The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-03

1
would not send his troops away until the.
were properly equipped. General Corbin
in reply, expressed the presidents salts
faction at General Skaters accomplish
ments-
Following is the dispatch of June o
General Miles. already published in hi
report, saying that the expedition ha'
been delayed through no fault of any ont
connected with it, and continuing:
This expedition is so important that
desire to go with this army corps or t.
Immediately organize another and go witt
1t to join it to capture position No. 2. Now
that the military is about to be used,
believe it should be continued with every
energy, making the most judicious dispo-
sition of it 10 accomplish the desired re-
suits"
| A telegram from Sampson of the sew
enth, translated by the secretary, ''tc
| Major-General Shafter or Major-General
Miles," at Tampa, declares that he has
silenced the works at Santiago, that il
| 10000 men were there the city and feet
could be taken; that every consideration
demanded immediate army movement and
! if delayed the city would be defended more
| Following without explanation is the dis
| patch to General Shafter at Port Tampa
from Secretary Alger dated the eth:
"Snce telegraphing you an hour since,
the president directs you to sail at once
with all force you have ready
In reply Shafter said he would sail the
next morning which was as early as
steam could be gotten up. This was 8
p. m, and at 9:34 D. m, Miles, at Tampa,
telegraphed directly to the president:
From the commanding officer down TO
the drummer boys, every one is impatient
to 60 and annoyed at the delay. The
last of the troops from Chickamauga ar
rived this morning and have been equip
ped and hurried to the steamers. Feel
confident they will all do their best to
carry out the wishes and directions of
the president.
(signeO MILES,
'Major-General Commanding"
A dozen kilograms at this point ex-
pain the sudden detention of the expedi-
tion owing to the report of the fictitious
Spanish squadron in Nicholas channel. In
the midst of them appear the kilograms
which have not been published:
Headquarters of the Army,
Tampa, Fla, June 9. $50 D. m.
Secretary of War, Washington, D. c.:
Think it would be well to announce
that the army got on board transports
and started as they did yesterday. Say
nothing about its being recalled. but let
our naval vessels go over the course that
our transports would have gone over with
the hope of finding those Spanish ships.
Does not the presence of Spanish war YES
sells in Cuban waters render il extremely
hazardous to send troops on transports
until they are captured, destroyed or dTiv-
en- away? And. under the circumstances,
IS it expected that 1 shall organize expe-
dition No. .. Arrangements had been
parity made before the presence Of the
Spanish ships was announced.
(Signed) MILES,
'Maior-General Commanding Army"
War Department. June @ 1898.
'Major General Miles, Tampa, Fla.
The president directs me to say that
no change of plan will be made; that ex-
petition No. must be organized as rap
idly as possible. We are looking for trans
ports and am satisfied the navy will take
care of that problem.
give nothing out.
(SigneD "R. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War"
Tampa, Fla, June g. GAS p. m
Secretary OF War, Washington.
at seems that it is a naval problem
yet unsolved and it might be advisable
for the command now on board transports
to have the protection OF the entire navy
to convey It to No. l, No. ?. or Nuevitas,
or. If this is considered too hazardous
then keep the troops in healthfuI camps,
as they are now, and assist the navy to
destroy the Spanish fleet. There are here
twenty-five good steamers that could be
used to carry water. coal, and supplies
guns, revolving cannon. etc, and they
could be added 70 the force of the navy |
II seems strange TO be suggesting that |
the army assist the navy in this way,
but am sure we would receive most 10y
al support when the waters are safe for |
crossing with the army.
(Signed) MILES,
Major General Commanding Army"
On June 9th, Acting Secretary Allen of |
the navy, wrote the secretary of war that |
by the 18th the naval convoy from Samp- |
out regard to the Spanish ships and in |
sending this dispatch to Major General !
Miles at Tampa, Adjutant General Corbin. |
by orders of the secretary. directs that |
Miles transmit it to Shafter On the |
18th the adjutant general communicated /
directly with Major General Shafter sug-
costing that the army transports leave /
Tampa about eighteen hours before the
Key West division of the convoy reacted |
Rebeca shoal. Several kilograms on this |
subject were exchanged directly between
the war department and General Shafter
and not until the 18th of June is any,
thing printed as coming from Miles. when
he reported that the steamers were NOV
ing out 10 sea This telegram is signed
by Miles, major general instead of Miles.
as in the case Of some OF
he preceding kilograms. There seems 10
have been a lack Of uniformity, however.
IN the method of addressing and signing
his whole series of dispatches. June 10.
Colonel MiChler. by direction of major
general commanding. reports to the ad-
iutant general the list Of general officers
who sailed with Shafter. The explanation
IF Miles summons from Tampa IS afford
ID by the following extract from the re-
port:
The following dispatch was sent to
Major General Miles. June Is. after Cen
aral Shsfter had sailed. the object being
10 have the major general commanding
IL out the expedition for Porto Rico:
Washington. n. c, June Is.
Major General Miles. Tampa. Fla
Important business requires your pres
.nce here. Report al once
(SiEnedl "R. 4. ALGER.
Secretary of War"