The news & observer., 1898-08-30

sent the following dispatches to Wash
eral:
Headquarters Fifth Army Corps, in
Camp near Santiago de Cuba, July 4th.-
1nere seems to be no reasonable doubt
that General Pando succeeded in
entering Santiago last night with his
force said to be about 5000 men.
"'This puts a different aspect upon
affairs and while we can probably main
tain ourselves. it would be at the cost
very considerable fighting and loss.
General Lawton reports that Gener-
nj Garcia. who was to block the en-
trance of Pando, informed him at 10
O'Clock last night that Pando had passed
in on the Cobra road. Lawton says he
cannot compel General Garcia to obey
my instructions to place himself in any
position where he will have to fight and
that if we intend to reduce Santiago we
VIII have to depend alone upon our own
troops, and that we will require twice
the number we now have.
i sent a message to Admiral Samp-
son, asking if he proposed entering the
harbor so as to give us his assistance.
Commodore Watson replies that he does
not know Admiral SIMPSONS intentions
since the destruction of the Spanish
squadron, but does not himself think the
fleet should try to go into the harbor of
Santiago. This, under the circumstances,
is not very encouraging.
Have been expecting a division from
Tampa and Duffield's brigade from
Camp Alger, but only small number Of
recruits has appeared so far. If we have
to try and reduce the town, now that
the fleet is destroyed, there must be nc
delay i'll getting a large body of troops
here.
The town is in a terrible condition
as to food, and people are starving. but
the troops can fight and have large
quantity of rice. There will be nothing
done here until noon of the fifth.
am sorry to say | am no better
Lieutenant Miley had interview with
consuls this morning and his report will
be telegraphed Immediately. ! do not
send this in cipher, as time is precious
'SHAFTER,
major General
"It was this situation which deter
mined General Miles to go to Cuba. The
day he sailed with reinforcements, July
9Th he sent the following dispatch from
Washington:
General Shafter. Santiago:
Take every precaution against sur
prise and be on the lookout that the enc
my does not turn your right flank and
come in on the line of your communica~
tions. Reinforcemcnts are being seuc
forward as rapidly as possible, but you
will have to be the judge of the position
you are to hold until reinforcements can
reach you.
"MILEs,
Major General, Commanding.
General Miles sailed for Cuba. On
July 11th, at noon he reported his safe
arrival to the War Department and at
once assumed charge, reporting to the
Secretary of War. All of the subsequent
business of the surrender was entirely in
his hands as shown by the fact that the |
War Department communicated with
him direct, not even mentioning General |
Shafter's name in the numerous dis /
patches. The following dispatch is an
example:
Washington, d. c., July 13, 1898.
Major General Miles:
Y on may accept surrender by grant |
ing parole to officers and men, the off |
GERS retaining their side arms. The of. !
hcers and men after parole will be pee /
mitted to return to Spain, the United |
States assisting. If not accepted, then
assault, unless inSyour Judgment an as
sault would fail. Consult with Sampson |
and pursue such course as to the assault
as you jointly agree upon. Matters
should be settled promptly.
"'R. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War
''This dispatch recognized Miles as
Commander and gave him authority to
act Shafter was entirely ignored. In
tie face of this situation. Secretary Al
ger. through General Corbin, sent IA dis
patch to General Shafter, assuring him
that General Miles did not come to Cuba
Continued on Second Page.)