Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-12
THE INVASION BEGUN
OUR ARMY EMBARKED on SWIFT
TRANSPORTS FOR CUBA.
GREAT RUSH At LAST MOMENT.
Fine Appearance Presented by First
Regiment of Regulars As IL March,
ed to the Pier-Newspaper Men Not
Left.
Left.

TAMPA, FLA, June 1.-THE army OF
invasion IS now embarked on large
feet Of swift transports.
The Grst odicial notification That tie
time for movement had arrived came In
the, form Of an order on May 8st. The
announcement created great excitement
Preparatlons were fastened among the
troops on the following day. to be in readi-
ness to move Immediately on board the
transports. Every man went about his
work with eagerness.
The ernbarkation assumed definite shape
on Monday afternoon, June 9th. when the
First United States Infantry. Major-Gene-
raj Skaters old command, regiment
famous in the history Of the army, was
given the honor OF embarlIing first These
physical giants, as they marched ocWn
the long pier at Port Tampa. with their
reglmental band playing patriotic airs
were an inspiring sight, awakening the
enthusiasm Of all who beheld the spec
tacle. Their national colors fluttered in
the gulf breeze, their arms glistened in
the tropical sun, while their Ihythmical
tread added 10 the impression among all
that this was the most Warlike scene yet
Witnessed here.
During the balance OF the afternoon.
and until daylight next morning, the
movement was continued with the utmost
yigor. All during Tuesday the wharves
we're a moving mass of excited humanity
each individual vainly striving for place.
Late in the afternoon every commanding
officer was ordered to get his regiment
In readiness for immediate movement
and soon afterwards word was sent out
.1.rfe
as rapidly a possible. Trains Of coaches
and cars OF all descriptions were placed
on sidings near the various camps, and
baggage, arms, and ammunition were hur-
riedly put on board.
IMMEDIATE DEPARTURE"
On Tuesday evening about 8 O'clock
Lieutenant Miley, who was in the hotel
telegraph Office with General Miles, was
seen 10 rush into the hall and run down
il at fun speed toward General Shaft
eTs apartments. Immediately the two
were seen moving rapidly toward the
telegraph Office, Lieutenant Miley forcibly
pulling the heavy General with him. The
REGULAR operator was evicted, the oilce
doors were closed, and Captain j. T..
Brady, the censor took the key. General
Miles and General Shafter were then
placed in direct communication with the
War Department, and a half-hour's con-
ference ensued. The termination OF this
resulted in hurried, whispered conferences
among the lesser officers, followed by
wave OF excitement. THE army OF inya-
sion must Immediately depart" was the
word. From the comparative calm or
few minutes before, the scene was
changed 10 one Of action. Scurrying feet
hurried the order from room 10 room,
while horses, fiecked with foam, sped from
cap,n IN Damn SDacial trains We're hur-
r!edly coupled up, and baggage was piled
aboard in chaotic fashion. Newspaper
correspondents left half their possessions
in their rooms, I'm their frantic rush.
All during the night the feverish rush
continued. The more anxious disregarded
the trains, hiring cabs 10 convey them
TO Port Tampa, nine miles away