The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-25
HIS WELL DONE"
Gen. Shafter BestOws Unstinted
Praise
On His Army For Work Done at
Santiago
IN A GENERAL ORDER
His Troubles With the News
paper Correspondents
Lead to the Expulsion of Four
From Cuba.


Major General Skaters order, publish
ed at Santiago:
Headquarters United States Troops in
"Cuba.
General Order No. 26.)
1.-THE successful accomplishment of
the campaign against Santiago. result
ing in its downfall and the surrender Of
the Spanish forces and the capture of
large amounts of military stores, to-
gether with the destruction of the en-
tire Spanish fleet an the harbor, which,
upon the investment of the city, was
forced to leave, is one of which this
army can well be proud. This has been
accomplished through the heroic deeds
Of the army, and to its officers and men
the major general commanding offers
his sincere thanks for their endurance
Of hardships heretofore unknown in the
American army. The work you have
accomplished may well appeal to the
pride of your countrymen, and has been
rivaled upon few occasions in the
worlds history. Landing upon an I'M
known coast, you faced dangers in dis
embarking and overcame obstacles that,
even in looking back, seem insurmount-
able.
SEEKING, with the assistance Of the
navy. the towns of Baiquir3 and Sibo-
driving back the enemy's outpost in the
engagement of La Quasina, and COM
pleted the concentration of the enemy
near Sevilla, within sight of the Span
dsh stronghold at Santiago de Cuba.
The outlook from SeVil1a was one that
might well have appalled, the stoutest
heart. Behind you ran narrow road,
made well nigh impossible by rains,
while to the front you looked out upon
nigh foothills covered with a dense
tropical growth, which could only be
traversed 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 intrenchments, Immediately
surrounding the city.
Despite the fierce glare of a southern
sun and rains that fell in torrents, you
VaHantly WithStOOd his attempts to
drive you from the position your ValOr
had won. Holding in your vise-like
grip the army opposed to you, after II
days of battle and siege you were re-
warded by the surrender of nearly "a
600 prisoners, Il, 900 being those in your
immediate front, the others scattered
in various towns of eastern Cuba, free
ing completely the eastern part of the
island from Spanish troops.
This was not done without great
sacrifices. The death af 230 gallant sol
diers and the WOunding of 1924 others
shows but too plainly the fierce contest
in which you were engaged. The few
reported missing are undoubtedly
among the dead, as no prisoners were
lost.
For those who have fallen in battle
with you the commanding general sOr-
rows, and with you will ever cherish
their memory. Their devotion to duty
sets a high example of courage and
patriotism to our fellow countrymen.
All who have participated in the cam
paign, battles and siege of Santiago de
CNUha will recall with nri6R
deeds accomplished and will hold one
another dear for having shared the
sufferings, hardships and triumphs to-
gether. All may well feel proud to in
scribe on their banners the name Of
Santiago de Cuba
BY command of Major General Shat
ter.
"F. J. ArCLERNAND,
Assistant Adjutant General
No Mention of Garcia.
Washington, July 25-General Shat
ter has reported by cable that the con-
ditiOn of the troops at Santiago was
rapidly improving and said he hoped, in
the course of day or two, to have
them all located in comfortable camps
where they may rest and recuperate,
and where the sick may recover. He is
feeding 1000 of the Spanish prisoners
of war, and, although he has not yet
been able to furnish them tents, this
deficiency is being made good and,
meanwhile, their present condition is
condition before the surrender.
The general makes no mention Of the
alleged letter from Garcia to himself,
nor does he speak of any friction be-
tween them, whence the department has
come In doubt the authenticity of pub
fishing stories on these subjects.
In his report to the war department
relative to conditions at Santiago Gen.
Shafter has thrown some light upon
the difficulties in which certain Of the
newspaper correspondents there have
involved themselves. From his report
it would appear that, animated by an
ambition to take a prominent part in
the important events following each
other in rapid succession at Santiago
after the initiation of the negotiations
for the surrender of the city, few Of
the correspondents were guilty of grave
breaches of military law, necessitating
prompt corrective action by General
Shafter. Thus, for instance, one CORES
pendent in his efforts to take part in
the flag raising over the city hall, re-
sisted the military officers in the execu-
ton of their duty and even attempted
a personal assault upon the command
ing general This made him subject to
summary and severe punishment, even
death, yet General Shafter. probably
realizing that ignorance of military law
was the explanation of the action, con-
tented himself with expellfne- that cor
respondent from Cuba.
A more serious Offense, from the fact
that it might easily have led to rioting
and loss of life, was that of three other
correspondents who, 1t appears bv Ger.
Skaters report, by circulating indanl-
matoTy posters, stirred up the town
They were likewise deported and as
evidence that he has no i'll feeling
toward the paper represented by them
but desires only to exercise such control
as is imperative1y demanded in the in
terest of safety OF our troops and pro-
lection of the people under their care
General Shafter has declared that these
correspondents may be Immediately re-