The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-15

Tampa, Fla, June 14.-After weeks
of waiting and preparation, the first
army of invasion to start from the
eastern shores of the United States de-
parted under the command of General
Shafter this morning at o'clock The
fleet of transports consisted of 80 yes
sells, four tenders and IA conveys. These
are all now upon the Gulf of Mexico,
headed southwark until they pass Key
West, at least. If the destination be
Cuba, they will continue their present
course until Cape Antonio, at the west
of the island, is doubled, when an east
erly course will be sailed, until they
reach the vicinity of Santiago.
AS already stated in these dispatches,
the actual embarkation of the troops
began on Monday, June 6. The work
proceeded diligently until late on Wed
neSday afternoon, when, after the de-
parture of several vessels. an important
order came, calling a halt in the pro-
ceedings. The Castine was dispatched
at once to overhaul the disappearing
vessels and recall then. They all came
back but one, the City of Washington,
which was reported to be aground
down the bay. 1t has been subsequent
ly learned, however, that this vessel
had Outstripped the messenger until the
coast of Cuba was really sighted.
Neither the Washington nor the Cas-
tine returned to Port Tampa until
Saturday.
The alleged cause of the delay was
the report that the Hornet, while out
scouting, had sighted several Spanish
WarShips. Like a wet blanket came
the order to halt. Cheerfulness was
displaced by keen disappointment.
Two questions were on every tongue:
Has Spain surrendered" Has our
fleet met with a reverse?" The former
met with the readiest belief, many be-
lieving the words in the order "indefi-
nitely postponed" meant peace.
The unloading of the Florida, which
had been run into by the Miami and
seriously damaged last Wednesday,
gave grounds for the rumor that all
the transports were being unloaded.
Newspaper men were confdenually
told on Friday night that they had bet
ter go on board. The following day it
was openly stated that the sailing
would occur on Sunday noon.
ANOTHER FALSE ALARM.
The rush of the previous Monday was
repeated. General Miles and his staff
went to Port Tampa Sunday morning
at $50 to deliver parting instructions.
During heavy rain squall on Satur-
day night while the transports were
straining at their cables, the little tug
Captain Sam steamed from ship to
ship, megaphoning the order, Stand
ready to sail at daylight" Above the
roar of the storm wild cheers were
heard, and a bright flash of lightning
revealed the soldiers standing in the
rain, waving their wet hats and hur-
raining. When the morning broke,
piers were lined with transports. the !
dOolxc crowded with flo
cars, stock cars, baggage and express
cars. Most of these were crowded with !
soldiers, who were cheered until their !
ears ached, and who cheered in return
until hoarse.
Bright colored dresses and fragile /
parasOls in the crowds of blue coats in !
Dictated the presence of the fair sex
Horses and mules were kicking up |
clouds of dust, and the sun poured |
down in hot rays, sweltering the mass |
of humanity.
Thus Sunday passed, the transports
at the docks and those in mid-stream
receiving their quotas of men and the
necessaries to sustain them. General
Miles again went to the port on Mon
day on the early train. The stirring
scenes continued, the mad rush had not
abated. General Miles, from the obser-
walton end of his car, watched the
crowd as it passed near him. The trans
ports swinging at their mornings were
plainly in view, as were also many of
those at the docks.
Shortly after o'clock the tunnels of
the transports began pouring forth
columns of black smoke. The Marga-
ret, OliVette and Mateo and Laura were
visiting the fleet, giving water to one
troops to another, animals and equip
ments to another Along the pier could
be heard the voices of the transport
I%r.e /, ~
10 cut loose. The gang plankS were pull
ed in, the hatchways closed, lines cast
off and the engines were put in mo-
ton
The vessels backed into the bay and
to await the order to sail.
The Mattewan hove her cable short at
10 o'clock.
THE FINAL SIGNAL
All eyes were riveted on the Segur-
inca, the flagship. and when the final
signal came, a mighty shout arose.
From the lower row of portfolios hats
we're waved. Anchor was quickly
Weighed and the great vessel pointed
Ter prov down the bay. In a few min
ties the City of Washington, Rio
5rande, Cherokee, Iroquois and Whit
ley followed. AS these boats picked
heir way through the anchored fleet.
men shouted and bands played. Every
7essel ELECTED a wild display of enthu-
;iasm. These were the only vessels to
iepart in the forenoon, some of them
going over to st. Petersburg to pro-
,ure water.
General Miles. evidently becoming i'm
patient, embarked on the Tarpoon at
2:30 and went out among the fleet, go
ng as far down the bay as ST. Peters
,urg, and not returning until o'clock
n the meantime the transports were
teaming down the bay
In the afternoon the Morgan cut a
,ath of white foam down the channel
md her lead was followed by the Vigil
amelia, San Marcos, Clinton Yucatan,
Berkshire, Olivette, Santi-
go. Arkansas, Seneca, Saratoga, Mi
mo, Leona, Breakwater and Comal
Before all of these vesstls had moved /
way darkness had enYelored the re-