Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1898-06-28
WAR NOTES.

The American amy Of invasion is
being concentrated in front Of Santiago,
preparatory to the assault on that city,
which is to be made by the entire force.
General Shafter's troops, as stated yes
terday, are but few miles from the
city and in plain sight of it. As they
draw nearer they perceive that the de-
lenses of Santiago are well constructed
and give the Spaniards great advan-
tage. East OF the city trenches and
rifle pits have been dug in every bit OF
high ground. Thirty-four of these lines
of intrenchments have been counted
from the American position. In front
of the rifle pits are marked ranges and
several rows of barbed wire fencing.
The Spanish calculate that while the
advance is stopped by the fencing the
fire from the rife pits will create q
panic. The task ahead of the Ameri-
cans, it is now we'll understood, is
heavy one. Some officers say it will be
necessary to ley regular siege to Santi-
ago and advance with q line of earth
works until the rifle pits have been
shelled with shrapnel. General Shat
ter is bringing up his artillery as fast as
possible, but is still greatly hampered
by the lack of a proper road.
a dispatch from Washington says
that this week will see some important
forward movements among the troops
remaining in this country. According
to the dispatch General Snyder's di'
vision at Tampa will go aboard trans
ports Thursday and, with a convoy,
will go to Santiago to reinforce Shafter.
1t is also said that General Gsrretson's
brigade at Camp Alger will leave for
Santiago from Newport News on the
steamer La Grande Duchess, General
Shafter thus receiving from Tampa and
Camp Alger 1000 reinforcements.
General Brooke is said to have receiv-
ed orders to hurry fifteen regiments
from Chickamauga to Tampa to be en-
barked for Porto Rico. Miami and
Fernandina are not to be used for the
Porto Rico expedition.
Gen. Miles will 60 to Santiago. His
request to be sent to the front has been
denied by the President. He will,
however, soon leave on an inspection
tour, and will eventually go to Porto
Rico.
Four thousand more troops, under
General Macarthur, forming the third
Philippines expedition, left San Fran
cisco yesterday on four transports: Gen.
Merritt and 1900 more men will follow
tomorrow on two more transports.
A Washington dispatch to the New
York Herald says: Whether or not
Spain has acquired the armored cruiser
O'Higgins, which sailed from England
a few days ago ostensibly for Chill, Is
question which has caused the aushori-
ties no little perturbation.
The dispatch of five German menoi-
war to Manila still remains unexplain-
ed. The German second-class cruiser
Princess Wilhelm arrived at Manila on
June 20.
A Dispatch from Washington says
that the President is expected to issue
proclamation declaring the whole
island of Cuba in state of blockade, as
he now believes there are enough
United States warships available to
L1hh6 Uuo UlUChhuO ChCSpiSS'
Ell Creollo, one of the most promi-
nent government organs in Havana, in
an issue which has just reached Wash
ington, states that Captain General
Rlanco has sent word to the Queen
Regent OF Spain to enter into no peace
negotiations, as he believes himself suf-
ficiently powerful to meet and van
quish the American forces in Cuba.
A dispatch from Madrid say: 1t has
been decided to call out $4,000 more
men of the last classes of reserves for
service in Spain.
Two carloads of rifles and ammuni-
tion for the Seventh Corps ordnance OF.
6cer arrived at Jacksonville yesterday.
They are of the improved Springfield
pattern and are in prime condition.
They are sufficient to equip the Second
Virginia and all the other regiments of
the Second division. The first indica'
ton OF any early movement was made
yesterday at Gen. Lees headquarters,
and the staff are quite jolly over it. A
big division mess ''kit" to cost $500 has
been ordered and will arrive there the
last of the week. General Lees staff
will camp sin the saddle" so to speak,