Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1898-05-31
WAR NEWS.


at Jupiter Inlet, Fla. May "a, coaled at
Key West and sailed to join Admiral
Sampson.
Major Russell B. Harrison, inspector
general of the volunteer army, son of ex-
President Harrison, who has expressed
a great desire for active military service
at the front, was on Wednesday assigned
to duty on the staff of Major General
Fitzhugh Lee, commanding the 9TH Army
Corps, rendezvoused at Tampa, Fla.
Announcement is made from Tampa of
the regiments thus far directed to form
the corps of Gen. Fitzhugh Lee. Among
them are men from Ohio, Georgia, Mich
igan, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina,
Iowa and Wisconsin.
1t is understood that the deficiency
caused by the failure of certain states to
furnish their full quota under the first
call will be made up by the President at
large. Under this arrangement Senator
Elkins has secured permission to furnish
two companies from West Virginia One
of these companies will be captatned by
Stephen B. Elkins. Jr.
In the call for the cd Regiment w. Va.
Volunteers the Governor has designated
another company for Jefferson county,
with H. C. Getzendaner, of Shepherds
town, to be captain. S. B. Avis, of
Charleston, a grandson of the late Capt,
John Avis of this place, Tin his lifetime a
veteran of two wars,) and nephew of
Lieut. E. S. Avis, U. S. regular army.
now here on sick leave, has also been des-
ignated as captain in this regiment.
The second Manila expedition will
leave San francisco this week. 1t will
include about 5000 volunteers and 1000
regulars.
Spain's army at home and in Cuba,
Porto Rico and the Philippines is larger
than the total land force of the United
States, according to figures received in
Washington. The Spaniards have $780,.
600 men in Cuba, 10000 in Porto Rico,
5000 in the Philippines and $4,000 in
Spain, total of 100000. The United
States army now consists of 100, 1854 vol
unteers and $1,000 regulars, a total Of
155854.
Among the army nominations sent tc
the Senate Saturday were those ofex-Sen
atoF Butler of South Carolina to be Major
General, and exzGov. Oates, of Alabama
to be Brigadier General,
Astrange steamer was seen about ffteer
miles from Key West by the Wilmington
and Bancroft, and was chased by the Ban
croft. The Wilmington reported the
chase at Key West and said that the
steamer being pursued was believed to be
a Spanish auxiliary cruiser doing duty as
scout boat.
General Miles has recommended tc
Secretary Alger that First Lieutenant A.
S. Rowan, of the nineteenth infantry, "a
West Virginian,) be promoted to the rank
of lieutenant colonel. This is done as a
recognition of the valuable services per-
formed by Lieutenant Rowan in his re.
cent perlious mission to Cuba, when he
was in communication with the insur,
gent leaders and secured valuable infor.
nation for the United States government
In his recommendation General Miles
says: Lieutenant Rowan made jour
ney across Cuba, was with the insurgent
army under General Garcia, and brought
most important and valuable information
to the government This was a most per.
ilous undertaking and. in my judgment,
Lieutenant Rowan performed an act. Of
heroism and cool daring that has rarely
been excelled in the annals of warfare"
A circular letter has been sent to the
Acknowledgement of each state notifying
him that under the provisions of the aux
Hilary defense law 5000 additional naval
militiamen are to be enlisted.
The French press is alarmed at seeing
the current of sympathy between the
United States and England becoming
more decided.
Naval strategists generally agree that
Admiral Cervera has put himself in trap
in the harbor of Santiago. and that twill
be comparatively easy for Commodore
Schley to keep him inside until he is
forced to surrender or make a last des,
perate dash.
United States troops were embarking
at Tampa, Fla, last night. for the first
land campaign against the Spanish army
in the present war. The force includes
about 5000 men, nearly all regulars,
and is commanded by Major General
VIM. r. Shafter.