The herald., 1898-07-02
RUMoRS OF WAR
Alger and Miles Tell of the Troops and
Their Plans

Veyed in the dispatch received from Gen-
eral Shafter at 10 o'clock this morning.
Briefs as it was, it told the whole story
that the first shots of the long expected
crash at arms, probably the first great land
engagement of the war, was under way.
1t sent thrill through official circles from
the highest to the lowest.
Secretary Alger was the first to read 1t.
He passed 1t to General Corbin, Adjutant-
General of the army, and directed him to
take it at once to the White House. Gen
eral Corbin went to the President, carry
ing the original dispatch. He was back
shortly and then a bulletin was posted
giving the dispatch verbatim. Until then,
only higher officials had knowledge that
the decisive hour was at hand.
The news spread through the corridors
and wave of awe-like agitation and ex-
pectancy took hold of everything. A great
crowd of correspondents congregated
about the bulletin board, messenger boys
dashed off with dispatches, the clerks, men
and women, turned from their desks and
gathered at the doorways.
Meantime Secretary Alger remained at
his desk while the usual train of callers
pushed their way forward. The Secretary
preserved his usual outward calm, but
those near him said the news from the
field had sent the same thrill through the
Secretary that prevailed everywhere and
| even more for there was the personal con-
sideration that the Secretary's son, young
Captain Alger, now on the staff of General
Duffield, was participating in the engage
ment now on.
As the Secretary started to the Cabinet
meeting he spoke with satisfaction OF the
fact that sufficient time had elapsed to
permit General Shafter to get his army
well concentrated at the front and thrown
out into good battle formation. The Sec
rotary felt that our forces were on the ag-
gressive and that the mere fact that the
action was now going on showed that Shat
ter had bded his time and was ready to
strike his blow. Word had come prior to
the Shafter dispatch showing that the ar
tillery. which had been brought to the
front, was well placed.
Gen. Miles, commanding the army. re-
ceved a copy of the dispatch soon after 1t
had arrived. He had anticipated it. for only
a few hours before dispatch came to him
from Gen. Breckenridge, Inspector-General
of the army, stating that the spirit of the
troops was high and that they were eager
and expectant of action Gen. Brecken-
ridges dispatch indicated that results might
be expected very soon. Gen. 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 opportunity
for observation over great sweep of coun-
try. This in itself was of incalculable value
to our troops. Brave "Reminiscences had
been made, but these were of little value
compared to what could be seen from
balloon a mile or more in the air, command
ing a radius of observation of from twenty
to forty miles with powerful Telescopes
Gen. Miles had seen these war balloons in
successful operation at Aldershot and again
during the French maneuvers. when six
horse wagon to which the great airship was
anchored followed a squadron of cavalry on
the dead run. He says that German ships
going at eighteen knots have hauled these
captive balloons along with them. At ST.
Petersburg also he saw them operated dur
ing maneuvers. This was the first actual
use by the American army in the present
war and the commanding general set much
store on the information they would give as
to the exact location of all the Spanish
forces, their points of concentration, the
definite location of Cervera's warships In
the harhor, and possibly the progressing of
the Spanish renforcements.
After the first announcement of Shafter
was buletined, the time dragged YEARLY
with nothing from the field to answer the
intense anxiety to which everyone was
wrought Gen. Skaters assurance that he
would keep you continually advised of the
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 bulletined.
SO far as warranted.
The officials showed every disposition to
keep the public advised of actual occur
rences
According to General Skaters report the
attack on Santiago was begun by the Sec
ond division of the Fifth Army Corps, COM
manded by Brigadier-General Lawton.
This division consists of three brigades
made up as follows;
First Brigade, commanded by Colonel ].
]. Van Horn, Eighth United States Infan-
try; Twenty Second United States Infantry
and the Second Massachusetts, Infantry.
Second Brigade, commanded by 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 Brlgadier-
General A. r. Chaffee, Seventh United
States Infantry; Twelfth United States In