The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-07-02

Fret 4. E. Infantry: Fourth u. 8 In
fanlry and Twenty-hfih 4. :. Infantry
Third Brigade. commanded by Briga
dior-General A. Il. Chaffee. Seventh u
s. Infantry. Twelfth u. S. Infantry and
Seventeenth U. s. Infantry.
II thus appears that the entire division
which opened the hostlities OF the day
IS composed entirely Of regular troops
-ra'oned and experienced in battle, witt
the exception OF the Second Massachus
otts Volunteer Infantry. which IS regard
ed as one OF the best volunteer organi
zations OF the army
CONFIDENCE IN SHAFTER.
Never before since the declaration oi
war has there been such a feeling Of In
tense interest ana anxiety manifested
The oflcinls here are confident that theS
have done everything possible t'
strengthen Skaters hands for the grea
conflict he is waglng and they have ar
confidence IN his discretion a
his bravery and his energy. The attach
to-day several DAYS before the pubic
mind expected the battle. is tribute Il
his energy as well as 10 his judgment
according 10 the present lights. for h'
found It necessary to crusi
the Zoe in detail following Napoleon
favoritc maxim. instead of allowing then
to consolidate and out-number him.
As the day wore along without bring
ing any news the anxiety increased anc
the question Was IN every ones mouth
why ala he not report
NO TIME TO WRITE.
Admtant-General Corbin's reply "s'
brief but pointed:
"IIe Is hehuug. not writing" and thi'
was accepted as a likely and Sounn eN'
planation. Just before ( o'clock carn'
a brief dispatch from Playa del Este. th'
cable station near Santiago. But II was
from an engineer officer 10 General Miles,
and made no reference 10 the progress
Of the battle. merely referring 10 Ger
tain necessary material and livestock
on the whole the very absence OF ofhci
news was regarded as rather a hVoraDl'
indication. the reasoning being that lhh
mornings engagement was but heaV'
sklrmish and that our army WIS itei.
ing the enemy 20 discover aId s't'n'
at his weak spot
II was nearly o'clock when t'e ~
Office received the we'come news tha'
the enemy was ,etr1a.irg.
TO CAPTURE 49,.
The military authoities here are ft'll
considering the chances OF n relIcat o.
the Spanish army from Santiago tnf
are endeavorlng so 70 shape 'Fn tLl'
that General chatter; force will no
only take Santiago bit will capture th'
y .OOO Spaniar1s lefo-e they get ava!
northward 10 effect a juncture VIII
General Pando. Fun Information as &C
the possible lines of retreat has been Al
the disposal OF the War Department. Oh'
of the most interesting statements Is ma
OF General Manager Cox OF the Span IN
American Mining C0nCanS, at lidlqhrl
who is thoroughly acquainted "'th 81
the country surrounding Santiago nc
shows that the 80 possible lines OF r''
treat are: First. by The road 90 l.
Cobre: or second. by following the line oI
the Sabanilo and Narato ralroa1.
The first line will be easy for abou'
the first ten miles or as far as FL Cobre
but after that the country is mountain
Gus and barren and would not AFFORD suo
sistence and the pass 10 reach the cen
tral plateau of the island would be dlf
dcuIt. The more likely line Of retrea
will be along the line of the above men
toned railroad crossing theSierra Macs
ira at III Cristo, a pass COO FEC! apoV'
the sea. ten miles north Of Santiago
which is the lowest pass through inc
Sierra Maestro for many miles.
WHERE TO CATCB THEM.
The country back Of this is rolling
plateau Of rich agricultural land. Al
NIanacas on the railroad, two miles north
of the mass is an iron bridge. consisting
OF a series of 30 foot spans ON iron Tres
tie bents. This point SIS about two miles
beyond the Cristo summit, and Just be-
vond this bridge would be the most ieas
ible method of preventing the approach
of Geenral Pando's Spanish troops 10 re-
lieve Santiago.
treat by this road they will make 2
stand on the plateau at El Cristo and
hold the pass of lcl Cristo. The only
other pass through the mountains near
this point is at Escandel summit about
six miles in straight line east OF III
Cristo pass Escandel Summit Is LIN
feet above the sea and is reached from
Santiago Via Caney
The road from Santiago 10 Caney Is
fairly Iood being wide enough Tor We,
hlcles. Between Caney ana EscahueI
the road which IS no more than a traii
ascends the mountains and is Yer. Wlhu'
ing and broken. Beyond Escandei acres
the range the country IS heavily TIM
berod and broken and the road are not
good. II is an ideal country for am
bush. This is probably the only pass
through which the Spanish position could
be turned should the Spanish troops oc-
cupy the Cristo plateau and pass.
RAILROAD WELL FORTlFlED'
The railroad has been fortified by q
line OF hlOckhOuses. protecting the Dildses
and certain zones Of cultivation incloseC
between these forts have ben planted dur,
ing all the time of the war and would
AFFORD a supply for the army for n GER
tain time In the meantime sweet Do
tatoes could be planted which IN thre,
months would ripen. These zones ol
exist along the road as iai
ae san Luis. at which point there Is
county IN cultivation. OF
the other branch 0he Sabanilla branchI
the zones OF cultivation extend rs far as
Songo. I:.
KEEPS THFM POSTED.
While not prohx in his utterances, Ad-
miral Dewey loses no opportunity 70
keen the Navy Department informed OF
the state OF AFFAIRS at Manila. dls-
patch came from him to-day, dated
Cayite, June 27tn, reporting that condl-
tons remain practically unchanged, bu'
not recording the arrival OF his re-
lie had some other mat
ters Of interest TO communicate, but
they were not of a character that could
be properly made public at this stage
For one thing. IL can be stated that
Admiral Dewey has been particular 70
avoid committing MS government 10 any
particular line or action respecting the
future OF the Philippines or 10 do any
thing that would embarrass General Mer-
rltt I'm framing a policy TO NEE the
needs of the case when he arrives. He
has made no official pledges to the in
snrcenf loader. although he has not hest