The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-22
SHAFIER OFF SANTIAGO
Time Of Decentralization Not
Determined.
SPANS ARMY 40, OOOSTRONC
Terrific Fighting Expected About
the City.

Men on the Transports Express Sat-
isfnction Upon Learning That Cap
ture of City Is to BE Left to the
Army-TranspOrts First Sighted at
10 O'Clock and Arrive at Their
Anchorage About NOon-NIen Must
Have Time to Get over Voyage
Before Going Into Battle.
Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press.
on Board the Associated Press Dispatch
Boat Dandy, Off Santiago de Cuba, Mon
day, June 20, p. M, via Mole st. Mich
olas, Hayti, Tuesday, June q. a. m.-
The United States army for the invasion
Of Cuba, 5000 strong, commanded by Gen.
Shafter arrived off Santiago de Cuba at
noon to-day.
The time of its Decentralization has not
yet been determined upon. but it will
probably be within the next three days.
When the last of the thirty-seven trans
ports with its freight of fighting men,
swept up the southern coast to-day and
slowed up within sight of the doomed city
of Santiago de Cuba, the anxiously await
ed soldiers were greeted with ringing
cheers, which were family echoed to the
transports from the decks of the blockad-
ing warshops far inshore. They were an
swered by the troops most heartily in
kind
The weeks of anxious waiting on one
side and Of impatient chatting on the other
were over. and the army and the navy had
at last joined forces and all felt that the
final blow at Santiago was at hand.
1t was 10 o'clock this morning when the
lookout on board the armored cruiser
Brooklyn reported seeing an American
feet away to the southeast, and a mo-
ment or so later he announced that dozen
transports were in sight.
Then signals were exchanged from ship
to ship, gladdening the hearts of the weary
biockaders. Then the United States aux
illary cruiser Gloucester, formerly J. Pier
Iepont Morgan's yacht Corsair dashed
away to meet and welcome the troops.
In about half an hour later grim for
est of masts had sprung up apparently
from the sea, and a most impressive scene
was presented as the armada swept grace
fully up from the horizon towards the
shores where the great struggle is to take
place.
The transports were ranged In three
shifting lines with the battleship Indiana
on the extreme right and the other men-of-
war ON the outskirts of the fleet.
In this order the transports and their
escorts steamed slowly toward the hills
where the Morro's red walls cleaned in
the sunlight.
The dispatch boat of the Associate
Press, as she steamed among the trans
ports, was eagerly besieged on all sides for
news of Admiral Simpsons operations,
officers and men clamoring for a word
from the blockaders.
Much satisfaction was expressed among
The troops when it became known that
the actual capture of Santiago is to be left
TO the army.
The American feet off Santiago has
been materially strengthened by the addi-
ton of the warships which escorted the
transports here.
Wherever the landing may take place the
operations and the information of the last
ten days show now conclusively that bit
ter work is ahead for Gen. Skaters men
petore the Spanish flag comes down from
Morro's walls. The Spanish infantry, cav
airy and guerrilla forces, estimated by Ad-
mral Sampson to-day to number from
oOOO0 to 45,COO men, are stretched from
Guantanamo to Cabanas, a distance of
hIty miles, ready to concentrate at the
point of attack
But, starving, and harassed from the in
land by the insurgents, the situation of the
Spaniards is desperate and naval officers,
familiar with the situation. fully expect
terrific fighting about Santiago.
interviews with army officers on the
transports show that there is some anxiety
ss as 70 now the men will stand the strain,
II the ttghting begins Immediately after
the long inactivity at Tampa and the
Wearying voyage There is no fear. how
ever, for the final result as the guns of
me heet will be of immense assistance to
the American troops