River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-12-08
MILES AT PORTO RICO.
A Brief History of the Expedition
10 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 a.
Santiago where ne had arrived on the 1Ith
OF July, with reenforcements for Gen.
Skaters army. With these troops, consist
ing OF S,4l5 infantry and artillery two COM
panles of engineers and one company OF
the signal corps, Gen. Miles left Guautana-
Voyed by the fleet under Capt. Higgtuson,
with the Massachusetts (iagship), Dixie,
gloucester. Columbia and Yale, the two
iatter carrying troops. me eNpedltlon
landed at Guanica July ., which port Was
entered with little opposition Here, the
feet was Joined by the Annapolis and the
Wasp, while the Puritan ard Amphitrite
went to San Juan and Joined the New Or
leans. which was engaged in bloekadns
that port. The major general comlAardiog
was subsequently, reinforced by Gen.
Schwann's brigade Of the Third army
division, and also by Gen. Brooke, with
part OF his corps, mum tring in all 49, 1913 Of
ticers and men. On July q he entered
Ponce, one of the most important ports In
the island, from which he thereafter d.
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 a force
landed at Cape San Juan, there was no Sc
rious resistance. The campaign was prose
cuted with great vigoT, and by the 18th of
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 islaEi our troops
were enthusiastically welcomed. Protesta-
tons Of loyalty to the flag and gratitude for
delivery from Spanish rule met our com
mandeTs at every stage. AS a potent in
fiuence toward peace the outcome of the
Porto Rican expedition was of great con
sequence, and generous commentator is
due to those who participated in II.
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 Deweys victory of the LIST of
May, was formally sealed. To Gen Mer-
rift, 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 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
III the army during the war was as follows:
Officers killed, %: enlisted men killed, PSI;
total, 2S0 officers wounded, l13; enlisted
men wounded, l,464; total, 1871 OF the
navy: Killed, IA: wounded, 81; died as result
of wounds, /: invaded from service, 6;
total, o. 1t will he observed that while our
navy was engaged in two great battles and
IN numerous perilous undertakings in the
blockades and bOmbardment and more
ttan $4,000 of our troops were transported
to distant lands and engaged in assault
and siege and battle and many skirmishes
in unfamiliar territory, we lost in both
arms Of the service a total of sos killed and
wounded, and In the entire campaign by
land and sea we did not lose a gun or a
flag or transport or a ship, and with the
exception of the crew Of the Merrimac. not
soldier or sailor was taken prisoner
Troops Return.
On August 7, As 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.
It is fitting that I should bear testimony
10 the patriotism and devotion of that
large portion of our army which although
eager to be ordered to the 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
of the navy, performing most important
duties connected with the war, and whose
requests for assignment in the field and at
sea il was compelled to refuse because
their services were indispensa bic here are
entitled to the highest commentator 1t
is my regret that there seems 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 apprc-
citation the timely and useful work of the
American National Red Cross, both in re-
lief measures preparatory to the campaign,
in sanitary assistance at several of he
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
pitfalls at the front In Cuba. Working in
conjunction with the governmental au-
thorities and under their sanction and APP
prevail, and with the enthusiastic Coopera-
ton OF many patriotic women and sOci-
cites in the various states, the Red Cross
has fully maintained it's already high repu-
tation for intense eaEerness and ability 10
exercise the noble purpose of its interna-
uonaI organization, thus justyfying the
confidence and support which il has re-
ceived al the hands of the American peo-
pie. To the members and officers of this
society and all who aided them in their
philanthropic 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
His favor