Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-07-08
HOBSON EXCHANGED.

Lieut.. Hobson and the seven seamen
who have been held in confinement at
Santiago by the Spaniards, as stated
yesterday, have been exchanged for
Spanish prisoners captured by the
American forces. Lieut.. Hobson says
that he and his companions in captivity
were we'll treated by the Spaniards.
In exchange for Lieut.. Hobson and
the seven seamen the Spaniards re.
ceived Lieut.. Aries, of the First Provis-
lonal Battalion of Barcelona, and four
teen non-commissioned officers and pri-
Yates. Lieut.. Hobson was the only of.
fcer in either branch of the American
service who has been so unfortunate
as to fall into the hands OF the Span
iards.
A truce was established for the pur-
pose of making the exchange. The
place selected was under o tree be-
tween the American and Spanish lines,
two-thirds of mile beyond the en-
trenchments occupied by Col. Wood
Rough Riders, near Gen. Wheeler's
headquarters and in the center of the
American line.
The American prisoners left the Rel
ma Mercedes Hospital, on the outskirts
of Santiago, where they had been con-
fined, at 2:45 o'clock Wednesday after
noon in charge of Major Irles, Span
ish staff officer, who speaks English
perfectly. The prisoners were conduct
ed TO the meeting place on foot but
were not blindfolded. Col. John Jacob
Astor and Lieutenant Motley, accom-
panied by Interpreter Maestro, were 10
charge of The Spanish prisoners. These
consisted of Lieutenants Amelio Volez
and Aurelius, German, belong
ing the twenty ninth regular infantry,
who were captured at Ell Caney on Fri
day last, and Lieutenant Adolfo Aries,
OF the First Provincial regiment of Bar
celona, one of the most aristocrstic mil
itary organizations of the Spanish
army, and fourteen non-commissioned
officers and privates. Lieutenant Aries
and a number Of men were wounded
in the fight at Ell Caney. The Spanish
prisoners were taken through the
American lines mounted and blind
folded.
The meeting between Colonel Astor
and Major Tries was extremely cour-
teous, but very formal, and no attempt
was made by either of them to discuss
anything but the matter in hand.
Major Aries was given his choice of
three Spanish lieuteDants in exchange
for Hobson, ard was also informed that
he could have all of the fourteen men
in exchange for the American sailors.
The Spanish officers selected Lieutel-
aut Aries, and the other two Spanish
officers were conducted back to Ju-
ragua.
1t was then not later than
four O'Clock, and, just as every
thing was finished and the two
parties were separating, Major Tries
turned and said, courteously enough
but in tone which indicated consider
able defiance, and gave his hearers the
impression that he desired hostilities to
be renewed at once.
"Our understanding is, gentlemen,
that this truce comes to an end at FIVE
o'clock"
Colonel Astor looked at his watch,
bowed to the Spanish officer without
making reply, and then started back
slowly to the American lines with Hob
son and his companions following.
The meeting of the two parties and
the exchange of prisoners had taken
place 10 full view Of both the American
and Spanish soldiers, who were en-
trenched near the meeting place:
After he had been showered with
congratulations and compliments by
the men on the flagship Mr.. Hobson
was asked about his experiences on the
Merrimac and while he was a Spanish
prisoner. Mr.. Hobson replied modest
", "What we did WIS not much OF
feat. The Spanish admiral compliment
ed me On the effort We had made. Ger
vera was very kind to all OF us. He
seemed TO think he could not do too
much for US"
The wreck commissioner for Canada
will strickly investigate the circum-