The record-union., 1898-07-02

dispatch. showing that the artillery,
which had been brought TO the iroht'l
was well placed
General Miles commanding the army,
received a copy of the dispatch soon
after-it arrived He had anticipated II,
for only q few hours before dlspatcsn
came to him from General Brecken-
ridge Insr,ector General of the Army,
stating that the spirit of the troops was
high and that they were eager and ex-
pectant of action. General Brecken-
ridges dispatch indicated that results
might be expected very soon
General Miles also received another
dispatch sent quite early this morning
from Skaters headquarters, saying
that the big military balloon was now
high in the air, and was giving op-
portunity for observation over great
sweep of country. This in itself was or
incalculable value to our troops. Brave
reconnaissance had been made, but
these were of little value compared TO
what could be seen from a balloon
mile or more in the air. commanding
Il radiouS Of observation of from twenty
no forty miles with powerful telescopes.
General Miles had seen these war pal
looms in successful operation at Alder
shot and again during the French man
euvers when a six-horse wagon 10
which a great airship was anchored,
followed a squadron of cavary on the
dead run. He says German ships going
at Is knots have hauled these captive
balloons along with them. At ST
Petersburg also he saw them operated
during maneuvers. This was the nrsd
actual use by the American army In
he 11f1laJ Jl6 l.
ing General set much store on the in
formation they would give as to the
exact location Of all the Spanish forces,
their points of concentration, the de-
finite location of Cerveras warships in
the harbor and possibly the progress of
the Spanish reinforcements.
After the first announcement of Shaf-
ter was bulletined the time dragged
wearily, with nothing from the field to
answer the intense anxiety to which
every one was wrought. General SHAFT
tiers assurance that he would keep
you continually advised of progress
gave promise of early details. 1t had
been arranged that they should go first
to the White House, while the Cabinet
was in session, and then should be bull
defined so far as warranted.
The officials showed every disposition
to keep the public advised of actual oc-
currences.
According to General Skaters re-
port, the attack on Santiago was be-
gun by the second division of the Fifth
Army Corps, commanded by General
Lawton.
This division consists of three brf-
gades, made up as follows:
First Brigade, commanded by Colonel
~ virht1 -,ifo osl fota
Infantry. Twenty-second United States
Infantry and the Second Massachusetts
Infantry.
Second Brigade, commanding officer
unknown. but supposed to be Colonel
Bates-First United States Infantry,
Fourth United States Infantry and
Twenty fifth United, States Infantry.
Third Brigade commanded by Briga-
dier General A. r. Chaffee-Seventh
United States Infantry. Twelfth United
States Infantry and Seventeenth Unit
ed States Infantry.
Thus it appears that the entire divis-
ion which opened the hostilities of the
day is composed of regular troops, sea-
soned and experienced in battle with
the exception of the Second Massachu-
setts Volunteer Infantry, which is re-
garded as one Of the best volunteer or
CARNATIONS or the army.
General Lawton, who was chosen for
the important and responsible duty of
opening the battle by the capture of
Caney and the interior of Spanish re-
Inducements now nearing Santiago. is
described as a good fighter and soldier
of exceptional ability He served in
the Union army. having entered as Ser
geant of Company Z, Ninth Indiana
Volunteer Infantry in April. 1861. and
being successfully promoted through
merit the field of battle to First
Lieutenant of the Thirtieth Indiana In
fantry in August. 1861, to Captain in
May, 1862 and to Lieutenant Colonel in
IS64. In March, 1860, he was breveted
Colonel for gallant and meritorious
services during the war. He entered the
regular establishment in July. 1866. as
Second Lieutenant of the Forty-first
Infantry tcolored), and remained with
that branch of the army until January.
1871, when he was transferred TO the
Fourth Cavalry with which he re-
mained until September. 1888 when he
was appointed Inspector General with
the rank of Major He was subsequent
ly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant
Colonel, and held that rank until the
opening of the war with Spain. when
the President appointed him Brigadier
General OF Volunteers, and assigned
MIN 10 the command of a division of
the Fifth Army Corps commanded by
General Shafter.
An official dispatch was received
last night at the War Department con-
nrming the press report that General
Shafter had sent back on transports TO
Azefraderos, whence they came. 1000
of Garcia's Cubans. The purpose is A
double one, first to prevent reinforce
ments coming into Santiago from Man
zanillo on the west and second to pre-
Vent the retreat in that direction of the
Spanish garrison of the town.