Page "William Rufus Shafter" Paragraph 9
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However, the extent of the American losses were becoming known at Shafter's headquarters back at Sevilla ( his gout, poor physical conditiong, and huge bulk did not allow him to go to the front ).
The casualties were delivered not only by messenger report, but also by " meat wagons " delivering the wounded and dying to the hospital.
He knew his troops ' position was tenuous, but again had little intelligence on the hardships of the Spanish inside beleaguered Santiago.
Supplies could not be delivered to the front, leaving his the men in want of necessities, particularly food rations.
He suggested that the army should give up its attack and all its gains for the day, and withdraw to safer ground about five miles away.
Fortunately, by the time this message reached Washington, Shafter changed his mind, and instead renewed siege operations after demanding the Spanish surrender the city and garrison of Santiago.
With the victory of the U. S. Navy at the Battle of Santiago de Cuba, the fate of the Spanish position at Santiago was sealed.
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