The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-07-18
OUR FLAG Up.
The Stars and Stripes at San
tiagO
Floats Above the Palace of the
Governor.
THRILLING CEREMONY
Was Witnessed by a Vast Con-
course of People.
It Took Place Exactly at IL
O'Clock.
THE CAPRON BATTERY
Fired a Salute of Twenty-One
Guns.
Bands Played orally Round
the Flag"
Was Witnessed by a Vast Con
course of People.
1t Took Place Exactly at IL
O'Clock.
THE CAPRON BATTERY
Fired Salute of Twenty-One
Guns.
Bands Played orally Round
the Flag

Santiago de Cuba, July 1S.-The
American flag is floating in triumph
over the governors palace at Santiago
de Cuba. General McKibben has been
appointed temporary military governor.
The ceremony of hosting the stars
and stripes was worth all the blood and
treasure it cost. "A vast concourse of
10000 people witnessed the stirring and
thrilling scene that will live forever in
the minds of all the Americans present.
A finer stage setting for a dramatic
episode it would be difficult to imagine.
The palace, a picturesque old dwelling
in the Moorish style of architecture,
faces the Plaza de la Reina, the prin-
cipal public square. Opposite rises the
imposing Catholic cathedral. On one
side is a quaint. brilliantly painted
building, with broad verandas-the club
of san Carlos-on the other a building
of the same description is the Cafe de
la Venus.
Across the plaza was drawn up the
Ninth infantry, headed by the Sixth
cavalry band. In the street facing the
palace stood a picked troop of the Sec
ond cavalry, with drawn sabres, under
command of Captain Brett Massed on
the stone tagging between the band
and the line of horsemen were the bri-
gade commanders of General Skaters
division, with their stats.
On the red-tiled roof of the palace
stood Captain NIcKittrick, Lieutenant
Miley and Lieutenant Wheeler, immed-
lately above them, upon the flagstaff.
the Illuminated Spanish arms and the
legend, Viva Alfonso XIII" All about.
pressing against the veranda, crowding
to windows and doors and lining the
roofs, were the people of the town. prin-
cipally women and non-combatants AS
the chimes of the old cathedral rang
out the hours of II, the infantry and
cavalry presented arms. Every Ameri-
can uncovered, and Captain McKittrick
hoisted the stars and stripes. AS the
brilliant folds unfurled in a gentle
breeze against a feckless sky, the cav
airy band broke into the strains of THE
Star Spangled Banner" making the
American pulse leap and the American
heart thrill with joy.
At the same instant the sound of dis
tant booming of Captain Capron's bat
terry, firing a salute of twenty-one guns,
drifted in When the music ceased,
from all directions around our line
came floating across the plaza the
strains of the regimental bands and the
mufhed, hoarse cheers of our troops
The infantry came to order arms a
moment later after the flag was up.
and the band played Rally Round the
Flag Boys" Instantly General McKib-
ben called for three cheers for General
Shafter, which were given with great
enthusiasm, the band playing Sousa's
''The Stars and Stripes Forever"
The ceremony over, General Shafter
and his staff returned to the American
lines, leaving the city in the possession
of the municipal authorities subject TO
the control of General McKibben.
Amid impressive ceremonies the
spanish troops laid down their arms
betWeen the lines of the Spanish and
American forces.
General Shafter and the American
division and brigade commanders and
their staffs were escorted by a troop
of cavalry and General ToraI and his
staff by 100 picked men
flourishes.
General Shafter returned to General
ToraI the latter's sword after it had
been handed to the American com
mander.
Our troops. lined up at the trenches.
We're eyewitnesses of the ceremony
General Shafter and his escort. accom-
panied by General ToraI. rode through
the city, taking formal possession.
The city had been sacked before they
arrived by the Spaniards.
Sbafter Sends the News.
Washington, July 18.-The war de-
partment posted the following buI1etin
at Sis p. m. yesterday evening:
Santiago de Cuba, July l7-Adiu+an+
United States Army, WashfnetOT1.
have the honor to, announce that the |
American flag has been this instant -
o'clock, noon, hoisted over the ho1se
of the civil government in the citv of |
Santiago. An immense concourse of |
people present. A squadron of cavalry
and a regiment of infantry presentiner
arms and band playing national air
Light battery fired salute of twenty |
one guns Perfect order is being main |
tained by municipal government. Dis
tress is very great, but little sickness
in town. Scarcely any yellow fever. A
small gunbOat and about 200 seamen |
left by Cerveras have surrendered to |