The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-06

converted eachta: twenty-seYen COM
/ yerted tugs: nineteen converted col-
! lees. afteen revenue clitteT9; four hgnt
! house tenders, and nineteen miaeeiia-
! neous vessels.
Much alarm WIS felt aion6 our entife
] Atlantic feaboafd lest some aelAcs
uight be made ~ the enemy. Every
precaution was taken 10 prevent posi-
bic injury 20 our great cities lfin6
/ along the coast. Temporary garrleona
were provided, drawn from che state
militia: Infantry and light batteries
were drawn from the volunteer force.
About 1900 troops we're thus employed
.Dhe coast signal service was estabiish-
ed for observing the approach Of az eri-
emy's ships to The coast OF the uniled
States, and the life saving ana hght-
house services co-Operated, Wnleh en-
abled the navy department TO nave ail
portions OF the Atlantic coast from
Maine to Texas. under observation.
The auxiliary navy was created under
I the authority OF Congress ana was 0tiis
cered and manned by the naval militia
or the several BtRtes, This organisation
i'patrolled the coast, and performed the
duty OF n second line OF defense.
Under the direction OF the CHIEF OF en-
glneers, submarine mines were placed
at the most exposed points. Before the
outbreak OF the war, permanent mining
classmates and cable galleries had been
constructed at nearly all important har-
bors. Most Of the torpedo material was
not 10 be found IN the market. and had
to be specially manufactured, Under
date OF April 10, district officers were d.
reeted 80 take all preliminary measures,
short OF the actual attaching OF the
loaded mines 70 the cables, and on April
%. teiegraphlc orders were Issued 10
place the loaded mines IN position.
The aggregate number OF mines plac-
ed was 1885 at the principal harbors
from Maine to California. Preparations
were also made for the planting OF
mines ht certain other harbors, but pW-
ing to the early destruction OF the Span-
ish fleet, these mines were not placsd.
The signal corps was promptly orgnn-
lied. and performed service OF the most
difficult and Important character Its
operations during the war covered tho
electrical connection Of all coast FORTH
ficatlons. the establishment OF tele-
phonic and 4elegraphlc facilities for the
camps at Manila, Santiago and in Porto
Rico There were constructed three
hundred miles OF line at ten great
camps, thus facilitating military move
ments from those points in q manner
heretofore unknown In military admin
istration. Field telegraph lines were es-
tablished and maintained under the en-
emy's fire at Manila. and later the Ma
Hong &eng cable was reopened.
IN Porto Rico cable communion tons
were opened over discontinued route,
and on land the headquarters OF the
commanding officer was kept In tele-
graphic or telephone communication
with the division commanders on four
different lines Of operations.
There was placed In Cuban waters
completely QUILTED cable ship, with
war cables and cable genr, suitable both
for the destruction OF communications
belonging TO the enemy and the estab-
lishment OF our own. Two ocean cables
were destroyed under the enemy's bait
teries at Santiago. The day previous to
the landing OF General Skaters corps
ut Caimanera, within twenty miles OF
the landing place, cable communica-
lions were established and a cable sta
ton opened giving direct communication
With the government at washington.
This service was invaluable to the exc
ecutive In directing the operations Of
the army and navy With a total force
OF over 1900, the loss was by disease 10
camp and field, officers and men includ.
ed. only five.
The national defense fund OF $4,000
600. was expended in large part by the
army and navy, and the objects for
which It was used are fully shown in
the reports OF the several secretaries. IL
was a most timely appropriation, en-
RblIng the government to strengthen It's
defenses and make preparations great
| liz needed In case OF war
This fund being INADEQUATE to the re-
| qulrements OF equipment and for the
conduct OF the war. the patriotism OF
the Congress provided the means IN the
war ravonue act OF June 10. by author
izlng a per cent popular loan not to
exceed four hundred million dollars and
By IevyinE additional Imposta and taxes.
| OF the authorized loun, two hundred
millions were offered and promptly ia
/ ken, the subscriptions so far exceeding
the call as to cover It many times over,
while. preference being given TO the
smaller bids. no single allotment ex-
ceeded FIVE thousand dollars. This was
a most encouraqing and significant re-
suit. showing the vast resources OF tho
nation and the determination OF the
people 10 uphold their country's honor