The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-05-31

between the President and his two war
secretaries. Alger and Long, and Major
General Miles, In command OF the army.
Vice President Hobart, who accompan-
led the President to Arlington and re-
turned with him TO lunch, was present
part OF the time, and Secretary Day,
who had just returned to Washington,
also dropped In during the conference.
;; After the entire situation. war and mil
itary, had been gone over, Secretary
Long retired. and Secretary Alger and
General Miles remained to discuss more
IN detail the military operations now
about to be put into execution as
result OF the definite official information
that the Spanish squadron Is securely
held within Santiago harbor. Natur-
ally those who participated in the con-
ference observed strict reticence re-
garding It.. It was stated. however. in
an authoritative quarter, that the dis
cussion had covered the entire range OF
naval and military operations with par
ticular view 10 the active movements
about to begin.
General Miles brought with him a
memorandum. showing the exact dispo-
sition Of the military forces now con-
icentrated at various points throughout
the country, with the number OF men at
Tampa and other southern points ready
flor enbarkatlon. - L. 4
.ysJ5.Gs I, Pat tho rmy In Motion.
He also made known that at ! o'clock
this morning Immediately following the
receipt Of definite information as to the
presence Of the Spanish feet at santI-
ago, he had gone to the war DEPART
uent and had issued telegraphic orders
putting the troops In motion and thus
starting the forward movement OF the
military arm OF the service. Further
than this. those offending the confer
ence would not discuss their plans.
1t was said at the war department
that the chief reliance would be placed
at the outset on the United States reg
ulars. most of whom are centered In
Florida, and In such volunteer regi-
ments as were thoroughly equipped and
reasonably seasoned for service.
Although the officials will not state
how many troops are available for ac-
tive service, It is roughly estimated
that there are about 900 regulars and
1900 volunteers at Tampa. These TO-
clude seventeen regiments OF regular
infantry and fourteen regiments OF vol
| unteer infantry, twelve battalions OF ar
tillery and five regiments of regular
cavalry. The Infantry force, regular
and volunteer, Is about $4,000 men. the
cavalry about 1000. the artillery about
1900. How many OF these have been or
will be despatched to any given point,
or to several points, is not disclosed,
as that Is part OF the secret campaign
plans OF the government. Back OF this
force are other available regiments at
Mobile, New Orleans and other points
easily Accessible to Tampa.
Large Reserve Force.
Still further back is the large volun-
teer camp at Chickamauga. comprising
about 10000 infantry volunteers, 1000
cavalry volunteers and three regiments
OF artillery volunteers. 1t Is understood
| to be the plan-although as to this there
Is no precise official statement-to have
| the troops at Chickamauga take the
place OF those at Florida ports as fast
| as the latter leave for active service,
thus keeping large force always ready
| for embarkation from Florida. Aside
| from the troops already specified, there
are $4,000 men at Camp Alger. near
Washington. and lesser bodies OF troops
on Long Island and IN various states.
| The rs, 900 volunteers Under the recently
Issued call constitute still another re-
serve which, however, is yet to be or
ganl2ed and equipped.
Unless there is change OF pro-
gramme. General Miles and his entire
stan, with the exception OF General GIL
more, will leave for the south about II
| O'Clock tonight. 1t was Emancipation
OF this that the final plans were gone
over with the President this afternoon.
General Miles will not state whero his
headquarters will be located, and, in
deed. It Is probable that he will move
from place to place as circumstances
may demand. General Shnfter viii be in
immediate command of the forces now
cmbarking, while General Miles will
have general supervision OF these and
all other military movements.