The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-16
$4,000 MEN ARE AT TAMPA
Preparations to Move Them Are
Being Made.
A SPLENDID BODY OF SOLDIERS.
English Correspondent Says They
Are superior to Their Predeces-
sors--ti,mment ON Cubnns.
PLENDlD BODY OF SOLDIERS.

Especial Dispatch to The Post and New York
Herald Copyright, 1898, by James Co don
Bennctt)
Tampa Bay Hotel. Tampa Fla, May g.
(From the London Telegraphs Special Cor
RESPONDENT 1T is becoming monotonous
to wire the relative situation at Tampa,
which remains unchanged. We are still
dependent upon vanquishing the fleets of
Spain.
In the presence of so many conflicting
rumors, it is impossible to predict when
that barrier to our progress Will be moved
and under the conditions that prevail here
prophet has less honor than in his own
country. His environment is more likely
TO make him a philosopher. At present we
are, with more or less success, making
display of patiently awaiting that order
TO advance which each day fails to bling
forth.
AT the railway station and at Port
Tampa activity prevails as formerly. TrolIs
continue to arrive and preparations TO. de-
parture are being hurried forward.
Additions OF cavalry and volunteers have
brought our force up to the strength Of
some $4,000, The volunteers, who come
from this State, are hne looking lot or
fellows and are likely to give good ac-
count of themselves. Closer acquaintance
with American troops increases ones high
opinion of them, if that be possible. we
are as Captain Lee, the British military
representative remarked with an excel
| lent fighting force Zach branch of service,
whether white or colored, appears to be
| in the pink of condition. In physique they
are perfect and they are credited with eX-
| ceptonal qualities of workmanship. l
question whether the colored cavalry or
| infantry can, in relation to size and vsor
| be exceeded. They are as hard as mills.
| In the matter of discipline, one can nos
| fail to observe come contrasts, but the
! greater freedom which exists between the
| commissioned officers and rank and file
| does not, so far as can note, appear to be
attended with disadvantage to the morale
of the army. The American soldier of today
| IS incomparably better than his predeces-
! sor Conditions of enlistment are mora Sc
, we're He is more generously treated. His
rations are improved and he has facilities
and privileges formerly unknown He is
offered incentives to manliness and self
respect. How far these have been success
| full is indicated by the statement that al
though there are $4,000 troops in this place,
| have not observed a single case of drunk
enness or disorder of any description. This
is we'll earned tribute. So much for the
| American soldiers.
| AS to the Cubans, it remains to be seen
how far antcpations as to his capacities as
| a fighter will be justified. | visited their
camp today and they struck me as being
1.-THE, active little fellows. 1t is true they
have kept the Spaniards at hay for some
years, but it has been scrappy guerrilla
warfare at the most and thus it would be
scarcely just to contrast them with their
| trat unl and hntt
rades. In this conflict the decision whether
they are capable of warfare on scientific
! lines Is in the future but this much may
safely be said, that they possess an unwav-
erlng nrmness, love of country splendid
valor and recollection of wrongs and
sufferings which should make hero of the
| weakest
The most interesting personality among
recent arrivals is that of General Wheeler
otherwise Fighting Joe" His name rat
thrllled the South and earned for him a
Natlon veneration. With hair bleached bv
the passage OF time and a gentleness of
manner that would befit Sunday school
teacher, he Is In appearance the very
| antithesis of a cavalry officer. vet bo vas
perhaps the most daring fighter of the
Confederate side the greatest known ows
rept sherman, whose advance to tire s a
ne lought at every point. He PASSED info
.iio ihcongruous pursuit of the law and was
electeu to congress, and has now once
hIoIt taken up the sword. He will command
DIVISION or cavalry. consisting of two
orlgades of three regiments each.
brlgadier General Shafter will 7 learn
leau the first expedition to Cuba. He Is a
seheral and commander who stands hiyh
N army popularity. His name appears we'll
wlthin the line of those who wore the
courted medal of honor for most dis,ine
suished gallantry. He won his tronbv IN
iooz' While in command of the pinneers
ne voluntarily took active part In hstt,a
anu renamed on the field. although severas
men. 'o Vi the engage
- small body which attracts much IL
,eresl mere is known as "Chandler,s gar, ;,
~ oonsists or ten Well known mon ,,sho
are IN search of fight and adventuro. W. W.
us u' noteworthy Of them. perhans is Nv
1uhn' VINO wears the scars and oasb.- 80
thousand duels, and whose law has - -.
Silasted by pistol bullet. ''e"
Another, w l.. Abbott. natpra,;st ,
na Compassed the world and ,ras m,p
aneiIlhgton In Madagascar -Tbov Miu'
,o'aIssque and dashing set of danes az io,, n
~ ,aient l,le IN camp is much the so,,,o
h here as elsewhere. Each regiment s'ii ,e
us pohhre OF blazing logs wbioh IL, us
asnts me tail and gaunt-like forms 80 ~
asp.llhs pine on every hand Tbaro ~ . .ue
ne lnlnstelsy Of vlolins and euitar 20 .ns
snp domestic combs ever are onr anu
~, nieuts' when the band has ia NAV IN ms '
=, .io BACK IN Incidence to Listen - ~ men
home songs. :" i's'eh to the cd
|