The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-08-31
Gen. Shaftcr Reviews War.
New York, Aug. ga dispatch
to the Herald from Santiago says:

NEW YORK, Aug. 26.-A dispatch
to the Herald from Santiago says:
Prior to embarking on the steamer
Mexico, Major General Shafter con-
sented to be interviewed. During the
interview he discussed in general
terms the campaign just ended. The
bare prospect Of returning to the
United States caused him to be
brighter, more cheerful and less har-
rassed looking than at any period
since he embarked at Tampa.
Critics and detractors are alike for
gotten. and with improved health and
the evident consciousness that what
ever might be the eventual verdict Of
the operations before Santiago, diff
fcult campaign has been brought to a
successful conclusion. He spoke with
greater energy and more vigor than at
any time since the capitulation. Gen.
Shafter said:
"I look upon the campaign just
closed as a successful one in the
highest degree, not only in regard to
the military operations, but more
especially in regard to the great re-
suits achieved. When we decided to
attack Santiago we looked for nothing
more as the immediate fruit of victory
than the capture of the city. What
has been achieved is the capitulation
Of the entire eastern part Of the pro-
vince from line at Jibari to the
south coast together with the enemy's
forces, amounting to almost $4,000
men. Surely this was notable
achievement of the campaign, bearing
in mind the fierce opposition we en-
couotered and the comparatively small
loss of our own forces.
''From military point of view: [
perhaps took steps which might not
be deemed justifable under other cir
cumstances, but I knew the temper
and capabilities of my soldiers and the
moral effect of our gradually cooping
up the enemy within its own lines.
"My engineers were very apprehen-
sive that the Spaniards might break
through on my left and cut off Siboney.
This, from purely military stand
point, might have been truthfully
correct, but personally, 1 had not for
a moment any fear on that scope. The
result, however, think, proved the
correctness of my conclusions.
"Our primary object was to drive
Cervera out and next to take the town.
We had gradually driven the Span
iards back on high lands circling the
city, and slowly advancing day by
day. The enemy began losing spirit
as soon as our guns had been placed
in position to cover the town.
"When Cervera left the situation
was changed. The town was at my
mercy and had I given the order for
direct assault it would have been
taken within four hours. | believe
that with the forces then at my COM
mand, reinforced as they had been, l
was in position to take the city by
force.
"But if 1 had taken a step Of such
character what would have been the
result? Iestimate that our casualties
would have been 5000 men, and the
action I took has had more brilliant
sos,,1t [ without 80 heavy loss Of
valuable lives.
siThe town itself is admirably stu
ated for defense, and the fight would
have been long and bloody one.
Every house is strongly constructed
of stone, and entirely different from
ordinary buildings. Every house was
a little fortress itself. Had the Span
iards, forced by desperation, fought
the battle out in the streets our loss
would have been enormous. But from
the moment General Toral made a
proposition for conference, | knew
he was determined to give up, and l
acted accordingly.
"Personal reflections have been cast
upon me because I was not on the
fighting line. That was not the place
for a general in command of an army.
It must be remembered that | was
connected by telephone with the off,
GERS at the front and was better able
to direct operations from the position
I had taken. Save for two days when
ill, L was in direct command Of this
campaign, which I consider unequaled
in American history, for it was really
the first time the United States had
fought With it's regular army. The
civil war was a war Of volunteers, but
this campaign was fought and won by
our regular troops:
ssI did not notice the fact at first,
but there was only three volunteer
regiments engaged against the Span
iards. While the highest credit is to
be given them and they fought bravely
and we'll, there was the moral sup
port of the regulars back OF it all.
"Our volunteers lacked that unity,
cohesion and individual support
noticeable in our trained troops, but
at the same time no disparagement
should be made of the volunteer regl-
ments in the campaign. What they
lacked otherwise they made up for in
enthusiasm and patriotic spirit, and l
desire to command no better army
than the one composed of the class
of volunteers under me in the Santi-
ago campaign.