Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-06-24
American Troops at Santiago
at a Disadvantage.
TO FACE CERVERA'S GUNS
"a "ipsoh aiay Force His Way Into ,.s
"1oor ana Attack the Spanish Fleet
more soidiers. Coming TO Ola
... Point from Camp Aleer. M.

1 $3.50, >il.s afternoon when the first
Madrid bulletin announcing that f,phr
ing had begun was shown them Sae-
| retary Alger read it aloud with ayi-
| GENT satisfaction and both gentlemen
eApressed themselves gratif1ed with th,.
~, ~ iapie report. coming as it did. from
~ ensi''S: There was no surprise
| mat the lighting had begun 81 800.
| =. was suggested by the reporter th.r
| tue troops had completed thair 49,
only this morning. t-A iaaaoins
les. put they have gone there 70
r. 5i an ~ are ready to begin at once. ;.
eepned General Miles Secretary aloar
SAID no word had been rec,.ivaS xn,sei
.aat hour indicating that flghtinp VOC
| ~ ptosress he had no reason to So,,bt
.ioweVer. that our troops had enco,1n
49, .ne Spanish forces. and had
| General Miles said that the ar,ar,aes
eloops would now push forward
sresslvely driving the Spanish op,7
| aorclns them to fight. There was nor
suggestion OF apprehension or doubt
Miies: as to what the outcome wo,,id
pe. Ihey had made their plans we'll
ana theE We're confident that 1.nar,1
smarter and his troops would he ham
long. 81 neAoie
The impression here is that the sn.n-
lards VIII make their strongest stand
close 10 Santiago and the inner harhoY
WITHIN the range OF protection Of the
guns OF the big Spanish cruisers living
There mere is no doubt that until
'!ese Ships are removed from the field
OF operation the campaign against San
llago VIII be conducted against odds
The guns of the ships command the
mus over which our soldiers must come
to attack the town and reach the hav
but we will soon bring our own artiI
iery INTO play The naval officers here
pelleVe that when the time comes for
an attack by land upon the town
sampson will force his way into the
maroon and take part in the engage
ment. They are satisfied that the
wreck or the Merrimac does not com
pietely block the channel and saw that
u Sampson does not come In the Span
ish fleet is likely to make a desperate
effort to get out. The mines are to Il
be considered in such case. but il Ia
believed that once MORO Cactle Is taxi
en- by the combined attack of the SOL
diers and fleet. these distractions can
De easily removed with the experience
gained in Guantanamo Bay
The only positive news coming to
me war Department UP to the close Of
oi'ice hours was dispatch u General
Miles from one Of his staff officers with
General Shafter, and also Il brief dis
patch to General Greedy from I.ieuten-
ant Colonel Allen. General Miles.
dispatch stated In substance that the
landing of troops had been completed
without any casualties. save to one Gu
ban soldier who had his arm injured
OF Garcia and Rabi. about 5,7oo in
number. had met the American forces
with enthusiastic greetings. Stress
was laid upon the point that the Gu
nahs We're we'll armed and we'll disctp-
lined. General Garcia was confident
mar ms forces would be swe1led to
10000 men as soon as Santiago fell.
About the only need among the Gu
pans was shoes and quinine. The dis
patch to General Greedy merely stated
mat progress was being made in con-
Meeting the military forces directly
with the War Department
During the day orders were issued
to the entire division. composing the
newly created command of Brigadier
General Guy V. Henry. for their speedy
departure to reinforce General Shafter
at Santiago. Already the Thirty-third
Michigan and one battalion Of the
Thirty-fourth Michigan have started
on their mission. Today's orders cover
mand 1t includes the remaining bat
taiions OF the Thirty fourth Michigan
and the Ninth Massachusetts regiment.
These will complete General Duftield's
command. The Third Virginia, which
belongs to this brigade, will not GO.
orders also cover the entire brigade OF
Brigadier General Garretson, which
includes the Sixth Illinois. Sixth Mas
Sachusetts and Eighth and Ninth Ohio
regiments; The plan is to move all Of
General Henry's division on the Har-
vard and Yale. these ships to make
TWO round trips. The first trip will car
~ most. if not all. of General DuffieId's
brigade The War Department allows
lhree DAYS for the trip. two days to
'eturn to Newport News. making
light days. BY that time General Gar
'etson's brigade will be at Newport
News ready to go on board the ships.
and then will come the second trip,
taking three days. with two DAYS al
owed for Garretson's troops to unload
in Cuba.
Reports We're current at the War
department. again today that General
Miles. commanding the army, would
1t was also asserted that he had asked
% get into the actual fighting by going
TO Cuba and there assuming com
nand of the troops. This was contra
lictory to the reports circulated a few
days ago that General Miles would
take command of the Porto Rico ex-
pedition. When General Miles atten-
ton was drawn to the several conflict
ng reports tonight he good naturally
declined to discuss them. ..
The details of the accident on the
Yankee on Decoration Day have lust
'eached the Navy Department. While
he ship was at sea a trial was made
# the guns. One. a siX-pounder. using
english smokeiess powder hung fire
fter the trigger was pulled. The gun
Ter. without waiting. threw open the
,reech just as the charge exploded
Fhe rear blast killed Corporal j. ].
slurray and severely injured Private
esse Fuller both of the United States
marine corps. The powder is believed
o be defective. as other hang fires have
'een had with 1T. and If used at all In
he future 1t viii be with great caution.
Zone OF the naval miliamen. who in Z
arse part man the Yankee. was hurt.
The British consul at Havana, Mr..
:oilan, who has so we'll protected such
american interests in Havana as were
ecessarily left in his care. Is to quit
Tavana for home an leave. He has
cen a long time in Havana continu-
uslv and has been under much strain
ltely During his absence Mr.. Jer-
. d . j. 70 a J. 5ts.