The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-05
to General shafter before the news of the
destruction of the fleet:

to General shafter before the news of the
destruction of the fleet:
Accept my hearty congratulations on the
record made of magnificent fortitude, gall
lantry and sacrifice displayed in the des-
perate fighting of the troops before Santa
so. realize the hardships, difficulties and
sufferings, and proud that amid those
terrible scenes the troops illustrated such
fearless and patriotic devotion to the well
fare of our common country and flag.
Whatever the results to follow their unsur-
passed deeds Of valor the past is already
gratifying chapter of history. Expect to be
with you within one week with strong REIN
forcements.
MILES. Major General Commanding"
General Skaters reply is as follows:
II thank you in the name of the gallant
men have the honor TO command for
the splendid tribute of praise which you
have accorded them. They bore themselves
as American soldiers always have. Your
telegram will be read to all the regiments
in the morning. 1 feel that am master of
the situation and can hold the enemy for
any length of time. 1 am delighted 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 our county's cause
"SHAFTER."
Assistant Adjutant General Wagner sent
the following from General Skaters head
quarters:
"Pando six miles north with 5000 Garcia
opposes with 5000. Lawton can support
Garcia and prevent Junction"
Adjutant Corbin sent the following mes
sage to General Shafter this afternoon:
LAS soon as you can do so advisedly, tele-
graph me your recommendations for pro-
motions"
This action was taken at the instance of
the President and Secretary Alger.
THE PRESIDENT TO SAMPSON.
The following message was sent to Ad-
miral Sampson to-day by the President:
You have the gratitude and congratula-
| tions of the whole American people. Com
| vey to your noble officers and crews
| through whose valcr new honors have been
| added to the Americans the grateful thanks
| and appreciation of the Nation.
WILLIAM MKINLEY"
The pressing need of reinforcing Shafter
| is no longer felt, now that the Spanish
fleet is cut of the way. considerable
number of men, however, are already on the
way and others will follow
The changed naval situation will bring
no abatement in the activity of the authori-
ties here in carrying the war directly home
to Spain. There is renewed determination
to get Commodore Watson's eastern squad
ron away at the earliest moment, for the
double purpose of striking blow at the
coast towns of Spain, and of pursuing Ad-
miral Camara's fleet, which has halted at
the entrance of the Suez canal. Secretary
Long made the official statement to-day
that the fleet would sail at the earliest
possible moment, and although he did not
go into details as to its purpose it is well
understood that it will devote it's atten-
ton to the Spanish coast and to Camara
The destruction of the Spanish fleet at San
tiago relieves Admiral Sampson from sur
Vigilance of this squadron, and he can read
lily spare the ships intended for the attack
on the Spanish coast.
SAMPSON TO BE AN ADMIRAL.
It has been Acting Admiral Sampson"
for some time, but that it will be Admiral
Sampson in fact as we'll as name is the
prevailing feeling in naval circles as a re-
suit of the victory reported by the Ameri-
can admiral. Shortly after the war broke
out Captain Sampson was made acting ad-
miral in order to give him rank fitting his
high command, although his actual naval
rank remains at captain. BY singular
coincidence his rank was advanced to-day to
that of commodore, owing to the retire
ment of Admiral Kirkland. In the event of
his now being made an admiral it would
advance him over the ten commodores MAX
ing up the list of that grade and would
place him Just below that very famous hero
of the war, Admiral Dewey. 1t is, of
course, purely conjectural thus far, but it
is a conjecture which receives such common
acceptance in naval quarters that it is most
likely to be realized.
The release of Hobson and the other he
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