The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-09-16

US with numbers about equal 10 our
own; they fought obstinately in strong
and entrenched positions. and the re-
suits obtained clearly indicate the in
trepid gallantry of the company OFF,
GERS and men. and the benefits derived
from the careful training and instruc-
tion given in the company in recent
years in rifle practice and other bat
tie exercises. Our losses in these bat
ties were % officers and 20S men kill
ed, and 81 officers and 1.20S men
wounded. missing 49, The missing with
few exceptions, reported later"
General Shafter says the arrival Of
General Escario at Santiago was not
anticipated as General Garcia had been
sent to intercept him.
After speaking of Admiral Cervera's
sortie and the destruction Of his fleet,
General Shafter says he again called
on the Spanish commander to surren-
der.
''On the same date 1 informed Ad-
miral Sampson that if 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 temporari-
ly absent, but that in his (Watson's)
opinion the navy should not enter the
harbor. The strength of the
enemy's position was such / did not
The examination of the enemy's
works, made after the surrender, fully
justifies the wisdom of the course
adopted The intrenchments could only
have been carried with very great loss
of life.
July 18th I informed the Spanish
commander that Major General Miles
commander-in-chief of the American
army, had just arrived in my camp
and requested him to grant us a per-
sOnal interview on the following day.
He replied he would be pleased to
meet us. The interview took place on
the 18th, and l informed him his sur
render only could be considered, and
that as he was without hope of escape,
he had no right to continue the fight"
General Shafter then gives the details
of the final surrender, his entry into the
city and the raising of the American
flag. In closing he says:
Before closing my report / 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 un-
acclimated troops was deadly, and a
dread of strange and unknown dis
eases had it's effect on the army.
THE supply Of quartermaster and
cOmmissary stores during the campaign
was abundant, and, notwithstanding
the difficulties in landing and trans
porting the rations, the troops on the
firing line were at all times supplied
with it's coarser cOmponents, namely,
Of bread, meat, sugar and coffee. There
was no lack of transportation, for at
no time up to the surrender could all
the wagons I had be used.
I'm reference to the sick and wound
ed, / have to say that they received
every attention that it was possible to
give them. The medical officers with
out exception worked night and day to
alleviate the suffering, which was no
greater than invariably accompanies
campaign. 1t would have been better
if we had had more ambulances, but
as many were taken as was thought
necessary, judging from previous cam
paignS.
The discipline of the command was
superb, and I wish to invite attention
to the fact that not an officer was
brought to trial by court-martial, and
as far as I know, no enlisted men. This
speaks volumes for an army Of this
size and in a campaign of such dura-
tion.''
General Shafter recommends for pro-
motion and brevets the following Off
, GERS: Lieutenant Colonel E. J. Nc
Clernand, Lieutenant Colonel George
Nee. Derby, Lieutenant Colonel ]. D.
Miley, Major r. H. Noble, Lieutenant
Colonel J. j. Astor, Lieutenant Colonel
B. F. Pope, Major S. w. Groesbeck,
Lieutenant Colonel Charles F. Hum
phreys, Colonel John F. Weston, Ma
jor c. G. Starr, Major Leon Roudiez
Major H. j. Gallapher, Captain Brice,
Captain E. H. Plummer, Captain J. c.
Gilmore, Captain w. H. McKittrick,
Captain Johnson.
He also mentions DR.. G. Goodfellow
and Mr.. G. F. Hawkins, of New York,
for service performed and expresses
his warmest thanks to division, brigade
, and regimental commanders, without
execution