The record-union., 1898-06-26
To Prevent Any Chance Of a Serious
Reverse at Santiago.
Latest Information Reaching Washington
Authorities Show the Spanish Army to
Have a Greater Force Than
Had Been Estimated.

shifted sharply to-day from the Navy
Department to the War Department,
The newspaper reports, brief ana
graphic, telling of the short, bloody lit
tie engagement between the Spaniards
defending Santiago and the Rough Rid
ers, the romantic figures in the Ameri-
can army, had aroused popular interest
10 high pitch. Consequently the w ar
Department scarcely opened for busi-
ness before a crowd of newspaper men
and other interested persons filled the
hall and vicinity of the bulletin boards,
seeking for some official information
that would supply data missing from
the press accounts.
1t was not until nearly noon that the
first cablegram came from Shafter, and
then, to the disappointment of the de-
partment, it was even more meager
than the press reports. During the
course of the day several other dis
patches We're received, but they all left
something to be desired, for, being
under yesterdays date, they did not re-
lieve anxiety as 10 what happened yes
terday evening and to-day, with the
two armies separated by the short space
of a mile and a half. An explanation
Of this state of affairs was found in the
fact that General Shafter failed to take
with him from Tampa the splendid field
telegraph service that had been pre-
pared with much care by General Gree
ley for just such a campaign as is now
being waged. 1t is probable that he
has already seen his error, and will
avail himself of the instruments just as
soon as they can be sent to him.
There was a general expression of
grief at the loss sustained by the soldiers
in yesterdays fight. Still, officials in
high places expressed themselves as
thoroughly satisfied with the result, re-
alizing that war cannot be successful
without sacrifice of life. The impress
ion gained from one of General Shaf-
ter's dispatches is that he is now about
10 delay his advance until he has Sc
cured his artillery. Such a course will
be dictated by common prudence, for it
is known that the Spaniards have for
titled as far as they could advanced po-
sitions outside of Santiago, and it
would be the hight of folly TO throw SOL
diers unsupported by artillery against
such works. Unfortunately there prom
ises to be some delay in landing all the
artillery. owing to the loss on the voy-
age to Santiago Of the big lighter which
seems to be necessary to transferring
guns from the ships to the landing pier.
The naval authorities have responded
promptly TO the appeal of the War De-
partment, and some means will be found
through the aid of the warships to ac-
celerate the landing Of supplies and
guns.
During the day Secretary Alger and
General Miles held several conferences.
not so much to go over the struggle of
yesterday. as to give every military
preparation for the great struggle yet
10 come. AS a result. however. rein
forcements viii go forward at once,
both from Tampa and from Newport
News. An expedition of 5000 men is
expected to leave Tampa within the
next three days. 1t comprises the
command of Brigadler General Snyder,
the third division OF the First Army
Corps. The stores are already going
aboard the transports, and the start
of the expedition only waits the arrival
Of the naval convoy
Part of the warships sent over with
Skaters expedition have been re-
leased from Admiral Sampson and are
now on their way back to Tampa to
escort additional troops. Others will
follow. and then another formidable
marine procession will start across the
gulf to Cuba. Whether the battleship
Indiana will lead this expedition. as
Il did the last, is not definitely settled.
There viii be several heavy warships,
however. as well as lighter craft, TO
give conduct to General Snyder's di-
vision.
Simultaneous with this, General Hen
rvs division will be moving along the
Atlantic Coast, and thence to Santiago
In all. the reinforcements from Tampa
and Newport News will be in the
neighborhood of 12,000 or 1900 men.
Drafts on Chickamauga are likesy to
follow soon, as the hurry orders re-