At eight o’clock in the morning on the 10th of August General Schwan’s brigade broke camp at Sabana Grande, and moved out on the road to San German.  The order of march differed from that of the day before only in the presence of the troop of cavalry; and, the command being well rested, such progress was made that the advance-guard reached the western side of San German by noon—­a good ten miles.  The main body halted at the same hour just outside the eastern entrance to the town, preparing a makeshift meal; and at this point the sick, both on their own account and to make room in the already crowded ambulances, were transferred to a private hospital.

Before quitting San German, word was brought to the commanding general that the entire Mayaguez garrison—­some 1,362 men, chiefly regulars—­was marching in our direction, and would contest our advance.  This information, which proved to be correct, was at once communicated to the cavalry and advance-guard, with orders to proceed with the greatest care, and to reduce somewhat the distances ordinarily separating the different parts of the column.

Our source of information at this and other important times was a small body of native scouts, numbering from 6 to 11 men and commanded by Lugo Vina, a swarthy, wizened little Puerto Rican, who looked like General Gomez and was taciturn as an Indian.  He was considered by General Schwan to be a man of great character and force.  These scouts were well mounted, and accompanied the brigade during its entire march, rendering most important and efficient service.  Three of them were arrested as spies by Spanish officials between Las Marias and Mayaguez, and narrowly escaped being shot.  Eventually, they suffered nothing worse than imprisonment for several months at San Juan; and, when the Evacuation Commission arranged for their release, the United States reimbursed them to the full extent of their wages for the period of their captivity.

[Illustration:  The Theatre, Mayaguez.]

For the position of “alcade” or Mayor of the city of Mayaguez General
Schwan had a most difficult task.

Someone thoroughly acquainted with the country and its people was wanted and the selection fell to a prosperous planter residing within the jurisdiction of Mayaguez—­who had been—­while not properly speaking, a scout—­was yet of considerable service to General Schwan as an interpreter and guide up to the taking of Mayaguez.  And because he had in addition been exceedingly useful to our government before the actual breaking out of the war, it was the wish of General Miles to confer upon him some suitable reward immediately hostilities were suspended.  General Schwan was prepared to make this appointment, but so strong an opposition to the plan sprang spontaneously from the inhabitants of the municipality most interested that the appointment was held up.