The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-06
PORTO RICO TAKEN.
Americans Were WclcOmed-Closing
Scene nj Manila-Red Cross praised

With the fall Of Santiago, the occupa-
ton OF Porto Rico became the next
strategic necessity. General Miles had
previously been assigned to organize
an expedition for that purpose. Fortu-
nately, he was already at Santiago; where
he had arrived on the 1lth OF July with
renforcements for General Skaters
army.
with these troops consisting Of 3il5
infantry and artillery. two companies Of
engineers and one company Of the Sig
nal Corps, General Miles left Guantanamo
on July 18th, having nine transports con-
veyed by the feet under Captain Higgin-
son. the Massachusetts,. Dixie. Glouces-
ter. Columbia and Yale. the two latter
carrying troops.
The expedition landed at Guanica July
18th. which port was entered with little
opposition. Here the feet was Joined
by the Annapolis and the Wasp, while
the Puritan and Amplitude went to San
Juan and Joined the New Orleans which
was engaged in blockadine that port.
The Major-General commanding was
subsequently reinforced by General
Schwan's brigade. OF the Third Army
Corps; by General Wilson with a part Of
his division. and also by General Brooke.
1878 officers and men.
On the 9th of July he entered Ponce.
one Of the most important ports in the
island. from which he thereafter directed
operations for the capture of the island.
LITTLE RESISTANCE
With the exception Of encounters with
the enemy at Guayama. Horgueos, Co
amo and Yauco, and an attack on a force
landed at Cape San Juan. there was no
serious resistance The campaign was
prosecuted with great vigor. and by the
18th OF August much Of the island was in
our possession and the acquisition Of the
remainder was only a matter of a short
time. At almost all OF the points I'm the
island our troops were enthusiastically
welcomed Protestations Of LOYALTY TO the
flag and gratitude for delivery from
Spanish rule met our commanders at
every stage. As a potent influence to-
ward peace, the outcome Of the Porto
Rican expedition was Of great conse-
quence and generous commentator. is
due to those who participated in IT.
BINDS WHERE TT BEGAN.
the last scene of he war was enacted
at Manila, its starting place on Au-
gust 18th. after a brief assault upon the
works by the land forces I'm which the
Internationally. The casualties were
comparatively few BY this the conquest
Of the Philippine Islands, virtually ac-
complished when the Spanish capacity
for resistance was destroyed by Admiral
Dewey's victory Of the 1st OF May. was
formally sealed
To General Merritt. his officers and
men for their accomplishing and devoted
service and for their gallantry in action
the nation is sincerely grateful. Their
long voyage was made with singular sue
cess, and the soldierly conduct of the
men. most Of whom were without pre-
vious experience in the military service
deserves unmeasured praise.
UNPARALLELED RECORD.
The total casualties in killed and
wounded in the army during the war
with Spain were Officers killed. p: en-
listed men killed. 257: total. $50: officers
wounded ll3; enlisted men wounded. l.46i:
total. l.5iA OF the navy-killed. L..
wounded g.; died as results OF wounds,
l. invaded from service, 6; total g.
II will be observed that while our navy
was engaged in two great battles and
In numerous perilous undertakings IN
blockade and bombardment. and more
than $1,000 Of our troops were transported
TO distant lands and We're engaged in
d-Hduil anu a4t-t anu batlit anu many
skirmishes in unfamiliar territory, We
lost in both arms OF the service a total
OF 1,66S killed and wounded and in the
entire campaign by land and sea we did
not lose q gun or n flag or a transport
or ship, and with the exception Of the
crew OF the Merrimac. not a sOliier or
sailor was taken prisoner.
TWO MONTHS WAR.
On August 7th. forty-six days from the
date OF the landing of General Skaters
army i'm Cuba and twenty-one days from
the surrender of Santiago the United
States troops commenced embarkation for
home, and our entire force was returned
TO the United States as early as August
oath. They were absent from the United
States only two months.
1t is fitting that l should bear testi-
mony TO 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 outside 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 remained in their depart
ments and stations faithfully performing
most important duties connected with the
war and whose requests for assignment
in the field and at sea / was compelled
10 refuse because their services were in
dcspepsable here, are entitled TO the
highest commentator. IL is my regret
that there seems TO be no provision FOR
their suitable recognition.
WORK OF THE RED CROSS.
In this connection it is pleasure for
me to mention in terms of cordial appre-
citation the timely and useful work OF the
American National Red Cross. both in
relief measures preparatory to the cam
paigns. in sanitary assistance at several
Of The camps OF assemblaSe, and later
under the able and experienced leader
ship of the president OF the society Miss
Clara Barton, OH the fields of battle and
In the hospitals at the front in Cuba.
Working in conjunction with the gov
ernmental authorities and under their
sanction and approval and with the en-
thusastic cooperation OF many patri-
otto women and societies I'm the various
States, the Red Cross has fully main
tained It's already high reputation for In
tense earnestness and ability 10 exercise
the noble purposes OF its international
organization thus Jusufying the cont,