The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-24
And Attack Cervera's Fleet While Regulars
and Cubans Are Engaging Spain's Army.
Insurgents Cooperating with Enthusiasm -Henry's
Division Ordered to Reinforce Shafter-
Departure of the Cruiser Yale

WASHINGTON, June 2S.-Secretary Aiger
and General Miles were in conference in the
secretarys office at o'clock this afternoon,
when the first Madrid bulletin announcing
that the fighting had begun was shown to
them. The secretary read it aloud with evil
dent satisfaction, and both expressed them
selves gratifed with this favorable report,
coming, as it did, from the enemy. There
was no surprise that the fighting had begun
so soon. 1t was suggested by the reporter
that the troops had completed their landing
only this morning. Eyes. but they have
gone there to fight and are ready 70 begin
it at once" replied General Miles.
Secretary Alger said no word had been
received up to that hour indicating that
fighting was in progress. He had no reason
to doubt however, that our troops had en-
countered the Spanish forces and had given
good account of themselves. He COM
mented on Admiral Cervera's cable that the
situation was critical" and that the Span
iards had been obliged to retire as in
strange contrast with Madrid's claim of
Spanish victory" General Miles said that
the American troops would now push for
ward aggressively, driving in the Spanish
and forcing them to fight. There was not a
suggestion of apprehension or doubt, either
with Secretary Alger or General Miles, as
to what the outcome would be. They had
made their plans we'll, and they were conf
dent that General Shafter and his troops
tiago before long.
SAMPSON MAY ENTER THE HARBOR.
The impression here is that the Spaniards
will make their strongest stand close to
Santiago and the inner harbor within the
range of protection of the guns of the big
Spanish cruisers lying there. There is no
doubt that until these ships are removed
from the field of operations the campaign
against Santiago will be conducted against
odds. The guns of the ships command the
hills over which our soldiers must come to
will soon bring our own artillery into play
The naval officials here believe that when
the time comes for an attack by land on the
town, Sampson will force his way into the
harbor and take part in the engagement
They are satisfied that the wreck of the
Merrimac does not completely block the
channel. and say that if Sampson does not
come in the Spanish fleet is likely to make
desperate effort to get out. The mines are
to be considered in such case, but is believed
that when MORO Castle is taken by the
combined attack of the soldiers and fleet
these distractions can be easily removed
with the experience gained in Guantanamo
bay.
The only positive news coming to the War
Department up to the close of Office hours
was a dispatch to General Miles from one
of his staff officers with General Shafter
and also brief dispatch to General Greely
from Lieutenant Colonel Allen. General
Miles's dispatch stated in substance that
the landing of troops had been completed
without any casualties, save to one Cuban
soldier, who had his arm injured by the
bursting of she'll The troops of Garcia
and Rabi about 500 in number, had met
the American forces with enthusiastic
greetings. Stress was laid on the point that
the Cubans were we'll armed and well dis
ciplined. General Garcia was confident his
forces would be sweled to 10 600 men as soon
as Santiago fell. About the only need
among the Cubans was shoes and quinine.
The dispatch to General Greedy merely
stated that progress was being made IN
connecting the military forces directly with
the War Department.
ORDERS TO HENRY'S DIVISION.
During the day orders were issued to the
entire division, comprising the newly-cre-
ated command Of Brig Gen. Guy v. Henry,
for their speedy departure to reinforce Cen
Shafter at Santiago. Already the Thirty
third Michigan Regiment and one battalion
of the Thirty-fourth Michigan have started
m this mission. To-day's orders cover the
rest of General Henry's command. 1t in
cludes the remaining battalions of the Thir-
ty-fourth Michigan and the Ninth Massa-
chusetts Regiment These will complete
General Duffield's command. The Third
Virginia. which belongs to this brigade, will
not so, as its equipment is incomplete The
orders also cover the entire brigade of
Brigadier General Garretson, which In
cludes the Sixth Illinois. Sixth Massachu-
setts and Eighth and Ninth Ohio Regi-
ments. The plan is to move all of General
Henry's division on the Harvard and Yale,
these ships TO make two round trips. The
first trip will carry most, If not all, of Gen.
Dufield's brigade. The War Department
allows three days for the trip, two days to