The Kootenai herald. [volume] (Kootenai, Idaho) 1891-1904, 1898-07-23
SKATERS OFFICIAL REPORT
SCARCELY ANY YELLOW FEVER
Ii Would Have Cost Five Thousand
Men to Have Taken Santiago by
Storm-Surrender of Gunboat-
shafter to BE the Military Gov
ernOr.

Washington, July ls.-The war de-
partment posted the following bulletin;
Santiago de Cuba, July l7.-Adjutant
General, U. S. A, Washington: 1 have
the honor to announce that the American
flag has been this instant, IL, noon, hoist
ed over the house of civil government in
the city of Santiago. An immense con-
course OF people was present. A squad
ron of cavalry and a regiment of infantry
presented arms and the band is playing
national airs. The light battery fired a
salute of Fl guns. Perfect order is being
maintained by the municipal government.
The distress is very great but there is
little sickness in the town. Scarcely any
yellow fever. A small gunboat and
about 200 seamen left by Cervera have
surrendered tsme. The distractions are
being removed from the mouth of the
harbor. Upon coming into the city L dis
covered a perfect ENHANCEMENT of de-
lenses. Fighting as the Spanish did the
first day., it would have cost 5000 lives
TO have taken it. Battalions of Spanish
troops have been depositing arms since
daylight in our armory, over which
have a guard. General Toral formally
surrendered the plaza and all stores at
a. IN.
"W. r. SKATER, Major General
Shafter for Governor.
Washington, July ls.-Until the Amer
lean forces leave Santiago province, Ma
jor General Shafter will be military gov
ernor of the area surrendered. The Cuban
refugees from Santiago city elected Gen
eral Castillo of the insurgent army gov
ernor of the province, but if he assumes
the duties of that position his office will
be distinct from that of General Shafter,
whow ill assert absolute control over
the conquered territory.
No time will be lost, now that Santiago
has surrendered, in sending soldiers to
the city to form a garrison during the
war. lnasmuch as these troops will have
to remain there until peace is concluded,
the government will not take the chances
of deadly diseases by sending ordinary
TO duty there.
The First and Second regiments of inn
munes are the only ones available at
present. The First is commanded by
Colonel Charles s. Richie and is situated
at Galveston, Texas. The Second is com
manded by Colonel Duncan S. Hood and
is encamped at Covington, La.
Each regiment comprises 992 men, all
of whom have either had yellow fever
or have lived in tropical climates and sue
cessfully withstood the infection of the
deadly diseases prevalent in those re-
gions.
1t is probable that very soon the Sew.
enth, Eighth, Ninth and Tenth regiments
of immunes will be ordered to Santiago
for garrison duty. These regiments are
composed OF negroes principally and are
now nearly completely organized.
Many Guns Captured.
Washington, July lS.-General Corbir
made public the following dispatch from
Shafter:
headquarters American Army, July
l7,-Adjutant General u. S. A, Wash
ington; My ordnance officers repor
about 1000 rifles turned in today anC
600 cartridges At the mouth of the har
Dor there are quite number of fine, mod
ern guns, about 6-inch, also batteries y
mountain guns, together with salutin:
battery of Is old bronze guns. Disarm
ing and turning in will go on tomorrow
The list of prisoners has not yet beer
taken. "SHAFTER,
major General Commanding"