Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 July 1898 — WITHIN OUR LINES. [ARTICLE]

WITHIN OUR LINES.

Lieut Hobson and His Brave Men Again with Friends. THEIR EXCHANGE AT LAST EFFECTED. The Event Takes Place in Plain View of Both Armlet Before Santisgo— Royal Welcome Extended to the Heroes. Washington, July 8. —The president has been, officially notified by Gen. Shafter of the exchange of Hobson, who is now within the American lines. The president has given expression to his deep gratification at the successful accomplishment of the exchange negotiations. Gen. Shafter reports that Hobson and the others are well except two, who are convalescing from an attack of intermittent fever. The exchange was made on equal terms as to rank. Shafter's Telegram. Washington, July B.—Gen. Shafter’s telegram announcing the exchange of Lieut. Hobson and his men is as follows: “Playa del Este, July 7.—Secretary of War, Washington: Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, Cuba, July 6.—Lieut. Hobson and all of his men have just been received safely in exchange for Spanish officers and prisoners taken by United States. All in good health except two seamen convalescing from remittent fever. "(Signed) SHAFTER, “Major General Commanding." List of the Exchanged Heroes. The men whose return to their comrades has been secured by the negotiations are: Richmond P. Hobson, lieutenant U. S. N.; Osborne Deignan, coxswain; George F. Phillips, machinist; John Kelly, water tender; George Charette, a gunner’s mate; Daniel Montague, seaman; J. C. Murphy, coxswain; Randolph Clausen, coxswain. How Exchange Was Made. Off Juragua, July 6, by the Press Dispatch Boat Wanda, via Kingston, Jamaica, July 8. —The Spanish authorities consented this morning to exchange Hobson and his men and a truce was established for the purpose. The place selected for the exchange was under a tree between the American and Spanish lines, two-thirds of a mile beyond the entrenchments occupied by Col. Wood’s rough riders, near Gen. Wheeler’s headquarters and in the centei - of the American line. The American prisoners left the Reina Mercedes hospital on the outskirts of Santiago de Cuba, where they had been confined, at 2:45 this afternoon, in charge of Maj. Irles, a Spanish staff officer, who speaks English perfectly. The prisoners were conducted to the meeting place on foot, but were not blindfolded. Col. John Jacob Astor and Lieut. Miloy, accompanied by Interpreter Maestro, were in charge of the Spanish prisoners. These consisted of Lieut. Amelio Volez and Aurelius, a German belonging to the Twentyninth regular infantry, who were cap- ■ tured at El Caney on Friday last, and Lieut. Adolfo Aries, of the First provisional regiment of Barcelona, one of the most aristocratic military organizations of the Spanish army, and 14 non-commissioned officers and privates. Lieut. Aries and a number of the men were wounded in the fight at El Caney. The Spanish prisoners were taken through the American lines mounted and blindfolded. The meeting between Col. Astor and Maj. Irles was extremely courteous, but very formal, and no attempt was made by either of them to discuss anything but the mutter in hand. Maj. Irles was given his choice of three Spanish lieutenants in exchange for Hobson, and was also informed that he could have all of the 14 men in exchange for the American sailors. The Spanish officer selected Lieut. Aries, and the other two Spanish officers were conducted back to Juragua. The meeting of lhe two parties and the exchange of prisoners had taken place in full view of both the American and Spanish soldiers, who were -intrenched near the meeting place, and the keenest interest was taken in the episode. Hobaon Wildly Cheered. Hobson and his men were escorted through the American lines by Capt. Chadwick, of the New York, who was awaiting them. Every step of their journey was marked by the wildest on the part of the American soldiers, who threw aside •11 semblance of order, scrambled out of the entrenchments, knocked over tent guys and other camp paraphernalia in their eagerness to see the returning heroes,and sent up cheer after cheer for the men who had passed safely through the jaws of death to serve their country. The same scenes of enthusiasm were repeated upon the arrival of the men at the hospital station and at our base at Juragua. Hobson, who reached there in advance of his companions, was taken on board the New York immediately. The flagship's decks were lined with officers and men, and ns Hobson clambered up her side and stepped on board his vessel, the harbor rung with the shouts and cheers of his comrades, which were reechoed by the crews of a dozen transports lying near by. Lieut. Hobson and all of his men were completely overcome by the reception accorded them, and tears rolled down their cheeks ns the soldiers crowded around them. As Hobson and his party approached Capt. Grimes' battery, the men cried out on every side to have a salute fired in their honor. Hobson protested against I this immediately, and shouted to the 1 artillery men, who hnd also caught I the infection, not to do it. Hrlcomed by Crn. Wheeler, Lieut. Hobson finally reached Gen. Wheeler’s headquarters, where the

veteran cavalryman and other officers gave him a warm welcome. By thia time Capt. Chadwick, of the New York, and the naval escort from the flagship had Hobson and his men, and they were the first persons with whom the rescued prisoners had any previous acquaintance whom they had met since they entered Santiago harbdf on their perilous mission. Capt. Chadwick and all the others took each man by the hand and extended the heartiest greetings. Before leaving for the seacoast Hobson was taken to Gen. Shafter’s headquarters and warmly greeted by the commanding general. An Interview. Lieut. Hobson declined to say anything to the newspaper men regarding the sinking of the Merrimac, on the ground that he intended to submit a complete report to Admiral Sampson on the subject and that it would be outside the line pf his duty to say anything about it until after he had made such a report, or at least had had an opportunity to consult the admiral. With regard to his experience as a prisoner of war in Santiago he said: During the first four days we were prisoners of war we were confined in Morro castle, and I can assure you those were extremely uncomfortable and disagreeable days The Spaniards did not exactly 111 treat us, but It took them some time to recover from the shock caused by what most of them considered our Yankee Impudence In trying to block their harbor. As a rule the officers and men who came Into contact with us were gruff in speech and suHen In manner. There were many threatening glances shot in our direction. I’ralne for Cervera. "For Admiral Cervera I have nothing but the highest admiration. His act in informing Admiral Sampson of our safety I regard as that of a kind-hearted, generous man and chivalrous officer. I expressed to him my sincere thanks and the thanks of my men for taking this means of relieving the anxiety of our shipmates and our friends at home. He repeatedly spoke to me of his admiration of what he called one of the most daring acts in naval history, though I am sure we were not entitled to the commendation we received, for there were hundreds of other men on our ships who would have been glad to undertake to do the same thing. kept in the Hospital. "While we were in Morro castle we were naval prisoners, but, at the end of four days we were transferred to the jurisdiction of the army, and were removed to the Reina Mercedes hospital on the outskirts of Santiago, where we remained until to-day. We knew but little of what was going on in the city, though, of course, we could always tell when bur fleet was bombarding the shore batteries, and we could easily distinguish the terrific explosions caused by the Vesuvius throwing dynamite shells. Several times at, night we were also fully aware that the land batteries were fighting outside the city. Last Friday and Saturday it would be difficult to explain how anxious we were for news of the success of our side during the engagement. The little information the Spaniards wopld give us could not be relied upon. One thing that I found out in the hospital was that a large number of Spanish officers were wounded in last Friday’s tight, for many were brought to the hospital to be treated. of badly aimed bullets came into the hospital windows on Friday, but I do not believe anyone was injured by them. Our quarters there were very clean and comfortable, and the food 'was fairly good. In fact, I have .no reason to complain of our treatment as prisoners of war. The prejudice which the Spaniards showed against us during the first few days soon wore away. We conducted ourselves properly and simply forced them to treat us well.”