The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-22
ARMY OF SIXTEEN
THOUSAND MEN

The War Ships Accompanying the Transports
Win Prove Valuable Re-inforcemenls TO Those
Already Guarding the Ports of Cuba--Shaf.
ter, Sampson and Garcia Hold Conference
An Army of 20, 900 Men win be Hurled
Against Santiago before the Week is Over.
Copyright 1893 by Associated Press.)
On board the Associated Press Dispatch
boat Dandy off Santiago de Cuba, Mon
day, June 20. / p. M, via Mole st.
Nicholas, Hayti. Tuesday, June 21.-
3 a. m.-The United States army for the
invasion of Cuba, 10000 strong, COM
manded by General Shafter, arrived off
Santiago de Cuba at noon to-day. The
lime of its Decentralization has not yet
been determined upon. but it will prob
ably be within the next three days.
When the fleet Of thirty-seyen trans
ports with it's freight Of fighting men,
swept up the Southern coast and slowed
mp within sight of the doomed city Of
Santiago de Cuba. the anxiously awaited
soldiers were greeted with ringing cheers
which family echoed to the transports
from the decks Of blockading warships
far in shore, they were answered by the
troops most heartily and in kind.
The weeks Of anxious waiting on one
side and OF impatient chafing on the
other were over, and the army and the
navy had at last joined forces, and all
felt that the final blow at Santiago was
at hand. 1t was Mt 10 o'clock this morn
ing when the lookout on board the
armOred cruiser Brooklyn. reported see
ing the smoke of several steamers away
10 the southeast. and a moment or so
later he announced that dozen trans
ports were i'm sight. Then signals were
exchanged from ship to ship, gladden1ng
the hearts of the weary blockaders. Then
the United States auxiliary cruiser
Gloucester, formerly j. PierpOnt Nor
gans yacht. Corsair, dashed away to
meet and welcome the troops.
In about half an hour later a grim
forest of masts had sprung up appar-
ds
sive scene was presented as the armada
swept gracefully up from the horizon
towards the shores where the great
struggle is to take placA.
The transports were ranged in three
lines with the battleship Indiana on the
extreme right and the other men-of-war
on the outskirts of the fleet.
The dispatch boat of the Associated
Press, as she steamed among the trans
ports, was eagerly beseiged on ali sides
for news of Admiral SIMPSONS opera
tions, officers and men clamoring for
a word from the hlockaders. Much sat
isfaction was expressed among the
troops when it became known that the
actual capture of Santiago is to be left
to the army.
The American fleet off Santiago has
heen materially strengthened by the ad
dition of the warships, which escorted
the transports here.
Wherever the landing may take place
the operations and the information Of the
ten days show now cOncusiyely that bit
ter work is ahead for General Skaters
men before the Spanish flag comes down
from Morro's walls. The Spanish infan
try, cavalry and guerilla forces. esti-
mated by Admiral Sampson to-day tC
number from 10000 to $4,000 men are
stretched from Guantanamo to Cabanas
distance of fifty miles, ready to con
centrate at the point Of attack. But
starving and harrassed from the inland
by the insurgents, the situation of the
Spaniards is desperate, and naval officers
familiar with the situation fully expect
terrific fighting about Santiago. Inter.
views with army officers on the trans.
ports show that there is some anxiety
rs to how the men viii stand the strain
il the fighting begins Immediately after
the long inactivity at Tampa and the
weary voyage. There is no fear, how
ever. for the final result, as the guns OF
the fleet will be of immense assistance tc
the American troops.