A department of the army, to be known as the Department of Santiago, was created, and Maj.-Gen. Henry W. Lawton assigned to its command.
The Norwegian steamers Aladdin and Bergen were released, by orders from Washington.
August 12. The flag-ship San Francisco, the monitor Miantonomah, and the auxiliary yacht Sylvia were fired upon by the Havana batteries. One 10 or 12-inch shell struck the San Francisco’s stern as she turned to get out of range, and tore a hole about a foot in diameter, completely wrecking Commodore Howell’s quarters, and smashing his book-case to fragments. Nobody was injured, and, being under orders not to attack the batteries, the ships retreated as fast as their engines could carry them.
August 13. General Shafter, at Santiago, learned that Manzanillo had been bombarded for twenty hours.
General Shafter at once cabled to the Spanish commander at Manzanillo that peace had been declared,[35] and requesting him to advise the American commander of the fact under a flag of truce, which he did, and the shelling of the town ceased.
August 16. The following message was the first received in this country from the territory so lately annexed:
U. S. S. SAN FRANCISCO.
“Honolulu, August 16.
“Day, State Department:—Flag raised Friday, the twelfth, at noon. Ceremonies of transfer produced excellent impression.