The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-11-18
tv of Stores.

Washington, November I4.-The re-
port OF Charles z. Eagan, commissary
OF subsistence OF the army. has been
submitted TO the secretary OF war. II
shows an expenditure OF Sc, COS. 7l5, with
a balance OF SEQ 22, 6ss TO the credit
of the bureau. After detailing the con-
dition Of the commissary department
and its organization for the war with
Spain, General Eagan comes to the
Santiago campaign, Of which he says:
A very serious freight blockade at
and in the neighborhood of Tampa in
May and June, 1898. was caused by
he celebrity with which the troops AMI
their supplies were concentrated in
that place in preparation for the in
vasiOn of the island of Cuba. This
blockade was a matter Of grave con
Germ TO the subsistence department and
it was only after the most peremptory
orders of the commissary general OF
subsistence to unload the cars and to
hire warehouses. if necessary, that the
officers of the department on the spot
We're enabled, with unfiagging zeal and
untiring energy, to relieve the pressure
SO as to permit the taking OF rations
sufficient TO last the command of 16, 900
enlisted men for fou months and thu
sending on June 26th, 9th and 18th OF
further supplies"
After giving in detail what supplies
were sent to Cuba, General Eagan
says:
1T will thus be seen that all due dill
igence was used by the commissary
general of subsistence in placing sub
sistence stores within reach of the
troops operating against Santiago.
Upon landing in Cuba these stores of
the expedition were subject to the or
ders of the general commanding, who
was in paramount control Of the mill
tary operations in hat quarter"
After quoting a number Of official or
derS, the general says:
1T is evident from the foregoing state
ments that the supplies OF subsistence
stores shipped for the use of the army
in Cuba nave been at all times in ex-
cess of Immediate needs. Beside be-
ing available for our own troops, they
afforded relief to the Cuban army and
to the destitute people, which abandon
ed the city of Santiago when prepara-
ions for it's destruction had been
made. The official returns from Cuba,
showing In detail the issues made to
these several classes of persons and
others contemplated by law, have not
been received and there is not in this
office any information throwing light
on the subject Of the provision of the
transports which brought the army
back to MOntauk Point. further than
there was an abundance Of subsist-
ence stores in Santiago and vicinity"
NO NEWS OF THE TERESA.
Lieutenant Commander Harris. who
was in command Of the Spanish cruis-
er Maria Teresa at the time Of her
abandonment, has been ordered to pro-
coed from Charleston with the enlist
ed men formerly attached to the Te-
reSa, to the navy yard at Norfolk. No
additional details were received at the
department. today concerning the con-
dition of the Spanish warship, but il
is assumed that the ships Potomac and
Vulcan, which were sent to her relief.
are using their utmost endeayors to
draw her off the beach at Cat island
into deep water with a view Of towing
her to a place OF safety in the United
States. The report that the tide rose
and fell within the wreck would seem
to indicate that she is in need Of ex-
tensiVe repairs before she can be made
to float. Whether the leakage can be
stopped while she lies in her present
position in two fathOms Of water re-
mains to be seen. The Vulcan is equip
ped with all the tools and machinery
for the ordinary repair of ships OF