Evening star., 1898-08-08


city of Santiago de Cuba will begin this
evening or tomorrow morning l inclose
you revised chart showing position of the
American and Spanish lines. I will COM
munfcate to you later in the day the exact
hGur when the firing should begin, and it
is respectfully requested that you be ready
to begin at pm. today The falling OF
the first shell will be observed and the re-
suits communicated to you by signal. 1t
would be very disastrous for the morale of
my men to have any of the shell fall near
them, and l think it would be better, at
first, to put your shCt in the westward
part of the city near the bay.
''W. R. SHAFTER
Major General, L. S. v"
Dated (0
Il desire you to begin firing upon San
tiago de Cuba as near pm. today as pos
ble.
"W R. sHAFTER, Major General"
Dated Sibouney, July 8, headquarters 9Th
Army Corps:
"Messages l sent you yesterday and to-
day have apparently been received by you.
l have just asked that you commence fir
ing on Santiago at pm, and sent you this
morning our latest map of position.
Can you begin bomba rdment tomorrow
morning? If you can, please 90 so and con-
tinue it a. arranged with Capt. Chadwick.
''SHAFTER, Major General"
On the morning of the 9th the navy's po-
sltlon was taken up close in to the beach at
AGuaderoS, when the BROOKLYN and Indiana
continued the bombardment of Santiago
from 9:27 a. m. until 1 pm, at which hour
II was requested by Gen. Shafter that it
should cease.
On July u a report was sent in from the
army as to the fall of SHE'LL showing that
the fire had been very effective, and that
several fires had started in the city, and
nearly all the shell fell within the city
limits.
The following correspondence then took
place:
headquarters 9TH Army Corps, July II.
"Commander-n-Ch Chief,
North Atlantic Squadron:
My lines are now complete to the bay
north of Santiago. Your shots can be OBJ
served from there perfectly, at least those
that fall in the town. Flames followed sew
eral shots fired today, but seemed to be
quickly extinguished. A number of shots
fell in the bay close to a small gunboat
lying near the shore. At present they are
considering a demand for unconditional
surrender. l will notify you of the result.
L think it advisable to put in some heavy
shots. say ten to thirteen inches, tomorrow,
and see if we canno, start a fire. Be care
full not to shoot beyond the town, as my
troops are within one and one-half miles
of it, and you will be firing directly toward
US. SHAFTER, Major General
Sampson Ready.
Admiral Sampson notified Gen. Shafter
the 18th that he proposed to begin the
bombardmelt next morning with thirteen
inch shell. The Oregon, Massachusetts and
Indiana were promptly on hand on the
morning of the 18TH prepared to fire.
On the evening of the 18th. however, Gen.
Shafter sent the following kilograms to
Admiral Sampson:
SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 12
truce exists and negotiations are now
pending with the Spanish comma nder: all
firing must be discontinued during the ces-
sation of hostilisies. Due notice of the
commencement will be given you.
''SHAFTER, Maj. Gem
HEADQUARTERS NEAR SANTIAGO.
July Il.
"A truce now exists and will probably
continue all day tomorrow, the 18th.
"SHAFTER, Maj. Cen
July 13, 1893.
ITO Gen. Shafter: am now prepared to
shell the city of Santiago with three Of my
largest inronclads with thirteen-inch pro-
lectlles; can commence at short notice
VIII wait your signal"
The foregoing clearly shows that the
navy was in active cooperation with the
army up TO the very moment of the surrer-
der, of which notice was given and only
awaited signal for bombardment. This was
not given, however, Shafter telegraphing
at l o'clock on the 14th:
Apparently there is every prosDect of
evacuation. 1 will inform you earliest |
practicapie moment. SKATER"
Meanwhile all operations had been com |
pleted on the part of the navy in case the |
enemy failed to come to terms, for counter |
II lining.
At 2:30 o'clock on the same dav General |
Miles telegraphed Admiral Sampson ti,at |
the enemy had surrendered Admiral |
sampson mad on the previous day informed |
Cen Shafter that he desired to be repre- |
sented in the negotiations for surrender.
as II was the result of the combined forces. |