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Updated: May 18, 2025
It is my duty to say to you that this city will not surrender, and that I will inform the foreign consuls and inhabitants of the contents of your message. “‘Very respectfully, “‘JOSE TORAL, “‘Commander-in-chief, Fourth Corps.’ “The British, Portuguese, Chinese, and Norwegian consuls have come to my line with Colonel Dorst.
Negotiations for the peaceful surrender of the city had been going on for several days between General Shafter, commander of the American forces, and General Toral of the Spanish army, but it was not until the 16th that a final agreement was reached.
"It is my duty to say to you that this city will not surrender, and that I will inform the foreign consuls and inhabitants of the contents of your message. "Very respectfully, Jose Toral, "Commander-in-Chief 4th Corps." Several of the foreign consuls came into my lines and asked that the time given for them the women and children to depart from the city be extended until 10 o'clock on July 5th.
I am authorized to state that should your excellency so desire, the Government of the United States will transport the entire command of your excellency to Spain." General Toral replied that he had communicated my proposition to his General-in-Chief, General Blanco.
The citizens of Santiago, learning that General Toral refused to consider the question of surrender, began to leave the city,—a mournful procession. General Shafter cabled to the government at Washington under date of July 5th: “I am just in receipt of a letter from General Toral, agreeing to exchange Hobson and men here; to make exchange in the morning.
Just about midway between the American and Spanish lines of rifle pits stands a lordly ceiba, 125 feet high to the crown, nearly 10 feet in diameter at the trunk and spreading 50 feet each way from the polished tree shaft. Under this tree General Toral and a score of his officers awaited the Americans.
Toral had been notified that one o'clock on the 17th was the time for either the surrender or the signal for the assault. The hour approached, and still the Spaniard attempted to delay. The orders for the assault were issued. The troops lay in the trenches with their fingers on the triggers. Gen. Randolph had come and pushed the artillery into better positions.
On July 11th I wrote to General Toral as follows: "With the largely increased forces which have come to me and the fact that I have your line of retreat securely in my hands, the time seems fitting that I should again demand of your excellency the surrender of Santiago and of your excellency's army.
Had the movement been completed it is probable that not a man would have escaped death or serious wounds. When the news came that General Toral had decided to surrender, the 25th Infantry was a thousand yards or more nearer the city of Santiago than any regiment in the army, having entrenched themselves along the railroad leading into the city.
General Toral, in full uniform, accompanied by his whole staff, fully caparisoned, shortly afterward left the city and walked to where the American officers were waiting their coming. When they reached the tree General Shafter and General Toral saluted each other gravely and courteously. Salutes were also exchanged by other American and Spanish officers.
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