The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-24
|AIfR FEELS No ALARM
|Confident Army VIII Win at
| Santiago.
hIILES SURE OF HIS MEN
|WiII Drive the SpaniardS Into the
City.

Guns From Cervera's Ships Sure to
Make the Fighting Desperate.
Naval Men Believe Admiral Samp-
SON VIII Force His Way Into the
Harbor to Take Hand in the
81 FightinG-EOrrO Likely to BE At
tackled by Land and Sea-The Gu
bans Promise to Prove Most VaIua-
BILE Allies.
81 Washington, June 23.-Secretary Alger
and Gen Miles were in conference in the
secretary's Office at o'clock this after
noon when the first bulletin announcing
that lighting had begun was shown to
them.
The secretary read it aloud with emil
nent satisfaction, and both gentlemen ex-
pressed themselves gratifed with this fa4
vorable report coming, as it did, from the
enemy. There was no surprise that the
Fighting had begun so soon.
1t was suggested by the reporter that
the troops had completed their landing
only this morning.
'Yes, but they have gone there to fight
and are ready to begin at once" replied
Gen. Miles.
Secretary AIger said no word had been
received up to that hour indicating that
"a fighting was in progress. He had no rea-
son to doubt, however, that our troops
had encountered the Spanish forces and
had given a good account of themselves.
Gen. Miles said that the American troops
would now aggressively drive in the Span
4 ish, forcing them to fight.
There was not suggestion of apprehen-
sion or doubt, either with Secretary Alger
Il or Gen. Miles as to what the outcome
would be- They had made their plans we'll
and they were confident that Gen. Shat
Il ter and his troops would be hammering at
the gates of Santiago before long.
The impression here is that the Spaniards
will make their strongest stand close to
"a Santiago and the inner harbor within the
8range of protection of the guns of the Zig
Spanish cruisers lying there.
There is no doubt that until these ships
are removed from the field of operations,
the campaign against Santiago will be con-
#Cucted against odds. The guns of the ships
command the hills over which our SOL
&diers must come to attack the town end
#reach the bay. but we viii soon bring cur
Own artillery into play.
The naval officials here believe that
4when the time comes for an attack by land
#upon the town, Admiral Sampson will
force his way into the harbor and take
E part in the engagement.
They are satisfied that the wreck of tie
a Merrimac does not completely blockade
s. the channel and say that if Admiral Samp-
son does not come in, the Spanish fleet
is likely to make desperate effort to get
out
The mines are to be considered in such
Tease, but it is believed that once Moro
8Castle is taken by combined attack of
q the soldiers and feet, these Instructions
Mcan be easily removed with the experience
#eained in Guantanamo bay.
"a The only positive news coming to the
war department up to the close of office
hours was a dispatch to Gen. Miles from
spne of his staff officers with Gen. Shafter
#pnd also a brief dispatch to Gen. Greeley
from Lieut.. Col Allen
IA Gen. Miles dispatch stated in substance
that the landing of troops had been com.
pleted without any casualties, Save to one
Cuban soldier, who had his arm injured
by the bursting of she'll The troops of
Farcia and Rabi, about 800 in number
pad met the American forces with enthus-
@asuc greetings.
Stress was laid upon the point that the
fubans were well armed and well disci-
plined Gen Garcia was confident that
lis 4
rs soon as Santiago fell. About the only
need among the Cubans was shoes ana
ounine.
The dispatch to Gen. Greeley merely
stated that progress was being made in
conneetng the military forces directly
with the war department
During the day orders were issued to
the entire division, comprising the newly
created command of Brig. Gen. Guv v.
tienry, for their speedy departure to re-
Enforce Gen. Shafter at Santiago,
Already the Thirty-third Michigan and
one battalion of the Thirty-fourth Michi-
gan have started on this mission. To-dav's
crders cover the balance of Gen. Henry,s
command. Ii includes the renaintn,, bst
tahons Of the Thirty fourth Michigan ana
fhe Ninth Massachusetts Regimen Tbaea
Hlll complete Gen. Dufield,s comnand
Vine Third Virginia which belongs to the
brigade, will not so, as its equipment is in
Ncomp.ete. 80
The orders also cover the entire brIgada
~ Brig Gen. GarretsOn, which inclI1des
the Sixth Illinois, Sixth Massacbusetts ana
hlghth and Ninth Ohio regiments.
Ihe plan is TO move all of Gen. Henrv,s
tivision on the Harvard and Yale these
%hips to make two round trps The irst
TIP viii carry most. if not all of cen
Duftields brigade
"a The war department allows three dave
tor the trip, two days to unload the troons
PIC three days TO return to Newport News.