The record-union., 1898-06-15
Was a Great Sight to Those Lucky
Enough to Witness II.
Consisted Of Thirt-tive Transports and
-Four Tenders and Was Conveyed
by Fourteen Warships, In
cIudIng the Indiana.

of waiting and preparation, the first
army Of invasion to start from the
eastern shores of the United States de-
parted under the command of General
Shafter this morning at 8 o'clock. The
fleet of transports consisted of thirty
five vessels, four tenders and fourteen
conveys. These are all now upon the
Gulf of Mexico, headed southward, un-
til they pass Key West at least If
the destination be Cuba they will con-
tinue their present course until Cape
Antonio, at the west of the island, is
doubled, when an easterly course will
be sailed. until they reach the vicinity
of Santiago.
AS already stated in these dispatches,
the actual embarkation Of the troops
began on Monday, June 9th. The work
proceeded diligently until late on We'd
nesday afternoon, when after the de-
parture of several vessels an important
order came calling a halt in the pro-
ceedings. The Castine was dispatched
at once to overhaul the disappearing
vessels and recall them They all came
back but one, the City of washington,
which was reported to be aground
down the bay. 1t has been subse-
quently learned, however, that this yes
sci had outstripped the messenger until
the coast of Cuba was really sighted.
Neither the Washington nor the Cas-
tine returned to Port Tampa until Sat-
urday
The alleged cause of the delay was
the report that the Hornet, while out
scouting, had sighted several Spanish
warships. Like a wet blanket came
the order to halt. Cheerfulness was
displaced by keen disappointment Two
questions were on every tongue: Has
Spain surrendered? Has our fleet
met with a reverse?" The former met
the readiest belief, many believing the
words in the order indefinitely post
poned" meant peace.
The unloading of the Florida, which
had been run into by the Miami and
seriously damaged last Wednesday,
gave grounds for the rumor that all
the transports were being unloaded
Newspaper men were confidently told
on Friday night that they had better
go on board. The following day it
was openly stated that the sailing
would occur on Sunday noon.
The rush of the previous Monday
was repeated. General Miles and his
staff went to Port Tampa Sunday morn
ing at $50 to deliver parting insrruc-
tions. During a heavy rain squall on
Saturday night, while the transports
We're straining at their cables, the lit
tie tug Captain Sam steamed from ship
to ship, megaphoning the order STAND
ready to sail at daylight" Above the
roar of the storm wild cheers were
heard, and bright flash of lightning
revealed the soldiers standing in the
rain waving their wet hats and hurrah-
ing. When the morning broke piers
We're lined with transports, the docks
were crowded with box cars, fiat cars.
stock cars, baggage and express cars.
Most of these were crowded with SOL
diers. who were cheered until their
ears ached and who cheered in return
until hoarse. Bright colored dresses
and fragile parasols in the crowds of
blue coats indicated the presence of the
fair sex. Horses and mules We're kick
ing up clouds of dust, and the sun
poured down in hot rays, sweltering the
mass of humanity. Thus Sunday
passed, the transports at the docks and
those in mid-stream receiving their
quota of men and the necessaries to
sustain them.
General Miles again went to the port
on Monday on an early train. The
stirring scenes continued, the mad
rush had not abated. General Miles
from the observation end of his car
watched the crowd as it passed
The transports swinging at their moor
ings We're plainly in view, as were
also many of those at the docks, indi-
eating that enlbarkation of animals
was progressing satisfactorily.
Shortly after 8 o'clock the tunnels of
the transports began pouring forth
columns of black smoke. The Mar
garet, Olivette and Mateo and Laura
We're visiting the fleet, giving water 10
one, troops to another, animals and
equipment to another. Along the pier
could be heard the voices of the trans