The Red Cloud chief., 1898-12-09
TIL RED CLOUD CHIEF.

OF Spain ond wrought Q triumph whose decis-
fvonoss and far reaching effects can scsrcelv be
measured. Nor can W, 30 unmindfu1 of tho
achievements OF our builders, mechanics and
~arsisans for thoir skin In the construction of
our warships
" SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO.
With the catastrophe Of Santiago SPANS ef-
fort upon the ocean virtually ceased. A spas
modic EFFORT toward the end Of June TO send
her kedlterrai can fleet under Admiral Camnra
TO relieve Manila was abando led the expedition
being recalled after IL had passed through the
Sucz canal. The capuiation Of Santiago fol-
lowed. The city was closely besieged y land,
while the entrance OF our ships into the harbor
cut on all relief on that side. After q truce 10
allow the removal Of non-oombatants protract-
ed negotiations contiaued from July Q until
July 10. when under the monaco Of imme late
assault the proliminaries OF surrender wore
agreed upon. On the nth General Shafter &C.
cupicd the city. The capitalization embraced
tho entire eastern end OF Cuba. The number OF
Spanish soldiers surrendered was 2,O0 aii OF
whom were subsequently conveyed 10 Spain at
tho charge OF the United States.
The story OF this succe ssful campaign II told
In tho report OF the secretary Of war which will
be laid before you. The Individual valor OF ON
GERS and soldiers was neve' moro strikirgly
shown than In the 9 ,vernl engagements leading
w WV ohthVh v " obuttdkD, WHIlG II IOI1D
movements and SUGGEST We victories won In
slant and universal applause. To those who
gained this complete triumph which established
tho ascendcncy OF the United States upon land
rs the fight on Santiago had fixed our suprcm-
acy on the seas, the earnest gratitude Of tho
nation Is unsparingly due. Nor should we alone
remember the gall tntry OF tho living. the dead
claim our tears and losses by battle and disease
must cloud any exultation ut tho result and
teach us the weight md awful cost Of war. low
ever, rightful the cause or signal the victory.
With the fall OF Santiago. tho occupation OF
Porto Rico became the next ~stategic necessity.
General Miles had previously been assigned TO
organize IN expo iition for that purpose For
tunateiy no was already OF Santiago, where he
Ind arrived on the nth OF July with reinforce
mcnts for q enernl Skaters army.
OCCUPATION or Porto RICO.
With these troops. consisting OF 3,ti5 infantry
and artillery, two companies of en- yineers an q
ore company Of the signal corps. General Miles
left Guantanamo on July q having nine trans
ports conveyed by tho feet under Captain Hig-
ginson with the Massachusetts Magship),
Dixie. Gloucester. Columbia and Yale, the two
latter carrying troops The expedition lande
ct Guan,ca July e,. which port was entered
with littlc opposition. Here the fleet was
Joined by the Annapolis ana Wasp. whilc the
Puritan and Amphltrito went to San Juan and
joined the New Orleans, which was en- .aged In
tsVNh R'Aa3 ehab IVts u Wv kolCEu iCOiii-
handing was subsequently reinforced by Gen.
eral Sohwnnn's brigade OF the Third army
corps by General Wilson. with q part OF his a.
vision and also by General Brooke with q part
OF his corps. numbering In oil 1898 officers and
men
On July q he entered Ponce, one OF the mos:
important ports In the island, from which he
thereafter directed operations OF the capture Of
tho island.
With the exception OF encounters with the
enemy at Gunyama. Hormiguerez. Coamo and
Yauco. and IN attack on n forco landed at Cape
san Juan, there wns no serious resista ice. The
campaign was prosecuted Will great vigor and
by the 18th OF August, much OF the island was
In our possession and the acquisition OF the re-
maindor was only q matter Of a short time. Al
most OF tho points in the island. our troop
were enthusiastically welcomed Protestation
OF loyalty to the flag and gratitude for delivery
from Spanish rule met our commanders at every
stage. A, q potent influence towurd peace, the
outcome OF the Porto R!can expedition was o,
great consequence and generous commentator
Is duo to those who participated in IL
r.sr Scrur m r,,y wan
~ van
The last scene OF the war wns enacted ut Ma
Mia, its starting place. On August 18th after o
brief assault upon the works by the land
forces, in which tho squadron assisted. the cap
ital surrendered Internationally. The casual
ties were comparatively few. BY this conquest
VI a. 4 hiAipPAho Aoaouos vAAtunAy ooSohAPAShct
when the Spanish capacity for resistance wins
destroyed by Admiral Dcwcy's victory OF the
,st OF May, was formally scaled. To General
Merritt. his ohicers ana men Tor their uncom-
planning and devoted services for their gal
lantry In action, the nation Is sincerely CRATE
full Their long voyage was made with singular
success, and the s~oldierly conduct OF the men.
as OF whom many were without previous ex-
~perience In the military services, deserves un-
measured praise.
The total casualties in killed md wounded In
the army during the war wns as follows: OnicerS
killed. %; enlisted men killed, so7; total 8
officers wounded. iiS; enlisted men wounded
l.t6t; total 1871 OF the navy, killed ~; wounded
o.; died as result Of wounds. one; invalided from
service s; total 81.
II will be observed that while our navy wa:
| engaged In two great battles ana in numerou,
| perilous undertakings In the blockades, and
bombardment and more than 80, 100 Of our troop
were transported to distant lands. and engaged
In assault and sioge and battle and many sk!rm'
ishes In unfamiliar territory, we lost In both
arms Of the service O total Of Ices killed ant
wounded; and In the entire campaigning b!
| land and sea we did not lose o gun or q nag OF
transport or o ship, and with the exception o
| the crew of tho Merimac, not U soldier or . sailol
| was taken prisoner.