The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1898-08-24
GRATEFUL
Spanish Soldiers Pay a Unique
Tribute to American
Soldiers.

| WASHINGTON. Aug. pa document en-
tirely unique in the annals of warfare was
| cabled last night to the war department
| by Gen. Shafter. 1t is in the form of i
| congratulatory farewell address issued to
the soldiers OF the American army by Pedro
Lopez de Castillo. a private Spanish SOL
!. der, on behalf OF the 1000 Spanish soljIers.
No similar document perhaps was ever be-
fore issued to a victorious army by Il Val-
Quished enemy The president was much
Impressed by the address ana alter read
ing it authorized its publication. Follow
Ing is the text of the address furnished by
Gen. Shafter:
SANTIAGO, Aug. %. 1898. Corbin, adjt.
general, U. s. A., Washington: r!,e fol-
lowing letter has just been received from
the soldiers now cmbarking for Spain:
ITO Major Gen. Shafter, commanding the
American army in Cuba: Sir-The Span
ish soldiers who capitulated in this lace
on the 18th OF July last recognizing your
nigh and just position, pray that through
you all the courageous and noble soldiers
under your command may receive our good
wishes and farewell which we send them on
embarking for our beloved Spain. For this
favor, which We have doubt you will
grant, you will gain the everlasting graft
tude and consideration of 11OOO Spanish
soldiers who are your most humble selv-
ants.
(Signed.)
PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO.
Private of Infantry"
Also the following letter addressed to the
soldiers of the American army:
Soldiers of the American army: We
would not be fulfilling our duty as we'll
born men, in whose breasts live gratitude
and courtesy should we embark for our
beloved Spain without sending to you our
most cordial and good wishes and fare
we'll. We fought you with ardor, with alt
our strength, endeavoring to gain the vic
tory, but without the slightest rancor or
hate towards the American nation. We
have been vanquished by you $50 our gen.
erals and chiefs judged in signing the cap
itulaton), but our surrender and the bloody
battles preceding it have left in our souls
no place for resentment against the men
who fought us so nobly and valiantly.
You fought and acted in compliance with
che same call Of duty as we, for We all but
represent the power of our respective states.
You fought us men, face to face and
with great courage, as before stated, a
quality which had not met with during
the three years We have carried on this
war against a people without religion,
without morals, without conscience and of
doubtful origin, who could not confront the
enemy, but hidden, shot their noble victims
from ambush and then fled. This was the
kind of we had to sustain in this un-
fortunate land.
You have complied exactly with all the
laws and usages of war as recognized by
the armies of the most civilized nations Of
the world; nave given honorable burial to
the dead of the vanquished have cured
| their wounded with great humanity; have
| respected and cared for your prisoners and
| their comfort, and lastly, to us, whose con-
ditiOn was terrible, you have given freely
of food, of your stock of medicines and
| you have honored US with distinction and
courtesy, for after the fighting the two
! armies mingled with the utmost harmony
| With this high sentiment of appreciation
| from all, there remains but to express our
| farewell, and with the greatest sincerity we
| wish you all happiness and health in this
| land which will no longer belong to our
! dear Spain, but will be yours who have con-
| quered it by force and watered it with your
blood, as your conscience called for, under
| the demand of civilization and humanity
| but the descendants Of the Congo and of
Guinea, mingled with the blood of unscru-
pulous Spaniards and of traitors and Of
| adventurers, these people are not able to
exercise or enjoy their liberty for they
| will find it burden to comply with the
| laws which cavern civilized communities
From II coo Spanish soldiers.
(Signed) PEDRO LOPEZ DE CASTILLO,
| Soldier of Infantry.
Santiago de Cuba. Aug. q, 1898.
| ITO Shafter, Major General.