Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1898-12-07

the Maria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo,
Nlzcaya and Cristobal Colon driven
ashore. The Spanish admiral and over
thirteen hundred men we're taken prison
ers, while the enemy's loss of life was de-
plorably large, some 600 perishing. On
our side but one man was killed, on the
brooklyn, and one man seriously wound
ed. Although our ships were apeatediy
struck, not one was seriously injured
where all so conspicuonsly distinguish
ed themselves, from the commanders to
the gunners and the unnamed heroes in
the boiier-rooms, each and all contribut-
ing toward the achievement of this as
founding victory, for which neither an
cient nor modern history affords a par
allel In the completeness of the event and
the marvellous disproportion of casualties.
1t would be invidious 10 single out any for
especial honor. Deserved promotion has
rewarded the more conspicuous actors
the nations profoundest gratitude is due
to all of those brave men who by their
skill and devotion in a few short hours
crushed the sea power of Spain and
wrought a triumph whose decisiveness
and far-reaching consequences can
scarcely be measured. Nor can 1re be un-
mindful of the achievements of OR build
ers, mechanics and artisans for their skill
in the construction of our warships.
With the catastrophe of Santiago
SPANS effort upon the ocean virtually
ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the
end of June to send her Mediterranean
fleet under Admiral Camara 10 relieve
Manila was abandoned, the expedition
being recalled after it had passed through
the Suez Canal.
Capitulation of santiago,
The capitulation of Santiago followed
The city was closely besieged by land,
while the entrance of our ships into the
harbor cut off all relief on that side.
After a truce to allow of the removal Of
non-combatants, protraeted negotiations
continued from July until July 15.
when, under menace of immediate as
sault, the preliminaries of su. lender were
agreed upon. On the 18th General Shat
ter occupied the city. The capitulation
embraced the entire eastern end of Cuba
The number of Spanish soldiers surren-
dered was $4,000, all of whom were sub
sequently conveyed to Spain at the
charge of the United States. The story
of this successful campaign is told in the
report of the Secretary of War, which
will be laid before you.
The individual valor of officers and sol
diers was never more strikingly shown
than in the several engagements leading
to the surrender of Santiago, while the
prompt movements and successive victor
les won instant and universal applause
70 those who gained this complete tri-
umph, which established the ascendency
of the United States upon land, as the
fight off Santiago had fixed our suprem-
acy on the seas, the earnest and lasting
gratitude of the nation is unsparingly
due. Nor should we alone remember the
gallantry of the living; the dead claim
our tears, and our losses by battle and
disease must cloud any exultation at the
result and teach us to weigh the awful
cost of war, however rightful the cause
or signal the victory,
Occupation of Porto Rico.
With the fall of Santiago, the occupa-
ton of Porto Rice became the next STRAIT
egic necessity. General Miles had pre-
viously been assigned to organize an ex-
pedition for that purpose. Fortunately,
he was already at Santiago, where he had
arrived the 18th of July, with REINFORCE
ments for General Skaters army, With
these troops, consisting of 3,415 infantry
and artillery, two companies of engineers
and one company of the signal corps,
General Miles left Guantanamo July q,
having nine transports conveyed by the
fleet under Captain Higginson, with the
Massachusetts (fagship), Dixie, Giouces-
carrying troops. The expedition landed
at Guanica July 25, which port was en-
tered with little opposition. The Major
General commanding was subsequently
REINFORCED by General Schwann's bri-
gade of the Third Army Corps, BY tsener-
al Wilson. with part Of HE d;wiE ...5Ss,
also by General Brooke, with a part of
his corps, numbering in all 16,973 officers
and men.
July 81 he entered Ponce one of the
most important ports of the island, from
which he thereafter directed operations
for the capture of the island.
With the exception of encounters with
the enemy at Guayama, Hermigueres,
Coamo and Yauco, aud an attack on
force landed at Cape San Juan, there
was no serious resistance. The campaign
was prosecuted with great vigor, and by
the 18th of August much of the island
was in our possession, and the acquisition
of the remainder was only matter of a
short time.
The last scene of the war was enacted
at Manila, its starting place. Aug. 10,
after q brief assault upon the works by
the land forces, in which the squadron
assisted, the capital surrendered uncon-
ditionally. The casualties were compara-
lively few. By this conquest of the Phil
ippine Islands, virtually accomplished
was destroyed by Admiral Dewey's vic
tory of the 1st of May, victory was for
mally sealed. To General Merritt, his Of
ficers and men, for their uncomplaining
and devoted services, for their gallantry
In action, the nation is sincerely grateful.
Their long voyage was made with singu
lar success, and the soldierly conduct of
the men, most of whom were without
previous experience in the military serv-
ice, deserves unmeasured praise.
Total Casualties of the War.
Ihe total casualties in killed and
wounded in the army during the war was
men killed, PSI; total, go; officers
wounded, 113; enlisted men wounded,
1,464; total, 1,517. OF the navy: Killed,
II: wounded, 81; died as result of
wounds, l; invalided from service, 6;
total, 81.
1t will be observed that while our navy
was engaged in two great battles and in
numerous perilous undertakings in block
ades and bombardment, and more than
fifty thousand of our troops were trans
ported to distant lands and engaged in
assault and siege and battle and many
skirmishes in unfamiliar territory, we
lost in both arms of the service total of
1,66S killed and wounded and in the en-
tire campaign by land and sea we did not
lose a gun or a hfg or transport ship,
and with the exception of the crew of the
Merrimac not soldier or sailor was
taken prisoner.
Aug. Z. forty-six days from the date of
the landing of General Skaters army in
Cuba. and twenty-one days from the sur
render of Santiago. the United States
troops commenced embarkation for home,
and our entire force was returned to the
United States as early as Aug. "a. They
were absent from the United States only
two months.
T@ -, toSfi-
mony to the patriotism and devotion of
that large portion of our army which, all
though eager to be ordered to the pc of
greatest exposure, was not required out
side of the United States. They did their
whole duty and earned the gratitude of
the nation. 1t is my regret that there
seems to be no provision for their suitable
recognition.
In this connection it is pleasure for
me to mention in terms of cordial appre-
citation the timely and useful work of the
american National Red Cross, both in re-
. EFF measures preparatory TO the cam
paigns, in sanitary assistance at several
of the camps of asserablage, and later,
under the able and experienced leader
ship of the President of the society, Miss
Clara Barton, un the fields of battle and
in the hospitals at the front in Cuba.
In tracing these ents we are con-
stantly reminded of our obligations TO the
Divine Master for His watchful care
over us and His safe guidance, for which
the nation makes reverent acknowledg-
ment and offers humble prayer for the
continuance of His favor.
The annihilation of Admiral Cervera's
fleet, followed by the eaptulation of San
tiago, having brought to the Spanish Gov
ernment realizing sense of the hope
lessness of continuing a struggle now be-
coming wholly unequal il made overtureS
of neace through the French ambassador.