The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1898-07-15
IN OCCASION OF GREAT JOY.
Heroes of the Merrimac Re-
ceiye Ovation From Waiting
FPiends-Details Of the
Interesting Event.

An Associated Press dispatch from
of uruguay states that Assistant
Naval Constructor Richmond p. Hob
son, of the flagship New York, and the
seven seamen who, with him, sailed
the collier Merrimac into the channel
Of the harbor Of Santiago de Cuba on
June Sd last, and sunk her there, we're
surrendered by the Spanish military
authorities Thursday in exchange for
prisoners captured by the American
forces.
Hobson and his men were escorted
through the American lines by Cap
tain Chadwick, Of the New York, who
was awaiting them.
Every step of their Journey was
marked by the widest demonstration
on the part Of the American soldiers,
who threw aside all semblance of or
der, scrambled out of the entrench-
ments, knocked over tent guys and
other camp paraphernalia in their
eagerness to see the returning heroes,
and sent up cheer after cheer for the
men who had passed safely through
the jaws of death to serve their coun-
try.
The same scenes Of enthusiasm were
repeated upon the arrival of the men
at the hospital station, and at our base
at Jauragua. Hobson. who reached
there in advance of his companions,
was taken on board the New York i'm
mediately The fagship's decks we're
lined with officers and men and as
Hobson clambered up her side and
stepped on board his vessel, the har-
Dor rang with the shouts and cheers of
his comrades, which were re-echoed by
the crews of the dozen transports ly-
ing near by.
Hobson declined to say anything
with regard to the Merrimac on the
ground that he intended to submit @
complete report to Admiral Sampson
on the subject and that it would be
outside the line of his duty to say any.
thing about the sinking of the Merri-
mac until after he had made such re-
port, or at least had had an opportu-
nifty to consult the admiral.
The Spanish authorities consented
Wednesday morning to exchange Hob
son and his men and truce was etab
'lished for that purpose. The place
selected for the exchange was under 8
tree between the American and Span
ish lines, two-thirds of mile beyond
the Entertainments occupied by Colo
mel Woods Rough Riders, near Genera
Wheeler's headquarters, and in the
American line.
The American prisoners left the
Reina Mercedes hospital, on the out
skirts Of Santiago, where they had
been confined, at 2:45 Thursday after
noon, in charge Of Major Irles, Span
ish staff officer, vino speaks Englisl
perfectly.
The prisoners were conducted t,
the meeting place on foot, but wer
not blindfoded. Colonel John Jacol
Astor and Lieutenant Miley, accom-
panied by Interpreter Maestro, wer
in charge Of the Spanish prisoners
These consisted of Lieutenant Amell
Volez aud Aurelius, German, be
longing to the Twenty-ninth regula
infantry, who were captured at I
Caney on Friday last, and Lieutenar
Adolo Aries, Of the First provisions
regiment of Barcelona, one Of th
most aristocratic military organization
of the Spanish army, and IA non-con
missioned officers and priyates.
Lieutenant Aries and number {
the men were wounded in the fight I
Ell Caney. The Spanish prisoner
were taken through the American line
mounted and blindfolded.
The meeting between Colonel Astc
and Major Irles was extremely court
Gus but very formal, and no atteml
was made by either of them to discu
anything but the matter in hand
Major Tries was given his choice
three Spanish lieutenants in exchang
for Hobson, and was also informt
that he could have all of the fourtet
men in exchange for the Americl
sailors. The Spanish officers seleets
Lieutenant Aries, and the other tv
Spanish officers were conducted bac
to Juragua.