The Lamar register., 1898-06-29
MILES WILL GO NEXT
EIGHTEEN THOUSAND MEN
WITH HIM.
They VIII Help shats.r II Needed ane
Then Go TO Porto Rico.


Chicago. June 25.--A special from
Washington to the Record says:
General Miles has made all arrange
ments to leave Washington tonight
for Tampa. to embark there as soon
as possible with General Coppinger
aud the Fourth army corps of about
1900 men for Santiago. II Is definite
ly announced thai Santiago Is TO be
the chief outlying base of supplies for
subsequent military and naval opera
lions against the enemy in the West
indies. General Miles expresses the
hope that General Shafter viii have
succeeded In taking possession OF San
tiaEo before he reaches there. In case
this achievement Is delayed. the large
army Of rclnforcements will undoubt-
edly b. able 20 effect u speedy ,ermin-
alton OF the siege. The flower OF the
Spanish army In cuba consists of To-
oDo men under General Pando, who Is
known as their lighting general, and
Is now reported as Fastening TO San
tiago overland from Holguin, seventy
miles awny In m air line.
General Shafter was directed by ca
ble to-day TO get all the supplies out OF
his transports as quickly as possible
and hurry the boats back to Tampa
are now ready to embark. Secretary
Long sent orders at the same time 10
Admiral Sampson TO furnish an effec-
live convoy OF wnrships for the cxpe-
dltion. II l. believed the big iieet can
start on its return voyage not later
than sunday. and can reach Tampa
as early aS Thursday morning. their
empty condition being conducive to
the attainment OF much higher speed
than they made Oh the outward yoy-
age. With no troops aboard II VIII also
be unnecessary to exercise snch strict
precauiion against the possibility OF
attack 10y small gunboats or torpedo
cruisers. and perhaps the faster ves-
sells VIII not have 20 walt for those OF
slower speed.
According to the present arrange
ncnts. when General Miles arrives al
Tampa Monday morning he VIII i'm.
mc,iistrly undertake the execution OF
all necessary preliminaries TO provide
for the prompt and systematic loading
Of supplies ON the Transports and none
OF the exasperating delays which
marked the departure OF the first ex-
petition are anticipated TO recur ON
this o,cnsiau. General Coppinger,s
force h composed almost altogether OF
the hrigades which were originally Sc
lected to participate with General
Shafter II has the advantage OF thor
uugh and compact organization.
The total strength OF this force
slightly exceeds 1900 men. The
first division OF the Fourth army
corps. under General Sehwan. which
has been removed TO Miami. will not
accompany the expedition. but VIII
probably be attached TO General Lees
corps,
In addition 10 the ihirty-two trans
ports utilized by General Shafter the
War Department has chartered eleven
other vessels. which are available for
immediate use. and these will proba-
bIy be assembled ut Tampa the first
OF next week The Atlantic transport
vessels are admirably adopted for
military purposes. The nrst nye
have an average tonnage OF 200
tons. are fitted with twin screws
driven by triltle-expansion engines
and attain speed of twelve and one
half knots an hour when fully loaded
,pOn a coal consumption of sixty tons
a day. Each of these ships has Il re
frlcsratinG capacity OF 1000 tons Of
meat and additional space for 1000
head OF cattle or horses. Their chief
utility win be- in transporting cavalry
horses and heavy supplies. as well as
keeping the army at Santiago and
other bases Of operations plentifully
supplied with good food and fresh
beef
While General Miles intends 10 ac-
company this expedition in support OF
General Shafter, IL Is not eontcm-
plated that he will assume direct
command, although possibly another
ma jor- general. II not two. Will be at
tached to the corps as division com
manders. The detail OF all additional
officers, including several brigadiers,
is now under consideration. and will
be announced tomorrow,
on the arrival of the force at San
tiago General Miles. by virtue of his
position. will assume active command
OF all the forces in the field. and as
soon as the city falls he will under
take In person the leadership of sub
seauent campaigns, whether against
Porto Rico or various Cuban points.