n's staff went forward to the enemy's lines
with a flag of truce, and explained that peace negotiations were almost
concluded, that their position was untenable, and demanded their
surrender. The Spanish had had no communication with the outside world,
and the commander asked until the next morning in order that he might
communicate with General Macias at San Juan.

_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.

[Illustration: GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER, SECRETARY OF WAR.]

CHAPTER XVI.

THE FALL OF MANILA.

With the opening of the month of July, affairs at Manila, so far as
concerned the American forces, were at a standstill.

_June 30._ Admiral Dewey awaited the coming of the army, the first
transports of the fleet having arrived at Cavite, June 30th, before
beginning offensive operations.

The situation on and around the island of Luzon was much the same as it
had been nearly all the month of June, except that the gunboat _Leite_,
which ran up a river on May 1st, the day of the battle, came out and
surrendered, having on board fifty-two army and navy officers