File:An illustrated history of our war with Spain - its causes, incidents, and results (1898) (14579470928).jpg

Identifier: illustratedhist00russ (find matches)
Title: An illustrated history of our war with Spain : its causes, incidents, and results
Year: 1898 (1890s)
Authors: Russell, Henry Benajah, 1859- Thurston, John Mellen, 1847-1916 Proctor, Redfield, 1831-1908
Subjects: Spanish-American War, 1898
Publisher: Hartford, Conn : A. D. Worthington
Contributing Library: Robarts - University of Toronto
Digitizing Sponsor: University of Toronto

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der. General Toral then asked that the terms of evacuation hehad offered be submitted to the authorities at Washington,and Shafter complied with the request, again postponing hos-tilities a day, or until a reply could be received from thePresident. It came at noon of the 9th and was an unquali-fied approval of Shafters demand, with instructions to acceptno terms but unconditional surrender of the city, the fortifi-cations, and the Spanish forces. As a matter of fact, theSpanish commander was anxious to make the best terms pos-sible, but Madrid was unwilling to allow him any discretion,and was determined, for domestic reasons, to insist upon thedefense of the city to the last extremity. From the stand-point of the Spanish government, the situation had becomedesperate, for, if the fall of Santiago folloAved swiftly afterthe destruction of the navy, it might mean disaster to thegovernment. Some resistance was essential to the dynasty. Meantime, Shafter had taken advantage of the delay to
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A COUNCIL OF OFFICERS 747 strengthen tlie American position, dig new trenches, and toadvance the American lines to within 400 yards of the Spanishlines. Streams were bridged over, roads were put in con-dition, reinforcements were landed and brought up, and theheavy siege guns were at last worked to the front and put inposition. On the 10th, the truce having expired, the Span-iards again opened fire, but it was soon silenced. Anotherrequest for time having been asked by Toral and refused,Shafter began an attack at five oclock of the afternoon ofthe 11th, and, though continued less than an hour, it was suffi-cient to demonstrate to Toral the futility of holding out muchlonger. !Not only did heavy guns and mortars pour in shellsfrom the field, but the fleet outside threw destructive shellsover the ridge into the city and bay. The Spanish reply wasspiritless and weak. The reinforcements had enabled GeneralShafter to stretch his lines entirely about the city, and itsinvestment was complete

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