The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-03
WASHINGTON IN AGONY

concern throughout military and official
circles marked the opening of the second
day upon which the battle of Santiago
was being fought. The desperate char
acter of the fighting was fully known
to the war department. The Informal
ton was in addition to the report made
by General Shafter last midnight when
he roughly estimated his casualties at
above 400. Later reports, official and di-
rect from the field, indicate that this
estimate was far too low. General Shafter
had not, up to II o'clock this morning,
placed any exact figure on his loss, but
he made it clear that his first estimate
of 400 was much short of the actual Joss.
The Associated Press dispatch from the
field giving the loss at 1000 was in line
with General Skaters later information
although, as stated, he had set no figure.
The military authorities were alert early
in the day, despite the fact that they
had been up well through the night in
anxious waiting for the latest reports.
Secretary AIger and the adjutant general
of the army, General Corbin, held a con-
ference as soon as the secretary arrived.
Then Surgeon General Sternberg was
sent for, and joined in the conference.
1t was understood that the surgeon gem
eral would send a large force of medical
officers, some forty or fifty, in addition to
those already with General Skaters men,
and that all suitable Appliances would
be provided.
Neither the secretary nor the adjutant
general would add anything to the infor-
nation given out at midnight. 1t was
said, however, that the estimate of killed
and wounded first made by General Shaft
er was more likely to be under than over
the real loss. as the dense growth OF chap
paraI In which the American troops
fought made it well night impossible at
hrst TO learn the extent of the loss. An
impressive seriousness pervaded the mill
tary centers. The news that our gallant
1oot' up to the commanding plateau of
Caney was welcome indeed, but there was
now the full realization that this had been
done in the face of a whitening fire. In
stead Of a skirmish on the right flank. as
the reports yesterday indicated. it was
now clear that general engagement and
a terrific one had been fought under the
broiling tropical sun and in the tangled
vegetation northeast of Santiago.
General NILES and his staff were togeth-
er in the generals Office early in the day.
Spread on the generals desk was a map
showing in minutest details every road
way, trail, and elevation about Santiago.
The general traced the line of operations
yesterday and the probable line of action
IL
ing additional from the field. He spoke
gravely Of the fierceness of the fighting
yesterday. From a strategic point OF
view, Lawton's taking of Caney yesterday
gave an elevation on the right wing, serv-
ing the double purpose of diverting the
enemy from the left and opening a way
10 our left wing, and also of giving our
troops more commanding sweep OF the
enemy's northern defenses. Incidental y.
1t accomplished the important purpose
at least TO some extent, of preventing
Pando's coming down with reinforcements
from the north and turning our right
flank.
The deepest suspense existed through
out military and official circles as the day
progressed and no word came from Cen
eTal Shafter. All 2:30 o'cloc when a round
was made Of all Of the points OF the war
and navy departments where dispatches
are usually received. nothing was forth
coming as to the situation on the field
Adjutant General CorbIn. to whom the
first military reports are submitted reit-
Grated what he had said earlier IN the
Cay, that nothing had come from ShafteT
since 4 o'cioc this morning. The officials
were not even aware that the battle itself
was in progress. so far as their Informal
ton was concerned. The lack OF re-
ports was attributed mainly TO the fact
that General Shafter was 50 thoroughly
occupied with the imperative duties OF the
hour that there was scant time or op-
portunity for giving The detailed progress
OF his movements.
The secretary OF war remained az the
White House some hours and dld not re-
turn 10 the war department up 20 a late
hour this afternoon.
The navy department was also lacking
in any specific Information az the situa-
ton around Santiago. although there. TOO.
there was the deepest anxiety and sus-