The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-15

was made before the rains set in. as
! II is difficult 10 provide shelter from
! the storms. A number Of men sick
with fever and measles and other all
ments are still here.
Malarial fever continues 10 give the
physicians trouble, but so far only one
death has resulted.
Mr.. Nicholas Fish will leave for the
north tomorrow with the bodies of
Hamilton Fish, Jr-, and Captain Ca
prom, who We're killed with the rough
riders in battle.
|, sANTIAGO'S WATER MAIN CUT.
The men OF General Lawtons divis-
Ion yesterday cut a large water main
| which is believed TO be the source Of
the water supply of Santiago. The
main entered the city from the north
east and Is the largest one yet found.
"A stream OF pure water as large as a
mans body has poured from the pipe
since it was cut and has proved valu-
able 10 the Americans.
few deserters who came out of
Santiago today reported that the citys
water supply is scant and of very bad
quality.
The reports of wholesale desertions
reach the American lines almost daily
but there have not been 100 deserters
from the Spaniards in all.
General Shafter telegraphed to
Washington today in regard to the ex-
treme privatiOns suffered by the IS. 600
Santiago refugees now at Ell Caney and
ne received a reply directing him not
TO assume the responsibility of their
maintainence, but to give them such
food as he can spare from the soldiers
stores. Already %, 500 rations have
been given them, but these are ex-
hauSted as well as the provisions sent
Dy Miss Clara Barton, in behalf of the
Red Cross Society The condition of
affairs in the camp of the refugees is
terrible, and if it continues many peo-
pie will starve TO death Up to date.
eight persons have died The churches
are being used as hospitals. One of
them contains 1877 persons. A very old
woman committed suicide today in her
distress, killing herself with machete.
General Wheeler recommended the
following officers, in his cavalry d-
vision, for gallantry in action: Briga-
dier General Carroll, Colonel Sumner
General Wood, Major Vessels, Major
Lebord, Major Wint, Captain Hawes,
captain Hartman, Lieutenant An
dreWs, Captain Beckham, Lieutenant
Colonel DOrsett, Major Darlington.
Captain West, Captain Dickinson, Cap
tain VIM. Astor, and his aides Lieuten-
ants Steele, Reeves and Wheeler He
also compliments Mr.. Mestes, his Gu
petii NoiuiibSSi dlut, 1OI Conspicuous
service
MILES ASSUMES COMMAND.
Copyright by Associated Press.)
Playa del Este, Guantanamo Bay
July 13--Major General Miles today
assumed command of the army around
Santiago and the future movements
of the United States troops will be
directed by him in person. The armis-
tice which had been declared, pending
negotiations for the surrender of the
Spanish forces, will expire at noon
(Thursday) and unless the demands
of the Americans are acceded to by
that time, a general attack will be
made, the fleet bombarding the city
from the outside Of the harbor. 1t is
believed, however, that tomorrow
morning and, perhaps, before then, a
white flag will be flying from the for
tifications. The terms of surrender
insisted upon by the American COM
mander take in not only the be1eagur-
ed Spaniards in Santiago, but the
whole province of Santiago de Cuba,
including the garrisOns at Manzanillo,
HOlguin, Guantanamo AMI Baracao.
The United States on it's part, agrees
to send the Spanish troops back to
Spain and to allow officers their side
arms. No other concessions will be
granted.