Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-12-08

found Itself engaged IN dea0ly COZ 1tct with
20 meet the emergency. The respol,se 70
the initial call for l15.o98 volunteers was
instant ard compiete. 6 was also the res ult
Citioraf volunteers. The ranks Of the re g
uIar army were increased to the hm.t IS
provided by the act Of April .. The erIIsted
force of the navy or the 18th OF August,
when i reached its maximum, mum bered
24l23 men and apprentices. One hundred
and three vessels were added 70 the navy
BY purchase. one was presented 20 the
government. one leased ara the four yes
sells Of the International NaNlgaIlo COM
pany,<the St Paul, st. Louis, New York and
Paris. were chartered. IN addition 70 these
the revenue CUTTERS and lighthouse tenders
were turned over to the navy department
and became temporarily part OF the aux
strength of the Navy.
The maximum effective fighting force of
the navy during the war separated into
classes. was as follows: -Four baItleShlps
of the first class one b2ttleship Of the sec
ond class, two arunored cruisers, six coast
defense monitors. one armored ram, Y
projected cruisers, three unprotected
cruiser. II torpedo boats. Ii old vessels of
the old navy, including monitors. Auxil-
lers, Is revenue cutters, four lighthouse
tenders and 10 miscellaneous vessels.
Defense of the Coast.
Much ptarm was felt along our entire
Atlantis seaboard lest some attack might
be made by the enemy. Every precaution
was taken TO prevent possible injury to
our great cities lying along the coast.
Temporary garrisons We're provided, drawn
from the state militia: infantry and light
batteries were drawn from the volunteer
force. About 1900 troops were thus en-
ployed. The coast signal service was es-
tablished for observing the approach of an
enemyss ships to the coast of the United
states and the llfe-saving. and lighthouse
services cooperated, which enabled the
navy department to have all portions OF the
Atlantic coast, from Maine to Texas, under
observation. The auxiliary navy was Gre
ated under the authority of congress-, and
was Differed and manned by the naval
militia OF the several states. This organ
i1ation patrolled the coast and performed
the duty of a second arm of defense.
Planting of Mines.
Under the direction of the chief of engi-
most exposed points. Before the outbreak
of the war permanent mining classmates
and cable galleries had been constructed
at all important harbors. Most of the tor
pedo material was not to be found in the
market and had to be specially manufac-
tured. Under date of April 10 district Off
GERS were directed to take all preliminary
measures, short of the actual attaching of
the loaded mines to the cables, and on
April p telegraphic orders were issued to
place the loaded mines in position. The
aggregate number of mines placed was
1885 a the principal harbors from Maine
to California. Preparations were also made
for the planting of mines at certain other
harbors, but owing to the early destruction
Of the Spanish feet these mines were not
placed.
The Signal Corps.
The signal corps was promptly organized
and performed service of most difficult and
important character. It's operations dur
ton of all coast fortiications. the estab-
Hshment of telephone and telegraphic facil-
tiles for the camps at Manila, Santiago
and in Porto Rico. There We're constructed
300 miles Of line at ten great camps, thus
facilitating military movements from
those points in a manner heretofore UNI
known in military administration. Field
telegraph lines were established and main
tanned under the enemys fire at Manila
and later the Manila-Hong-Kon cable was
In Porto Rico cable commune
cations were opened over a discontinued
route, and on land the headquarters of the
commanding officer was kept in tele-
graphic or telephone communication with
the division commanders of four different
lines of operation. There was placed in
Cuban waters a completely QUILTED cable
ship with war cables and cable gear suit
able both for the destruction of commune
cations belonging to the enemy and the
establishment of our own. Two ocean
cables were destroyed under the enemy's
batteries at Santiago, The day previous to
the landing of Gen. Skaters corps at Cal
within 20 miles OF the landing
place, cable communications were estab-
lished and cable station opened. giving d.
at Washington. This service was invalu-
able to the executive in directing the opera
tons of the army and navy.
With a total force of over 1900. the loss
was, by disease in camp 1nf field, officers
and men included, only five.
War Revenues.
The national defense under the $50, 600. 900
fund was expended In large part by the
army and navy and the objects for which
it was used are fully shown in the reports
OF the several secretaries. 1t was most
timely appropriation enabling the govern
ment to strengthen its defense and making
preparations greatly needed in case Of war
This fund being Inadequate to the require
ments OF equipment and for the conduct of
tho war, the patriotism of the con gress pro-
vided the means in the war revenue act of
June IS. by authorizing a three per cent
popular loan not to exceed $500, 900 900 and
by leyyins additional ilnpoSts and taxes
OF the authorized loan. 5000. 600 600 were Of
fered and promptly taken, the subscrip-
tons so far exceeding the call as to cover
Il many times over, while, preference be-
ing given to the smaller bids, no single alIot-
ment exceeded 5000 This was most en-
couraging and significant result showing
the vast resources OF the nation and the
determination OF the people to uphold their