The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-06-06
TROOPS SAIL FROM TAMPA.
ALE OF THE REGUEARS AND HOST
OF THE VOLUNTEERS ON THE SEA.

Utmost secrecy Mt the War Department As
e Their Destination. but II IL Inferred
That They Are on Their way to Santiago
ana Psrts OF the Quarter
masters Department rrsm Criticisms AL
IesiuE Delay In FurnlshInE Supplies.
WASHINGTON. June 5.-The War Department
practically deserted to-day by officers and
clerks. only q few of the latter being at their
desks during the morning to dispose Of the inn
mense amount OF mail which Is received daily
at the department. Adjt.-Gen. Corbin was In
his Office nearly all day with n StenoRrapher,
whom he kept busy, and the single aide to whom
his personal staff has been reduced.
The utmost secrecy In regard to the move
ments OF troops is enjoined upon officers and con-
ndential clerks on duty at the War Department.
Tho precautions against publicity in this respect
already apparently abundHnt-have been made
moro stringent. Tho department has had official
advices. presumably, of the departure of troops
from Mobile and Tampa, and 1t In commonly
supposed that all of tho regulars and nearly all
the volunteer troops at those points are now
upon the sea. 1t 10 left 10 conjecture what di-
rection tho transports have taken, but by OBJ
servant army officers the military force Is as
sumod to have been despatched to Santiago and
Porto Rico.
W Lluulkub InO NAVY bopoh -
nothing to make public from Admiral Samp-
son. Many rumors of fighting at Santiago wero
in circulation during the evening, but the do
partment officials said they had no confirmation
Of them. A report that Admiral Sampson had
landed marines near Santiago is not discredit-
ed, but this means little, as the naval au'
thorlties will not as o rule say anything what
ever about such matters until their official adj
vices have been thoroughly considered and
edited for tho press. THE Sun reporter has
BEEN assured from q credible source that no
further offensive operations will occur at Sam
tiago until the military expedition arrives
there, unless the Spaniards attempt to erect or
strengthen the defences, or to remove tho
wreck Of the Morrimac. According to other
information, which may be based on mere sup
position, there will be no moro fighting at tho
blockaded port until Constructor Hobson and
the crew of the Msrrimao have been OK
changed. 1t does not appear probable, how
ever, that this matter will DO allowed to delay
the plans of the United States, as Admiral Ger
vera has offered TO effect an exchange of pris-
oners, which practically amounts to giving his
word of honor that they will be turned over 10
Admiral Sampson when Spanish prisoners in
the. custody OF this Government have been
surrendered to the Spanish authorities.
The main question discussed in naval cir
SiOo 40 v bOOh III lHO AoLLopoAto SohNO AAb
troops reach Santiago. 1t Is pretty generally
believed that the transports are already on their
way to that port, and some of them will proba-
bly, get.there in n day or two. be-
lieved to be trustworthy indicates that some
transports sailed from Tampa not later than
Friday last. The voyage will take about four
days, 80 that the prospects Of the commence
mont Of the land campaign this week are very
good. The understanding between the military
and naval authorities is that Admiral Samp-
sons ships shall protect the landing of the
troops at u point near Santiago, and. this 40
complished, again proceed to make it hot for
the Notifications and Cervera's fleet In the hRr-
Dor while the military forces. in conjunction
with the insurgents under Garcia, attack tho
line OF breastworks surrounding the town. ~
Siege guns OF the Napoleon type are to be
used by the army in its operations against the
Spanish stronghold. and IL these can be In
stalled In commanding positions they will de-
vote quite as much attention to Cervera's chips
as to the land forces OF the enemy. Low, strong
trucks with wheels four or Ave inches wide are
to no used in hauling these guns to their posi-
tons. The trucks were recently completed and
some of them are now probably on board trans
ports bound for Santiago. Whether the guns
were shipped at the Same time cannot be RScer.
tanned. but the opinion here is. among those
"uO kAO" bOlhO Vi Nv ILAbb bhoS ! boAhb vi,
that they have not been.
Officials in q position to know say that the
operations against Porto Rico will not begin
until Santiago has been taken. In the mean
time. however. 1t IL probable that armed seoul
ships will le of San Juan in the ope of captur
ing thhe torpedo boat destroyer Terror and
some OF the small Eunboats of the enemy which
may seek q refuge in that port.
The Adjutant-General of the army made
public tonight q communication addressed u
him by q prominent officer of the Quartermas
tsr-General's Department. whose name 10 with
held, defending that branch of the military ser
vice from the criticism that the alleged delay II
sending troops to points in Cuba and Portt
Rico was due to its lack of preparation. Tn,
letter, which Is practically an official report
followB:
"As verbally requested. herewith In q sum
mary OF clothing and e~quipage supplied to dat
TO the various camps. 1t does not include sup
plies secured on the Pacific coast for the Manill
expedition, what has been furnished 10 recruit
in the regular army at various stations. equip
ments for immune regiments being supplied in
depsndently. nor thousands OF garments SUI
piled to volunteers at points OF muster require,
10 relieve reported suferings. such as shirts
drawers. stockings. shoes and tents. Thes
were sometimes supplied by purchase there an,
frequently by shipment by express.
I'm this connection | would remark that man
States held men in camp weeks before they wer
mustered in. and when turned over to the Ger
eral Government they were in many instance
reported to be barefooted and with only III
shirts worn when leaving home. From thes
come mostly tho complaints, nor Is II strange
Up to the present time the office has had t
!, Judge MS to what kind and what quar-
titles would probably DO most require
at the various points of concentrate
having received no Intelligent informatio
as to special needs. because, the Quarter
masters at the camps have not themselves bee
) able 70 determine them. Shipments have bee
. MADDEN such quantities that the freight sol
vice Is congested on all roads near the camp
. and In many cases tho local offices have Doe
unable to handle and issue the suppIies alread
a furnished. A little tune must be allowed l
which to work IL out. In the meanwhile con
plants will be heard from these organization
which left their States in destitute condition
v and from those who do not appreciate the din
culties TO he overcome. In many instances nj
. only had tho articles to DO manufactured, bI
also tho material composing them.
Z at is painful to hear complaints, but / cal
not see how, under tho circumstances. tho Gel
, eral Government could have 30 acted as TO hay
entirely prevented occasion for them. In 1856
after a much longer space of time. many reg
ments went TO the front without uniforms. an
n tentage hRdito DO imported from Europe. Tn
. department, during all this great rush, entai
- H. 81 ANutk. aat VN1aa AH Hr.u-