The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-09-15
obtained clearly indicate the intrepid
gallantry of our soldiers.

obtained clearly indicate the intrepid
gallantry of our soldiers.
1.-THE arrival of General Escario at
Santiago was not anticipated. General
Garcia, with between 1000 and 5000
Cubans. was intrusted with the duty
Of watching for and intercepting the
reinforcement expected. This, how
ever. he failed to do, and Escario pass
ed Into the city along on my extreme
right, near the bay
After speaking Of Admiral Cervera' s
sortie and the destruction of his fleet
General Shafter says he again called
on the Spanish commanders to sur
render.
"On the same date informed Ad-
miral Sampson that II he would force
his way into the harbor the city would
surrender without any further sacrifice
Of life. Commodore Watson replied
that Admiral Sampson was temporarily
absent. but that in his (Watson's) opin-
ion the navy should not enter the har-
bor The strength of the enemy's po-
sition was such I did not wish to as
sault IL 1t could be avoided. An ex-
animation of the enemy's works. made
after the surrender, fully justified the
wisdom Of the course adopted"
General Shafter gives the various ef-
forts towards securing a surrender, and
his reopening the engagement on the
10th, when the truce ended. On the
11th the surrender was again demand
ed. "By this date the sickness in the
army was increasing very rapidly as
a result of exposure in the trenches to
the intense heat of the sun and the
heavy rains. Moreover, the dews In
Cuba are almost equal to rain. The
weakness Of the troops was becoming
80 apparent I was anxious to bring the
siege to an end, but. in common with
most Of the officers of the army, did
not think an assault would be iustiha-
Bile, especially as the enemy seemed to
be acting in good faith in their prelim-
mary propositions to surrender.
July T. I informed the Spanish COM
rander that Major General Miles, COM
nander-in- chief of the American army,
had just arrived in my camp, and re-
Quested him to grant us personal in
terview on the following day. The in
tcrview took place on the 18th. and l
informed him his surrender only
could be considered and that as he
was without hope CT escape. he had no
right to continue the fight"
General Shafter then gives the de-
tails of the final surrender, his entry
to the city and the raising Of the Amer
lean flag. In closing, lie says:
Before closing my report l wish to
dwell upon the natural obstacles ] had
to encounter and which no foresight
could have overcome or obviated. The
rocky and precipitous coast afforded no
sheltered landing places, the roads were
mere bride paths, the effect of the
tropical sun and rains upon unaccli
mated troops was deadly, and the
dread of strange and unknown dis
eases had it's effect on the army.
''In conclusion, desire to express to
the members Of my staff my thanks
for their efficient performance of all
duties required Of them and the good
judgment and bravery displayed on all
occasions when demanded
General Shaftor recommends for pro-
motion and brevets the following Off
GERS: Lieutenant CoIone's e. j. McCler-
nand, George McC Darby, J. y. Mi!cy,
]. J. Astor. Il. T. Pope and Charles r.
Humphrey Colonel John F. Weston,
Majors c. G.. Starr. Leon ROudicZ, II. j.
Noble, S. w. Groesbeck and II. ]. Gal
lagher, Captains T.. Fl. Plummer, J. c.
Gilmore, Jr., A. II. MCkittrick, john
son and Brice.