Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-12-03

The Secretary fepueQ tn84 LOT uur
manity's sake he approved the post
ponement Of the bombardment as pro-
posed, though Shafter would be justi-
fed in carrying out the original threat.
Later in the same day Gen. Corbin
directed Shafter to use his own judg-
ment about how to take the city, only,
for manifest reasons, it should be ac-
complished as speedily as possible.
The Secretary also added a short tele-
gram, saying that he had not intended
to direct Skaters movements, as he
was the best judge of the situation and
the country had every faith in his
wisdom. Later still, on July 4, the
following telegram was dispatched:
"Major-l eneral Shafter, Playa del Este,
Cuba:
After conference with the President
and the Secretary of War, | am direct
ed to say your continued illness brings
sorrow and anxiety. In case you are
disabled, Gen. Wheeler would, Of
course, succeed to command. His i'll
ness, which we also regret, is feared to
be so serious as to prevent his assum-
ing command You must determine
whether your condition is such as to
require you to relinquish command. If
so, and Gen. Wheeler is disabled, you
will order the next general officer in
rank Tor duty to succeed you and take
UP the work in hand. 1t is not expect
ed that our forces will make assault
until they are ready.
H. c. CORBIN, Adjt-Gen."
The response was as fellows:
"Adjt.-Gan., Washington.
Camp Near Santiago, Cuba, July S.
u am not at present so much i'll as
exhausted from the intense strain that
has been on me for last two months.
am also suffering from an attack OF
govt, which prevents me from moving
about. l have, however, the whole bu.
siness in my hand, and am managing
it through able staff officers. When
do have to give up will Of course fol-
low your order, but hope to be better
soon. SKATER,
"Major-General Commanding"
In telegram dated San Juan, July 4,
Shafter says:
Il regard it as necessary that navy
force an entrance into the harbor of
Santiago, not later than the sixth inst,
and assist in the capture of that place.
If they do, believe the place will sur
render without further sacrifice of
life"
July T. Shafter telegraphed that after
consultation with Sampson the navy
was disinclined to force entrance ex-
cept as last resort, would lombard city
for twenty-four hours and then try to
force the entrance with small ships.
He had made another demand for
Toral's surrender, which he hoped
would succeed. He says:
"As last resort will try running
in transports. | do not consider my
force sufficient to warrant an assault
on the city, though l believe it would
be successful, but at a fearful loss, of
course. 1t would be criminal to hope
for the end to be gained, which is
merely the capture OF few thousand
men, and when we seem to be getting
them by siege"
, Shafter was telegraphed that it was
reported here that his men were with
out food. He replied on the 9Th, that
the day of the battle the men had piled
up and left their blankets and haver-
sacks and were not able to get them
until the next night. Some of them
may have been hungry, but on the
night of the battle pack trains deliv-
cred food along the line. They were
without tobacco for several days, as it
was only by great exertion that conee,
sugar. meat and bread could be gotten.
Of these the men had full ratlons,
though coffee was lacking for twenty
four hours.
July 3 the following dispatch was
sent:
"Adjutant Generals Office, Washing
ton, July 8.
Major General Shafter, Playa del Este
Secretary of War directs me to in
form you that Gen. Miles left here at
1O:4O 'ast night, for Santiago, but with
instructions not to In any manner sup
ercede you as commander OF the FORCES
In the. field near Santiago as long as
you are able for duty.
III. C. CORBIN, Adjt.-Gen."
The following dispatches announce
the sailing of Miles on the Yale, his ar
rival at Siboney, and the extension OF
the line of investment. On the Sth,
Geen. Corbin asked Shafter If he re-
commended the arming Of his volun-
teers with Krag-Jorgensons. And the
reply was Immediately as follows:
"Adit-Gen. U. S. Army, Washington.
HEADQUARTERS Fifth Corps-By all
means arm men in field, Henry's divis-
ion and the volunteer regiments now
here with the Krag-Jorgenson rifle. The
use of black powder instantly brought
volleys against regiments using
Springfield, and was very demorallzlng
ON those regiments.
'SHAFTER,
Major General Commanding.
Half a dozen short dispatches following
treat of details of movements.
Through Gen. Corbin. the President
wired:
You will accept nothing but an uncon-
ditional surrender, and should take extra
precautions to prevent the enemy's es-
cane"