The record-union., 1899-01-08
THE REcoRD-UNIoN, SACRAMENTO SUNDAY, JANUARY

the Americans held the game entirely
in their own hands, had the enemy
shown an atom of aggressiveness. The
soldiers were under a terrible strain.
The least increase OF tension would
break them down, for they did collapse
the instant the strain was taken on
by Toraps surrender. Skaters posi-
Etion on the heights was a most critical
one Just back Of his lines were deep
river beds. which, when fed by the
copious rains, would produce, floods
that barred the roads to wagon trans
portatiOn. The soldiers never had full
rations, the refugees Jared still worse,
and the horses of the outfit lived
some died-on one-third to one-half
rations of oats, with no hay. In all
there were 5000 human mouths to
feed, besides 1900 animals.
After two weeks of elaboration and
parley Toral surrendered, and on July
18th the starry banner was hoisted
over the Governors palace with cere-
monies worthy an occasion so solemn
and portentous Participants accus-
toned to pageantries declared that the
event and it's setting were the most
impressive in their recollection, the
SAAAC AlOllOlcO 51ldE, "AAlSll OAO0SAAt SAAA'
new world into being, giving way to
that of the youngest member of the
family of nations. There was but a
single discordant note, and that one
SO typical of all the discord bruiting
in the wake Of Americas grand upris-
ing that I may be pardoned for intro
ducing the true story near the close
of this narrative.
The official program was that on the
first stroke of the Cathedral bell. at
noon, the Spanish flag floating over the
Governors palace should fall, and Lieu
tenant Miley, one of Skaters bravest
and most serviceable aids, who had
faced Mausers a hundred times during
the struggle, should run up the Stars
and Stripes. A moment or two be-
fore II loud words We're heard on the
roof of the palace, where Miley and his
assistants were stationed, and man in
his shirt sleeves, afterward found to be
a Jealous newspaper correspondent; was
seen by those within range struggling
to reach the halyards and rob Miley OF
his part in the historic proceedings A
voice, said by some to have been Shat
ter's, called out from the plaza, where
the American and Spanish dignitaries
were assembled: Throw him from the
roof!'' After a brief commotion the first
bell stroke of the hour brought a solemn
silence over the scene, the Spanish flag
was lowered, and the United States en-
blem arose to the top of the staff.
The flag ceremony closed, all eyes
turned to Shafter, the central figure of
the group on the plaza One witness
told me that the first glance showed
him the commander Of the victorious
army exchanging fist blows with the
coatless correspondent, a terribly hui
initiating spectacle after what had just
taken place. Still another said that
Shafter simply waved the insolent fell
low, who was venting, in abusive Ian
guage, his drunken frenzy, to one side,
a Brutus-like gesture, as much as to
say: Away, slight mani" the real
effect being that Of a lion brushing off
a gnat. The correspondent struck back,
and was promptly hustled from the
spot This last is the unprompted YER
sion of General Ludlow, who, like every
one of the lj0pdd regular officers whom
1 talked with at Camp Wikoff, appreci-
ates his commander, yet does not pose
as his arologist, nor as a thick and
thin admirer of his methods.
GEORGE L. KILMER.