The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-08-04
SHAFTER PRAISES HIS MEN.
lie Says it Was the Army Which
Forced the Spanish Fleet to Sail
From Santiago Harbor.

Santiago de Cuba. Saturday. July
%, (cabled from Kingston Sunday
General Shafter has issued the fol
lowing:
'.Headquarters U. S. Troops. Cuba,
'.Santiago de Cuba, July 10.
..Gcneral Order No. %.
The successful accomplishment of
the campaign against Santiago, re-
sultinT in its downfall, the surren-
der of the Spanish forces and the
capture of large quantities of military
stores, together with the destruction
of the entire Spanish fleet, which
upon the investment of the city was
forced to leave the harbor, was one
of which this army can well feel
proud. This has been accomplished
through the heroic deeds of the army,
and to its officers and men the major
general commanding offers his sin
cere thanks for their endurance of
hardships heretofore unknown in the
American army.
The work you have accomplished
may we'll appeal to the pride Of your
countrymen, and has been rivalled
upon but few occasions in the worlds
history. Landing upon an unknown
coast, you faced danger in disem
barking and overcame obstacles that
even in looking back, seem insur-
mOuntable.
''Seizing, with the assistance of
the navy, the town of Baiquiri and
Siboney, you pushed boldly forth,
gallantlv driving back the enemy's
outpost in the engagement of La
Quasinas, and completed the concen-
tration of the enemy near Sevilla,
within sight of the Spanish strong
hold at Santiago. The outlook from
Scvila was one that might we'll have
appalled, the stoutcst heart. Behind
you ran narrow road, made well
nigh impossible by rains. while to
the front YOU looked out upon high
foothills covered with a dense tropi-
cal growth, which could only be
travcrsed by bride paths terminating
within range of the enemy's guns.
Nothing deferred, You responded
eagerly to the order to close upon
the foe, and, attacking at Caney and
San Juan, drove him from work to
work until he took refuge within his
last and strongest entertainments,
Immediately surrounding the city.
..Despite the fierce glare Of a
Southern sun and rains that fell in
torrents. YOU valiantly withstood
his attempts to drive you from the
position your valor had won. Hold
ing in your vicelike grip the army
opposed to YOU. after seventeen days
of battle and siege, you were re-
, wardcd by the surrender of nearly
2i,000 prisoners, l2.ooO being those
in your immediate front. the others
scattered in the various towns of
Eastern Cuba. freeing completely the
eastern part of the island from Span
ish troops.
This was not done without great
sacrifices The death of go gallant
soldiers and the wounding of 1.2Sl
others shows but too plainly the
fierce contest in which You were en-
gagged. The few reported missing
are undoubtedly among the dead, as
I no prisoners were lost.
For those vino have fallen in bat
tie with you. the commanding gen
eral sorrows, and with you. will ever
cherish their memory. Their devo-
! ton to duty sets high example of
courage and patriotism to our fellow
countrymen. All who have partici-
pated in the campaign. battle and
siege of Santiago de Cuba will recall
with pride the grand deeds accom-
f L
dear for having shared great suffer
ing, hardships and triumphs to-
gether. All may we'll feel proud to
/ inScribe on their banners the name of
Santiago de Cuba.
BY command of MajorGeneral
Shafter.
e. J. ECCLERNAND.
/ ..ASSiStant Adiutant -Gcneral.