The Indianapolis journal., 1898-12-03

convinced that Cervera was in Santiago harbor
and every energy was bent 10 concentrate a milf
tar force near Santiago to aid in the destruction
Of the Spanish fleet and the capture OF the CITY,
The great difficulty was the want of TRANSPORTS
the loading facilities at Port Tampa were imper-
feet, the railroad facilities We're inadequate there
was failure to label the cars and the postofiee
was congested so that bills Of lading were delayed
Few OF the thlrty-six transports finally gathered
there were fit for such service. but they were the
best that could be had and while they We're rated
az S5,VVV passengers IN capacity even the leVVo
persons transported was a larger number than
should have been carried. Fortunately they ar
rived without serious accident, however.
The first duty for which General Shafter was
selected. namely, to make a reconnaissance in
force. on the south side Of Cuba. Secretary Alger
says. abandoned account OF the move
Major General Shafter was selected 10 command
the expedition to Santiago. Results proved the
wisdom Of the assignment"
Next in order the secretary quotes his dispatch
of May 81. sent 2:30 o'clock at night, TO General
Shafter at Tampa, directing him TO start for
Santiago, TO land east or west of that point in
his own Judgment and move on TO the high
grounds in such position as to destroy the garrison
there and cover the navy as 1t sends its men in
small boats to remove torpedoes, with the aid
of the navy, capture or destroy the Spanish feet
reported to be in the harbor. General Shafter
to accomplish this with the least possible delay,
making Of the insurgents, but being careful
not to put too much confidence in any persons
outside Of his troops. He was ordered to CO.
sanonson and ScbleT and Ilnon completing his
task, unless his command had suffered severe
loss, was TO proceed to Point de Banes and await
orders.
left for Tampa to assist in the embarkation of
troops. June the secretary telegraphed Shafter
at Tampa that Sampson reported Cervera safely
bottled in Santiago harbor and urged immediate
aid from his troops. Sampson reported 1850
Spanish troops the garrison of the vicinity.
The following day a disratch was received from
Shafter at Tampa explaining the delays in the
The main cause of delay is said to be that great
quantities of stores were rushed in promscuously,
with no facilities to handle or store them. The
railroad for ten miles back from the wharf was a
single track and narrow place in which to
work. The capacity Of the place had been greatly
exceeded lie tShatter) would not delay minute
but would not send his troops away until they
We're properly equipped. General Corbin, in reply;
expressed the Presidents satisfaction at General
Skaters accomplishments.
"a MILES WANTED TO GO.
Following is the dispatch of June Of General
Miles, already published in his report saying that
the expedition had been delayed through fault
OF any one connected with it and continuing
This expedition is important that desire to
so with this army corps or to Immediately organ
ze another and go with it to join this and captlre
position No. 2. Now that the military is about
to be used, believe 1t should be continued with
every energy, making the most judcious DISPOSE
tion of it to accomplish the desired results"
telegram from Sampson, of the 7th translated
by the secretary, Ito Major General Shafter or
Major General Miles, at Tampa, declares that
10000 men there the city and fleet could be
taken that every consideration demanded i'm
would be defended more strongly by guns taken
from the fleet.
Following without explanation, is this dispatch
to General Shafter at Port Tampa from Secretary
Ager, dated the 7th: Since teegraphing an
hour since the President directs you to sail at
In reply Shafter said he would sail the next
morning, which early steam could be
Miles, at Tampa, teiegraphed drectiy to the
President: From the commanding officers down
to the drummer boys, every one is impatient to
go and annoyed at the delay. The last # the
troops from Chickamauga arrived this morning
and have been equipped and hurried to the
steamers. Feel confident they will all do tiieir
best to carry out the wishes and directions Of tie
President
dozen kilograms at this point explain the
sudden detention of the expedition, owing 10 the
report Of the fictitious Spanish squadron in
Nicholas channel. In the midst of them appear
these kilograms. which have not been publish"d:
.....-. Tampa Fla; June ., $50 p n. .
Think it would be well to announce that the
army got on board transports and started, as they
did yesterday. Say nothing about its being re-
called, but let naval vessels go over II q
course that our transports would have gone over
with the hope OF finding those Spanish ships.
Does not the presence of Spanish war vessels in
Cuban waters render it extremely hazardous to
destroyed or driven away? And. under the cir
cumstances is It expected that shall organize
made before the presence of the Spanish ships
was announced.
MILES, Major General Commanding Army"
'"war Department, June 9.
''MajOr General Miles, Tampa:
1.-The President directs to say that no change
of plan will be made; that expedition No 2 must
be organized rapidly possible. We are look
ing for transports and am satisfied the navy VIII
take care of that problem. Give nothing out.
"R. A. ALGER, Secretary Of War"
SUGGESTION FROM MILES.
Tampa, Fla June g. 2:45 D. m.
Secretary Of War Washington:
1T seems that it is naval problem yet un-
solved, and 1t might be advisable for the COM
mand now on board transports to have the pro-
lection of the entire navy to convoy it TO No. l.,
No 2. or Nuevitas, or, il this is considered too
hazardous. then keep the troops in healthful
camps as they are now and assist the navy to
destroy the Spanish fleet. There are here twenty
five good steamers that could be used to carry
water, coal and supplies, guns, revolving cannon
and mortars, etc, and this could be added to the
force of the navy 1t seems strange to be suggest
ing that the army assist the navy in this way.
but / am sure we would receive most loyal sup
port when the waters are safe for crossing with
MILES. Major General Commanding Army"
On June Acting Secretary Allen, OF the navy,
naval convoy from SIMPSONS fleet would be
ready to start without regard to the Spanish
ships, and in sending this dispatch to Major
General Miles at Tampa, Adjutant General Cor
bin, by orders of the secretary directs that Miles
general communicated directly with Major General
Shafter suggesting that the army transports
leave Tampa about eighteen hours before the Key
West division OF the convoy reaches Kebecca
shoal. Several kilograms on this subject were
and General Shatter, and NOT until the l5tn or
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 telegrams.
There seems to have been a lack of uniformity.
however in the method of addressing and signing
this whole series of dispatches. June Is Colonel
Michler by direction of major general command
ing, reports to the adjutant general the list Of
general officers who sailed with Shafter. The
explanation of Miles's summons from Tampa is
afforded by the following extract from the report;
''The following dispatch sent to Major
General Miles June Is, after General Shafter had
sail leI hpi0
commanding fit out the expedition for Porto Rico:
" Washington, June is.
a. Major General Miles, Tampa, Fla:
Important business requires your presence
. r.. A. ALGER, Secretary of War
Tampa, Fla, June Is.
{" Secretary of War, Washington:
'' I leave by the first train. TBS this evening.
" MILES, Major General Commanding
Following these some telegrams announcing
the further movements of the transports and the
The secretary includes in his report the plan of
campaign in written form submitted by General
Miles on June "a and already published part
of the latter's report. This in substance to
proceed after the capture of Santiago to capture
a fort on the north shore of Cuba, land a force
of t. 000 cavalry and make march 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 "A not approved"
Under date of June q General Shafter reports
to Adlutant General Corbin from Playa del Este
the facts attending the landing of the troops at
Daiauiri. He says that all the Cuban generals
are of the same opinion himself that the land
ing should be made east of Santiago. lie says
the assistance of the navy has been OF the great
est benefit and enthusiastically given and without
them he perhaps would net have landed at all.
He wanted nothing at that time. AT this point
a communication is inserted directed to General
F T4Rx A ss