Evening star., 1898-11-11

additional force of 5000 men Gen. Garcia
beseged the garrison of Santiago, taking
up a strong position on the west side and
in close proximity to the harbor, and he
afterward received Gen. Shafter and Ad-
mirai Sampson at his camp near that place
He had troops in the rear well as on
both sides of the garrison at Santiago be-
fore the arrival of our troops.
HOstiIities in Front of Santiago.
1.-The expedition against Santiago, COM
manded by Maj. Gen. Shafter, landed at
Daiquiri and Siboney June %, % and "a
The subsequent movements of the expedi-
tion against the garrison of Santiago have
been described in the several communities
tions and reports of commanding officers
there engaged.
"On July the following dispatch was re-
ceved:
PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 1, 1898.
Adjutant Generals Office, United States
Army, Washington. D. c.:
Siboney. Had very heavy engagement
today, which lasted from am. till sun
down. We have carried their outer works
and are now in possession of them. There
is now about three-quarters of a mile Of
open country between my lines and city.
By morning troops will be intrenched and
considerable augmentation of force will be
there. Gen. l.awtonS division and Gen.
Bates brigade, which have been engaged
all day in carrying Ell Caney, which was
accomplished at 7. M, will be in line ana
in front of Santiago during the night.
regret to say that our casualties will be
above 400 OF these not many killed.
w. R. SHAFTER, Major General.
Shafter Contemplated Retreat.
And on the next day, the following dis
patch was received:
PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 3, 1898.
Camp near Sevila, Cuba, 81
The Secretary of War, Washington:
We have the town well invested on the
north and east, but with a very thin line.
Upon approaching it we find it of such a
character and the defenses so strong it will
be impossible to carry it by storm with my
present force, and l am seriously consider
ing Withdrawing about five miles and taxi
ing up new position on the high ground
between the San Juan river and Siboney,
with our left at Sardinero, so as to get our
supplies to a large extent by means of the
railroad, which we can use, having engines
and cars at Siboney. Our losses up to date
will aggregate thousand, but list has not
yet been made; but little sickness outside
of exhaustion from intense heat and eXer-
ton of the battle of the day before yes
terday and the almost constant fire which
is kept up on the trenches. Wagon road
to the rear is kept up with some difficulty
on account of rains, but l will be able to
use 1t for the present. General Wheeler is
seriously i'll. and will probably have 10 go
to the rear today. General Young also very
Ill, confined to his bed. General Hawkins
enemy made last night, which was hand
scmely repulsed, the behavior of the regu-
lar troops was magnificent. | am urging
Admiral Sampson to attempt to force the
entrance of the harbor, and will have a
consultation with him this morning. He is
coming to the front to see me. l have been
unable to be out during the heat of the
day for four days, but am retaining the
command. General Garcia reported he
holds the railroad from Santiago to San
Luis, and has burned a bridge and removed
some rails: also that General Pando has
arrived al Palma, and that the French con-
sui with about 400 French citizens came in
to his lines yesterday from Santiago. Have
directed him to treat them with every cour-
teSy possible. SHAFTER
Major General.
ITO which 1 cabled the following answer:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
Washington, D. c., July 3, 1898.
General Shafter, Playa del Este, Cuba:
Accept my hearty congratulations on
the record made of magnificent fortituic
gallantry and sacrifice displayed in the des-
perate fighting of tha troops before San
tiago. l realize the hardships, difficulties
and sufferingS, and proud that amid
those terrible scenes the troops illustra ted
such fearless and patriotic devotion to the
welfare of our common country and flag.
Whatever the results to follow their un-
surpassed deeds of valor. the past is already
a gratifying chapter of history. 1 expect
to be with you within one week with strong
reinforcements. MILES,
MAYOR GENERAL, COMMANDING
HEADQUARTERS 9TH ARMY CORPS,
Near Santiago, Playa, July 4, 1895
Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, Commanding
the Army of the United States, Wash
ington:
II thank you in the name of the gallant
men | have the honor to command for
splendid tribute of praise which you have
accorded them They bore themselves as
American soldiers always have Your tele-
gram will be published at the head of the
regiments In the morning. feel that am
master of the situation and can hold the
enemy for any length of time. l am de-
lighted to know that You are coming that
you may see for yourself the obstacles
Which this army had to overcome Ny
only regret is the great number of gallant
souls who have given their lives for
countrys cause. SHAFTER.
THE following dispatch was also received
from General Shafter:
HEADQUARTERS 9TH ARMY CORPS,
Camp near San Juan River,
Via Haiti, Playa del Este, July 4, 1893.
"Adjutant General Washington:
"If Sampson will force an entrance with
all his fleet to the upper bay of Santiago
we can take the place within a few hours
Under these conditions believe the town
will surrender. If the army is to take the
place 1 want 15,000 troops speedily, and 1t
is not certain that they can be landed, as ii
Is getting stormy. Sure and speedy way is
through the bay. Am now in position to
do my part. SHAFTER,
Major General.
Miles Goes to Cuba.
"On receipt of these communications 1t
was decided that 1 should go Immediately