The Portland daily press., 1898-06-24

complete General Duffields command.
The orders also cover the entire brigade
OF Brigadier General Garretson which,
includes the sixth Illinois, sixth Massa-s
ohusetts and eighth and ninth Ohio regi-
eral Henry's division on the Harvard and
Yale, these ships to make two round
trips. The first trip will carry most, If
not all OF General Duffield's brigade.
lhe war department. allows three days
for the strip. two days to unload the troops
and three days to return to Newport
News, making eight days. By that time
General Garretson's brigade will be at
Newport News, ready to go on board the
ships and then will come the second trips,
taking three days with two days allowed
Tor Garretson's S troops to unload in Cuba.
Reports were current at the war depart
fpent again today that General Miles,
commanding the army, would leave the
city within the next two days. 1t was
asserted also that he had asked to get
into the actual fighting by going to Cuba
and there assuming command of the
troops This was contradictory to the re-
cent reports that General Miles would
command the Porto Rico expedition.
General Miles tonight declined to discuss
the conflicting reports. His long confer
ence with Secretary Alger lent some color
TO the reports that the Generals future
movements were under consideration.
The details of the accident on the
Yankee on Decoration day have just
reached thu navy department.. While the
ship was at sea, trial was made of the
guns. One, q six-pounder, using smoke
less powder hung fire after the trigger
was polled. The gunner without wait,
ing, threw open the breech just as the
charge exploded. The rear blast killed
Corporal j. j. Murray, and severely, but
not seriously wounded Private Jesse Full
ler both Of the United States marine
corps. The powder is believed to be de-
feotiye other hang-dres have been had
with it.
Gollan, who has so we'll protected such
left in his care, has left for home on
leave. During his absence, Mr.. Jerome,
vice consul, will assume charge Of the
consulate along with the care of Ameri-
can interests. Represen tative Pearson.
uncle of Naval Constructor Hobsoa, had
another interview today with Secretary
Long, respecting the reward Of that hero.
The Secretary is puzzled by the conflict
ing interests in this case. He intends to
reward Hobson in accordance with the
merits of his feat, but would like to do
this without injustice to other meris
torious officers. If Hobson is advanced to
the grade OF Lieut.. Commander, he will
have heen given a greater reward than
was ever known in our naval history.
Cushing got Sc numbers and gained one
wear and nine months time in his record,
vet Hobson, it is calculated would be
given, if made naval commander. 34e
numbers and would gain twenty years in
time. He would become senior officer of
the navy in about fifteen years and owing
to his youth, would retain that place no
less than twenty years, something with
out precedent in the American navy. AS
an instance of how the present practice
works naval officers point to the fact that
for his splendid achievement at Manila.
Dewey gained only ten numbers, while
instead of reward for his excellent
management and seamanship in bringing
the great battleship Oregon successfully
through one of the most remarkable cruises
on record, Captain Clark actually lost
three numbers through the promotion
over his head of officers engaged in the
battle of Manila bay. Captain Sigsbee
is cited also as a case in point, having
suffered the loss of several numbers, rep
resentine year or two of naval service,
through tie Manila rewards.