The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-17
ON TO PORTO RICO
TRANSPORTS FOR THE TROOPS
SECURED
TWENTY THOUSAND GO
MUSTER OF THE MEN IN THE
VARIOUS CAMPS
ARE PLENTY OF SOLDIERS
Advance Will Be Made as Soon as It Is
Certain Santiago Can Be Captured
Without Reinforcements
Associated Press Special Wire

WASHINGTON, June 16.-The war de-
partment expects to utilize approximately
thirty-flve transports for the expedition for
the invasion of Porto Rico. This statement
was made officially at the department. 1t
seems to indicate that the Porto Rico army
will equal if not exceed the number which
left for Santiago. The estimate is made
that the thrty-flve vessels will carry be-
tween $1,000 and $1,000 men with their equip
ments and subsistence. Army officials say
that reports which have been received from
reliable sources show that the number Of
Spanish soldiers in that country is only
10000 men, although other statements in
dictate that there is considerably less than
that number. 1t is fair to assume, they say,
that when the United States army COM
mences active operations against the city
of San Juan every available man in that
place will be impressed into military SER
vice and given gun. Hence they feel that
the army of invasion should be of such
proportions as to leave no doubt Of its abil-
ity and capacity to cope successfully with
the enemy.
Troops Available
NEW YORK, June 16-According to the
estimates made by Adjutant General Cor
the Times, the total number of troops lief.
at Tampa after the sailing of the Santiago
expedition is in the neighborhood of %. 900.
This includes the portion Of the Fourth
Corps remaining at Mobile, which is re-
garded as sub-staton of the Tampa camp.
At Jacksonville, it is estimated by the Adju-
tant General that there are about 5000 men.
This would make the entire strength of the
=
to Porto Rico $4,000 men. Little doubt is
harbored that out of this 1t will be possible
to organize by the time the other prepara-
tions for the expedition are completed an
army of $4,000 men thoroughly equipped. The
latest official returns to the War Depart
ment show the following as composition of
the Fourth Army Corps, commanded by
Major General Coppinger, which is expected
to take part In the movement on Porto Rico:
At Mobile-First Division, commanded by
Brigadier General Schwan, five regiments:
the First and Second Texas. First and Sec
ond Louisiana and First Alabama.
At Tampa-Second Division, commanded
by Brigadier General Snyder, nine regi-
ments; the Eleventh and Eighteenth regu-
lar infantry; First District of Columbia
Second New York, Fifth Maryland. Third
First Illinois. Also the Third Division,
commanded by Brigadier General Henry,
six regiments and cavalry and artillery de-
tachments: Fifth Ohio, First Florida,
Thirty-second Michigan, Sixty-ninth New
York, Third Ohio and Second Georgia, a
provisional cavalry brigade made up of the
Fifth Regiment cavalry attachments from
the Second. Third and Sixth and Fourth
of he FirSt G
batteries of light artillery and F, from the
Third, B and F from the Fourth and D and
f from the Fifth, two batteries Of heavy
artillery, M and X from the Fifth.
At acknowledgements from the First
and Fifth Cavalry. Only one division of the
Seventh Corps under General Lee at jack
sonville has been organized The second is
commanded by Brig. General Arnold and is
made up as follows:
First North Carolina, Second Illinois, Sec
ond New Jersey, First Wisconsin. Fifticth
Iowa, Fourth Illinois, Second and Fourth
Virginia.
The provisional division organized to
accompany General Shafter and command
ed by Brigadier General Snyder was in
tended to be the First Division of the Sew
enth but has now been attached to the
OuTlu SOTpS uHutI dtHeIdl SOpplHBcI. lie
Third Division of General Lees Corps has
not yet been formed, but the Second Mis-
sissippi Regiment has been ordered to jack
sonvllle, and 1t will enter that division.
The War. Department has begun an in
vestiga uqnvinto the state Of preparedness of
the troops at Tampa, Mobile and Jackson
Vile, with view to selecting the regiments
for the Porto Rican force, but it is by no
means certain that all the commands for
that enterprise will be taken from these
camps. In fact, it seems assured that Sc
lections of specially we'll equipped and
trained regiments from the camps at
Chickamauga and Washington will be made
In organizing the new expedition. There is
some reason to suppose that portion of
the force left at Tampa may yet be sent on
to Santiago as second division of General
Skaters army. Should the Spaniards
prove more numerous and formidable about
Santiago than is expected. reinforcements
will undoubtedly be hurried there Several
of the transports engaged for the Santiago
movements were not used in the first expe-
dition and these will be available for a Sec
ond should it be found necessary.