Respectfully submitted,

THEODORE SCHWAN, Brigadier-General Commanding.

[Illustration:  A Street in San German.]

MAYAGUEZ, PUERTO RICO, Aug. 16.

My dear Gilmore,—­Availing myself of the first breathing-spell I have had for some time, I wish in this informal way and in advance of my regular report to say a few words to the general and yourself regarding our last Saturday’s work (August 13).

As soon as the result of the Hormigueros fight became known in Mayaguez—­about nine o’clock on the 10th—­Colonel Soto, the commander, “pulled up stakes.”  That the Spanish troops left in the greatest hurry the condition of their barracks abundantly evidenced.  Our advance-guard found the city entirely clear of the Spanish, and I ordered my cavalry to keep in touch with them.  The cavalry took the right-hand road of the two roads leading to Lares, over which some of the Spanish troops had actually gone; and in the evening the troop commander reported that they were between seven and ten miles off, and still retreating.  My command was thoroughly tired.  No one without witnessing it can conceive the distress an infantry soldier suffers while marching in this hot climate, in a deep column, weighted down as he is even without his pack; and some rest seemed actually imperative.  But the next morning I found that the main body of the Spanish had taken the westerly (or left hand) road to Lares, and early on Friday—­there being many other things to engage the attention of myself and troops—­I started Burke out in pursuit, with about 700 men, all told.  I overtook him Saturday morning about three and one-half miles north of Las Marias.  His infantry had pulled his guns over roads that were almost perpendicular.  His troops were exchanging shots at long range across a deep valley with the retreating Spaniards, most of whom had forded (losing a lot of men, who were drowned) a deep and rapid river known in that country as the Rio Prieto.  Our fire had already demoralized the thoroughly disheartened and half-famished Spanish soldiers; and their rear-guard, at least, was also disorganized and hiding in the hills.

[Illustration:  Tobacco Plantation (cutting leaves), Mayaguez.]

A company of infantry I had sent out brought in, about ten o’clock in the evening, forty odd prisoners, a number of pack-animals, etc.  Our men were thoroughly worn out by the day’s work.  Early the next morning I had four companies of infantry, the cavalry, and two guns ready to resume the pursuit.  And there cannot be the shadow of a doubt that, had I had five more hours, I should have taken Lares; for that the flying Spaniards had prepared to abandon it at once I have the most reliable information.  But at this particular juncture the notice that hostilities would be suspended came to me.  No troops ever “suspended” with worse grace.  We had given the Spanish no peace, and had taken all the starch out of them.  The colonel and lieutenant-colonel had surrendered.  Their troops were utterly demoralized and disintegrated.  It seemed a pity to deprive us of the full fruits of a victory for which we had labored so hard; but of course we had to bow to the inevitable.  Please let the general read this.