The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-08

dDONS dlis ne must NOt4StdhliS SA-NcH1Nb+s ~
precept and example. to maintain the high
est character, to foster and stimulate that
true solderly spirit and patriotic devotion
to duty which must characterize an effective
army.
The principles thus enunciated have been
zealously observed from the first. Owing to
the fact tha. the season suited for cam
paigning in Cuba had been exhausted in de-
bates and delay in Congress and in neces-
sary preparations, General Miles was op-
posed 10 rushing an ill-prepared, an undis-
ciplined and unequpped army in a move
ment against the capital of Cuba, defend
ed by 100000 trained Spanish troops, and in
this position he stood practically alone for
several weeks Havana, Matanzas, San
tiago and a few other points were drawn on
his military map as hotbeds OF disease, de-
structive to an army, and places to be
avoided especially during the sickly sea-
son.
SUBMITTED HIS PLAN.
Finally. when called upon to submit a
plan of campaign. he did so, and put it in
writing. In substance he took the stand.
first that every effort should be made to
equip the CubaEs and thereby enable them
to harass the Spanish forces. The cry of
On to Havana should be encouraged. but
when the transports. loaded with troops,
were cut of sight of land they should sail
as straight as steam power could carry
them to the gate of the Antilles and the
key to the whole position-Porto Rico-then
having seized and occupied that island
movement to Cuba was to follow by means
of a strong cavalry force, which was to be
organized and equipped by August or Sep
tember. He contemplated that 20,0G cav
airy should be thrown TO the center of
Cuba, cutting the Spanish forces in two,
and moving west to Havana by the time the
rainy season was over, when Il would be
possible to maneuVer an army. We could
move against that city a well-organized, a
well-equipped and well-disciplined army
and complete the capture of the Spanish
forces. The inclosure of Cervera's feet in
the harbor of Santiago changed the condi-
tions and made it necessary TO move
military force to that point General Miles
while at Tampa organizing the expedition,
felt the importance of the enterprise so
greatly that he requested permission 10 ac-
company that expedition OF TO Immediately
organize another to join It. This permis-
sion was not granted so far as to accom-
panying that expedition was concerned, but
authority was granted to equip second
for movement and operation against the
enemy in Cuba and Porto Rico.
However,. before this expedition was
equipped, calls were made for additional
forces to go to Santiago ald they were inn
mediately forv arded. On the third day of
July General Shafter telegraphed that his
losses had been greatly underostimated,
that he met with stronger resistance than
he had anticipated and that he was serious
ly considering the advsability Of falling
back to a position five miles to the rear,
and that he had been unable to be up dur
ing the heat for four days. Under such
circumstar ces General Miles teiegraphed
General Shafter that he would be with him
within a week with strong reinforcements,
of course taking the troops prepared for
the second expedition. which had been or
dered by the President to operate against
the enemy in Cuba as well as in Porto Rico
These reinforcements were pushed rapidly
forward, and some of them arrived IN ad-
vance of the commanding general and were
put in position in the trenches around San
tiago. Under verbal instructions of the
President General Miles was directed to
go wherever he deemed his presence was
required and that he should give such di-
rections as in his opinion were best for the
army and the government These were the
circumstances under which General Miles
left Washington.
Arriving at Santiago July II, not as a
private individual nor as a visitor. Any
pretense that he went there disrobed of his
authority or official capacity is too childish
to be considered by sensible men. From
the moment he arrived at Santiago he was
responsible for what might occur
He arrived there with the Yale, Columbia
and Rita, loaded with infantry and three
ships loaded with artillery, besides
those already disembarked. He designed
TO disembark the troops and artillery named
on the west side Of Santiago, as was under
stood before leaving Washington, and be-
fore he went ashore he made the necessary
arrangements accordingly. He then pro-
ceeded to the front, and after consulting
with General Shafter a note was sent to
the Spanish commander by General Shat
ter saying that the commanding general of
the United States army had arrived in his
camp with strong reinforcements and would
meet him between the lines at any hour
agreeable to him. The reply of the Span
ish commander was that he would meet
him at u o'clock next morning. The meet
ing was held and after some conversation
between General Shafter and General Toral
General Miles frankly informed the Span
ish general that he had left Washington
six days before and that it was the deter
mination of the government that this por-
ton Of the Spanish army must be captured
or destroyed. He also informed the Span
ish general that his reinforcements had al
ready disembarked and the remainder
would be disembarked on the west side of
the harbor. and that it was useless for him
to contend against the inevitable These
transports could also be plainly seen by
the Spanish from Moro Castle and other
points.
GENERAL TORAL 'EPLY.
General Toral replied so long as
he had rations and ammunl, IN he had TO
fight in order to maintain the honor Of the
Spanish army. in response to that he was
informed that he had already maintained
the honor of the Spanish army and that
further efforts would be useless and would
result in the wanton sacrifice Of human
life. He then said that he was waiting
to hear from his government and was in
formed by General Niles that he had al
ready taken much time for that purpose and
would be given until daylight Of the fol-
lowing morning, it being then o'clock
TO submit his final answer He begged for
longer time and earnestly requested until
y o'clock next day. This was finally granted
by General Miles. the meeting dissolved and
the ofncers separated On returning from
this conference a dispatch was received by
General Miles from Washington as follows: