: MONUMENTS ON SAN JUAN HILL, NEAR SANTIAGO]

This was the unexpected emergence of the Spanish fleet from the Santiago
harbor, on the morning of July 3, in a desperate attempt to break
through the American blockade and fight their way around to Havana. In
Admiral Sampson's temporary absence the command devolved upon Admiral
Schley, and orders instantly were given to close in and engage the
Spanish ships. The latter were four in number, the _Maria Teresa_, the
_Vizcaya_, the _Colon_ and the _Oquendo_, with two torpedo boats,
_Pluton_ and _Terror_. Admiral Sampson quickly retraced his course but
did not arrive until the close of the fight, which raged for hours,
along the coast for fifty miles westward from Santiago. The result was
the destruction of every one of the Spanish ships and the killing of
one-third of their crews. Admiral Cervera with 1,200 men surrendered. On
the American side only one man was killed and three were wounded, and
not one of the ships was seriously damaged.

[Illustration: ADMIRAL SAMPSON]

The Spaniards now knew that Santiago was doomed, though they continued
to hold out with stubborn valor. On the night of July 4 they sank a
vessel in the harbor mouth, in emulation of Hobson's deed, to shut the
American fleet out, but failed to get it in the right place.
Preparations were made for a joint attack by army and fleet on July 9, a
truce being arranged until that date, and thereafter more or less
continuous fighting prevailed, without important results, for three
days. On July 12 General Toral, who had taken the Spanish command in
place of General Linares, who was wounded at San Juan Hill, entered into
negotiations with General Miles and General Wheeler, and on July 17
terms of surrender were adopted. All the Spanish troops in Oriente save
10,000 at Holguin, were surrendered, about 22,000 in all. Some minor
naval operations followed at Manzanillo and Nipe, but there was no more
serious fighting. For all practical purposes the war was ended.

[Illustration: PEACE TREE NEAR SANTIAGO, UNDER WHICH SPANISH COMMANDER
OF SANTIAGO CAPITULATED JULY 16, 1898]

The next step was taken in behalf of Spain by the French Ambassador at
Washington, Spain having committed to the French government the care of
her diplomatic interests in America. M. Cambon on July 26 inquired of
President McKinley if he would consider negotiations for peace. The
President replied on July 30 that he was willing to discuss peace on th