Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-07-21


advantage. Our lines had been ex-
tended until Santiago was nearly sur
rounded and our light batteries had
been so posted as to be able do more
effective work, and in addition ar
engagements had been made to land.
troops at Cabanas, the western en-
trance Of the harbor of Santiago. The
Spanish batteries opposite Moro
castle were to be bombarded and
stormed. Their guns would then be
turned upon the city and Lawton' 5
division at the same time was to fall
on the enemy's left flank under cover
Of our artillery fire. We could then
have enf1Iaded their lines and driven
them into the city. TCral must have
realized that he was trapped and that
to hold out longer must mean a. use
less sacrifice Of his men; but he made
one last effort to gain more Tina this
morning. While nominally yielding
TO the terms Shafter proposed. before
8 o'clock he sent a communication to
ohafter enclosing a copy Of a telegram
from Captain Blanco, explaining that
! the surrender Of such an i'm
portant position as Santiago and
the abandonment of the eastern
part Of Cuba would require the direct
sanction Of Madrid. At the same
time Blanco authorized Toral, if
| agreeable to the American general. to
! apolpnt commissioners on each side to
arrange terms of the eapitulation OF
the forces under his command on con-
dltlon of their parole and transporta-
ton to Spain, pending the sanction of
Madrid. He also communicated the
/ names of the commissioners he had
| selected, namely, Robert Mason, Brit
/ ish vice consul; Gen. Toral's chief of
stan, Col. Fontaine; and Gen. Esca-
, raJa. The communication was so
ambiguous that all might be upset by
| the refusal Of Madrid to sanction the
terms agreed to by the commissioners
and Shafter resolved to have all am
biguity removed before proceeding
| further.
| At Il o'clock he mounted his horse
and with Miles and staff rode to the
front. At WheeIer's HEADQUARTERS
Shafter, Miles, Col. Maus and an inter
prefer left the retinue and passed on
| over our trenches with a flag of truce
TO the mango tree under which the
! interviews OF yesterday were held.
! hey were soon Joined by Gen. Toral,
his staff and two Of the commission
! ers appointed by him. Miles took NJ
! part IN the negotiations. He has been
careful since his arrival here not TO
! assume direction Of affairs or detract
from the glory of Shafter. Shafter
! demanded that the commissioners
! have full control Toral acceded to
; this, explaining that since the last
| communication he had received au-
thority from Blanco to do so. This
being the main point, the interview
soon concluded. Before parting
Shafter cOmplimented Toral highly
upon the skill and gallantry of his
/ resistance. Upon returning to
! Wheeler's headquarters the complete
victory was communicated to Lawton
and the brigade commanders. A
scene Of great rejoicing followed.
Shafter Immediately appointed Gen.
! Wheeler, Gen Lawton and Capt
Miley to be commissioners on his be-
halt 10 treat with those appointed by
TOral. He then issued orders to per-
nit our troops to retire from the
trenches, but absolutely forbade
anyone, soldier Or civilian, from 60
ing into the Spanish lines.
The refugees are to be permitted To
retire to their homes, but the troops
and Cuban auxiliaries are not to be
| permitted to enter the city at pres
ent. The order as TO the Cubans was
very specific. They have shown a
| disposition to loot everything and any
! place, but they will not have the
! privilege of Cutting their appetites for
! plumber in Santiago. A guard is be-
! ing maintained about the city and the
! camps of our soldiers are to be re-
moved just to the front or to the rear
! Of our lines as in each case is most
practicable. The change Of camp
! sites will undoubtedly improve the
! health of the troops. The whole pur-
pose of the American commander is to
| protect the health Of the army and es-
! pecially from yellow fever. It is
claimed there is no fever in Santiago.
/ but the city is full of filth and stencil
and if our men are allowed to go in it
will undoubtedly become a pest hole.
The boys in the trenches were ig-
! nOrant Of the outcome of the negotia-
tions until heavy luncheon of coffee,
! bareback and corned beef was received.
! Then Gen. Shafter appointed Col.
! Aston and Capt. McKittrey to convey
the welcome tidings along the lines
! Some Of the officers began celebrating
F., the victory with bands and noisy dem
0nstrations. Shafter said, however,
there was no occasion to humiliate the
even cheering was permitted, but be-
fore Col. Aston and Capt. McKittery
could warn the soldiers the latter
broke out in wild hurrahs, some
! danced about, threw their hats into
the air, Rugged each other, and con-
graduated themselves upon the pros
pect Of getting out of Cuba in few
days.
Gen. Shafter instructed the commits
sioners that the inside harbor en-
trance must be Immediately opened to
allow Clara Barton and the Red Cross
society and her supply ships to enter
and that the railroad from Siboney
must be opened for similar purpose.
We are to supply the Spanish pris-
oners with food pending their con-
centration and embarkation. ToraI