Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1898-07-21

have surrendered TO me. distractions
arc being removed from mouth OF har-
hor. On coming into the city discov-
cred n perfect ENHANCEMENT OF de-
lenses. Fighting as the Spaniards did
the first day Il would have cost
5000 lives TO have taken il. Bat
talions of Spanish troops have been de-
posting arlas since daylight in armory
over which L have guard. Gen. Toral
formally surrendered the plaza and all
stores at 9 a. m. Nv ordnance officers
report about Z 600 rifles turned in today
and coo, 900 cartridges At the mouth
OF the harbor there are quite number
OF fine, modern guns, about siX-inch;
also two batteries of mountain guns,
together with n saluting battery of 10
old bronze guns. Disarming and turn
ing in will 60 on tomorrow. List OF
prisoners not yet taken.
The scene of the final act of surren-
der are described as very impressive
Cen. Shafter and the American division
and brigade commanders and their
STATS were escorted by a troop of
cavalry, and Gen Toral and his staff
by one hundred picked men. The
Spanish troops marched out and
laid down their arms. Trumpeters
on both sides saluted with flour
ishes. Gen. Shafter returned to Gen.
Toral the latters sword after 1T had
been handed to the American com
mander. Our troops lined up at the
trenches, were eye-witnesses of the
ceremony. Gen. Shafter and his escort,
accompanied by Gen. Toral, rode
through the city taking formal posses
sion. The city had been sacked before
they arrived by the Spaniards.
The first troops TO enter the city
We're the men of the Ninth infantry.
The position of honor was given them
as reward for their heroic assault on
San Juan hin in the first days fighting.
As the Ninth entered the city the spec
tacle was thrilling. Many in the
crowds waved a welcome to our men.
From none came threats or words of
discomfort. Even the Spanish soldiers
took the arrival of the Americans
calmly Gems. Shafter, Wheeler, Kent,
Lawton, Ames. Sumner and McKibbin
rode straight TO the captain generals
palace, where they met by the munich
pal authorities. the archbishop of San
tiago and the generals Of the defeated
Spanish army. Gems. Toral and Yscario
and their stats received our generals
with every possible courtesy. Gen.
Toral apologized for the non-appear-
ance of Lieut.. Gen. Linares, who was
prevented from being present by his
wound.
The ceremony of hosting the stars
and stripes was worth all the blood
and treasure it cost A vast concourse
of 10, 600 people witnessed the stirring
and thrilling scene that will live for
ever in the minds of ali the Americans
present. A finer stage setting for a
dramatic episode it would be difficult
t. imagine. The palace, picturesque
old dwelling in the Moorish style of
| architecture. faces the Plaza de la
Reina, the principal public square.
Across the Plaza was drawn up the
Ninth infantry, headed by the Sixth
cavalry band. In the street facing the
palace stood picket troop of the Sec
ond cavalry, with drawn sabres, under
command of Capt. Brett. Massed on
the stone tagging between the band
and the line of horsemen were the bril-
| gade and division commanders of Gen.
| Skaters corps, with their stats. On
the red tiled roof of the palace stood
Capt McKittrick, Capt. Miley and Gen.
| Wheeler. All about, pressing against
| the veranda rails, crowding to win
dows 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 across
| the plaza rang out the hour of II the
infantry and cavalry presented arms.
Every American uncovered, and Capt.
McKittrich hoisted the stars and
stripes. AS the brilliant folds un-
| furled in a gentle breeze against a
feckless sky. the cavalry band broke
into the strains of the "Star Spangled
Banner, making the American heart
thrill with JOY. At the same instant
the sound of the booming of Capt. Cap
ron's battery, firing n salute of 81 guns,
drifted in, and from all along the
American line came floating across the
plaza the strains of the regimental
bands and the cheers of our troops.
Gen McKibbin called for three cheers
for Gen. Shafter, which were given
with great enthusiasm, the band play
ing 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 con-
troll of Brig. Gen. Chambers McKibbin
who had been appointed temporary
military governor.
What will be done with Gen.
Skaters force is not yet fully decided
The physicians declare that the army
owing TO hardships and the fever, will
not be fit for active duty for some time
TO come, and Gen. Miles is believed to
be seriously considering the PROPOSE
ton TO leave only immune regiments
to hold the conquered province and
return the body of the corps TO the
United States and send other immunes
TO reinforce the Santiago detachment If
| of tho frnn,c o,.a