The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1898-12-03

that If the army was to take the place
alone, $4,000 troops were wanted speed
lily, and then it was not certain on ac-
count of the stormy weather, and a
surer way was through the bay.
In the afternoon Of July 5, Gen. Cor
bin telegraphed that the secretary of
war found it evident from your several
reports, that you do not consider your
force strong enough to make a sue
cessful assault upon the Spanish army
in trenches in Santiago. This being
the case it is the point of wisdom to
await re-enforcements, the embarka-
ton of which you have already been
advised. You must be the Judge of
the time and manner of assaults. The
president has directed that you and Ad-
miral Sampson have a conference and
determine upon q course of co-opera-
ton best calculated to secure desired
results with least sacrifice"
The next day Gen. Shafter was tele-
graphed:
THE secretary of war is anxious to
know what prospect there is of break
ing through the mines. He will be
very glad, even with a delay. to have
cooperation of the navy, thus saving
many lives.
July 7 shafter telegraphed that after
consultation with Sampson, the navy
|
though as last resort, would bonn
bard the city for "A hours, and then
try to force the entrance with small
ships. He had made another demand
for Toral's surrender, in which he
hoped he would succeed He says:
( AS a last resort, I will try running
| IN transports. l do not consider my
force sufficient to warrant an assault
on the city, though l believe it would
no af11I ls4f
course. 1t would be criminal to hope
for the end to be gained, which is
merely the capture Of few thousand
men, and when we are soon getting
| them by siege"
| Shafter was telegraphed that it was
reported here that his men were with
out food. He replied on the 9th that
on the day of the battle the men had
piled UP and left their blankets. and
haVersacks and were not able to get
them until the next night. Some Of
the men may have been hungry. but
on the night of the battle pack trains
delivered food all along the line
The next communication is a note
| from Gen. Miles at army Headquarters
| at Washington, announcing his inten-
| ton of leaving Washington the follow
ing night. Two days later, July 8, the
following dispatch was sent
Tampa Fla, June IS, 1S9S.-secretarv Of
War, Washington. D. c.: 1 leave by the
first train, Z. rs this evening
Miles, Major General COMMANDING
On the Sth, Shafter reports that he
ing better he visited these lines and
regards them as impregnable. Says he:
No assault will be made of advance
from our present fire from our in
trenchments to drive the enemy inside
of the city"
The same day he reports propositions
| from Toral TO march out of the city
OF Holguia, but says: This will give
me another day to get up troops from
Siboney, the first transports with re-
Inducements having arrived. In my
opinion, they will have to surrender
Internationally very soon after | open
fire upon Them Through Gen. Cor6ip
the president replied:
You will accept nothing but an ur-
conditional surrender and should make
extra precautions to prevent the enc
mys escape"
Late that night-July 9th-these i'm
portant kilograms We're exchanged:
Received Washington, July 3. 1898, D.
M secretary OF War, Washington:
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps. near
Santiago l forwarded Gen. ToraTs pron-
osltion to evacuate the town this morn
ing without consulting any one Since
then l have seen the general officers
commanding divisions, who agree with
me that IL should be accepted. First il
releases at once the harbor; second. il
permits the return of thousands of Won1-
en-, children and old men, who have left
the town, fearing bombardment and who