Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1898-07-08

either of them to DISCUSS anything but the
matter in hand.
Major Irles was given his choice of three
Spanish lieutenants in exchange for Hob
son, and was also informed that he could
have all of the fourteen men in exchange
for the American sailors. The Spanish Of
ficers selected Lieutenant Aries, and the
other two Spanish officers We're conducted
back to Juragua.
1t was then not later than O'Clock and
just as everything was finished and the
two parties were separating Irles turned
and said, courteously enough, but in a
tone which indicated considerable defiance
and gave his hearers the impression that
he desired hostilities to be renewed at
once:
Our understanding is. gentlemen. that
this truce comes 10 an end at 5 O'Clock.
/, Colonel Astor looked at his watch, bowed
10 the Spanish officer, without making a
reply, and then started back slowly to
the American lines with Hobson and his
companions following.
The meeting OF the TWO parties and the
exchange of prisoners had taken place in
full view of both the American and Span
ish soldiers. who were intrenched near the
meeting place. and the keenest interest
was taken in the episode.
AS Hobson and the men of the Merrmac
approached the first line of intrenchments
occupied by the rough riders. low mur-
murs ran from one end of the line of cow
boys and Eastern athletes to the other. and
by the time the returning party reached
them every man was on his feet. refus-
ing to be restrained by the admonishing of
the officers, cheering wildly and rushing
over every obstacle that chanced 10 be in
their way, in their efforts to reach Hobson
and his party and grasp them by the hand.
The released prisoners We're soon sur
rounded and compelled 10 stop to receive
the greetings. congratulations and vigorous
heartfelt handshaking Of men they had
never. seen before. Sunburned cavalrymen
who had sat in saddles on the plains
of Arizona or other Western states or ter
fitories, and who did not know the diff
ference between ships maintop, bige or
keel threw their arms around the sailor
boys and literally dragged them over the
1ntrenchments, all the time sending out
y'ells that, under other circumstances,
would have struck terror TO hearts even as
No mountain fastness of the West ever re-
sounded with shouts from an Indian war
dance that equaed the wild outbreaks of
American spirit that occurred at this meet
ing of the sailors who did their duty with
every Spanish gun in the harbor trained
upon them and The hardy men, who, from
the day of their arrival on the island of
Cuba, have fought their way over the
bodies of their own dead and wounded to
the very gates of the city that they will
gladly storm again when ordered to do so.
The Seventy-first New York volunteers,
near the rough riders, were the next to
fall on Hobson and his men, and almost i'm
mediately the Ninth and Tenth cavalry.
both coiored regiments, both joined in the
enthusiasm, and cheer after cheer arose
as Hobson and his companions forced their
way through the lines of white and color
ed soldiers
Hobson so far as possible, grasped each
hand extended toward him, and neither he
nor his men made any protest against the
most uncomfortable crowding and jostling
which they had to undergo.
If the young officer, whose home is in
Alabama. has any race prejudice, he GER
tainly forgot all about II as. he passed
through the lines of soldiers on his way
to General Wheeler's headquarters. He
saw ii was the uniform of the United
States, and he cared not for the color of
its wearers, grasping the hands Of the
ebony-hued troopers OF the Ninth and
Tenth cavalry, and expressing his thanks
for the patriotic welcome with as much
heartiness as he displayed toward mem of
his own race. He and all his men were
completely overcome by the reception ac-
corded them. and tears rolled down, their
cheeks as the soldiers crowded around
them.
As Hobson and his party approached
Captain Grimes battery, the men cried out
on every side to have a salute fired In their
honor. Hobson protested against this i'm
mediately. and shouted to the artillery
men. who had also caught the infection,
not to fire their guns. Some of the most
enthusiastic OF the men appealed to Colo
mel John Jacob Astor, and the latter en-
tered into the spirit of the occasion and
told the men they need not obey Hobson's
orders. as he was only a lieutenant. But
the officers of the battery prevented the
men from firing the guns. as the Spaniards
might have mistaken the reports for the
opening of an attack, and If the latter had
responded our soldiers were in no position,
in their state of disorder and enthusiasm.
for an engagement.
Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson final
ly reached General Wheeler's headquarters.
where the veteran cavalryman and other
officers gave him a warm welcome. BY
this time Captain Chadwick. of the New
York, and the naval escort from the flag
ship had reached Hobson and his men, and
they were the first persons, with whom the
rescued prisoners had any previous ac-
quaintance. whom they had met since they
entered Santiago harbor on their perilous
mission. Captain Chadwick and all the 9TH
ers took each man by the hand and eN-
tended the heartiest greeting.
The escort had brought a change of cloth
ing including new uniforms for Hobson and
his men. and the latter were given a short
respite while they changed their apparel
Hobson was also given n horse to ride
over the trail TO Juragua. and his men were
placed in an army ambulance.
Before leaving for the sea coast Hobsor
was taken TO General Skaters head
manding general.
The correspondent of the Associated
Press asked Hobson for an interview and
statement as 10 his experiences on the
memorable night when he took the col
lier Merrimac into Santiago harbor. He de-
clined to say anything with regard to the
Merrimac, on the ground that he intended
10 submit a complete report to Admiral
Sampson on the subject. and that II would
be outside the line of his duty TO say any.
thing about the sinking of the Merrimac
until after he had made such a report OF
at least had had an opportunity to con.
suit the admiral.
He could not be Induced to say anything
on the subject but with regard to his ex.
periences as Il prisoner of war in San.
1iago he said:
During the first four days We We're pris.
oners OF war We were confined in MorrC