The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-06-24


Cuba last Tuesday. They were all
anxious TO go and there were wild
scenes Of enthusiasm and cheering -
the men marched aboard and the ships
got under way. Whenever band
played the national air every head was
uncovered The men seemed TO realize
the Importance of their enterprise, as
well as the patriotic responsibility IT |
involved.
There have been very many splen-
die acts OF heroism. even in the brief
time the troops have been employed,
continued Gen. Miles. Lieut.. Rowan,
now lieutenant-colonel. and Lieut..
Wilcox. now captain, in making their
Journey TO eastern Cuba and to Porto
Rico. gave splendid illustrations OF the
courage, fortitude and resources of the
American soldier.
Three expeditions, which carried
arms to the Cubans, have developed
the finest kind of courage. Capt. Con.
nell and Lieut.. Crawford, who partici'
pated i'm these expeditions, were with
the Cubans during a sharp engagement
with the enemy Capt Dorst's several
expeditions have been of great service
!
! ticular bringing important results.
He started from Kew West, but instead
of going direct TO Cuba he went north
and east of Nassau, then turned south
and landed on the Cuban coast at port
called Banes.
L. has been held by the Cubans, and
is a good harbor, with about II feet of
water Protected by small gunboat,
Capt. Dorst landed a steamers load OF
supplies for the Cuban army, includ-
ing 1900 rifles, over 1000, 600 cartridges
and "a great quantity of stores. A
thousand Cubans came to him while
there.
The special Importance OF this trip,
however, was in opening direct com
munication between Gen. Garcia and
myself. Two of Garcias staff officers
had returned from Cuba with Rowan
and came to Washington to see
me. One of these | sent TO Banes,
with the supply of arms, with IN
structions to Gen. Garcia, say
ing | wanted him TO move all his forces
to Santiago de Cuba. He had by that
time been fully equipped by Capt.
Dorst. The message to Gen. Garcia
was sent June >, reached him June q,
and got his reply, cabled from Mole
st. Nicholas, on June 9. He had about
8. 600 armed Cubans before he received
the munitions of war by Capt Dorst.
The supplies sent him will enable
Garcia to adequately equip over l5,ooO
Cubans.
Gen. Miles was asked for the com
munications between him and Garcia,
and glancing them over he gave their
J general purport:
..In my communication TO HIM !
, asked him TO move as large force as
possible to the vicinity of the barbor of
r Santiago de Cuba. and to cooperate
/ with our army and navy on their
4 arrival, which | hoped would be
within few days. lie was
to drive in and harass any
D Spanish troops near Santiago de
: Cuba, threatening and attacking them
: at all points and preventing any rein
l. forcements from reaching that point.
5 Pending the arrival of our troops he
z was To seize any positions east or west
: of Santiago. or both, which could be
' used to advantage by our artillery.
a He replied that he would regard my
e wishes and suggestions as orders, and
g would Immediately adopt measures to
. concentrate his forces as Indicated.
y All his subordinatcs are ordered To as
l. sist i'm the disembarking of the United
; States troops and to place themselves
o under orders Gen. Garcia said he be-
e lieved it possible for the artillery posi-
"A tions TO be taken as | had suggested
l. vent aid and reinforcements going
" to Santiago de Cuba. The energy o.
A. his course is shown by the reports o
:. the last few days. for | see that Gen
l. Rabi and his men have taken a strong
&c position Just west of Santiago. While
re there were unavoidable delays at lam
a, pa. very annoying to myself and Others
A. /. at least, had the consolation of know
n ing that every day enabled the Cuban
q, to make their march across the countr
q and get positions which would be G
p the greatest value to our troops whe
IL they landed"
at Gen. Miles does not apprehend an
he long or serious delay in disembari<in
ST. the troops on Cuban soil. The tran
X ports have a large number OF sma
ir- boats to assist in this work. The ei
lir pineer corps has large barges and
OF ponton train by which they can pr
ed together a floating pier, SO that. unlc
m there is a very rough sea or the me
ais are compelled 20 disembark in the sur
which is not anticipated, the disei
TO barkaton is expected TO proceed ra
Oh idly.
ng When Gen. Miles was asked If he G
for pected an early fight, he answered
conically: That's what they've go
for"
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