Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-11
GEN, M|LES'S REPORT,
The War Preparations, the Cam
paigns, and Recommendations
NO DIRECT CRITICISM.
But There is a Good Deal Of Significant
ltaliciZins.
PRIvATION OF THE VOLUNTEERS.
PRIvATIoy OF THE VOLUNTEERS.

port or MaJOl-'ItileIdi NliiSS' NNAiiii
the United States army. was made public
to-day. by direction Of Secretary Alger.
The keynote Of the paper is found In
one Of the opening sentences, where 1t Is
said: "The military operations during
the year have been extraordinary, un-
usual. and extensive" statement which
IS fully borne out by the tong recital OF
facts. by which General Miles shows the
history OF the year 1898 10 be the most
remarkable since the war between the
States
The document Is divided into four chap
ters. for while brief allusion is made TO
the military expedition to Alaska, interest
centres in that portion which treats Of
the war with Spain.
Under this general head the General
deals with the plans of the war prepara-
tions, the Santiago campaign, General
Miles's operations in Porto Rico, and
lastly. the important changes in the eX-
istfng organization, which are, in Gene
raj Miles's opinion, necessary to make
tho army an effective weapon for the de-
fence of the country.
There is an entire absence OF any evil
dence of direct criticism, though certain
sentences in the report are italicized, in
On apparent desire to justify previously
expressed plans for the campaign, and
where it deals with events the document
is largely made up of quotations from Oh
fetal dispatches.
OUR UNPREPAREDNESS.
Treating of the war. General Miles be-
gins with a statement of the unprepared-
ness of the country; showing how the
eouipment left by the million soldiers OF
the civil war had been dissipated or be-
come obsolete. until the tentage, trans
portion. and camp equipage were lhsuih-
cient for any important military opera
tion. He recounts the legislation OF Con-
gress lust prior 10 the, war. looking 10
the increase of the army, ana cites ms
own recommendation, on April 9tn, thdV
40. 900 men be provided for coast detehce
and reserves: that the regular army be
increased. and that 10000 immunes De re-
cruited. making a force of 1&,jyl men,
which with 5OOOo native auXliaries, he
considered sufficient. Such force, pro-
perly equipped ne believed 70 be better
than n larger force partly equipped.
In the letter containing this recommen-
dotion he said: II also recommend that
at least twenty-five regiments or lntah-
trv five regiments OF cavalry, and the
Ueb+ artillery be modified and placed in
ono large camp. where they can be care
fully and thoroughly prepared fullH
eouipped. drilled, disciplined, ana instruct
ed i'm brigades and divisions, ana pre-
pared for war service.
ua further asked for $4,000 volunteers,
90 make mn an army of 10000 soldiers for
offansive operations in Cuba, the whole
force 10 be fully equipped, leaving the
state troops to defend the coasts and for
a reserve"
april 18th he wrote Secretary Alger as
follows: ..,,..
inc. THAT in my Judgment the available
forco of the regular army should be mo-
bIized I'm the best and most available
bealthful position in the Department or
the Gulf | suggest Chickamauga PARK
ON account of it's latitude and advantages
for preparing an army for actual war
fare"
ARMY MOVEMENT ON CUBA.
General Miles says in his report that
IN the beginning the war problem was
nurelv a naval one, and he was convinced
that should our navy prove superior, lle
nosition OF the Spanish army III Cuod
would be rendered untenable, with MN
mun, loss of life and treasure 10 the
United states. He says:
."rhare were two most serious obstacles
IN be avoided. one was placing an army
on the Island of Cuba before our navy
controlled the Cuban waters, ana the
other was putting an army on the Islano
AT a time when a large number or the
men must die from the diseases that have
prevailed I'm that country, according 10 al
statistics. for the last 100 years "
He pointed out IN a letter to the Seere-
tarv of war these dangers, enclosing q
communication from Surgeon-Genera
Sternberg. and urged that the Spanish be
merely harrassed and damaged during the
rainy. unhealthy season, while the navy
was demonstrating its superiority and ths
volunteers were being equipped
In this letter, which is attached. DR.
Guiteras is cited I'm support of the recon-
mendation TO delay the army movement
upon Cuba.
In order that the volunteers should be
speedily made efficient, on April 18th
General Miles wrote the Secretary OF
war that they should be camped for
sixty days in their respective states De
fore leaving them, and disciplined and
eouipped. and their officers instructed. al
things being important, he said. TO health
and efficiency.
WANT OF EQUIPMENT.
General Miles adds: "Congregatlng tens
of thousands of men, many OF whom were
not uniformed, and scarcely any properly
equipped, in great camps. away IRON
their States. rendered II difficult for them
10 be properly supplied with food. cook
ing utensils, camp equipage, blankets
,entage. medical supplies. transportation
etc. and was 10 a great extent the cause
an my Judgment. OF the deblitating effeci
unon the health and strength OF the men
who were otherwise in good physical &C n.
ditlon. The material necessary TO clotht
and equip large armies was not even
manufactured at that time and the con
seouent condition OF the troops for week,
and months was injurious TO the com
mand In many ways"
Orders were issued for sending the reg
ulars TO New Orleans. Tampa. and Mobile
to begin the invasion OF Cuba; for the