When they reached the tree General Shafter and General Toral saluted each other gravely and courteously.

Salutes were also exchanged by other American and Spanish officers.

The officers were then introduced to each other.

After this little ceremony the two commanding generals faced each other and General Toral, speaking in Spanish, said: "Through fate I am forced to surrender to General Shafter, of the American Army, the city and the strongholds of Santiago." General Toral's voice grew husky as he spoke, giving up the town and the surrounding country to his victorious enemy.

As he finished speaking the Spanish officers presented arms.
General Shafter, in reply, said: "I receive the city in the name of the government of the United States." General Toral addressed an order to his officers in Spanish and they wheeled about, still presenting arms, and General Shafter and the other American officers with the cavalry and infantry followed them, walked by the Spaniards and proceeded into the city proper.
The soldiers on the American line could see quite plainly all the proceedings.