The true northerner., 1898-12-07
Gratitude of the Nation.
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 beer
assigned TO organize an expedition for that
purpose. Fortunately he was already al
Santiago, where he had arrived on the llth
of July, with reenforcements Tor Gen.
Skaters army. With these troops, consist
ing Of 3,415 infantry and artillery, two COM
panies of engineers and one company OF
the signal corps, Gen. Miles left Guantaha-
mo on July q, having nine transports cor
voyed by the feet under Capt. Hlgglnson,
with the Massachusetts (fiagship), Dixie,
Gloucester, Columbia and yale, the two
latter carrying troops The expedltloh
landed at Guanioa July 20, which port was
entered with little opposition. here the
fleet was joined by the Annapolis and the
Wasp, while the Puritan and Amphltrlte
went TO San Juan and joined the New or-
leans, which was engaged in blockadlng
that port. The major general commahGlns
was subsequently reentorced py zen.
Schwann's brigade Of the Third army
CORPS. by Gen. Wilson, with part OF his
division, and also by Gen Brooke, WITH a
part of his corps, numb6rlnS IN an Io,S.S OF OF
hcers and men on July q he entered
Ponce, one OF the most important ports IN
the island. from which he thereafter dl-
rected operations for the capture OF the
With the exception of encounters with
the enemy at Guayama, Hermlguerez'
Coamo and Yauco, and an attack on Iorce
landed at Cape San Juan, there was no Sc
rious resistance. The campaign was prose
cuted with great Vgor and by the lZJh OF
August much Of the island was in our pos
session and the acquisition of the remainder
was only a matter of short time Al
most of the points in the island our troops
were enthusiastically welcomed Protesta-
tiOns of loyalty 10 the nag ana EfdIltuue lof
delivery from Spanish rule met our com
manders at every stage. As a potent IN
duence toward peace, the outcome OF the
Porto Rican expedition was OF great con-
sequence, and generous commendatlon 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 10
/ after a brief assault upon the works by the
land forces, in which the squadron assisted,
the capital surrendered unconditionally.
/ The casualties were comparatively rev
By this conquest Of the Philippine islands,
virtually accomplished when the Spanish
capacity for resistance was destroyed by
Admiral Dewey's victory of the list oil
May, was formally sealed. TO Gen. Mer'
! ritt his officers and men for their uncom-
planning and devoted services for their gal
lantry In action, the nation is sincerely
grateful. Their long voyage was mace
with singular success, and the soldierlS
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 $50; officers wounded, ll3; enlisted
navy: Killed II; wounded, 81; died as resul
of wounds, /; invaded from service, D
total, 81. 1t viii be observed that while oul
navy was engaged in two great battles anc
in numerous perilous undertakings In the
blockades and bombardment and more
than $4,000 Of our troops were transported
TO distant lands and engaged in assaul
and siege and battle and many skirmishe'
in unfamiliar territory, we lost In botf
arms Of the service total OF 1,66S killed anC
wounded; and in the entire campaign %,
land and sea we did not lose gun or
flag or a transport or ship, and with the
exception of the crew OF the Merrimac' no
a soldier or sailor was taken prisoner.
Troops Return.
on August Z. 46 days from the date Of tn,
landing Of Gen. Skaters army in CUBA
ard q days from the surrender of Santiago
the United States troops commenced EN- EN-
barlSaton for home and our entire force
was returned to the United states as earl!
as August "a. They were absent from th'
United States only two months.
Tribute To Patriotism.
1t is fitting that l should bear testimon
TO the patriotism and devotion of tha
large portion of our army which, although
eager to be ordered TO the post of creates
exposure, fortunately was not required out
side OF the United States. They did thei
whole duty, and like their comrades at tn
front have earned the gratitude of tn
nation. In like manner, the officers an
men of the army and OF the navy who re
mained in their departments and station
OF the navy, performing most importan
requests for assignment i'm the field and a
sea IL was compelled to refuse becaus
their. services were indispensable here, ar
entitled to the highest commendation.
is my regret that there seems 10 be no pro
vision for their suitable recognition.
Work of the Red Cross.
In this connection, IL is pleasure 70
me to mention in terms of cordial appre
citation the timely and useful work of tn
American National Red Cross, both in re
lief measures preparatory to the campaign
in sanitary assistance at several of tn
camps of assemblage and later. under tn
able and experienced leadership OF tn
president of the society, Miss Clara Bar
ton on the fields of battle and i'm the hos
pitals at the front In Cuba. Working !
conjunction with the governmental au
thorities and under their sanction and az
proval. and with the enthusiastic coopera
ton of many patriotic women and SOC
cites in the various states, the Red Cros
he's fully maintained it's already high repu
tation for intense eagerness and ability {
exercise the noble purpose of it's interna
tional organization, thus justyfying th
confidence and support which IL has re
ceived at the hands OF the American pee