Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-22

WASHINGTON, June 1.-TWO months
ago to-day war broke out between the
United States and Spain, according to
the proclamation of the President and the
declaration Of Congress. The end of that
period finds nearly 1900 United States
troops lying off Santiago, preparing to
land; It finds cable communication es-
tablished between the government at
Washington and the advance guard of the
expedition 10 Cuba and It finds Gu
ban territory in the possession of United
States marines. backed by a squadron.
and nearly all of the commercial ports
OF Cuba blockaded. This is all apart
from Dewey's great victory at Manila,
and from the splendid results achieved in
organizing several armies now in camp.
Therefore the officials of the admins
tratiou feel that they have a right to
look back with pride over what has been
accomplished IN the short space of two
months, working in large part with raw
material in both the army and the navy.
REINFORCEMENTS FOR SHAFTER.
The government has now determined
Shafter at Santiago. To this end the
first expedition will leave Newport News
Thursday morning, carrying Brigadier-
General Dumeld's separate brigade Of
the Second Army Corps, made up of the
Ninth Massachusetts the Thirry-thlrd
and Thirty fourth Michigan. and the
Third Virginia regiments. in all, about
500 men.
Expeditions will follow rapidly by way
Of Tampa, for while Fernandina and
Miami are considered as very good points
for concentrating troops, yet the army
officials are now satisfied that Tampa
can be retained with advantage as the
main point OF embarkation.
The next forces to 50 viii include those
OF Bngadier-General Garretson, OF the
Second Brigade Of the First Division,
Second Army Corps. embracing the Sixth
Illinois. the Sixth Massachusetts and the
Eighth and Ninth Ohio regiments.
HENRY TO COMMAND.
Brigadier-General Guy V. Henry, dis |
tingulshed cavalry officer of the regular !
army. arrived here to-day from Tampa, |
and the present plans are for General |
Henry 10 command a division, made up |
OF the brigades Of General Dufiield and (
General Garretson, this division, COM |
prislng 5000 men. to be for the speedy re- !
Of General Shafter.
IL will swell the American force at
Santiago de Cuba to about 24OOO men.
But the expeditions will not stop at that
number, as there is determined pur-
pose TO send forward a sufficient force -
crush any Spanish command which can
be concentrated at that point.
NOT 50 MANY SPANISH.
The reports from Santiago that about
Al .Ooo Spanish troops are in and about
the city do not agree with reliable est-
mates in the possession Of the War De-
partment. According to the latter figures
there are not TO exceed 1000 Spanish
troops at Santiago de Cuba while 100
miles away 10 the northwest, at Hol-
guin. the Spanish corps commander, Cen
sral Pando. has 1000 men. The War De-
Dartment a. Satisfied that the Cuban
.orces under Garcia can keep Pando from
reinforcing Santiago. Should this not be
the Spanish forces al san
.lago would be augmented 10 about 2oVOo
men. They are well armed, well dis
.ipnned. seasoned to the climate, know
he hghtlng grounds of the locality ana :
ire probably as good an ail-around hght-
ng force as the Spaniards can bring 10
,ear. There is no purpose on the part I
Z the authorities TO leave General shaf-
er with an inadequate force 20 oppose
easoned Spanish soldiers
ARRIVAL OF TRANSPORTS +,
In 10 the close Of Office hours to-day Z
either the War nor Navy Department I
ad received any detailed information as
0 the arrival OF troops at Santiago. The
ntire Information to-day was confined I
o the one brief dispatch from Captain I
lien. of the signal service, 10 General c
,reeley. stating that the troop transports
ad arrived This was enough, however, :,
o start baseless rumors that the actual d
inding OF troops was in progress, ana
ne report went 10 the extent OF stalng
hat the troops were landing under
eayy fire from the Spanish forces. Sec .
etary Alger and General Miles disposed ii
Z these repeats by saying that no such n
,f,.r.nast~n ..,aa af hand and SCcrctarNl III