Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-27
CORBIN POKED FUN.
SAID IF SAMPSON WOULDN'T ENTER
SANTIAGO SEND TRANSPORT,
WITH BALED HAY IS ITS ARHOR.
Teiegraphed sbafter This Plan of
Making n Way for tie AdmirnI's
squndron-MOrc Evidence of Fric-
ton.
(New York Herald Specially


New light is thrown on the events Of
the war by a complete file at the War
Department of the correspondence that
passed through the Adjutant-G Generals
Office relating TO the campaigns In Cuba
ana Porto Rico, which General Corbin
has furnished to the War Investigating
Commission.
one thing that Is shown more clearly
than ever Is that throughout the Santiago
campaign there was lack of cooperation
between the army and navy that caused
much Ill feeling both at Santiago and at
Washington and was also probably re-
sponsiole for unduly prolonging the cam
paign. Just where the responsibility for
TINS friction should be placed Is a matter
that will require still further light before
IL can be settled. 1t began apparently
when General Shafter arrived at Santiago
ana refused to adopt the plan of attack
suggested by Admiral Sampson, and was
continued after Cervera's fleet was sunk
ana sampson declined TO send his ships
inside the haYbor.
Unable TO get Admiral Sampson to go
INTO the harbor, the War Department
the way for the navy as shown by this
amusing dispatch from Adjutant- General
Corbin to General Shafter:
1 our telegram concerning the navy en-
tering Santiago harbor is received and
your action thoroughly approved. The
Secretary of War suggests that if the
navy will not undertake to break through,
take a transport, cover the pllot-house
IN most exposed points with baled hay,
attach an anchor TO a towline, and, IL pos
SIDE, grapple the torpedo cables and call
Tor volunteers from the army-not a large
number-to run into the harbor, thus
making way for the navy. Before act
ing, telegraph what you think of it. one
thing is certain: That is, the navy must
get INTO the harbor and must save the
nVes OF our brave men that will be sacri-
hoo IL we assault the enemy i'm his in
trenehments without aid. This IS strictly
confidential to YOU"
DIDN'T CARRY OUT BALED HAY
PLAN.
What General Shafter thought of run
ming ship with a deckload Of infamma-
Die baled hay past Notifications armed
with rapid-fire guns does not appear, but
ne did not see tit 10 carry out the sugges-
ton.
secretary Alger wrote a letter u Secre-
tary Long asking him TO "order the feet
on Santiago 10 at once force it's way into
the bay" Secretary Longs reply was no.
thing more than curt Acknowledgement
OF the receipt OF Secretary Ayers letter.
and Admiral SIMPSONS orders to avoid
having his ships destroyed by mines were
not changed.
After the surrender OF the city General
Shafter telegraphed for instructions as
In ha no RI -,
the navy was disposed TO take them. Sec
rotary Alger replied: "Be sure to take
immediate possession of all ships and
boats In harbor. They belong TO the
army"
While supporting General Shafter as
against Admiral Sampson. there was a
period before the surrender when the
War Department feared General Shafter
might make the terms of surrender too
favorable 10 the Spanish, and this dis
patch was sent to him by Adjutant-Gene-
raj Corbin
THE President and Secretary of War
are becoming impatient with parley Any
arrangement that allows the enemy 10
take their arms had as well be abandon
ed once for all, as IT will not be approved
The way to surrender Is 10 surrender.
and this should be fully impressed on
General Toral. / send this as your friend
and comrade, and not by authority but
you can be guided by II with entire safe
ty."
BLAME PLACED ON MILES.
Dispatches from General Miles while at
Tampa settle definitely the disputed
question as to just how the unhealthy
camp at Miami, Fla. came 10 be selected
1t was done on the recommendation Of
General Miles, who urged 1t in several
dispatches as suitable place for camp
lie based his recommendations on a re-
port from Colonel Greenleaf, Of the Medi- |
cal Corps. who feared yelow-fever at
Jacksonville and specifically recommend
ed that the troops at that place be sent
to Fernandina IL the disease advanced. |
and that other troops be transferred to |
Miami"
THE DEAD At CAMP WIEOFF,