The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-09-13
WAS IGNORED
His General Plan and InstruC-
tons to Shafter.
THE STARS DETAILS
LEAVING TAMPA. SHAFTER Sci
NILES INSTRUCTIONS ASIDE.
THREE VERY IMPORTANT TELEGRAMS
Prove that Miles not Only Conducted Prellmi
naries with Garcia but was Recognized
by War Department as Gen.
eraI in Command.

Cfoi ~
Kansas City. Mo-. September 5.-Ihe
Star this afternoon prints the following
from its special war correspondent. Mr..
". j. Whelplcy. touching OF the Alger-
Miles controversy
The statement made scmi-olficially
from Washington that Major General
Miles was not III command Of the san
tiago expedition up to the time 1t left
Tampa. is not borne out by the official
records of the War Department. These
records prove that Miles, not only con-
Quoted the preliminaries with General
Garcia. but was then recognized by the
War Department rs General Command
ing. even General Skaters army.
The details Of General Skaters ac-
tual equipment and method Of move
mcnt were naturally left to Shaftcr. but
il general plan was devised by General
Miles and directions were issued to Gen
cral Shafter by him which, after leav-
inc Tampa. the latter entirely ignored.
General Shaftcr left Tampa With the
full knowledge that he was subject to
orders from General Miles. and UP to
that time the War Department recog-
niZcd this state of affairs which Is pro
vided for in the Federal statutes. or
ganizing the army Of the United States.
The above is shown, according to the
Star by three kilograms. The hrst OF
these telegramcs is from General Miles
to General Garcia and is as follows:
"Hcadquarters Of the Army, in the field,
Tampa. Fla. June 2nd, 1898.
Lieutenant General Garcia, Cuban
Army:
Dear General: / am very glad to
have received your offers through Gen.
Enrique COllaZo and Lieutenant Colonel
Carlos Hernandez. the latter of whom
returns tonight with our best wishes
for your success.
1T would be Il very great assistance
if YOU could have as large Il force as
possible in the vicinity of the harbor Of
Santiago de Cuba and communicate IN
information, by signals. which Colonel
Hernandez will explain to YOU, either to
our navy or to our army on its arrival,
which we hope will be before many
days.
1t would also assist us very much if
YOU could drive in and harraSs any
Spanish troops near or in Santiago de
Cuba, threatening or attacking them at
all points, and preventing by every
means any possible reinforcemcnts COM
ing to that garrison. While this is be
ing done. and before the arrival Of
our army. if you can seize and hold any
commanding position to the east or
west OF Santigo. or both, that would
be advantageous for the use Of our
artillery. it will be exceedingly crafty
Ing to Us. With great respect and best
wishes.
Il rcmain, very respectfully,
NELSON \. MILES,
Major General Commanding, L. $.
Army. -
The second dispatch is Garcia's re-
ply, showing, the Star asserts, an under
standing with General Miles us to Il
plan of campaign. Ii follows:
Mole St. Nicholas, June 8, 1898, via
Washington, ID. c.:
'To General Miles. Headquarters of the
Army, Tampa. Fla:
"Garcias reply on June 9th to yours
letter June End;
"'Nill tax measures at once to carry
out your recommendation. but conccn-
tration Of forces will require some time.
Roads bad and Cubans scattered. Will
march without delay. San
tiago de Cuba well fortified, with adj
vanccd Entertainments, but good artil-
lery position can be taken. Spanish
forces approximate 10000 betwccn San
tiago de Cuba and Guantanamo; 5000
militia. Will maintain Il Cuban force near
Uolguin to prevent sending reinforce
mcntS to Santiago
The above given to me by Admiral
Sampson TO forward to YOU.
(Signed.J "ALLE\.
"Lieutcnant Colonel
The third dispatch is from the War
Department 1T Washington and reads:
washington, ID. c., June l., 1898.
Major General Miles, Tampa. Fla:
The following extract of Il telegram
from mira Sampson to the Secretary
Of the Navy is repeated for your infor-
nation:
Mole st. Melodies. Hayti.
"'Gcncral Miles letter received
through Colonel Hernandez on June 9th
Garcia regards his wishes and sugges-
tions as orders and immediately will
take measures to concentrate forces at
the points Indicated, but he is unable ia
do 50 as early as desired on account
Of his expedition to Banes Port. Cuba.
but he will march without delay. All
of his SubOrdinateS are ordered 10 as
siSt to diSembark the United States
troops and to place themselves under
orders. Santiago de Cuba is well for
+ifiad. with advanced entertainments. but
he believes a position for artillery can
be taken as Miles desires.
LApproXimateb $1,000 regulars and
1000 militia between Santiago ana
Guantanamo. tie has sent force in order
to prevent aid going to Santiago from
i1Olguln. ReDcatS every acSuranco of
good will and desires TO second nI,pc
. SAMPSON
tSlgned.( y. G. GILMORE.
Asst. Adj. General
GIN AUNI, AhnDrro,