The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-05-31

Washington, May S1.-Unless the
orders Of the war department miscarried.
the troops that have been gathering at
the gulf camps began to break camp
yesterday and march aboard transports
waiting to carry them to the enemy's
territory. About 25 of these ships. the
biggest and fastest that could be OBJ
tained for the purpose, had been gath
cred ready to receive the troops. They
will accommodate about 10000 men, for
in q short voyage like that from one or
the gulf ports to Cuba, 1t is possible
with safety and comfort TO carry much
larger number OF men aboard ship than
would be admissible in the case OF a
cruise to the Philippines for instance.
How many troops started. where they
took ship, where they are bound, are
questions which the directing spirits of
the campaign refuse to answer. They
have no desire that the Spanish should
have an opportunity afforded them to
gather forces to attack our Goldiers as
they land. Therefore nothing OF the
details of this FIRST movement can be
learned. There Is a suspicion that the
start will be made from Tampa and
Mobile and 1t is probable that In such
case the fleets Of transports will con-
verge at Key West to pass under the
convoy of the warships which Admiral
Sampson has provided to ensure the
troops during the passage across the
Florida straits against attack by stray
Spanish cruiSer or gunboat.
Before the entire force which It Is pro-
posed to use In Cuba can be landed, the
transports must make four voyages
across the straits. Arrangements have
been made to utilize the services of the
insurgents to the largest possible ex-
tent. The government already has sent
expeditions to a large number of points
on the island and landed arms for the
insurgents. Most OF the parties sue
ceeded perfectly in their object, and IL
Is said at the war department that
sufficient number OF the insurgents have
been armed to constitute very effective
support for the troops as they land.
Chief reliance will be placed at the
outset on the regulars, most OF whom are
centered in Florida, and in such volun-
teer regiments as are thoroughly
equipped and reasonably well seasoned
for service. Although the officials will
not state how many troops are available
for immediate service, 1t Is roughly esti-
mated that there are about 10000 reg
ulars and $4,000 volunteers at Tampa.
These include IL regiments OF regular
Infantry and IA regiments Of volunteer
infantry, IL battalions OF artillery and
five regiments Of regular cavalry. The
infantry force, regular and volunteer,
Is about 2s 900 men, the cavalry about
1000, the artillery about 1900. How many
of these have been or will be dispatched
to any given point or to several points
is not disclosed.
Back of this force are other available
regiments at Mobile, New Orleans and
other points easily accessible to Tampa.
Still further back is the large volunteer
camp at Chickamauga, comprising about
10000 infantry volunteers, 1000 cavalry
volunteers and three regiments Of ar
tillery volunteers. 1t Is understood to
be the plan to have the troops at Chick
amauga take the place of those at
Florida ports as fast as the latter leave
Tor active service. thus keeping q large
force all ready for embarkation from
Florida. Aside from the troops already
specified. there are the $4,000 men at
Camp Alger, near Washington, and
lesser bodies OF troops on Long island
and In the various states. The $1,000
volunteers under the recently issued Sec
ond call constitute stili another re-
serve. which. however. is yet to be or
ganized and equipped.
OFF TO TAMPA.