Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-06-30
OFF TO THE FRONT.
Gen. Miles to Take Charge Of the
Army at Santiago.
WILL AFTERWARDS co TO PORT RICO
The Cuban Army Under Gen. Garcia Play
ing an Important Part In the Campaign
President Mckinley Well Pleased
at the Situation.

WASHINGTON, June "a. Gen. Miles is
going to Santiago to take charge OF
the operations of the army in besieg-
ing that town. He will sail on the
Harvard on Saturday with part Of Gen.
Duffield's brigade, consisting of the
Ninth Massachusetts and two bat
talions OF the Thirty-fourth Michigan.
Gen. Miles obtained the permission OF
the president to 90 to the front in the
course of long conference, held yes
terday morning at the white house.
While in Santiago province Gen. Miles
will superintend the details of the ex.
petition against Porto Rico, which is
to be taken as soon as Santiago has
fallen. Most Of the regulars now with
Gen. Shafter will be withdrawn at the
conclusion Of the Santiago campaign,
their places being taken by volunteers
in sufficient numbers to assist the
Cubans in maintaining possession OF
the province. Gen. Miles will then
lead the army Of invasion against Porto
Rico in person.
Dispatches received at the war de.
partment yesterday morning indicate
that all of the men in Gen. Skaters
expedition have been safely landed,
and that the work Of sending ashore
the heavy guns and field artillery is
being rapidly pushed. A few shots
have been exchanged between the
Spaniards and the Cuban forces who
have been assisting in covering the
landing of the American forces, but
nothing in the nature Of a battle has
been attempted by the Spaniards.
Gen. Shafter reports his men in fine
condition and eager to fight The
first moves likely to precipitate q gem
eral engagement are expected to-day.
Gen. Miles received the first official
report Of the landing Of the American
forces near Santiago. 1t briefly re.
cited the events of the past two days
and the fact that no casualties have
resulted from the fire of the Spaniards
is particularly emphasized. Gen.
Miles said yesterday afternoon: Zen.
Skaters reports state that he has met
with but little resistance from the
enemy. The only casualty resulted
from the explosion Of a she'll on the
summit Of high hill upon which a
number Of Cubans were encamped. One
Cuban was killed. Gen. Garcia has g..
900 Cubans who have reinforced Gen.
Shafter at Baiquiri, and has promised to
have 1000 more within q few days
Gen. Garcia's 5000 men are now at
lacking the Spaniards on the north,
east and west, and Gen. Shafter re-
ports to me that they are performing
effective service. The troops will all
be on shore by nightfall, and, as in
the first landings, are disembarked un-
der the cover of Admiral SIMPSONS
guns. The expedition has been most
successful, and | am gratifsd with the
results"
The fact that the Spaniards have not
been able to do anything to prevent
or delay the landing Of American
troops is regarded as the best possible
evidence of the important part that
the Cuban army under Gen. Garcia is
playing in the campaign.
The president yesterday afternoon
sent message direct to Gen. Shafter
urging him to keep a careful record
of the death roll after the attack on
Santiago begins so as to relieve the
natural anxiety in the country when
the mortality among the American
forces commences.
President Mckinley yesterday told
caller at the white house that he was
especially satisfied and pleased with
the news of the landing of Gen.
Skaters army at Santiago. 1.-THE
moral effect of American troops land
ing in Cuba is alone tremendous
force" said he. The president ex-
pressed himself as being well content
with the situation in regard to the
war. He said that there would be no
attempt to send an expedition to Porto
Rico or any other place until after the
work entrusted to Gen. Skaters army
in Santiago had been accomplished.