g of the convention, the Army of
Invasion, known as the Fifth Army Corps, was on its homeward voyage,
and by the latter part of August the whole command was well out of
Cuba. Well did the soldiers themselves, as well as their friends,
realize, as the former returned from that campaign of a hundred days,
that war in the tropics was neither a pastime nor a practice march.
The campaign had tested the powers of endurance of the men to its
utmost limit. The horrors of war were brought directly to the face of
the people, as the ten thousand invalids dragged their debilitated
forms from the transports to their detention camps, or to the
hospitals, some too helpless to walk, and many to die soon after
greeting their native shores. Those who had been so enthusiastic for
the war were now quiet, and were eagerly laying the blame for the
sorrow and suffering before them upon the shoulders of those who had
conducted the war. Few stopped to think that a good part of this woe
might be justly charged to those who had constantly resisted the
establishment of an adequate standing army, and who, with inconsistent
vehemence, had urged the nation into a war, regardless of its military
equipment. The emaciated veterans arriving at Montauk were spoken of
as the evidences of "military incompetency;" they were also evidence
of that narrow statesmanship which ignores the constant suggestions of
military experience.

* * * * *

Headquarters United States Forces,
Near San Juan River, July 3, 1898--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. Please inform the citizens of foreign
countries, and all the women and children, that they should
leave the city before 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

WILLIAM R. SHAFTER,
Major-General U.S.V.

Reply.

Santiago de Cuba, July 3, 1898.

His Excellency the General Commanding Forces of United States,
near San Juan River.

Sir:--I have the honor to reply to your communication of
to-day, written at 8.30 A.M., and received at 1 P.M.,
demanding the surrender of this city, or, in contrary case,
announcing to me that you will bombard this city, and that I
advise the foreigners, women and children that they must
leave the city before