The times., 1898-05-04
TAMPA TROOPS TROUBLED
Hope Deferred Makes the Sol
der Boys Heart Sick.
HE WANTS TO GET ACTION
Continued Delay of Departure,
Coupled With strict Discipline
and Hot Weather. Demornlizing
the Men-Report Thnt Gems. " ade
and Shafter VIII BE Promoted.

Tampa. Fla, May S.-The transports
which are to convey the United States
troops from here to Cuba are Fastening
to Tampa and are expected to arrive ev-
cry hour. Those already here will carry
no more than a fifth of the army which
has already mobilized at this point. and
several of those now en- route will have
to corae from New York.
The continued delay in the date of de-
parture of the invading army has made
the soldiers and officers very restless, and
much of the spirit which characterized
them on first arriving has disappeared.
The strict discipline now enforced in the
camp has had dampening effect on their
ardor and the exceedingly warm weather
which is now the rule has prostrated
many of the men.
Both Gen. Wade and Gen. Shafter say
emphatically that they have no definite
information as to the date set for the
departure of the troops from here, but
believe that it is near at hand. 1t is the
general opinion among the officers that
the hrst invading army will not exceed
in numbers more than 10000 men, and
that the remaining 5000 regulars VINO are
| expected to be encamped here within the
next few days will remain here with the
volunteer forces, which may also be
mobnized here.
While Gen. Shafter is in command, Gen.
Wade continues TO play conspicuous
part in the direction of affairs Of the
army When asked today by The Times
| correspondent if he would remain in
| Tampa in command of the remaining
troops after the army of invasion had
sailed he said emphatically that he would
not. but would 20 with it and would see
| the campaign through.
Troops represeting all three branches
of the service have been arriving all day
and the camps have assumed enormous
proportions. The cavalry and artillery
camp at Port Tampa has been greatly
augmented during the last twenty-four
hours and more troops are constantly ar
irving. There is now in the camp a
sufficient number of batteries to hold any
city in Cuba. with the possible exception
of Havana. and it is the belief of both
Gen. Shafter and Gen Wade that the
army now here could hold its own against
a Spanish army of five times its number
and strength.
Thus far it has taxed the railroads to
the utmost to haul the troops and the
necessary supplies and now that the sup
! plies necessary 10 feed the army and
city have so greatly increased, it is with
difficulty that they are handled. Con-
tracts are constantly being let by Major
| Pope. Of the quartermaster's department,
for grain and coal. and it will be a prob
lem to secure storing accommoda tons.
| There was a great sensation this morn
ing at the cavalry camp at Port Tampa
caused by one negro shooting and kill
| ing another. Neither Of the men belong
ed to the army but the pistol with
which the man did the murder was loan
ed him by one of the enlisted men in the
Ninth cavalry. The affair almost pre-
| cipitated a riot. which was prevented
only by the presence of the troops.
The Olivette and Florida have been
| formally turned over to the Government
and steam is kept up on the mconstantly.
The news reached the headquarters last
| night that Brig.-Gens. Shafter and Wade
| would be made ma jor-generals today and
both of them were in high spirits over
| the news. They were seen by The Times
| correspondent about the matter and said
| that the promotion was not a surprise tC
| them but as yet they had not been Off.
| ciary notified Of it. The news spread
rapidly and many of their friends Off
| GERS and civilians, sent congratulations.
Cen Huau, OF the Cuban Junta al
jacksonville. arrived here today witt
| more than a hundred Cubans to joir
| Gen Nunezs army of volunteers. To
night there are about 100 Cubans at Ces
pede's Hall. drilling and getting ready
| for the orders which are expected by Gen
NuneZ on his arrival from Key West