August 13. Twelve hours later the Spanish commander gave the following command to one of his staff:
“Tell the American general, if he desires to avoid further shedding of blood, to remain where he is.”
General Miles telegraphed the War Department that he was in receipt of Secretary Alger’s order to suspend hostilities in Porto Rico. The soldiers of the American army generally received the news of peace with delight, although some were disappointed that there was to be no further fighting, and many officers expressed regrets at the suspension of hostilities in the midst of the campaign.
August 14. General Schwan’s column was attacked between Mayaguez and Lares. As the Eleventh Infantry under Colonel Burke was descending the valley of the Rio Grande they were fired upon from a hillside by a force of fifteen hundred Spaniards, who were retreating toward the north. The fire was returned, and the Spaniards were repulsed with, it was believed, considerable loss.
Colonel Soto, the commander of the Mayaguez district, was wounded and afterward captured in a wayside cottage. He was attended by two sergeants, who surrendered. The Americans suffered no loss. The artillery and cavalry were not engaged.
General Schwan had not received news of the signing of the protocol when the action occurred, but obtained it later in the day.
GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER, SECRETARY OF WAR.