The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-14
MILES GOES TO THE FRONT.

starts Out In the Ilain Over Almost Inn.
paIsAbls Roads-fio Is SRtlsfled with ths
situation.
JURAGuA, Cuba. July 12.-General
Miles went to the front to-day and
probably will remain there the greater
part OF tomorrow. He went ashore
early this morning and telephoned 60
General sharter. The latter advised
him not to start out until later as the
roads were in frightful condition from
the rains and badly blockaded by sup
ply traIus. The general waited until
noon and then set out, accompanied by
troop A, Of the Second cavalry, the only
mounted troop of General Skaters
army.
1t was raining heavily when the start
was made. The general was attlred in
long black macintosh and wore
rubber riding boots and black slouch
hat, ornamented with q narrow strand
OF gilt cord.
Owing to the deep mud 1t was almost
dark when he reached the front.
General Miles was much Interested in
the war maps and information regard
ing the trails and the chances of getting
artillery to the front. His journey was
very trying one. owing to the rain and
mud, the latter In many places being up
to the horses knees The last two days
have been the worst OF the campaign.
SO far us the weather Is concerned.
Fierce tropical storms have been FREE
uuent, with an almost continuous down.
pour OF rain. The rife pits and trenches
at the front have been flooded and last
night few men In the hesieglng army
were able to sleep owing TO the amount
OF water on the ground.
The already heavy hardships endured
have been greatly increased and much
illness Is likely to result, as no adequate
shelter Is possible.
The trail to the front Is In frightful
shape. The streams and fords are
swollen and the soft soil Is cut into al
most impossible shapes by the wheels
OF the supply wagons, One OF General
Randolph's light batteries occupied
whole day In getting to the front.
The rain Is coming down In torrents
tonight and thunder storm is raging
along the coast. II the storm contln-
ues It is likely TO delay operations SER
lously.
Troops from the auxiliary cruisers
Yale and st. Paul have been landing in
the rain all day and have been going
Into camp wet and miserable. 1t has
been a bitter experience for the raw
troops, but they will be pushed right on
TO the front tomorrow.
The beach Tonight Is dotted with the
spluttering camp fires Of the new arriv-
ais. The men are clustering about the
feeble flames In dismal groups, many
OF them with the slightest shelter from
the tropical downpour.
The fleet was inactive all dag. The
Brooklyn occupied position about five
miles west OF the hRrbor entrance and
the remainder OF our warships were
strung along the coast as far east as
Juragua. At the latter point the flag
ship New York lay nearly all day.
Rear Admiral Sampson and General
Miles were frequently IN communication
during the forenoon. General Miles
went on board the New York at about .
O'Clock and frequent exchange Of
notes between the two commanders oc-
Cured later. The nature OF their con-
ference could not be ascertained; but 1t
is supposed to have related 20 a con-
certed attack upon Santiago.
Several OF our ships, including the
Newark, with Commodore Watson on
board. spent the day coaling at Guam
tanatno baV.