The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-08-23
A vANaUIsHED soLDIERs ADIos.
Unique Addresses From Soldiers of
spain to the Victorious Americans.

spain 10 tMe "
Washington, Aug. GA document en-
tirely unique III the annals of warfare was
cabled to-day to the war department by
Cen Shafter. 1t Is in the form of a con-
gratulatory farewell address issued to the
soldiers of the American army by Pedro
Lopez de Castillo a private Spanish SOL
der, on behalf of 11,OO0 Spanish soldiers.
No similar documents was, perhaps, ever
issued before to a victorious army by a
vanquished enemy
The President was much impressed by
the addressed. and, after reading It care
fully, authorized its publication. Follow
ing is the text of the address as cabled
by Gen. shafter:
Santiago, Aug. %. 1851 c. Corbin
Adjutant General Washington: The fol-
lowing letter has just been received fnom
the soldiers now embarking for Spain:
" TO Maj. Gen. Shafter, Commanding
the American Army in Cuba; Sir-The
Spanish soldiers who capitulated in this
place on the 10th of July last, recognizing
your high and just position. pray that
through you all the courageous and noble
soldiers under your command may receive
our good wishes and farewell, which We
send them on embarking for our beloved
Spain. For this favor which we have no
doubt you will grant, you will gain the
everlasting gratitude and consideration of
11,OC0 Spanish soldiers, who are your most
humble servants
81 Pedro Lopez de Castillo,
Private of Infantry
"Also the following letter, addressed TO
soldiers of the American army:
" Soldiers of the American Army
We would not be fulfilling our duty as
well-born men in whose breasts there live
gratitude and courtesy, should we embark
for our beloved Spain without sending to
you our most cordial and sincere good
wishes and farewell. We fought you with
ardor, with al our strength, endeavorng
to gain the victory, but without the slight
est rancor of hate toward the Americans.
| We have been vanquished by you $50 our
generals and chiefs judged signing the
capitulaton), but our surrender and the
bloody battles preceding 1t have left in our
souls fN place for resentment against the
men who fought so nohly and valiantly.
You fought and acted in compliance with
the same call of duty as we, for we all
but represent the power of our respective
states.
You fought US as men, face to face, and
with great courage, as before stated, a
| quality which we had not met with dur
ing the three years we have carried on
]
gion, without morals. without conscience,
! and of doubtful origin. who could not
confront the enemy, but hidden, shot their
noble victims from ambush and then inn
/ mediately fed. This was the kind of war;
| fare we had 10 sustain In this unfortunate
/ land. You have complied exactly with all
! the laws and usages Of war as recognized
! by the armies of the most civilized nations
! Of the world; have given honorable burial
/ to the dead of the vanqulshed; have cured
their wounded with great humanity; have
! respected and cared for your prisoners
! and their comfort, and lastly, to us
whose condition was terrible, you have
! given freely offered OF your stock of med
icines and you have fully honored us with
| distinction and courtesy for after
/ the fighting the two armies
mingled with the utmost harmony. with
| this high sentiment of app recitation from
US all there remains but to express our
! farewell, and with the greatest sincerely
we wish you all happiness and health In
/ this land which win no longer belong to
our dear Spain, but win be yours, who
/ have conquered it by force and watered Il
/ with your blood, as your conscience call
| ed for, under the demand Of civilization
| and humanity, but the descendants of the
| Congo and. the Guinea mingled with the
! blood of uhscrupulous Spaniards and OF
| traitors and adventures these people are
! not able 10 enjoy their liberty, for they
| will find it a burden to comply with the
/ laws which govern civilized communities
From 11,000 Spanish soldiers.
Pedro Lopez de Castillo,
Soldier of Infantry
Santiago de Cuba, Aug q, 1893.
''Shafter, Major General