The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-06-15
SAILING OF THE SOLDIERS.
GRAPHIC PICTURE OF THE DE-
PARTURE FROM TAMPA.

the Water Front n Scene OF Inccs-
SAINT Confusion and CrOwdIng
From That Date Until the Depart
ure-Men Sailed Away Cheering
Loudly.
Tampa, Fla, June 14.-After weeks of
waiting and preparation, the first army of
invasion to sail from the eastern shores
of the United States finally departed under
the command of Gen. shafter this morn
ing at o'clock.
The feet of transports consisted of thir-
ty-five vessels, four tenders and fourteen
conveys.
These are all now upon the Gulf of Mex
leo, headed to the southwark until they
pass Key West, at least. Should the des
tination be Cuba. they will continue their
present course until Cape Antonio, at the
west end of the island. is doubled when an
easterly course viii be sailed until they
reach the vicinity of Santiago.
1t has been definitely decided that If this
expedition lands in Cuba at all, the place
of Decentralization will be on the south
coast, near Santiago
AS already stated in these dispatches, the
actual embarkation of the troops began
on Monday, June 6. The work proceeded
diligently until late on Wednesday after
noon, when, after the departure Of several
transports. an important order came call
ing halt in the proceedings. The Cas-
tine was dispatched to at once overhaul
the disappearing transports and recall
them. They all came back but one, the
City of Washington, which vessel was re-
ported to be aground down the bay.
1t has been subsequently learned, how
ever that this vessel had outstripped the
messenger until the coast of cuba was
actually sighted. What gives color to this
is the fact that neither the Washington
nor the Castne returned to their anchor
ages at Port Tampa until Saturday,
The cause of the delay was the
report that the Hornet, while out scout
ing, had sighted several Spanish war yes
sells.
Like wet blanket came the order to
halt. Cheerfulness was displayed by keen
disappointment. Two questions were on
every tongue: HAS Spain surrenderod?"
Has our fleet met with a reverse?"
The former met with the readlest be-
def, many believing the words in the or
der-"indehnltely postponed" meant
peace.
Those who followed each event closely
were assured that sucn was not the case.
While horses and mules were being dis
embarked, men and equipments were NOV
ing aboard in a steady stream.
The unloading of the Florida, which had
been run into by the Miami and seriously
do .a1 1aek I,rr 4
for the rumor that all the transports were
being unloaded. Newspaper men were
conidentially told on Friday night that
they had better go aboard. The following
day 1t was openly talked that the sailing
would occur on Sunday noon.
The rush of the previous Monday was re-
peated. Gen. Miles and his staff went to
Port Tampa Sunday morning at $50 to de-
liver parting Instructions.
During a heavy rain squall on Saturday
night at o'clock, while the transports
were straining at their cables and the wind
shrieking through the riggings, the little
tug Captain Sam steamed from ship to
ship, megaphoning in deep tones the ORDER
stand ready to sail at daylight"
Above the roar of the storm wild cheers
were heard, and bright flash of lightning
revealed the soldiers standing in the rain
waving their wet hats and hurrahing.
Gen. Miles and his staff, from a private
car, far down the pier could witness all
the scenes of the embarkation. From this
point of vantage messengers went scurry-
ing while uniformed dignitaries hovered
near during the entire day
The busy piers were lined with trans
ports, the docks were an ever-changing
scene of box cars, fiat cars, stock cars
baggage and express cars
Most of these were crowded with SOL
diers, who cheered until their ears ached
i lr,.1-y4 ..1-a. ,-rsl t..
Bright colored dresses and fragile para
sols in the crowds of blue coats Indicated
the presence of the fair sex. Curiosity
attracted the women, as 1t had most of
the crowd. Some were sobbing while
others were taking in the sights with tears
coursing down their cheeks.
Horses and mules were kicking up clouds
OF dust and the sun poured down its hot
rays on the sweltering mass Of human
ity. Thus Sunday passed. the transports
at the docks and those In mid-stream re-
ceiving their cargoes of life and the neces-
saries to sustain It.
Gen. Miles agains went to the port on
Monday morning on the early train. The
expedition would surely sail before dark
The stirring scenes continued. the mad
rush had not abated. Gen. Miles, from the
observation end of his car watched the
crowd as 1t passed near HIM. The trans
ports, swinging at their moorings. were
plainly in view, as were also many Of those
a the docks. The embarkation OF animals
was progressing satisfactorily The PASS
ing crowd craned their necks to catch n
glimpse of Gen. Miles. who sat in am easv
chair without coat, at times partaking of
refreshing drinks.
Shortly after O'Clock the tunnels OF The
transports began TO pour forth volumes
of black smoke. The stokers were nre-
pairing their fires, which, before, had been
partly banked.
The Olivette, Margaret Mateo and Laura
were visiting the fleet, giving water 10
one, troops to another animals and eouin-
ments to another.
Along the pier could be heard the stern
voices of the transport commanders as
they gave their orders to cut loose.
The broad gangways were pulled in the
hatchways closed, line cast off and tbe
ponderous engines were put In motion
The vessels backed into the bay ana an
chored 10 await the order of their goinsr
The Matteawan hove her cable short AZ
10 o'clock. All eyes on board her we're
rlveted on the Seguranca, the daesbin
and when the final signal came nighty
cheer arose.
From the lower row of portfolios to bo,
spar tops hats were waved in wild deIiebt