Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-08-23

ment entirely unique IN the ANIMALS OF
warfare was cabled tonight TO the
war department by General Shafter.
it is in the form of congratula-
tory farewell address issued TO the
soldiers of the American army by Pc
dro Lopez De Castillo, a private
Spanish soldier, On behalf of the H.
QUO spanish soldiers at Santiago.
No similar document perhaps was
ever before issued to a victorious
army by a vanquished enemy.
The President was much impressed
by the address and after reading it
carefully, authorized its publication.
Following is the text OF the address
as cabled by General Shafter:
Santiago, August %, 1898.
H. c. Corbin, Adjutant General U. ).
Army, Washington.
The following letter has just been
received from the soldiers now en-
barking for Spain:
ITO Major General Shafter, COM
handing the American army IN
Cuba:
"sir:-The Spanish soldiers who
caDitulated in this place on the 10Th
of July last, recognizing your high
and just position, pray that through
you all the courageous and noble SOL
diers under your command may re-
ceive our good wishes and farewell,
which we send them on embarking
for our beloved Spain. For this fav-
or, which we have no doubt you will
grant, you will gain the everlasting
gratitude and consideration of eleven
thousand Spanish soldiers who are
your most humble servants.
(Signed)
Pedro Lopez De Castillo,
Private of Infantry"
Also the following letter addressed
to the soldiers Of the American army:
Soldiers OF the American army; We
would not be fulfilling our duty as
well born men, in whose breasts there
live gratitude and courtesy, should we
embark for our beloved Spain without
sending to you our most cordial and
sincere good wishes and farewell. We
fought you with ardOr with all our
strength, endeavOring to gain the vic
tory, but without the slightest rancor
or hate towards the American nation.
We have been vanquished by you $50
our generals and chiefs Judged IN
signing the capitulation), but our sur
render and the bloody battles proceed
ing it have left In our souls no place
for resentment against the men who
fought us nobly and valiantlv. You
fought and acted IN compliance with
the same call of duty as we, for we all
but represent the power of our respec-
tive States. You fought US as men face
to face and with great courage as has
been stated a quality which we had
not met with during the three years we
have carried On this war against poo
ple without religion, without mora!s.
without conscience and Of doubtful or
igin. who could not confront the en-
emy. but hidden, shot their noble vic
tins from ambush and then immedi-
atelv fed This was the kind OF war
fare we had TO sustain i'll this unfor-
tunate land.
"You have complied with all the
laws and usages of war as recognized
by armies Of the most civilized nations
of the world; have given honorable
burial to the dead Of the vanqulshed;
have cured their wounded with great
humanity: have respected and cared
for your prisoners and their comfort;
lastly. to rs. whose condition was ter
rible, you have given freely of food
of YOUR stock of medicines, and you
have honored us with distinction and
courtesy for after the fighting the
two armies mingled with the utmost
harmony. With this high sentiment
Of appreciation from us all, there re-
mains but to express our farewell, and
with the greatest sincerity we wish
you all happiness and health In this
land which will no longer belong TO
our dear Spain. but will be yours. who
have conquered it by force and watered
it with your blood, as your conscience
called for, under the demand Of civil
ization and humanity. But the de-
scendants Of the Congo and Guinea
mingled with the blood OF unscrupu-
lolis Spaniards and of traitors and ad-
venturers, these people are not able
to exercise or enjoy their liberty, for
they will find it q burden to comply
with the laws which govern civilized
communities. From 1000 Spanish
soldiers.
(Siened)
" PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO,
Soldier of Infantry.
Santiago de Cuba. August q, 1898"
(Signed) SHAFTER,
Major General.