The record-union., 1898-12-03

concentrate military force near SAM
tiago to aid in the destruction of the
Spanish fleet and the capture of the
city.
The great difficulty was the want of
transports; the loading facilities at
Port Tampa were imperfect; the
railroad facilities were inadequate;
there was a failure to label the cars,
and the Postoffice was congested so
that bills of lading were delayed. But
a few of the thirty-six transports final
ly gathered there were fit for such SER
vice, but they were the best that could
be secured, and while they were rated
at $4,000 passengers in capacity, even
the 10000 persons transported was a
carried. Fortunately, they arrived
without serious accident, however.
The first duty for which General
Shafter was selected, viz: To make a
reconnaissance in force about 5000
strong on the south side of Cuba, Sec
retary Alger says, was abandoned on
account Of the movements of the enc
my's fleet.
Next i'm order the Secretary quotes q
dispatch of May 31st sent at 2:30
O'Clock at night to General Shafter at
Tampa, directing him to start for San
tiago, to land east or west of that point.
in his own Judgment, and move on to
the high grounds In such position as to
destroy the garrison there and cover
the navy as it sends its men in small
boats to remove torpedoes, or, with aid
of the navy, capture or destroy the
Spanish fleet retorted to be i'm the har-
Dor. General Shafter was to accomplish
this with the least possible delay, max
ing use of the insurgents, but being
careful not to put too much confidence
in any persons outside of his own
troops
DELAY IN EMBARKATION UNA
VOIDABLE
The report states that ON May Both
General Miles left for Tampa to assist
in the embarkation of troops. June 4th
the Secretary telegraphed Shafter at
Tampa that Sampson reported Cervera
safely bottled in Santiago harbor, and
urged immediate aid from his troops.
Sampson reported 16, 800 Spanish troops
as the garrison of the vicinity.
The following day a dispatch was re-
ceived from Shafter at Tampa explain
ing the delays in the eAabarkation of
the troops as not preventable. The
main cause of delay is said to be that
great quantities of stores were rushed
in promiscously, with no facilities to
handle or store them. The railroad for
ten miles back from the wharf was
single track and narrow place in
which to work. The capacity Of the
place had been greatly exceeded. He
(Shafter) would not delay a minute,
but would not send his troops away un-
til they were properly equipped.
General Corbin, in reply, expressed
the Presidents satisfaction at General
Skaters accomplishments.
Then follows the dispatch of June 9Th
of General Miles, already published in
his report, saying that the expedition
had been delayed through no fault of
any one connected with it, and Iontin-
uing:
This expedition is so important that
I desire to go with this army corps, or
to Immediately organize another and
go with it to join this and capture To-
sition No. 2 Now that the military is
about to be used, believe it should
}.
ing the most judicious use of it to ac-
complish the desired results
SHAFTER ORDERED TO SAIL AT
ONCE.
A telegram from Sampson of the Tth,
translated by the Secretary, ito Major
General Shafter or Major General
at Tampa, declares that he has
the works at Santiago; that if
10000 men were there the citv and
fleet could be taken; that every con-
demanded immediate army
movement, and if delayed the city
would be defended more strongly by
guns from the fleet.
Following without explanation is this
to General. Shafter at Port
Tampa, from Secretary Alger, dated the
7th:
"Since telegraphing you an hour
since, the President directs you to sail
at once with all the force you have
ready"
In reply, Shafter said he would sail
the next morning, which was early as
steam could be gotten up. This was 8
p. M and at 9:34 p. M, Miles at Tam
pa, telegraphed directly to the Presi-
dent:
From the commanding officer down to
the drummer boys. every one is impa-
tent to 60 and annoyed at the delay: The
rived this morning, and have been
and hurried to the steamers.
Feel confident they will do their best to
carry out tha wishes and directions Of the
President MILES,
Major General Commanding
OF EXPEDITION Ex-
planned.
A dozen kilograms at this point ex-
plain the sudden detention of the ex-
petition, owing to the report of the
fictitious Spanish squadron in Nicholas
Channel In the midst of them appears
these kilograms, which have not been
published:
Headquarters of the Army, Tampa,
Fla, June 9Th, $50 %. m.
Secretary of War, Washington, d. c.:
Think 1t will be well to announce thai
the army got on board the transports and
started, as they did yesterday. Say moth |
Ing about it's being recalled, but let our
naval vessels go over the course that |
BUR transports would have gone over with
Does not the presence of Spanish war ves- |
sells in Cuban waters render 1t extremely |
hazardous to send troops until they are |
under the circumstances, is it expected |
that I shall organize expedition No. 2? |
had been partly made be- |
fore the presence of the Spanish ships was
announced. MILES,
Major General Commanding"
Major General Miles, Tampa, Florida: |
The President directs me to say that no |
oedition Number 3 must be organized as |
rapidly as possible. We are looking for |
transports, and am satisfied the navy will
take care of that problem. Give nothing |
put. r. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War"