The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1899-02-25
ROMANCE OF THE WAR
HOW AN OFFICER WAS COURT
MARTIALED.
Sentenced to BE Shot Because He Was
OutRenernled by a Powerful Ameri-
can COup-Gave Away His Hzedals-A
Pathetic Farewell.

Many Of the tragedies Of the Spanish
American war will remain unwritten
and many will probably never be told.
For the soldiers of Spain the horrors
Of the war did not altogether cease
with the declaration of peace. The
story which am about to relate proves
this.
knew OF at least one gallant officer,
who mad served his country well for
many years, and whose reward was a
sentence of ignOminious death at the
hands of his own countrymen. For
aught l know the execution of the de-
cree may already have taken place.
At any rate saw him sail for Spain
a hopeless and broken old man. The
death sentence had already been pass
ed upon him and at his own request he
was going home-to die. l was in
San Juan, Porto Rico, about a week
before the evacuation. The streets
and cafes were filled with Spanish Of
ficers. 1 found them to be both cour-
teous and dignifed. Yet there was
much of pathos in their bearing. Like
the French who contemplate the drap-
ed statue, representing StrasbuTg, in |
the Place de la Concord, and think OF |
Alsace-Lorraine, so these men gazed |
fondly at Casa Blanco, once the resi- |
dence of Ponce de Leon, and thought |
sadly of their four centuries of pos
session. One of our officers volun-
teered one day to take me on a visit
to Col. San Martin, who had command
ed the Third battalion of the Spanish
troops, and who was then a prisoner
In the barracks. When / was told
that he was under sentence of death
Tor cowaEdice was not predisposed to
his favor. But when 1 saw the man
and talked with him my feeling of re-
Vulsion changed to one of great pity.
The story of his disgrace is soon
told. He was in command Of the
Spanish troops in several of the inte-
rior cities, and, being opposed by our
Eleventh regulars, under command of
Col. De Russy, he retreated from place
to place without as much resistance
as the Spanish commander at the capt.
tai thought brave man should have
made.
AS a matter of fact, his forces were
inadequate to cope with ours,
md the Spaniards were so general ,
ID by the United States troops that re-
'lstance was suicidal. Upon Col. San
martins arrival at San Juan he was
'ourt marttaled in a most theatrical :
manner, by order of Gen. Macias, gov
of Porto Rico, and the =
outcome Of it was that he was SEN J
enoed to be shot. q
The old colonel was too nroud n d
now how keenly he felt the disgrace
re bowed to the judgment of the drum
cad court, and had only one request y
make. If he must be shot wouId
ne honor Of shedding his last blood o
n the mother soil be refused him? He g
mould like to die in Spain. Could the Il
sntence not be carried out there in 81
Iead OF in Porto Rico, which was viz d
lally In the hands of the enemy? W
Inc court deltberated. Yes in vio,,, u
MS many years of meritorious SER p
lee' his request would be granted
men he was confined in the barracEs n
await the sailing of the TRANSPORT q
n Spain. il
l could not help admiring the mans al
'rltude. He made a brave show oP u
gnity, but could see that his baoUt &c
as breaking. He was fine old man ID
sixty straight as an arrow, and fnI