New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-12-09
ELEVENTH CORPS REUNION.
GENERAL SHAFIER TELLS UNION VET
ERANS OF SANTIAGO

SAYS THE sUFFERINGs OF THE CIVIL WAR WERE
FAR GREATER AND THAT ONLY voLUN
TIERS IN CUBA COMPLAINED.
The Eleventh Army Corps. the Dutch Corps" as
1t was called In the Civil War; held It's annual din
ner at the Fifth Avenue Hotel last night. About
hundred veterans were present and presided
over by Colonel Augustus c. Hamlin. the president
Of the association. With him at the cross table
were MajorGeneral William r. Shafter. General
John T. RuGGles. General o. Smith. General
Horato C. King and General Egbert l.. Vele
while among the others present were General Carl
schurz General J. T. Lockman. Giovanni Branch.
Italian Consul-General; General l.. +. d Cesnola.
General Joseph Smith. General Wagner. Of Phla-
delphia; Colonel John J. McCook Colonel McNutt.
General Thomas Wilson and General George Won
Schock
The opening remarks Of Colonel Smith were ex-
tremey brief and were devoted mostly to reading
letters OF regret from prominent persons who were
invited 10 be present He then introduced as the
first speaker % the evening General Smith. the
president of the Association Of the Army OF the
Potomac. 1t undeniabe General Smith said.
that the Eleventh Army Corps had been regarded
as somewhat under a cloud. But he went on TO
point out that when the history OF the operations
OF this corps had been studied and developed II
would be found that the standing Of the corps
would be materially changed. Like every other
the history of the body came to be written credit
must necessarily be given to 1t for heroic deeds.
and for the fact also that on more than one
occasion it saved other parts OF the Army from
destruction
GENERAL SLATER ON SANTIAGO.
General Shafter, who was in full dress uniform,
spoke next, and for over half hour he enter
tained his listeners with a graphic and detailed
description Of the Santiago campaign. In comment
ing upon the fact that the Eleventh Corps had
perpetuated its existence by organization he
remarked that the officers and men who had served
In the attack upon Santiago had also formed an
association. which would tend to perpetuate their
achievements. Proceeding he dwelt upon the earlier
arrangements for dispatching army to Cuba
and upon the landing OF his command near to the
entrance Of Santiago IIarbor.
II told to go there and assist the united
feet to capture Santiago. and II Is a matter OF
history, said the General, amid cheers, that that
was accomplished. may say without egotism. In
a remarkably short space OF time / had as good
army ever organized in America. and 10
the perfection Of that army In It's skill drill and
discipline due the quick termination OF that
campaign"
General Shafter spoke highly OF the system In the
United States service which produced such efficient
marksmen because OF the inducements offered TO
soldiers TO make good records at the practices. He
condemned the use Of black powder in modern war
fare and stated that the of the list Volunteers
ordered out of the trenches because the smoke
from the black powder drew upon the American
forces the fire Of the enemy. General Shafter went
on to describe the assault upon Santiago. Know
ing the climatic conditions which he had to
counter. he decided upon rushing his men at the
outset to the utmost OF their physical capacity. he
said. and II the result Of that polio. that
brought about quickly the fall Of the Cuban city
ANSWER TO SOME COMPLAINTS.
There has been lot OF talk" General shafter
continued. about shorness OF food and Of want
OF necessary accommodations In Cuba. man
woul1 be- IDIOT to derry that there was al times
a lack Of food and a lot OF suffering. but there il
not man here who went through the Civil War
who not frequently more hungry than were tho
men at Santiago II seems 10 me that In those
days there were not the complaints that we hear
row. although the tribvlatiOns were az great In
the army under me from the first to the last. there
was not complaint made by any member. Off
Ger or private. Of the Regulars But some OF the
volunteers who had not been away from their
mothers long. felt that II was hard lines. and I'M
doubtcdly II was hard lines. In some parts OF the
campaign II trying time, more trying per
haps than we have ever heard OF before.
General Shafter closed by asserting that. despite
various reports. there had been no differences be-
tween the general regimentdl OfilcerS under him
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