Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1898-07-22
THE FORMAL
SURRENDER.
When the Spanish
Troops Threw Down
Their Arms.

troops laid down their arms between the
lines OF the Spanish and American forces
at O'Clock this morning.
Gen. Shafter and the American division
and brigade commanders and their staffs
were escorted by a troop of cavalry and
Gen. Toral and his staff by 100 picked
men.
Trumpeters on both sides saluted with
flourishes.
Gen Shafter returned TO Gen. Tora the
latter's sword after it had been handed to
the American commander.
Our troops lined up at the trenches,
where eye-witnesses OF the ceremony,
Gen. Shaiter and his escort, accompanied
by Gen. Toral, rode through the city, tax
ing formal possession.
The city had been sacked before they
arrived by the Spanards.
Atthepalace elaborate ceremonies took
pace. Exactly ut noon the American
flag was raised over the Governors pal
ace and was saluted by twenty-one guns
10y Capt. Catron's battery. At the same
tine all the regimenta bands in our line
played 1.-The Star Spangled Banner" af-
ter which President McKinleys congrat-
ulatory telegram was read to each regi-
ment.
The Thirteenth and Ninth Regiments
of Infantry will remain in the city TO en-
force order and exercise municipal au-
thority. The Spanish forces are to en-
camp outside of our lines.
Gen. McKibbin has been appointed
temporary Military Governor.
The ceremony of hosting the Stars aud
Stripes was worth all the blood and
treasure it cost. \ vast concourse of10,
600 people witnessed the stirring and
thrilling scene that will live forever in
the minds OF all Americans present. 4
finer stage setting Tor dramatic episode
it would be difficult to imagine. The
palace, picturesque old dwelling in the
Moorish style of architecture, faces the
Plazn de Ia Reina, the principal public
square. Opposite rises the imposing
Catholic Cathedral. On one side is
quaint, brilliantly-painted building, with
broad verandas-the club of San Carlos:
on the other, building OF much the
same description, is the Cafe de In Venus.
Across the plaza was drawn up the
Ninth Infantry, headed by the Sixth Cav
airy Band. In the street facing the pal
ace stood a picked troop OF the Second
Cavalry, with drawn sabres, under com
mand OF Capt, Brett. Massed on the
stone tagging, between the band and the
line of horsemen, were the brigade COM
manders OF Gen. Skaters division, with
their staffs.
On the red tiled roof OF the palace stood
Capt. McKittrick, Lieut. Miley, and Gen.
Wheeler; Immediately above them, upon
the flagstaff, the illuminated Spanish
arms and the legend"Vive Alfonso XIII.'
All about, pressing against the veranda
rails, crowding to windows and doors
and lining the roofs. were the people of
the town, principally women and non
combatants. As the chimes of the old
cathedral rang out the hour OF II, the
infantry and cavalry presented arms,
Every American uncovered, and Capt.
McKittrick hoisted the Stars and Strjpes g
As the brilliant folds unfurled i'm n gentle
breeze against O feckless sky, the cavaI-
ry band broke into the strains OF "The
| Star Spangled Banner" making the
American pulse leap and the American
heart thrill with joy.
At the same instant the sound of the
distant booming OF Capt. Capron's bat
terry, iirIng salute OF twenty-one guns.
! drifted in. When the music ceased. from
all directions around our line came float
ing across the plaza the strains OF the
regimental bands and the muffIed. hoarse
cheers of our troops. The infantry came
o''order arms" moment later. nIta,
the flag was up, and the band played
"Rally Round the Flag, Boys" Instant
ly Gen. McKibbin called for three cheer,
, for Gea. Shafter, which were given witt
great enthusiasm, the band playing Sou
sa's "The Stars and Stripes Forever"
l Tie ceremony over, Gen. Shafter an
his stan returned to the American line.