Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-05-27
NEWPORT NEWS. VA. FRIDAY. MAY q, 1885,

Spanish forces few weeks ago after
Garcia and his troops had maintained
Il long siege. Tents are not used but
in their place the men hastily construct
coverings made of palm leaves and
suinae grass. which are more effective
than canvass as Il shelter against the
hot sun. In all about 5000 men are
thus quartered. They are we'll armed
with Remington and Mausers captured
from the Spaniards. Most Of them have
machetes but only the officers carry
other small arms. The cavalry have
small horses. much like the Indian
mustangs. hardy and reliable. Mules
are used foe pack purposes. Colonel
nsi"anss that tss Is
known in O. sense used by the army
officers hesA In lieu of these the
c"inpaniessset fully armed are organ
lied as ''predios." The duty Of the
'predios" is to bring meat. ample sup
cipe. and vegetables which are grown
quickly i'll the woods. The system
works perfectly. Colonel Hernandez
says. and the troops are kept we'll fed
and in good spirits. There are no dress
parades and none of the regularity OF
daily drill usual in the United States
army. The main occupation is in
making long daily marches to keep the
men hardened. ....
The Cuban general says the arrival
greatest enthusiasm throughout the
Cuban camp. There was no notice OF
his coming. and the first seen of the
lieutenant WAS as he galloped up Com
mercial street. followed by the Cuban
guides who accompanied him from
Florida. He was warmly greeted by
General Garcia and the two held
three hours conference. 1t was de-
cided that Lieutenant Rowan should
return that afternoon and General Gar
cit, assigned General Cullazu and Col
| une Hernandez. With three guides, to
accompany him. He had come in from
the south shore but the party went out
| northward They had expected to Sc
cure large sail boat. but the best
thing available WAS an open yawl or
| life boat with cubic capacity of only
| lUl feet. Sails We're improvlsed out or
the tents carried by the officers. The
| first night OUT was stormy ana ttle
small craft was barely kept ailoat, but
| after that the weather was good. me
| first morning out the party saw twelve
| American warships OF Admiral Samp-
sons fleet but they made no attempt
to board the ships. The next Day
they were picket w, by sloop Off Ba-
| hama Key and carried to Nassau, COM
| ing thence to Washington.
| Colonel hernandez says comnuhiSa
| ton is maintained With General Co
mcz and with points along the coast.
| From tlles. he has q general idea or the
| Cuban forces. outside those with Cell
eral Garcia at Bayalno. He estimates
| that there are 10000 men. all OF them
| well armed, east of La Trocha ana
| constituting the forces In the eastern
district Of the island under General
Garcia. These include the 5000 at
! Bayamo, the others being scattered at
various points. He estimates General
GomeZ's immediate command at about
], 600 men. with 5000 scattered at vari-
| GUS points. In all there are, accord
ing to the estimates of General Collazo
and Colonel Hernandez about 2O.O0O.-
| to $4,000 troops actually in the field.
| 1t is understood that the purpose of
the present visit OF Garcia's officers
| is 20 give that generals assurance
| to the authorities here Of his desire to
give every possible cooperation TO the
| American movements. Similar assur-
ances have come from General Gomez
and have been presented by Secretary
| Qucsada The Cuban officers have
made a good impression here. and the
I authorities We're aggreeably surprised
! To find them men of ability and
soldierly bearing. speaking English
we'll. They will remain some days
longer and then return to General
Garcia'S camp ID