The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-23
FORTS TO BE bonn BARDED

BY the War Ships in the Bay, Which Drawing
Closer TO the City, VIII Complete the Lines
Of investment Shutting the City in With Coils
ofIiorent Steel--The New orIeaos, Detroit,
castine, Wasp and Suwanee ShelIed the Vi
entity of Daquiri Before Disseminating Began
at that Point.
Washington, June 22-To-day, just
week after the United States troops
left Tortugas. they began to disembark
on Cuban soil, landing in formation ut
two points so as to attack Santiago in
the rear and at the sides, with the navy
10 help the work in front. Thus, the
military invasion of Cuba may be said
TO have fairly begun. for though the
United States marines were the first of
the regular forces to land upon Cuban
soil their purpose after all was not in
vasion, but the establishment of naval
base, and Il base for cable station, III
both Of which they were eminently sue
ecssful. 70 the regular troops was left
the beginning of the formidable task
Of invading Cuba in force by land.
Just ut the close of office hours a
brief telegram came to the War De-
partment from Lieutenant Colonel Al
len. 1t had been expected all day. To
the surprise Of officials the cablegram
was dated. not at Guantanamo, but at a
place called Playa del Este, about twen-
~ miles west of Guantanamo bay, and
about half the distance between that
and Santiago bay. It's exact wording
is withheld but the statement was au-
thorized that it said the troops were
landing, and that preparations had been
made to attack Santiago at the sides and
rear.
The delay in receiving further cable
communication after the first of last
evening, is thus explained. The lines
were being carried westward, probably
to be nearer the point selected as the
landing place in Cuba. In his dispatch
Lieutenant Colonel Allen said that he
had heard nothing officially from either
General Shafter or Admiral Sampson.
This is accounted for readily by his in
strlctions. He was told specifically by
General Miles in a cablegram sent yes
ferday not TO embarrass General Shaft
or by any unnecessary suggestions
Thus it will be seen, to the delight
Of all true soldiers, that General Shaft
or. like Admiral Sampson, is not to be
tied by exact orders from Washington,
but is to be allowed the widest liberty
of action in the belief that he, being
Il - III az 1frit,
hest the propriety Of projected move
ments. The lieutenant colonel, how
eyer. who is Il member of General Miles
staff. and directly in charge of the sig
nal work in Santiago province. com
nmnicated briefly with General Miles,
in cipher. the fact that the debarkation
of the troops had begun, and that a plan
of attack had been arranged.
The reinforcement of General Shafter
actually began to-day. in the departure
Of the entire 1hirty-third Michigan regi-
ment and one battalion Of the Thirty
fourth Michigan, from Camp Alger for
Santiago. They 20 to Newport News,
and then by steamer direct to Santiago
If the expectations of the projectors of
this movement are realized, these troops
are likely to occupy actually less time
in the passage than did the first con-
fingent which left Tampa directly, mot
withstandng the distance is twice as
long.
Formal orders were issued placing
General Guy V. Henry in charge Of the
new division of troops composed OF Du1-
fields and Garretsons brigades, which
are to form part of the division. Prob
ably some of the troops now at Tampa
will be attached also, in which case they
will be dispatched in separate transports.
General Henry is one of the most noted
cavalry leaders in the army, possibly in
the world.
II is evident from the nature Of Gene
raj Miles advices that in addition to the
troops now landing, as is supposed not
far from Playa del Este, on the east
side Of Santiago Bay, the second land
ing is going on at a point just about
the same distance west of the harbor
entrance The two divisions probably
will be pushed forward steadily to take
the town Of Santiago on either flank
while to Garcia and Rabbis bands of in
surgents may be left the task of bring
ing on the attack in the rear. The dis
tance on the west side is slightly greater
than on the east. bnt it probably is moi
greater by either route than fifteen OF