drawn sabers, under
command Of Captain Brett. Massed on
the stone tagging between the band
and the line of horsemen were the bril-
gade commanders of General Skaters
division, with their stats.
On the red-tiled roof of the palace
stood Captain McIIittrlcls, Lieutenant
Miley and Lieutenant Wheeler, imme-
diately above them, upon the flagstaff,
the illuminated Spanish arms and the
Legend "Viva Alfonso Kill" All
about, pressing against the YER
anda, crowding to windows and
doors and lining the roofs, were
the people of the town, princi-
pally women and non-combatants.
As the chimes of the old cathedral
rang out the hour of ~, the infantry
and cavalry presented arms. Every
American uncovered, and Captain Nc
Kittricl hoisted the stars and stripes.
AS the brilliant folds unfurled in a
gentle breeze against a heckless sky,
the cavalry band broke into the strains
of 1.-THE Star Spangled Banner" max.
ing the American pulse leap and the
American heart thrill with joy.
AT the same instant the sound Of
distant booming of Captain Caprons
battery, firing salute of twenty-one
guns, drifted in. When the music
ceased from all directions around our
line came floating across the plaza the
strains of the regimental bands and
the muhled, hoarse cheers of our
troops.
The infantry came to "order arms"
moment later, after the flag was up,
and the band played "Rally Round
the Flag, Boys" Instantly General
McKibben called for three cheers for
General Shafter, which were given
with great enthusiasm, the band play
ing Sousa's 1.-THE Stars and Stripes
Forever"
The ceremony over, General Shafter
and his staff returned to the American
lines, leaving the city in the posses.
sion of the municipal authorities, sub
iect to the control of General Nc.
Kibben.
To Garry Prisoners Home.