The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-07-25
SHAFTRR'S TRIBUTE
4. 4 .Aa 49, =
70 the Brave Men Whose valor
Conquered Santiago.
THEIR REMARKABLE roRr1TuDf

The Commanding General Dsclarea
That the Bravery Of the Troops Of His
Command Have Been Rivaled Upon
But Few Occasions In History.
Santiago de Cuba, July 2b.-Foilowins
is Major General Skaters order lust
published:
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 In 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 but few occasions In
the worlds history. ''-.' ~.
Landing upon an unknown coast,
you faced dangers in disembarkIne
and overcame obstacles that, even in
looking back, seem insurmountable.
SEEING, with the assistance of the
navy, the towns Of Baiquiri and Sib-
oney. you pushed boldly forth, gal
lantly driving back the enemys out
post In the engagement Of La QuasIna,
and completed the concentration OF the
enemy near Sevilla within sight Of the
Spanish stronghold at Santiago de
Cuba The outlook from Sevilla was
one that might have appalled, the
stoutest heart. Behind you ran a mar
row road, made well nigh impossible
by rains, while to the front you looked
out upon high foothills covered with a
dense tropical growth, which could
only be traversed by bride paths ter
minating within range of the enemys
guns.
Nothing daunted, 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
N>A'o ctioh6Nst lllHlCUl-
ately surrounding the city.
despite the fierce glare of south
crn sun and rains that fell in torrents,
you valiantly withstood his attempts
to drive you from the position your
valor had won. Holding in your vice
like grip the army opposed to you,
after II days of battle and siege you
were rewarded by the surrender of
nearly $4,000 prisoners, 1000 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 Spanish
troops.
This was not done without great
sacrifices. The death of 230 gallant
soldiers and the wounding of 1924
others shows but too plainly the fierce
contest In which you were engaged.
The few reported missing are un-
among the dead, as no pris-
oners were lost.
For those who have fallen in battle
with you, the commanding general
'orrows and, with you, will ever cher
sh their memory. Their devotion to
iuty sets a high example of courage
md patriotism to our fellow country
men. All who have participated In the
battle and siege of Santiago
lie Cuba, will recall with pride the
rand deeds accomplished, and will
old one another dear for having
hared in the suffering. hardships and
riumphs together, All may well feel
roud to inscribe on their banners the
ane of Santiago de Cuba"