The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-09-13

pral Miles was directed 70 20 NhcltN'i
he deemed his presence was required and
that he should give such directions AZ III
his opinion were best for the army and
the Government.
MILES IN COMMAND.
'"These were the circumstances under
which General Miles left Washington.
arriving at Santiago July 18th, not *
Il private individual. nor as a visitor.
ANY pretcnse that he went there dis
ROBBED Of his authority or official capacIt%
is too childish to be considered ~ sen
siDlc men. From the moment he arrived
at santiago he was responsible Tor WHAT
might occur. lie arrived there with
the Yale. Columbia and Rita. loaded
with infantry. and three ships loaded
with artillery. beside those already DIS
embarked. He desired to diSembark tho
troops and artillery named on the west
side of Santiago. as was understood pc
fore leaving Washington. and before t."
went ashore he made the necessary ar
rangemcnt accordingly. He then pro-
ceeded to the front and after consulting
with General Shaftcr. a note was Sent
to tt.c Spanish commander by General
Shaftcr saying that the c~ommandIn@
general of the United States Army had
arrived in his camp with strong rem
forcements and would meet him between
the lines at any hour agreeable to him.
The reply Of the Spanish commander
was that he Would meet him at l. Q clock
the next morning. The meeting WIS
tween General Shafter and General
Toral. General Miles frankly informed
the Spanish General that he had Left
Washington six days before and that il
was then the determination of the Coy
ernment that this portion of the Spanish
army must be captured or destroyed. He
also Informed the Spanish General that
his reinforcements had arrived with
him. that some of these forces had al
ready .discmbarked and the remainder
would be diSembarked on the west side
Of the harbor and that it was useless
for him to contend against the newt
able. These transports could also be
plainly seen by the Spanish from Moro
Castle and other points. General Toral
replied that so long as he had ratiors
and ammunition he had to fight in order
to maintain the honor Of the Spanish
army. In response to this he was in
formed that he had already maintained
the honor Of the Spanish army and that
further efforts would be useless and
would result in the wanton sacrifice of
human life. He then said that he WAS
waiting to hear from his Government and
was informed by General Miles that Ii"
had already taken much time for that
purpose and would be given until day
light of the following morning, it beng
then three o'clock. to submit his final an
swer. He begged for longer time and
earnestly requested until u o'clock The
g day. This was finally granted ny
General Miles. the meeting dissolved ana
the officers separated. On returning
from this conference. a dispatch was re-
ceived by General Miles from Washing
ton as follows:
ALGER'S ORDER TO MILES.
"'Washington, ID. c.. July Is, 1898.
Major General Miles:
You may accept surrender by grant
ing parole to officers and men, the OF
ficers retaining their side arms. the rf-
ficers and men after parole to be permit
ted to return to Spain. the United State,
assisting. If not accepted then assault.
unless i'll your Judgment IN assault would
fail. Consult with Sampson and pursue
such course as to the assault rs you
Jointly agree upon. Matter should be
settled promptly.
(Signed.) OR. a. ALGER.
"'Secretary of War
This" the statement says. does not
look as if General Miles was there as i
visitor. He was charged with the r.
s~ponsibility of ordering an assault upu,
the entertainments and Notifications Of
an army. which, if successful. would cost
at least five Thousand men. or of with
holding the assaulting if in his Judgment
such assault would fail. No greater dis
erection was ever given to any general
commanding an army. and what is more
as Will he observed ha WIS oII+hpriZnJ
I to accept surrender, which in the inter
est of his subordinates he generously de
clincd to do. and went away. leaving III
the honor to his next in rank. Genpral
Shafter.
"On the morning succeeding the first
interview. Il letter was received from
General Toral of which the following !.
Il literal TRANSACTIONS: