The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-08-12
Shafter Praises His Men.

General Shafter has issued the fol-
lowing general order reviewing the
Santiago campaign, and pays high tri-
butte to his men:
Headquarters United States Troops
in Cuba, Santiago de Cuba-General
Order No. 26: The successful accom-
plishment Of the campaign against San
tiago, resulting in it's downfall, the
surrender of the Spanish forces, and
the capture of large quantities of mill
tary stores, together with the destruc-
ton Of the entire Spanish fleet, which
upon the investment Of the city was
forced to cay the harbor. was
Of which this army car we'll feel proud.
This has been accomplished through
the heroic deeds of the army, and
to it's officers and men the major gen.
eral commanding offers his sincere
thanks for thslr endurance of hard
ships heretofore unknown in the Amer
lean army.
1.-THE work you have accomplished
nay well appeal to the pride of your
countrymen, and has been rivalled
upon but few instances in the worlds
history. Landing upon an unknown
coast, you faced dangers in disembark-
ing and overcame obstacles that, even
in looking back, seem insurmountable.
"Seizing with the assistance of The
navy the towns Of Baiquiri and Siboney
you pushed boldly forth, CALAMITY driv-
ing back the enemy's outpost in the
engagement Of La Quasinas, and COM
pleted the concentration of the enemy
lee Seville, within sight of the Span
ish stronghold at Santiago. The out
look from Sevilla was one hat might
well nave appalled, the stoutest heart.
Behind you ran a narrow road, made
we'll nigh impossible by rains, while
to the front you looked out upon high
foot hills covered with a dense tropical
growth, which could only be traversed
by bride paths terminating within
range of the enemy's uns.
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, 'irnme-
diately surrounding the city.
despite the fierce glare Of a south
ern sun and rains that fell in torrents,
you %valiantly withstood his attempts
to drive you from the position you
valor had won. Holding in your vice.
like grip the army opposed to you, after
seventeen days Of battle and siege, you
were rewarded by the surrender Of
nearly $4,000 prisoners, $4,000 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 lone without great
sacrifices. The death of 230 gallant SOL
diers and the wounding Of 1924 others
shows but too plainly the fierce con-
test 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 bat
tie with you. the commanding general
sorrows, and with you, will ever cher
ish their m Their devotion to
duty sets a high example of courage
and patriotism to our fellow country
men. All who have participated in the
compaign, battle and siege of Santiago
de Cuba will recall with pride the
grand deeds accomplished, and will
hold n another dear for having
shared great sufferings, hardships and
triumphs together. All may feel proud
to inscribe on their banners the name
Of Santiago de Cuba.
"By command Of Major General
Shafter.
"E. T. M'CLERNARD,
Assistant Adjutant General
A Kansas volunteer wrote home the