Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-04-20
FIFTH CORPS PRAISED
GENERALIZATION ON THE CA
PITUALATIoN OF SANTIAGO.
Gen. Skaters General Order July 1o,
1893, Owing to Lack Of Facilities,
Was Not Generally Circulated.

There has just been received at the War
Department a copy of general order is
sued by Maj. Gen. Shafter, commanding the
9th Army Corps. congratulating the officers
and enlisted men of that corps upon the
successful issue Of the campaign in Cuba.
1t bears date Santiago de Cuba, July -,
1898, and SO far as known has never before
been published in this vicinity. Owing to
the lack of facilities for printing in Cuba
at that time, the order was issued only III
typewriter form, and on that account
never obtained very general circulation
The copy just received at the War Depart
ment was forwarded by Capt. Robert H
Noble, Sd Infantry, from his present sta
ton at Iloilo, Panay, in the Philippines.
He was an aid on the staff of Gen. Shafter
during the Cuban campaign, and said ne
found typewriter copy OF the congrat-
ulatory order in some Of his old papers.
He had several copies printed on a press
captured from the Philippine insurgents.
called La Revolution, which press is now
in the service of Uncle Sam at Iloilo.
Gen. Skaters order Is as follows:
THE successful accomplishment of the
campaign against Santiago resulting in it's
downfall and the surrender of the Spanish
forces. the capture of large amounts of
military stores together with the destruc-
ton of the entire Spanish feet in the har-
Dor, which, upon the investment Of the
city, was forced to leave, Is one of which
the army can well be proud.
This has been accom- plished through the
heroic deeds Of the army and to it's officers
and men the major general commanding
offers his sincere thanks for their endur-
ance of hardships heretofore unknown in
the American army. The work you have
accomplished may well appeal to the pride
upon but few occasions in the worlds his
tory. Landing upon an unknown coast you
faced dangers in disembarking and over
came obstacles that even In looking back
seem insurmountable Selling, with the
assistance of the navy. the towns of I,at-
quiri and Siboney, you pushed boldly forth,
CALAMITY driving back the encmy's outposts
in the engagement OF La Guasima, and COM
pleted the concentration of the army, near
Sevilla, within sight Of the Spanish strong
hold at Santiago de Cuba.
1.-THE outlook from Sevilla was one that
may well have appalled, the stoutest heart.
Behind you ran a narrow road made well
nigh impossible by rains, while to the
front you looked out upon high foothills,
covered with dense tropical growth,
which could only be traversed by bride
paths, terminating within range of the en-
emy's guns. Nothing daunted. you respond
ed eagerly to the order to close upon the foe
and. attacking at Caney and San Juan,
drove him from work to work, until he
took refuge within his last and strongest
intrenchments Immediately surrounding
the city.
Despite the fierce glare of southern
sun and rains that fell in torrents. you val
iently withstood his attempts to drive you
from the position your valor had won.
Holding in your viselike grip the army op-
posed to you. after seventeen days Of bat
tie and siege, you were rewarded by the
surrender Of nearly 24000 prisoners--12. 600
being those in your immediate front, the
others scattered In the various towns Of
eastern Cuba; freeing completely the east
ern part of the island from Spanish troops
This was not done without great sacrifice
The death Of $50 gallant soldiers and the
wounding of 1924 others shows but too
plainly the fierce contest in which you were
engaged The few reported missing are I'M
doubtedly among the dead. as no prisoners
were lost. For those who have fallen in
battle with you. the commanding general
sorrows. and with you will ever cherish
their memory. Their devotion to duty sets
a high example Of courage and patriotism
to our fellow countrymen.
"All who have participated in the cam
pa:gn. battle and siege of Santiago de Cuba
will recall with pride the grand deeds ac-
cOmplished. and will hold one another dear
for having shared great sufferings, hard
ships and triumphs together. All may we'll
feel proud to inscribe on their banners the
name of Santiago de Cuba I"