Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1899-01-25
EVACUATION OF HAVANA.
Interesting Ceremony Witnessed by
Hancock County Man.
Written for THE AMERICAN by Colman A.
Crautree, of Hancock

CraUtree, of Hancock.
Arriving here on Dec. 26, | had the
pleasure OF seeing many thousand Span
is soldiers depart for Spain, and on Jan.
l, the last one to leave. On that date the
eyes OF the world were turned upon the
famous Ell Moro Castle, which is to- day
the best-known fertilization in existence.
The Spanish guards remained at their
post in the garrison until the stroke OF
! II O'Clock announced that the time had
arrived for them to make the formal
evacuation. A few minutes before noon
a squad OF about twenty United States
soldiers, under command of Russell b.
Harrison entered from the south side OF
the castle, and passing the Spanish
guards were stationed near the staff from
which the banner Of liberty WAS soon to
float
salute OF twenty-one guns from he
American warships announced that the
haiyards holding the Spanish flag on the
staff were o be hauled down at the con
c!uslon OF the salute. At the moment oil
the conelusiCn, the Old Spanish tlag
slipped quickly to the ground, and the
stars and stripes were run up GA the
largest pole that graces the castle wall,
amid mighty shout from the Americans
and Cubans who were on the opposite
shore and those who were on the castle
Itself.
To US Americans, the scene was most inn
pressve. Lieut.. Wade, OF the sixth cav
ally, had the honor Of being the officer to
represent the United States government
at the ceremony, and with his own hand
pulled the American flag to it's position
where it WIS few moments later sauted
by an incoming English vessel. Those
OF us who witnessed this felt more pride
in our country than we thought we ever
possessed.
At the palace the transfer Of sover-
eighty took place promptly at II O'Clock
when Gov. Gen. Castallanos, standing
with his staff ON the right side OF the
saloons addressed himself to Gen. Wade
of the evacuation commission saying Gin
Spanish):
"Gentlemen, in accordance with the
terms OF the treaty OF Paris, arrangements
OF this commission, and the order of my
king, | surrender to you the sovereignty
OF Cuba, in order that you may exercise it
from this time. In doing 50, | wish to
say that the generals OF the American
army will have every respect from me and
my officers due them, and that hope the
cordial relations now existing between
our armies will be continued until the
forces under my command have all evac-
uated the island"
Gen. Wade turned the command over
to Gen. Brooke, who replied TO Gen. Cas-
tailanos saying: ain the name of the
| United States and our President, | accept
the sovereignty of Cuba. | wish you and
the gallant gentlemen with you safe req
turn to your country, and prosperity"
Gen. Castalanos then bowed and
retired to his apartments, where he took
leave of his officers. lie then descended
to the plaza escorted by Gen. Chaffee. AS
he crossed the plaza on the north side he
was greeted by the American ladies in
the balcony of the government building,
who waved their handkerc hiefs. Gen.
Castalanos kissed his hand to them. He
then proceeded to the dock, where
he boarded launch and was taken to
the transport "Rabot" for Matanzss.
On the way to the dock some people in
a balcony waved Spanish flag and
shouted "Viva Espana" Castallanos was
affected by this show Of appreciation,
and tears came to his eyes.
The city is getting quite Americanized,
although Sunday is quite different from
the New England Sunday. But United
States soldiers police the city and ''Ishke
| spring water" from Hancock, Maine, is
served at the principal hotels.
To no in ~