Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1898-06-30
HARD
FIGHT
But Shafter Doesn't Send
Much News
on 1t.
Details Are Most Anxious
iy Awaited by
Our Officials.
Heavy ReinforCe,nents to
Be Immediately
Sent to Cuba.

| department to the war department
The newspaper reports, brief AM
graphic, telling of the short, blood,
engagement between the Spaniards de
Tending Santiago and the rough riders
romantic figures in the American
army, had aroused popular interest t.
a high pitch. Consequently the wa
department was scarcely opened fo1
business before a crowd of newspaper
men and other interested persons
filled the hall and vicinity of the bull
letin boards seeking for some Official
information that would supply data
missing from the press accounts. It
was not until nearly noon that the
first cablegram came from Shafter and
then to the disappointment of the de-
partment it was even more meager
than the press reports. During the
course Of the day several other dis
patches were received, but they all
left something to be desired, for be-
ing under Fridays date, they did not
relieve the anxiety as to what hap
pened Friday evening and Saturday
with the two armies separated by the
short space Of a mile and a half. An
explanation Of this state of affairs was
fnI1nH in tho fant +hot Con Sha IF
failed to take with him from Tampa
the splendid field telegraph service
that had been prepared with much
care by Gen. Greedy for just such a
campaign.
Unfortunately there promises to be
some delay in landing artillery, owing
to the loss on the voyage to Santiago
Of a big lighter which seems to be
necessary to transfer the heavy guns
from the ships to the landing pier.
Some means will be found through
the aid of the war ships to accelerate
the landing of the guns and supplies.
During the day Secretary Alger and
General Miles held several confer
ences. AS a result heavy reinforce
ments will go forward at once, both
from Tampa and Newport News. An
expedition of 5000 men is expected to
leave Tampa within the next three
days. 1t comprises the command of
Brig.-Gen. Synder, third division of
the first army corps. The stores arc
already going aboard transports, and
the start of the expedition only awaits
the arrival of the naval convoy. Part
of the warships sent over with Shat
ter's expedition are now on their way
back to Tampa to escort the addi-
tional troops. Others will follow and
then another formidable marine pro-
cession will start across the gulf to
Cuba. simultaneously with this Gen
Henry's division will be moved along
the Atlantic coast and thence to San
tiago. In all the reinforcements from
Tampa and Newport News will be il
the neighborhood of 10000 or $4,000
men. Drafts on Chickamauga are like
ly to follow soon, as the hurry orders
recently given have led to a full!
equipment of several commands.
The following is one of Skaters ca
Diagrams: Playa del Este, via Hayti,
June 25.-Adjutant General, U. S. A,
Washington, D. C.-Baiquiri, June
23.-We had a very fine voyage; lost
less than fifty animals and six or
eight today. We lost more putting
them through the surf to land than on
healthy as when we left. Eighty men
are sick, the only deaths being two
men drowned in landing. The land
Nings were difficult. The coast is
quite similar to that in the vicinity OF
San Francisco and covered with q
dense growth of bushes. The landing
at Baiquiri was unopposed. All points
occupied by Spanish troops were heav.
| lily bombarded by the navy to clear
Them out. l sent troops toward Santi
ago and occupied Jaragua City, natur
ally a strong place, this morning. Tht
| Spanish troops retreat as soon as oul
advance is known. I had no mounted
troops or could have captured abou
600 Spaniards all told. There is
railroad from there in. have tn,
cars and an engine in my possession
With the assistance Of the navy I dis
embarked 5000 men yesterday and a
many more today. I will get all tn
troops off tomorrow, including tn
light artillery and a greater portion o
the pack train, probably all Of it, witt
some wagons. The animals have to b
jumped to the water and towe
ashore. had consultatio,
with Gems. Garcia, Rabi and Castill
at l p. m. Of the Goth, twenty mile
west of Santiago. The officers wer
unanimously of the opinion that tn
landing should be made east of Sar
tiago. I had come to the same cor
clusion. Gen. Garcia promised t
join me at Jarugua City tomorro-
with between 5000 and 1000 men VIII
will be brought from the west {