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The work of removing the mines which obstructed navigation at the entrance of the harbour had been progressing all night. At about seven o’clock General Toral, the Spanish commander, sent his sword to General Shafter, as evidence of his submission, and at 8.45 A. M. all the general officers and their staffs assembled at General Shafter’s headquarters.
The officers were then introduced to each other. After this little ceremony the two commanding generals faced each other and General Toral, speaking in Spanish, said: "Through fate I am forced to surrender to General Shafter, of the American Army, the city and the strongholds of Santiago."
“General Toral replied with an air of abstraction to the words addressed to him, and when he accompanied General Shafter at the head of the escort into the city, to take formal possession of Santiago, he spoke but few words.
There they were met by General Toral and his staff, all in full uniform and mounted, and a select detachment of Spanish troops. “What followed took place in full view of our troops. “The scene was picturesque and dramatic.
Knowing all this, General Toral still refused to surrender, and during the afternoon of Sunday, July 10th, the white flags were taken down and a bombardment of the city was begun. For two hours, or until the coming of darkness, a heavy cannonade with brisk rifle-fire was kept up by both sides, but with little damage to either. With sunrise of the following morning it was resumed.
On July 3 General Shafter sent the following communication to General Toral, commanding the Spanish army in the province of Santiago: Headquarters of United States Forces, Near San Juan River, Cuba, July 3, 8:30 A. M. To the Commanding General of the Spanish Forces, Santiago de Cuba Sir: I shall be obliged, unless you surrender, to shell Santiago de Cuba.
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