The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-03

The order of the war department mis-
carried, at an early hour this morning
the troops that have been gathered at
the gulf ports began to break camp
and march aboard the ships waiting
to carry them TO the enemy's territory.
About twenty-five of these ships, the
biggest and fastest that could be OBJ
tanned suitable for the purpose, had
been gathered ready TO receive the
troops. They win accommodate about
10000 men, for in a short voyage like
that from one Of the gulf ports to Cuba
it is possible with safety and comfort to
carry a much larger number Of men
abOard ship than would he admissible
in the case Of a cruise to the Philip
pines, for instance. low many troops
started this morning; where they took
ships; where they are bound, are ques-
tirns which the directing spirits of the
campaign refuse positively to answer.
They have no desire that the Spanish
should have opportunity afforded them
to gather forces to attack our soldiers
as they land. Therefore, nothing of
the details Of the first movement can
be earned. There is a suspicion that
the start will be made from Tampa and
Mobile, and it is probable that in such
case the feet Of troop ships will con-
verge at Key West to pass under the
conveys Of the Warships which Admiral
Sampson has provided to ensure them
against attack at the hands of some
stray Spanish cruiser or gunboat.
Tt is probable that there will be no
less than four separate military expe-
ditions and hat these will be landed
at four different points. Whether
Porto Rico is one of these points or not
cannot be learned. Before the entire
force which it is proposed to use in
Cuba cam be landed, the troop ships
must make four separate voyages
aeHOss the straits.
Arrangements have been made to
utilize the service of the insurgents
to the greatest possible extent. The
government already has sent eXpedi-
tiOns to a large number OF points on
the island and landed arms for the in
~surgents. Most of the parties succeed
ed perfectly in their object and it was
said at the war department today that
a sufficient number of the insurgents
nav been armed to constitute a very
effective support for the troops as they
land.
A WAR CONFERENCE.
"A war conference was held at the
White house at 8 o'clock this afternoon
between the president and his war Sec
~retaries, Alger and Long, and Major
General MILES, in command of the
army. Vice President Hobart, who &C
conpanied the president to a Arlington
and returned with him to lunch, was
present a part of the time, and Secre-
tAry Day, who had just returned to
Washington, also dropped in during the
conference.
After the entire situation, naval and
g. -r L~I I~@~ ~xynn ~ Wv
Long retired and Secretary Alger
and General Miles remained to
discuss more in detail the military OPP
erations now about to be put into exc
cLtiOn as a result Of the definite official
information that the Spanish squadron
is securely held within Santiago har-
Dor.
Naturally. those who participated in
the conference observed strict reticenCe
regarding l. 1t was stated, however,
in an authoritive quarter, that the dis
cussion covered the entire n of
naval and military operations, with
particular view to the active move
ments about to begin. General Miles
brought with him a memorandum
showing the exact disposition Of the
military forces now concentrated at
various points throughout the country,
with the number of men at Tampa
and other southern points ready for
embarkation.
ORDERS FOR TROOPS TO EMBARK
General Miles also made known that
at l o'clock this morning. Immediately
following the receipt Of definite infor-
nation as to the presence of the Span
iSh fleet at Santiago, he had gone to
the war department and had issued
Geographic orders putting the troops
in motion, thus starting the forward
movement OF the military arm Of the
service. Further than this. those at
tending the conference would not dis
CuSS their plans.
1t was said at the war department
that chief reliance would be placed
at the outset on the United States reg
ulars, most of whom are conferred III
Florida, and in such volunteer regi-
ments as were thoroughly equipped
and reasonably well seasoned lor ser
vice. Although the officials will no,
say how many troops are available fol-
immediate active service, it is roughly
estimated that there are about 20, 0Ot
regulars and 13, 1000 volunteers at Tam
pa. This infantry force, regular and
volunteer, is about %, 900 men, the cav
airy about 1000. the artillery abou'
1900. How n of these have beer
of will be despatched to any giver
point, or to several points, is not dis
closed, and that is a part of the SecTe
campaign plans of the government
Back of this force are other available
regiments at Mobile, New Orleans anc
other points easily accessible Tampa
Still further back is the large ~voluntee
camp at Chickamauga, comprising
about 40, 900 infantry volunteers, LOU
cavalry volunteers and three regimen
of artillery volunteers. Tt is under
stood to be the plan-although as t
this there is no precise official state
ment-to have the troops a. Chicka
mauga axe the place of those at Flor
ida ports as fast as the latter leave 70
active service, thus keeping a larg'
force always ready for embarkatloI
from Florida. Aside from the troop
already specified, there are the $500
men at Camp A1ger, near Washington