Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-02
FORWARD MARCH!"
Army of Invasion Sails for
Cuba.
Transports Ready for 10000
Troops.
Advantage Taken of Ger
Vera's HarmlesSneSS.

Washington, May 3-.-The military
invasion of Cuba has begun. Unless
the orders of the war department mis-
carry at an early hour Monday morn
ing the troops that have been gathered
at the gulf ports began to break camp
and to march aboard the transports
waiting to carry them to the enemy's
| territory. About % of these ships,
the biggest and fastest that could be
obtained suitable for the purpose,
have been gathered, ready to receive
the troops. They will accommodate
10000 men. How many troops started,
where the troops shipped, ard where
! they are bound are questions which
the directing spirits Of the campaign
refuse positively TO answer. They
! have no desire that the Spanish should
have an opportunity afforded them to
gather forces to attack our soldiers as
/ they land. Therefore nothing of tn
details Of this first movement can be
learned. There is a suspicion that
the start was made from Tampa and
Mobile and it is probable in such case
that the fleets of transports will con-
convoy OF warships which Admiral
Sampson has provided to insure the
safety Of the troops during the
I passage across the Florida straits. 1t
is probable that there will be no less
than four separate military
expeditions and these will be landed
at four different points. Whether
Porto Rico is one of the points cannot
be learned. Before the entire force
which it is proposed to use in Cuba
can be landed the transports must
make four separate voyages across the
straits. Arrangements have been
made to utilize the services of the in
su gents to the largest possible ex-
tent. The government has already
sent expeditions to a large number Of
! points on the island and landed arms
| for the insurgents. Most Of these
parties succeeded perfectly in their
object and it was said at the war de-
partment yesterday that a sufficient
number of insurgents have been
armed to constitute a very effective
support for the troops as they land.
! A war conference was held at the
white house yesterday afternoon be-
tween the president and Secretaries
Alger and Long and Major General
Miles. After the entire situation,
naval and military had been gone
over, Secretary Long retired and Sec
rotary Alger and General Miles re-
NAMED to discuss in more detail the
military operations. Naturally those
| who participated in the conference
observed strict reticence regarding it
General Miles made known that at l
o'clock Monday morning, Immediately
! following the reception Of definite
information as to the presence
of the Spanish feet at Santiago, he had
gone to the war department and issued
| Geographic orders putting the troops
in motion. 1t was said at the war de-
partment that chief reliance will be
placed at the outset on the United
States regulars, most of whom are
centered in Florida, and in such vol
unteer regiments as are thoroughly
equipped and reasonably we'll seasoned
for the service. Although the officials
will not state how many troops ar
available for the active service, it is
roughly estimated that there are
about 10000 regulars and $4,000 vol
unteers at Tampa, composed Of 2S,-
900 infantry, 1900 cavalry and 1000
artillery. How many of these will b
dispatched is not disclosed. Back
of this force other available regiments
at Mobile, New Orleans and other
points are easily accessible to Tampa.
Still farther back is the large volun-
teer camp at Chickamauga, compris-
ing 10000 infantry, 1000 cavalry and
Of ~
Miles Leaves for the Front.
Washington, May 31.-General
Niles and his staff, making a party OF
"a persons, left for Tampa last night
on a special train over the Southern
railway.