The Owosso times., 1898-12-09

MILES AT PORTO RICO.


Of war. however rightfui the cause or sis-
nal the victory.
MILES AT PORTO RICO.
A Brief History Of the Expedition
to That Island.
With the fall of Santiago. the occupation
Of Porto Rico became the next strategic
necessity. Gen. Miles had previously been
assigned to organize an expedition for that
purpose. Fortunately he was already at
Santiago. where he had arrived on the 11th
Skaters army. With these troops, consists
ing Of s.l16 infantry and artillery. two COM
the signal corps. Gen. Miles left Guantana-
voyed by the feet under Capt. Higginson.
Golumba and Yale the two
entered with little opposition. Here. the
Wssp wh. Is. y ns
went to San Juan and Joined the New Or
leans, which was engaged in blockading
Was pSu6 pSu6seansntiy rssenfors.d by GEM
schwann's Brigade Of the Third army
corps. by Gen. Wilson, with part Of his
part Of his corps. numbering in all ie,s7s OF:
Ponce, one Of the most Important ports in
rected operations for the capture Of the
with the exception of encounters with
the enemy at Guayama, Hermiguerez.
Coamo and Yauco, and an attack on q force
landed at Cape San Juan, there was no Sc
rious. resistance. The campaign was prose-
cuted with great vigor, and by the 18th or
August much of the island was in our pos
session and the acquisition of the remainder
was only matter of a short time. At
most of the points in the island our troops
were enthusiastically welcomed. Protesta-
tions of loyalty to the flag and gratitude for
delivery from Spanish rule met our COM
huence toward peace, the outcome of the
Porto Rican expedition was of great con-
sequence, and generous commendation Is
due to those who participated in 1t.
Fall of Manila.
The last scene of the war was enacted at
Manila, its starting place. On August Is,
after brief assault upon the works by the
land forces, in which the squadron assisted,
the capital surrendered Internationally.
The casualties were comparatively few.
BY this conquest of the Philippine islands,
virtually accomplished when the Spanish
capacity for resistance was destroyed by
Admiral Dewey's victory of the 1st of
May, was formally sealed. To Gen. Mer-
ritt, his officers and men for their uncom-
lantry In action, the nation Is sincerely
grateful. Their long voyage was made
with singular success, and the soldierly
conduct of the men, most OF whom were
without previous experience in the military
service, deserves unmeasured praise.
Our Losses.
The total casualties in Killed and wounded
In the army during the war was as follows:
Officers killed, %; enlisted men killed, 257;
total. ESQ; officers wounded, l13; enlisted
men wounded, l,464; total, 1877. OF the
navy: Killed, II; wounded, 81; died as result
total, o. 1t will he observed that while our
navy was engaged in two great battles and
In numerous perilous undertakings In the
" MI a I'D mn n nd v1nnr
than $4,000 of our troops were transported
TO distant lands and engaged In assault
and siege and battle and many slIirmishes
In unfamiliar territory, we lost in both
arms Of the service total of 1,66S killed and
wounded; and In the entire campaign by
land and sea we did not lose a gun or
flag or a transport or ship, and with the
exception OF the crew of the Merrimac, not
q soldier or sailor was taken prisoner.
Troops Return.
On August Z. 46 days from the date Of the
landing Of Gen. Skaters army in Cuba,
and q days from the surrender of Santiago,
the United States troops commenced en-
barkation for home and our entire force
was returned to the United States as early
as August "a. They were absent from the
United States only two months
Tribute to Patriotism.
1t is fitting that should bear testimony
to the patriotism and devotion of that
eager to be ordered 10 ,he post of greatest
exposure, fortunately was not required out
side OF the United States. They did their
whole duty, and like their comrades at the
front, have earned the gratitude of the
nation. In like manner, the officers and
men of the army and of the navy who re-
mained In their departments and stations
or the navy, performing most important
duties connected with the war, and whose
requests for assignment in the field and at
sea Ii was compelled to refuse because
their services were Indispensable here, are
entitled to the highest commentator. 1t
Is my regret that there see ms to be no pro-
vision for their suitable recognition.
Work of the Red Cross.
In this connection, II is a pleasure for
me to mention in terms of cordial appre-
citation the timely and useful work Of the
American National Red Cross, both in re-
lief measures preparato tory to the campaign,
In sanitary assistance at several Of the
camps of assemblage and later, under the
able and experienced leadership of the
president of the society, Miss Clara Bar
ton, on the fields of battle and in the hos
pitals at the front in Cuba. Working in
thorities and under their sanction and ap-
proval. and with the enthusiastic coopera-
tion OF many patriotic women and soci-
eties In the various states, the Red Cross
has fully maintained it's already high repu-
tation for. intense eagerness and ability to
exercise the noble purpose of its interna-
ttonal organization, thus justyfying the
confidence and support which II has re-
Pile. To the members and officers of this
society and all who aided them in their
work, the sincere and lasting
gratitude of the soldiers and the public is
due, and is freely accorded.
In tracing these events we are constantly
reminded of our obligations to the Divine
Master for His watchful care over us and
His safe guidance, for which the nation |
makes reverent Acknowledgement and of |
fers humble prayer for the continuance of |