The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-06-15
THE WAR PRACTICALLY
OVER
The Views of Col. Jas D. Blandipg.

Editor DsiIy Item:
Certainly Sumter, both the county apd city,
have done their doty nobly in responding
among the frss to the call for company for
the war. She still justly deserves the title OF
the ..Gamecock Couuty." Some Of the other
couaties and cities, notably Charleston and
Columbia have failed, | had almost said ig.
nomiaiously, in responding to The call OF
their couptry. 1t does not require deep io-
sight into State craft to sscertsin the true
causes of tbia waot of patriotic spirit, bot
this is not the proper time to state the same.
The deplorable fact remains that ocr beloved
old State is still under the cloud of not hav-
ing furnished her quota under the FIRST call,
whereas, every other State believe has done
go and their troops are at the frort.
Looking at the present stains of Spain at
home, at the positioss of our squadrons
around Cuba and Porto Rico and Dewey's at
Nanila, and the number of our troops already
landed for invasion of all these Islands. 1t
requires no prophetic foresight to say, that
the troops from the States will never be call
ed into camp under the second call. This is
also apparent from the fact that tie War De-
par,ment prefera to Gil up companies now in
service to the maximum Of l06, rather than
mobilize under the second call. It, in fact,
means that this maximum viii furnish ample
troops without any other Regimsnts being
organized
II you will aiioWa prediction from one Of
the very yfew living who has, had come expe-
rieuce in foreign invasion, be will say that
the war is practically over Santiago will
be taken or rather surrender as Gid Vera
Cruz, and the castle of San Juaa d'Uilos (as
strong if not stroDger tnan Moro Cfstle)
without the loss of 80 men on our aide Asa
military seaueoce San Juan de CUBA will fall
10 fortnight ID eimilar manner and Porto
Rico will be ours. Havana will not be
stormed f,his would be criminal folly on our
rartl but starved into submission in montb,
and Cuba will be free. This can and will be
effected by the troops already on the Island
and in transports on the way, sod by the
Second Division Of lnvssion ready to sail
from Tampa No mere Of our tsoops will
ever be called from Chickamauga or any
other, camp of mobilization. OF course trey
will have to remain in their camps until the
treaty of peace is ratified by the Uaited States
and Spain, which will probably require three
or foar moaths. am most harpy in think
ing 90, though, the boys Who are spelling
for fsn," may not, because they do not
wish TO agree With me.
Ny opinion, though worth little, will at
least have the happy effort of euie,ing to
some extent the fears of the motrers. wives
and sweetbearts Of the boys.
But my pencil has run off with me, my
-ooly intent when begiuring tbis epist!e was
to ststs aaas the 4sh Company TO take be
place Of the Sumter Light Infantry in Mo-.
Thomeson'a Battalion isnow being organized
10 Columbia. If there are any BOYS in Sum-
ter County who wonld prefer 70 60 with the
Battalion .son 10 Washioeton" and be Under
the command of that gallant soldier, u G..
Batter, ifshey will report to me in person or
by letter, wills see that they receive trans.
portation ard necessary expenses.
J. D. BLANDlsG
Sumter, S. G, june 10th.