Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1898-06-25
TRANSPORTS WITH sHAFTER's
FORCES OFF SANTIAGO
DE CUBA.
Santiago Doomed.

Santiago Doomed.
Washington, June ot.-Oue of the
greatest military expeditions that
ever sailed from the borders OF u
country for the invasion of u foreign
land is now safely under the pro; &C.
zion of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet, of
the city of Santiago. width is soon to
fall by the combined operations of
the American army and navy.
The first landing will probably be
made at Guantanamo Bay, where the
| little band of marines has successful
| " held several thousand Spanish
troops in control for ten days. Two
regiments. one of which is expected
to be volunteer command, are sid
TO have been selected to relieve the
the army will take UP its great camp
at site on the coast several miles
nearer the object of attack
The Decentralization of troops will
be a task far greater in the work in
+, yolved and time required than was
the embarlation at Tampa, where
the thirty>tive transports lay along
side docks and the men, horses aud
mules could be marched right aboard
}On the South Cuba coast the surf
runs high and in shore there are
breakers, which will make the land
ing of both men and animals danger
Gus and troublesome, although with
care there is not expected TO be loss
of either.
The troop ships must necessarily
| remain ot n cOnSidera BILE distance
from the shore, owing to their
draught and TO escape the effect OF
the breakers, and also where ample
sea room may be afforded in event OF
a sudden change of weather. Posi-
bly,, therefore, every landing party
will have 4 cruise of at least one mile
before the shore is reached and the
boats hauled up.
Naval officers estimate that fully n
day, and perhaps TWO, will be reQuir
ed TO effect the landing of the entire
army aud the large number of aui
mails accompanying the expedition,
the successful landing of the latter
being much the more difficult opera
ton. The sutferings of the beasts
must have been considerable, and t.
relieve them of the facilitating in
| tiuenceS of confinement on shipboard
an attempt will no doubt be made to
| land them as early as practicable,
The selection of the places where
the first bodies OF American soldiers
shall land in Cuba WAS determined
| by Admiral Sampson aud General
Shatter, whose conference yesterday
was for the consideration of this
question. Admiral Sampson is in full
possession of maps and descriptions
Of the country contiguous to Sansi-
ago, secured from Cuban guides and
General Garcia, and is, therefore, in
Il position 10 give General Shafter
much valuable advice and assistance
\ division OF the army for the pur>
pose OF attacking Santiago on ali
sides is not believed 70 be the plan OF
operation, as the jnSurgent will be
depended upon to cut of escape from
the west side, while the American
troops surround the Spanish on the
north and east Gu the south will be
the great fleet under Admiral Samp-
son, which will begin 10 throw Shells
into the upper harbor when the army
appears near the city.
Greater reliance and confidence
have been put in the insurgents than
| was estimated TO be practicable and
advisable when the plans OF invasion
were discussed, and it is now intended
that in any great battle which may
occur the men Of General Garcia will
be afforded full opportunity tor els
playing their fighting ability and
courage. Admiral SIMPSONS reports
~ p. l,,e Al ~
Cubans with the marines at Guam
tauamo have strengthened confidence
in their favor as efficient allies. Since
the arrival Of SIMPSONS fleet off
South rn Cuba several thousand
guns and many rounds of ammunition
have been supplied them, with medi-
clnes and equipment, so that they
should be in much better condition
low to fight the Spanish than before.
The force OF Cubans available varies
from seven To ten thousand men,
although but half this number will
be so located as TO take part in the
campaign OF the American troops, the
remainder being stationed at a point
20 prevent the juncture OF divisions
OF the Spanish army.
Secretary Alger looks for report
from General Shafter tomorrow, but
does not expect to hear at length
from him until the army has been
landed and headquarters established
ashore. This will not be accomplished
scarcely before late Wednesday or
probably Thursday. The movement
on Santiago may begin then or posi-
bly, may be delayed until the first of
next week to give the men time to re
cuperate after thei- long sea voyage.
There is yet the complete destruc-
ton of Moro Castle to be effected by
the fleet. This can be made short
work when once the combined Or
dance of the squadrons is turned that
way.