New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-12
DEPARTURE OF TAMPA ARMY.
STIRRING SCENES on PIERS
HOW TROOPS WERE HURRIED ON
BOARD TRANSPORTS WHEN OR.
DERS TO MOVE WERE
RECEIVED -
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuSE.l


This has been a day OF days with the
army OF invasion at Tampa. Loading Of
the transports at Port Tampa was hastened
with tremendous rush, and by nine o'clock
departure. Haste marked the actions Of all
having the charge Of packing OF troops ana
supplies board.
There was even sceptcism about this date for
the time of going had been set so often only to
be postponed. Tonight. however, affairs took
a new turn. and 1t evident that the em-
barkation of the United States Army was acc
tually at hand.
A telegram from Washington was the cause
Of all this, and II put into the movement an
energy which had not been known before. The
message reached General Miles and General
Shafter just after supper. II impelled them to
go at once to the little telegraph office OF the
Tampa Bay Hotel. the Army headquarters
The place was closed for all outside business
and for all other Government affairs. too. how.
ever important. All the operators but one. ana
all the clerks. were told to leave the room. ana
no one else was allowed to enter IT,
General Miles and General Shafter. by means
of the telegraph. carried on q long consultation
with Washington. The outcome Of it was the
issuing Of hurried instructions for embarka~
ton in the early morning hours. The newI
spread at once In the Tampa Bay Hotel among
the several hundred officers, representatives
Of foreign Governments. and correspondents
there. OF course. their preparations had been
well advanced, but the suddenness OF the no-
tice caused such stir and hustle as had nevec
been seen in that hotel before.
TROUBLE OVER HASTY DEPARTURE
Port Tampa is nine miles away, and the pas
senger train service had been three-ouartera
abandoned on account Of the exigencies of NOV"
ing the troops. A train going at 23O g. ms
but It was to have only one car as first ~.
ranged. and that for General Shafter, his stan
and the foreign officers who we're to view the
war In behalf OF their Governments There was
the greatest uncertainty about any other trains.
and the possibility OF reaching the Port on foot
by daybreak.
Every one had score and one things to do.
valses were hastily packed, mackintoshess
swords. field glasses blanket rolls, cameras.
canteens and knapsacls gathered with all
speed; parcels were made TO be sent home. final
letters and kilograms were written and sent,
a dozen men at a time clamoring at the desk to
nav their bills; directions we're given about fors
warding mail. lamentations went up loud ana
strong among those whose linen was still In the
laundry; supplies Of cigars and cigarettes were
replenished. and papers. magazines and novels
were bought in stacks Souvenirs were hurs
riedly selected for the folks at home. calcula-
tlons were made about the possibility OF getting
tents cots garments. shoes and what not, ana
everybody who was going shook hands with
everybody who was 10 stay behind.
Yes. it was a busy time. but there was sim
guar lack Of excitement. Things were done
with dispatch, but it was no case OF more haste
than speed. The mixture of activity and SELF
the business of preparing for departure and
talking about the glorious news. the hours
sped rapidly enough. A train for Port Tampa
backed into the switch just behind the Tampa.
Bay Hotel.
RUSH FOR THE RAILWAY TRAIN.
The rush for the train came to naught II
an1
no passengers. Then word was passed around
that on General Skaters train there would ba
cars for all who were duly authorized TO accom-.
panv the troops Midnight was almost at hand
and final preparations had nearly all been made
so various forms OF entertainment helped to
pass the time until $50 o'clock, when the train
should leave Tampa
When the transports began to arrive at Pora
Tampa a month ago work on putting them IN
readiness for their warlke mission was at once
started Bunks We're built for the soldiers ana
stalls for the horses. and food arms, ammuni~
ton and other supplies were placed in the holds
The artillery. field and siege guns were rolled
1n board last week.
Yesterday men and horses were ordered on
he vessels In some numbers. but to-day marked
he pinnacle Of activity. Port Tampa was q
place worth seeing. Here was a sight rarely,
teen in the United States-an army on the point
II embarking to wage war on foreign soil. a..
Port Tampa is a port and nothing more-a see
# piers built into Tampa Bay The main pier
,as n fa,r warehouses; end half n dozen rail.
way tracks but II and the coal pier hardly
Lllow room for three ships 10 lie abreast.
Along the railway tracks lay single file OF
bearing names familiar to travellers