Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1898-07-22
TAKING POSSESSION.
A THRILLING SCENE SUNDAY At
SANTIAGO.

SANTIAGO.
Gen. Shafter Takes Formal Pos.
session of the City-Old Glory
Raised Over the Governors Pal.
ace-Gen. McKibben Installed as
Military GOvernOr-An Impress.
sive Ceremony.
Gen. Shafter took formal possession
of Santiago Sunday at p. NJ, and the
American flag was flung to the breeze
over the Governors palace amid great
rejoicing.
Gen. McKibben has been appointed
temporary Military Governor.
The ceremony Of hosting the Stars
and Stripes was worth all the blood
and treasure it cost. A vast concourse
of 10000 people witnessed the stirring
and thrilling scene that will live for
ever in the minds of all those present.
A finer stage setting for dramatic
episode it would be difficult to imag-
inc. The palace, a picturesque old
dwelling in the Moorish style of archi-
lecture, faces the Plaza de la Reina,
the principal public square. Opposite
rises the imposing Catholic cathedral.
On one side is quaint, brilliantly
painted building, with broad veran-
das, the club of San Carlos; on the
other, building of the same descrip-
ton, the Cafe de la Venus. Across
the plaza was drawn up the Ninth in
fantry, headed by the Sixth cavalry
band. In the street facing the palace
stood picked troop of the Second
cavalry, with drawn sabers, under com.
mand of Capt. Brett. Massed on the
stone tagging between the band and
the line of horsemen, were the brigade
commanders OF Gen. Skaters division,
with their staffs.
On the red tiled roof of the palace
stood Capt. McKittrick, Lieut.. Miley
and Lieut.. Wheeler; Immediately
above them upon the flagstaff the il
Illuminated Spanish arms and the leg
end, "Vive Alfonso KILL" All about,
pressing against the veranda railing,
crowding the windows and doors and
lining the roofs, were the people OF the
town, the women and non n-combatants.
AS the chimes of the old cathedral
rang the hour of II, the infantry and
cavalry presented arms. Every Amer
lean uncovered, and Capt. McKittrick
hoisted the stars and stripes. As the
brilliant folds unfurled in a gentle
breeze against tieckless sky, the cav
airy band broke into the strains of
"The Star Spangled Banner" making
the American pulse leap and the
American heart thrill with joy.
At the same instant the sound of
the distant booming of Capt. Capron's
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 muffled, hoarse cheers of our
troops.
The infantry came to "order arms"
a moment later, after the flag was up,
and the band played orally Round
the Flag, Boys" Instantly Gen. Nc
Kibben called for three cheers for Gen.
Shafter, which were given with great
enthusiasm, the band playing Sousa's
"The Stars and Stripes Forever"
The ceremony over, Gen. Shafter
and his staff returned to the American
lines, leaving the city in the possession
of the municipal authorities, subject
to the control of Gen. McKibben.
Amid impressive ceremonies the
Spanish troops laid down their arms
between the lines of the Spanish and
American forces at 9 o'clock Mon
day morning.
Gen. Shafter and the American di-
vision and brigade commanders and
their staffs were escorted by troop of
cavalry, and Gen. Toral and his staff
by 100 picked men.
Gen. Shafter returned to Gen. Toral
the latter's sword, after it had been
handed to the American commander.
Our troops, lined up at the trenches,
were witnesses of the ceremony. Gen.
Shafter and his escort, accompanied
by Gen. Toral, rode through the city,
taking formal possession.
The city had been sacked by the
Spaniards before they arrived.