Ninth, that the Spanish forces shall be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, depositing their arms to be disposed of by the United States in the future, the American commissioners to recommend to their Government that the arms of the soldiers be returned to those “who so bravely defended them.”

By the terms of this agreement the southeastern end of Cuba—­an area of about 5,000 square miles—­the capital of the province, the forts and their heavy guns, and Toral’s army, about 25,000 strong, passed into our possession.

The ceremony which sealed the capitulation of Santiago was simple and short.  Promptly at 9 o’clock in the morning all division and brigade commanders and their staffs reported to General Shafter at his headquarters.  With Major-General Wheeler at his left, General Lawton and General Kent behind, and the other officers, according to rank, following, the little cavalcade, escorted by a detachment of Rafferty’s mounted squadron, rode around the base of San Juan hill and west on the royal road toward Santiago.  Just about midway between the American and Spanish lines of rifle pits stands a lordly ceiba, 125 feet high to the crown, nearly 10 feet in diameter at the trunk and spreading 50 feet each way from the polished tree shaft.  Under this tree General Toral and a score of his officers awaited the Americans.  As General Shafter came down the slope toward the tree General Toral advanced a few feet and raised his hat.  General Shafter returned the salute, and then the quick notes of a Spanish bugle, marking the cadence of a march, sounded on the other side of the hedge which bordered the road, and the king’s guard, in column of twos, came into view.  Before they arrived on the scene the American cavalrymen had lined up with drawn sabers at a carry, each man and horse motionless.

The Spanish soldiers came through a gap in the hedge in quick time, the Spanish flag leading the column and two trumpeters sounding the advance.  The soldiers marched in excellent order, but as they passed General Shafter their eyes moved to the left and they glanced curiously at the men who had served as their targets only a few days before.  About 200 soldiers and officers were in the king’s guard, and the little command, after moving down the entire front of the detachment of cavalry, countermarched, and, swinging into line, halted facing the Americans, about ten yards distant.

For a few minutes Americans and Spaniards faced each other, silent and motionless.  Then the two trumpeters gave tongue to their horns again; a Spanish officer shouted a command; the Spanish colors dipped in a salute; the Spanish soldiers presented arms and the Spanish officers removed their hats.  Captain Brett’s quick, terse command, “Present sabers,” rang over the hillside, and American swords flashed as the sabers swept downward.  General Shafter removed his hat, and his officers followed his example.  For half a minute—­and it seemed longer—­the