Evening star., 1898-09-06
MORE ABOUT GEN. MILES
Alleged Official Records Quoted to Prove He
Commanded shafter.
He Was at the Head of the Santiago
Expedition Up to the Time 1t
Left Tampa.

afternoon printed the following from its
special war correspondent, w. J. Whelpley,
touching on the relations between Secretary
Alger and Gen. Miles:
The statement made semi-offically from
Washington that Maj. Gen. Miles was not
in command OF the Santiago expedition up
to the time It left Tampa is not borne out
by thu official records of the War Depart
ment. These records prove that Miles not
only conducted the preliminaries with Gen.
Garcia. but was then recognized by the
War Department as general comma ndrg
even of Gen. Skaters army.
The details of Gen. Skaters actual equip
ment and method of movement were natur-
ally left to Shafter, but general plan was
devised by Gen. Miles, and directions were
issued to Gen. ShafteT by him, which, after
leaving Tampa the latter entirely ignored.
Gen. Shstfter left Tampa with tns full
knowledge that he was subject to orders
from Gen Miles; and W to that time tn.
War Department recognized this state of
affairs, which is provided for IN the feder-
al statutes organizing the army OF the
United States.
The TeleErams.
The above Is shown. according to the
Star, by three kilograms. The first of these
kilograms is from Gen. Miles to Gen. Gar
cia, ard follows
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY IN
TIE FIELD.
TAMPA, Fla, June ., 1898.
Lieut. Gen. Garcia Cuban Army.
Dear General: | am very glad to have re-
ceived your officers, Gen. Enrique Colazo
and Lieut.. Col. Carlos Hernandez, the latter
of whom returns tonight with best
wishes fcr your success.
1t would be very great assistance if you
could have as large force as possible in
the vicinity of the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba and communicate any informa ton by
signals, which Col. hernandez Viii explain
to you, either to our navy or to cur army
on its arrival, which We hope will be before
many days.
1t would also assist us very much if you
could drive in and harass any Spanish
troops near or in Santiago de Cuba, threat
ening or attacking :hem at all points, and
preventing by every means any possible re-
nforcementS coming to that garrison.
While this is being done, and before the ar
rival of our army, if you can seize and hold
any commanding position to the east or
west of Santiago, or both, that would be
advantageous for the use of our artillery,
it will be exceedingly gratifying to us
With great respect ard best wishes, L re-
main, very respectfully,
NELSON MILES,
Maj Gen. Commanding L. S. Army.
Gen. Garcia's Reply.
The second dispatch is Garcia's reply
showing, the Star asserts, an understand
ing with Gen. Miles to a plan of cam
paign. 1t follows:
MOLE ST. NICHOLAS, June g. 1895.
Via Washington, D. c.
Gen. Miles, Headquarters of the Army
Tampa, Fla.
Garcia's reply on June to your letter of
June 2:
Will take measures at once to carry out
your recommendation, but concentration of
force will require some time. Roads bad
and Cubans scattered. Will (mysteriousD y
march without delay. Santiago de Cuba
well fortified with advanced intrenchments,
but good artillery position can be taken.
Spanish force approximate 1900 between
Santiago de Cuba and Guantanamo and
5000 militia. Will maintain a Cuban force
near Holguin, to prevent sending reinforce
ments to Santiago.
The above given to me by Admiral Samp-
son to forward to you. ALLEN
Lieut.. Col.
Repeated to Miles.
The third dispatch is from the War De-
partment at Washington and reads:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June II, 1898.
Maj Gen. Miles, Tampa, Fla.
The following extract of telegram Admir-
al Sampson to Secretary of Navy repeated
for your information:
MOLE ST. NICHOLAS. Hayti.
Gen. Miles letter received through Col.
Hernandez on June 6. Garcia regards his
wishes and suggestions as orders, and inn
mediately will take measures to concentrate
forces at the points Indicated; but he is un-
able to do so as early as desired on ac-
count of his expedition to Banesport Gu
ba, but he will march without delay. All
of his subordinatcs ordered to assist to
disembark the United States troops and to
place themselves under orders. Santiago de
Cuba well fortified with advanced intrench-
ments, but he believes position for artillery
can be taken. as Miles desires. tApproxi-
mate) 1900 regulars and 5000 militia be-
tween Santiago and Guantanamo He has
sent force in order to prevent aid going to
Santiago from Holguin. Repeats every
Surance of good will and desire to second
plans. SAMPSON.
J. c. GILMORE. Assistant Adjutant Cen
eral.