Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-23
A REMARKABLE DOCUMENT.
CongratuIntory Farewell Address
from Spanish soldiers to Americans.

WASHINGTON, August "a docu-
ment entirely unique in the annals OK
warfare was cabled tonight 10 the War
Department by General Shafter. 1t is in
the form Of congratulatory farewell
| address, issued to the soldiers of the
American army by Pedro Lopez de Cas-
tillo, a private Spanish soldier, on behalf
Of 1900 Spanish soldiers. No similar doc
ument, perhaps, was ever before issued TO
a victorious by a vanquished enemy
The President was much impressed by
the address. and after reading II. ordered
its publication. Following is the text OF
the address, as cabled by General
Shafter:
Santiago, August %, 1898. III p NJ
II. c. Corbin, Adjutant- General. United
States Army, Washington: The following
has just been received from the soldiers
now embarking for Spain:
&" To Maior-General Shsfter. Command
ing the American Army in Cuba:
'Sir,-The Spanish soldiers who capitu-
lated in this place on the 10Th of july asst,
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 faTeW ell,
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 con-
sideration Of HOO Spanish soldiers, who
are your most humble servants.
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO,
Private of Infantry"
LETTER TO SOLDIERS.
"Also. the following letter addressed TO
the soldiers of the American army:
Soldiers Of the American army: We
would not be fulfilling our duty as we'll
born men, in whose breasts there lives
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 all our strength, en-
deavoring 10 gain the victory, but with
out the slightest rancor or hate toward
the American nation. We have been van
pushed by you $50 our generals and
chiefs judged in signing the capitulation),
but our surrender and the bloody battles
have left in our souls no place for re-
sentiment against the men who fought
so nobly 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 70 race,
and with great courage. as before stated.
a quality which we had not met with
during the three years we have carried
on this war against a people without reli-
gion. without morals, without conscience.
and Of doubtful origin. who could nos
confront the enemy but hidden. shot
their noble victims from ambush and
then Immediately He'd. This was the kind
Of warfare We had 20 sustain in this un-
fortunate land.
WAR on HIGH PLANE.
"You have complied exactly with all the \
laws and usages Of war as recognized by |
tho armies OF the most civilized nations |
Of the world; you have given honorable
burial 10 the dead Of the vanquished'
have cured their wounded with humani-
ty: have respected and cared for your
prisoners and their comfort and, lastly, !
10 us, whose condition was terrible, you
have given freely Of food, Of your stock !
u medicines. and you have honorad US
With distinction and courtesy, for after the
lighting the two armies mingled with
he utmost harmony.
with this high sentiment OF appre-
lation from US there remains but 10 ex-
lress our farewell, and with the greatest
incerity we wish you all happiness and
ealth in this land, which no longer be-
ongs to our dear Spain, but will be |
ours. You have conquered it by force, |
nd watered it with your blood, as your
onscience called for, under the demand !
{ civilization and humanity. but the de-
cendants OF the Congo and OF Guinea, |
Mingled with the blood OF INSCRIPTIONS J
paniards and Of traitors and adventur-
rs, the people. are not able 10 exercise
r enjoy their liberty. for they viii find
burden 10 comply with the laws
hitch govern civilized communities.
" From 1900 Spanish soldiers.
(Signed)
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO.
Soldier OF Infantry, Santiago de Cuba, !
1st OF August, 1913.
(SigneD "SHAFTER,
"Major-Geueral."