Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-06-15
EXPEDITION SAILS,
At Last the Troops Leave
Tampa for Cuba.
Thirty-four Transports Conveyed by
10 Warships Sail, Monday.
The Men Delighted at Prospect Of EARLY
Action in Cuba.

Tampa, June 1i.-After weeks Of
waiting ana preparation the first army
Of invasion to start from the eastern
shores Of the United States departed
/ under the command of Gen. Shafter.
this morning at o'clock. The fleet Of
transports consisted Of 30 vessels, foul.
tenders and II cQnYoys. These are all
TOW upon the Gulf Of Mexico, headed
to tie southwark until they pass Key
West At least. II the destination be
Cuba they Will continue their present
course until Cape Antonio, at the west
Of the island is doubled when an
easterly course viii 10 sailed until they
reach the vicinity Of Santiago
The actual e1nbarkation Of the troops
began, Monday, June 6. The work pro
cccded diligently until late Wednesday
afternoon, when, after the departure
of several vessels, an important order
came calling a halt i'll the proceedings.
The Castne was dispatched to over
haul and recall the disappearing YES
sells. They All came back. but one, the
City Of Washington, which was sup
posed to be aground down the bay It
had been subsequently learned how
ever, that this vessel had outslipped
the messenger until the coast of Cuba
was actually sighted Neither the
Washington nor the Castine returned
to Port Tampa, until Saturday.
The alleged cause of the delay was
scouting, had sighted several Spanish
vessels
Like a wet blanket came the order to
halt. Chcrrfuness was displaced hy
keen Disappointment. Two questions
were on every tongue. has Spain sur
rendered." Has our fleet met With a
reverse?" The former met with the
readiest belief, many believing the
words in the order "Indeflnitely post
poned" 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 We're being unloadcd News
paper men were confidently told on
Friday night that they had better so
aboard. The following day it was
openly stated that the sailing would |
occur, Sunday, The rush Of the pre-
vious Monday WAS repeated.
Gen, Miles ana his staff went to Port |
Tampa, Sunday morning at $50, to de- |
liver parting instructions. During a !
heavy rain squat on Sunday night at
8 O'Clock, while the transports were
straininG at their cables the little tug
Captain Sam steamed from ship to ship
the orders stand ready
TO sail at daybreak."
Above the roar OF the storm wild cheers
ling revealed the soldiers standing in the
ain, waving their wet hats and hurrah-
ng. When morning broke the piers were
ined with transports and the docks were
provided with workers. Most of these
were filled with soldiers. who were
'heered until their ears ached and who
heered in turn until hoarsc. Horses and
mules were kicking up clouds of dust and
he sun poured down its hot rays on the
weltcring mass of humanity.
Thus Sunday passed, the transports at
he docks and those in mid-stream re-
Giving their quotas of men and ncces-
aries to sustain them. Gen. Miles again
vent to the port. Monday, on an early
rain. The mad rush had not abated.
len. Miles from his ear watched the
trring scene.
Shortly after 9 o'clock, the tunnels of ,
he transports began to pour forth vol ),
mes of smoke. The commanders gave ,,
heir orders to cut loose and the vessels
acked into the bay and anchored to ,
wait the order to sail All eyes were :
yeted on the Segueranca the flagship, !,
nd when the final sign came. a mighty +.
heer arose from the lower row of Dor;
CONTINUED on page %