The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-30


Have been expecting division from
Tampa and Duffield's second brigade from
Camp Alger. but only small number of re-
crults have appeared so far. If we have to
go to try and reduce the town, now that the
fleet is destroyed, which was stated to be
the chief object of the expedition, there
must be no delay in getting large bodies of
troops here. The town is in a terrible con-
clifton as to food and people are starving as
stated by foreign consuls this morning, but
the troops can fight and have large guam
tity OF rice. but no other supplies There
will be nothing done here until noon of the
9TH. and suppose I can put them off lit
tie longer to enable people to get out. Coun-
try here is destitute of food or growing
crops, except mangoes. Men are in good
spirits. though it is hard to tell how long the
latter will continue.
am sorry to say am no better, and
in addition to my weakness, cannot be out
on account of a slight attack of gout, but
hope to be better soon. Lieutenant Miley
had an interview with the consuls this
morning and his report will be telegraphed
imediately. do not send this in cipher, as
time is precious.
'SHAFTER, Major General"
1T was this situation which determined
sailed with reinforcements, July Z. he sent
the following dispatch from Washington:
General Shafter, Santiago.-Take every
precaution against surprises and be on the
lookout that the enemy does not turn your
right flank and come in on the line of your
communications. Renforcemeats are being
sent forward as rapidly as possible, but yous
will have to be the judge of the position you
are to hold until reinforcements can reach
you.
MILES, Major General, Commanding
MILES TOOK CHARGE.
General Miles sailed for Cuba. On July
II, at noon. he reported his safe arrival to
the War Department and at once assumed
charge, reporting to the secretary of war.
All of the subsequent business of the sur
render was entirely in his hands, as shown
by the fact that the War Department COM
municated with him direct, not even men
tioning General Skaters name in numerous
dispatches. The following dispatch is an ex-
cellent example:
Washington, d. c., July 13, 1S9S.-Major
General Miles: You may accept surrender
by granting parole to officers and men, the
officers retaining their side arms, the Off
GERS and men after parole will be permitted
to return to Spain. the United States assist
your judgment an assault would fail. Con-
suit with Sampson and pursue such course
as to the assault as you jointly agree upon.
Matters should be settleu promptly.
r.. A. ALGER, Secretary of War
'This dispatch recognized Miles as COM
mander and gave him authority to act.
Shafter was entirely ignored. In the face of
this situation, Secretary Alger, through
General Corbn, sent a dispatch to General
Shafter, assuring him that General Miles
did not come to Cuba to supersede Shafter
in any way. This dispatch General Miles
refers to as secret, for he says he did not
know it had been sent, not being notified
from Washington, and General Shafter say
ing nothing about it,
After the surrender General Miles still
retained control. He authorized Shafter to
appoint peace commissioners, and, judging
from Skaters report that all was over, he
instructed him as to the disposition Of the
troops
ION July Is General Shafter wired General
Miles that the surrender was not as COM
plete was thought, and said Please do
not go away with the reinforcements, as 1
may yet need them Miles promptly re-
piled by wire from Baiquiri that the sur
render is complete and the Spaniards must
surrender
"Only July 16 Shafter wired Miles that the
surrender was finally complete, and General
Miles replied through Adjutant General Gill
more, as follows: The commanding general
is very much gratified to hear that the sur
render is complete. He directs that you tel
egraph anything of Importance and the con-
dition Of your command daily
General Miles then reported the condi-
ton of affairs to the secretary of war, with
whom he had been in conference. In one of
his kilograms to Miles, Secretary Alger
says: AS soon as Santiago falls the troops
shall be put in camp as comfortable as they
can be made and remain, suppose, until
the fever has had it's run
'Miles did not agree with Secretary Alger.
for July 81 in a letter, the general COM
manding urged the return of the army to
the United States as soon as possible. July
II, after the surrender was complete, Gen.
Shafter wired as follows to General Miles:
Siboney, July H. 1885, s4S p. m. Received
July IS, 1S9S-General Miles, on board Yale:
Letters and orders in reference to move
ment of camp received and will be carried
out. None is more anxious to get away
from here than myself 1t seems from your
orders given me that you regard my forces
as part of your command. Nothing will give
me greater pleasure than serving under you,
general, and 1 shall comply with all your
requests and directions, but L was told by
the secretary that you were not to super
sede me in command here. 1 will furnish
the information called for as to condition
of command to Gilmore, adjutant general
A. II. Q.
'SHAFTER. Major General
MILES EXPLAINED.
General Miles very promptly replied as
follows:
playa del Este, July Is, 1898 (Guantana-
MOI IL 80 a. m.-General Shafter: Telegram
received; have no desire and have carefully
avoided any appearance of supersedng YOU
Your command is a part of the United
States army. which l have the honor to
command, having been duly assigned there
to and directed by the President to go
wherever l thought my presence required,
and give such general directions as I
thought best concerning military matters,
and especially directed to go to Santiago for
a specific purpose. You will also notice that
the orders of the secretary OF. war of July
Is left the matter to my discretion. 1 should
regret that any event should cause either
yourself or any part Of your command to
cease to be a part of mine. Very truly yours,
" NELSON A. MILES Major General,