Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba was an organization, the purpose of which was to record the history and conserve the memory of the events of the campaign which resulted in the surrender, on July 17, 1898, of the Spanish army, the city of Santiago de Cuba, and the military province to which it pertained during the Spanish–American War. Organized in the Governor's Palace, Santiago de Cuba, July 31, 1898. Constitution adopted at Camp Wykoff, Long Island, N. Y., September 15, 1898. The membership of the Society shall consist of
Battle of Santiago de Cuba only a few inconclusive skirmishes resulting. For his part, Cervera was content to wait, hoping for bad weather to scatter the Americans so that he could make a run to a position more favorable for engaging the enemy. However, U.S. land forces began to drive on Santiago de Cuba, and by the end of June 1898, Cervera found himself unable to remain safely in the harbor, and Governor-General Blanco y Erenas wanted a sortie, stating, "it is better for the honor of our arms that the squadron perish in battle ...". The breakout was planned for 09:00 on Sunday, July