The record-union., 1898-12-03

Miles send it to Shafter. On the 18th
the Adjutant General communicates
directly with Major General smarter
suggesting that the army transports
leave Tampa eighteen hours before the
Key West division of the convoy
reaches Rebecca Shoal- Several tele-
grams on the subject were exchanged
directly between the War Department
and General Shafter, and not until the
18th of June is anything printed as
coming from Miles. when he reported
that the steamers were moving out
TO sea. This telegram is signed by
Miles. Major General instead Of Miles,
commanding, as in the case Of some
of the preceding kilograms. There
seems to have been lack of uniform
ity. however, in the method of ad-
dressing and signing this whole series
of dispatches.
MILES PLAN NOT APPROVED.
DISPATCHES of June 10Th are given,
summoning General Miles to Washing
ton. after General Shafter had sailed.
"A note states that the object was to
have the Major General commanding
outfit the expedition for Porto Rico.
Following these are some kilograms
announcing the further movements of
the transports and the landing of the
Shafter expedition at Daiquiri. The
Secretary includes in his report the
plan of campaign in written forms
submitted by General Miles on June
24th, and already published as part of
the latter's report. This, in substance.
was to proceed after the capture of
north shore Of Cuba. land force OF
5000 cavalry. and make a marcn
through the interior of the country
upon Havana from that base.
The Secretary has this to say: The
plan of campaign recommended by
General Miles in his letter dated June
oath was not approved"
SKATER REPORTS ON SANTI-
AGO CAMPAIGN.
Under date Of June 25th, General
Shafter reports to Adjutant General
Corbin from Playa del Este the facts
attending the landing of the troops at
Daiuuiri. He says the assistance of
the navy has been of the greatest
benefit, and enthusiastically given, and
without them he perhaps would not
have landed at all. He wanted moth
ing at that time.
At this point communication is in
serted directed to General Miles by
the Secretary, ordering the formation.
under command of General Brooke, OF
the expedition against Porto Rico, and
directing that immediate preparation
be made.
A telegram from Shafter to the Sec
retary dated off Siboney, June 9th,
after referring to precautions taken to
mark soldiers graves, says:
General Duff1elds command ashore
I will not act hastily, though / be-
lieve I can take the place within forty
eight hours, but I fear at considerable
loss of life There is no necessity for
haste. as we are growing stronger and
they weaker every day. The health of
the command is reported to me by the
surgeons as remarkable, outside Of the
wounded. There are to-day less than
$50 sick men: so far no wounded have
died, and but two men of disease since
leaving Tampa"
On the 2Sth Shafter reports that he
does not intend to take the siege guns
to the front until they are needed, as
they might block the road.
Several kilograms from Shafter fol-
low, telling the story of each days
events in the campaign.
Another depression from the history
of the Santiago campaign occurs about
this point, in the shape Of a letter from
Miles to the Secretary of War, sug-
ges1lng that while waiting for trans
ports to go to Santiago, the time was
opportune to take and occupy the isle
of Pines The reasons set out for these
suggestions are that the capture of the
island would cut the Spanish out of a
base of supplies; that it would be
easily taken while the attention of the
enemy was distracted to other points,
and that it was clinatically suited for
the treatment of sick soldiers and for
a detention place for prisoners Of war
The one steamer then at Tampa, with
some artillery, would suffice for the
expedition.
The Secretary's reply was: Il have
the honor to inform you that this is
not approved by the President"
A disquieting telegram about this
time was one from the censor at Key
West, who reported that Cervera had
been ordered to shell Santiago as soon
as the Americans got possession, and
that foreign Consuls had been notified
to retire. This was forwarded to
Shafter July Sd for information.
On the same date there was received
by the Secretary General Shafter's S
message dated Sevilla, July Sd, saying
that he had invested the town with but
very thin force: that it was impossi-
BILE to carry it by storm with the pres
ent force. and that he was seriously
considering withdrawing five miles so
as to get near the railroad He de-
scribes the present condition of the
army, with Wheeler and Young sick,
Hawkins wounded and himself con-
fined to the tent four days by the heat.
He also speaks of urging Sampson to
an entrance. but the text of this tele-
gram has been published in the re-
ports of General Shafter and General
Miles. The Secretary's answer has not
been received. 1t. with Skaters re-
ioinder, was as follows:
War Department, Washington, July 3D.,
1:22 D m-Major General Shafter, Playa
del Este: Your first dispatch received.
OF course, you can judge the situation
better than we can at this end of the line.
IT. however, you could hold your pres
ent position, especially San Juan Hights,
the effect upon the country would be
we leave all the matter to you. This IS
only a suggestion. We shall send you re-
Inducements at once r. A. ALGER,
Secretary of War"
playa del Este (via Hayti)-Received
at Washington July 4th, :l6 a. m.-The
Honorable Secretary of War. Washington
Headquarters of the Fifth Army Corps.
Sd. Shall hold my present position.
SKATER, Major General.
July Sd Adjutant General Corbin tel
egraphed Shafter that he could have
whatever reinforcements he wanted.
and told of the starting from this