River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-07-28
A GLORIOUS RECORD.
Remarkable Work During the
Three Months of War.
Gen. ShafteF Issues General order
PraisinE His Troops Achieve
ments RecOunted and Draw
cry of His Men ExtoIIed.

Washington, July rs. - With the
week just closed the United States saw
the end of the third month of the war
with Spain, and the responsible Off
cials, from the president down to the
lowest employee who has TO do with
shaping the course OF events, feel moth
ing but satisfaction at the progress
made. An army of 100000 men has
been modified, armed and equipped,
| and much of it. has seen service. The
battles preceding the capture of San
tiago have been remarkable in many
respects, and in the opinion of mill
tary experts have covered the United
States army engaged with imperisha-
bic glory. Modern warfare of a type
developed in these engagements was
absolutely new and untried not only
TO the United States army but to the
world
No such charge is recorded in his
tory as that made upon the stone fort
and the blockhouses GROWING the
I hills of FL Caney. There have been en-
gagements between trained troops
and savage races in the iuneles of In
{ 4
late years that conveyed in a slight
manner the possibilities of modern
weapons. But these battles fought bv
the Fifth army corps have been the
first in which large bodies of troops
of civilized nations on both sides have
| been engaged with all the implements
of modern warfare, and the result is
/ bound to be highly instructive to the
| military student and to eXtort admira-
ton for the splendid fighting qualities
of the United States soldiers from the
most unwilling critics.
Skaters Words of Praise
Santiago, July 25.-Following is Mai.
Gen. Skaters order, inst published:
Headquarters United States Troops in
! Cuba, Santiago de Cuba, July l9-General
I Order No. &C. The successful accom-
/ plishment Of the campaign against San
/ tiago, resulting in its downfall and the
surrender of the Spanish forces and the
/ capture of large amounts of military
stores together with the destruction of
| the entire Spanish fleet In the harbor
/ which, upon the Investment Of the city
was forced to leave is one of which this
army can well be proud This has been
accomplished through the heroic deeds OF
I the army, and to its officers and men the
major general commanding offers his sin
| cere thanks for their endurance of hard
/ ships heretofore unknown In the Amer
1 lean army. The work you have accom-
/ plshed may well appeal to the pride Of
/ your countrymen and has been riValed
upon few occasions in the worlds history
/ Landing upon an unknown coast. you
/ faced dangers in discmbarking and over
| came obstacles that. even in looking back
| were insurmouEtable.
| Record of bravery.
Selling, with the assistance Of the navy
the towns Of Baiquir! and Siboney, you
! pushed boldly forth, CALAMITY driving back
! the euemy's outpost In the engagement
/ OF La Quasina and completed the concen-
| tration of the enemy near Sevilla, In sight
! of the Spanish stronghold at Santiago de
| Cuba The outlook from SeYilla was one
that might well have appalled, the stout
est heart Behind you ran a narrow road
| made well-ngh impossible by rains, While
| to the front you looked out upon high foot
! hills covered with dense tropical growth,
| which could only be traversed by bride
| paths terminating within range OF the en-
emy's guns Nothing deferred, you re-
| sponded eagerly to the order to close upon
| The foe and, ackinE at Caney and San
Juan, drove him from work TO work until
he took refuge within his last and strong
est entertainments, Immediately surround
ing the city. Despite the fierce glare of a
southern sun and rains that fell in tor
rents, you valiantly withstOOd his at
tempts to drive you from the position your
valor has won. Holding IN your wise
like grip the army opposed % you, after
II days of battle and siege, you were re-
wardcd by the surrender of nearly 24Q0t
prisoners, 1900 being those in your i'm
mediate from the others scattered in the
various towns Of eastern cuba, freeing
completely the eastern part of the island
from Spanish troops.
Mourns for Dead Heroes.
This was not done without great sac
rfces The death Of 2J3 gallant soldiers
and the woundng Of l,2Si others shows but
too plainly the fierce contest Ia which
you were engaged. The few reported
missing are undoubtedly among the dead,
as no prisoners were lost. For those who
have fallen In battle with You, the com
handing general sorrows, and with you
will ever cherish their memory. Their de-
votion 10 duty sets a high example Of
courage ard patriotism TO our fellow
countrymen. All who have participated
In the campaign, battle and siege Of San
tagO de Cuba viii recall with pride the
grand deeds accomplished and viii hold
one another dear for having shared
the sufferngs hardShips and triumphs to-
gether. All may well feel proud TO in
scribe on their banners the name Of
Santiago de Cuba.
by command of Mai. Gen. Shafter,
"E. j. ANCLERNAND,
assistant Adjutant General"