Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-06-24
WASHINGTON

WASHINGTON. June 23.-Secretary
AIger and General Miles were in con-
ference IN the Secretarys Office at a
o'clock this afternoon, when the first
Madrid bulletin announcing that fight
ing had begun was shown to them. The
Secretary read IL aloud. with evident sat
lylacuOn, and both gentlemen expressed
themselves gratihed with this favorable
report, coming as II did from the enemy.
There was no surprise that the fighting
Lad begun 50 soon. Ii was suggested by
the reporter that the troops had COM
pleted their landing only this morning.
Eyes. but they have gone there 10 fight
and are ready to begin at once" replied
General Miles.
Secretary Alger said no word had been
received up TO that hour indicating that
hghting was in progress. He had no
reason 10 doubt, however, that our troops
had encountered the Spanish forces, and
had given a good account OF themselves.
General Niles said that the American
troops would now push forward aggres-
siyely. driving in the Spanish, and forcing
them to fight.
There was not suggestion Of appre-
hension or doubt, with either Secretary
Alger or General Miles, as to what the
outcome would be. They had made their
pans well, and they were confident that
General Shafter and his troops would be
hammerng at the gates of Santiago be-
fore hong.
-.. .- r,,,,,.,,.,--r ArtTN-S.r TNS
The impression here is that the Span
iards viii make their strongest stand
close 10 Santiago ana the inner harbor
within range OF the protection OF the
guns OF the big Spanish cruisers lying
there. There is no doubt that until these
ships are removed from the field OF ope-
rations the campaign against Santiago
Will be conducted against odds. The guns
OF the ships command the hills over
which our soldiers must come to attack
the town ana reach the bay, but we VIII
soon bring our own artillery into play.
The naval officials here believe that
when the time comes for an attack by
land upon the town Sampson VIII force
his way into the harbOr and take part
I'm the engagement. They are sdtshed
thar the wreck Of the Merrimac does
nor completely block the channel, ana
saw that If Sampson does not come in,
The Spanish neet is likely to make a
5esnerate effort TO get out. The mines
are to bee considered, in such case but 1t
il believed that once MORO Castle Is
taken by the combined attack OF sol
diers and fleet these distractions can
he easily removed, with the experience
gained in Guantanamo bay.
OFFICIAL REPORTS.
The only positive news coming to the
War Department up TO the close Of ofhce
hours was a dispatch TO General Miles
from one of his stan officers with Gene
raj shafter and also brief dispatch TO
General Greeley from Lieutenant-Colonel
,usn General Miles's dispatch stated
in substance that the landing of the
troops had been completed without any
Qualities save to one Cuban soldier
Who had his arm injured by the bursting
~ she'll The troops of Garcia ana
Ha6 about 500 in number, had met the
American forces with enthusiastic greet
ines stress was laid upon the point that
,b. Ctbans were well armed and well
ltsci,li,ed General Garcia was confident
that his forces would be swelled to 10000
mem AS soon as Santiago fell. About the
only need among the Cubans was for
sboes and quinine. The dispatch to Cen
erai Greeley merely stated that progress.
was being made IN connecting the mill
tary forces directly with the War De-
partment ..,.,,.,,,,
RETNFORCEMENTS FOR sHAFTER
During the day orders were issued to
the entire division comprising the newly
created command Of Brigadier-General
Guv \. Henry for their speedy departure
n reinforce General shafter at Santiago
Already the Thirty-third Michigan ana
On. battalion Of the Thirty-fourth Michi-
gan have started on this mission. To-
DAYS orders cover the balance OF General
Henry's command. 1t includes the re-
naming battaIons Of the Thirty-iourth
Michigan and the Ninth Massachusetts
Regiment. These will complete General
Duneld's command.
THIRD VIRGINIA NOT GOING
The Third Virginia, which belongs 10
this brigade. will not 30, as its equip
ment is incomplete.
The orders also cover the entire brigade
OF Brigadler- General Garretson. which IN
cludes the Sixth Illinois, Sixth Massl-
ehusetts, and Eighth aud Ninth ohio
regiments. The plan is 10 move all Of
General Henry's division on the Harvard
and Yale. these ships 10 make two round
trips The first trip will carry most, II
not all. OF General Duffield's brigade.
The War Department will allow three
days for the trip, Two days 10 unload the
troops. and three days to return to New
port News, making eight days In all. by
that time General Garretsons brigade will