Evening star., 1898-11-11

pitfalls and camps of prisoners. | also
deemed it advisable to take the deep-water
harbor of Nipe, on the north coast of east
erH Cuba, in order to make it available for
our naval ships and transports in case of
hurricanes, which We're liable to occur at
that season of the year, and also for use as
a coaling station.
The yellow fever at this time had broken
out in Mississippi, and it was feared it
might spread over the southern states. The
safety of the military camps was then
matter of great importance, and, after con-
sulting with the best authorities, advised
that the troops at Mobile be sent to Mount
Vernon Ala. which has been refuge for
the garrisons on, the gulf for many years;
da, ano.--er place of rsfuge, and also to Fer
nandina, Fla, in order to isolate the troops
much as possible. from railroad centers,
where they would be likely to become IN
fected by the travelling public. l also
recommended that asoortion of the troops
at Chiekamauga be sent to Fernandina
and also to Porto Rico, and at the same
time suggested that troops be stationed in
the Leudoun and Shenandoah valleys, in
the vicinity of Antietam, and on Long Is
land sound! These recommendations We're
made, in order to AVOID overcrowding the
larger camps at Chickamauga and Camp
Alger. .G<
Operations of the Cuhans.
During this. time lieutenant Rowan had
returned from his journey to Cuba, bring
ing with him TO Washington Brigadier Gen
eral Collazo and Lieutenant Colonel Her
nandez of GenefSH TGarcia's staff. He also
brought very important information con-
cerning the active operations of the Cubans
against the Spanish troops, and the loca-
ton and strength of the Spanish forces In
the eastern part efi Cuba, numbering at
that time some 81 900 men. The two Cuban
officers mentioned accompanied me to ram
pa, and Colonel Hernandez, having received
permission from the Navy Department to
be conveyed by a United States vessel to
the harbor of Banes, carried the following
letter from me to General Garcia:
HeadQuarter of the Army,
In the Field, TAMPA, Fla, June ,, 1898.
Dear General: L am very glad to have re-
ceiVed your officers, General Enrique Col
lazo and Lieutenant Colonel Carlos Her
nandez, the latter of whom returns tonight
with our best wishes for your success.
1t would be very great assistance II
you could have as large force as possible
in the vicinity of the harbor of Santiago de
Cuba, and communicate any information,
by signals which Colonel hernandez Will
explain to you, either to our navy or TO our
army on its arrival, which we hope Will be
before many days.
1t would also assist us very much If you
could drive in and harass any Spanish
troops near or in Santiago de Cuba, threat
ening or attacking them at all points, and
preventing, by every means, any possible
reinforcement coming to that garrison
While this is being done, and before the ar
rival of our army. if you can seize and hold
any commanding position to the east or
west OF Santiago de Cuba, or both, that
would be advantageous for the use OF our
artillery, it will be exceedingly gratifying
to us.
With great respect and best wishes, 1 re-
Nelson A. MILES,
Major General, Commanding U. S. Army.
This letter was sent in anticipation of
the movement of the command under Cen
eral Shafter, which sailed twelve days
later. Colonel Hernandez left Key West
with it June =; General Garcia received it
June 8, and l received his reply by cable
June g. of which the following is copy:
MOLE ST. NICOLAS, June 8, 1898.
General Miles, Commanding United States
Army:
"Will take measures at once to carry out
your recommendation, but concentration OF
force will require some time. Roads bad
and Cubans scattered VIII march without
delay. Santiago de Cuba well fortified with
advanced intrenchments. but believe good
artillery position can be taken. Spanish
forces approximate Il, 900 between Santiago
de Cuba and Guantanamo, 1900 militia.
viii maintain a Cuban force near Holgufn
to prevent sending reinforcements to San
tiago." GARCIA
also, the following is an extract from
cablegram from Admiral Sampson to the
Secretary of the Navy, which was repeated
to me at Tampa, June II, for my informa-
tion.
MOLE ST NICHOLAS, Haiti.
Gen. Miles letter received through Col
Hernandez on June 6. Garcia regards his
"iSHcS anu SuSSeSIloHS DIS olueiS, dliu I'LL
mediately will take aneasures to concen-
trate forces at the points indicated, but he
is unable to do so as early as desired on ac-
count of his expedition to Banes Port,
cuba, but he will march without delay All
OF his subordinates are ordered to assist to
dlsembark the United States troops and to
place themselves under orders. Santiago
de Cuba we'll fortified, with advanced in
trenchments, but he believes position for
artillery can be taken as Miles desires Gap
proximate) twelve thousand Q2,OOO regu-
lars and three thousand $1,000 militia be-
tween Santiago and Guantanamo. He has
sent force in order to prevent aid going to
Santiago from Hoguin. Repeats every as
surance of good will, and desires to second
plans. SAMPSON.
Cubans Checked the spaniards.
1T will be observed that Gen. Garcia re-
garded my requests as his orders, and
promptly took steps to execute the plan of
operations. He sent 5000 men to check any
movement of the 1900 Spaniards stationed
at Holguin. portion of this latter force
started 10 the relief of the garrison at San
tiago, but was successfully checked and
turned back by the Cuban forces under
Gen. Ferfa. Gen. Garcia also sent 1000
men, under Perez, to oppose the 5000 Span
1ards at Guantanamo, and they were sue
cessful in their object. He also sent 600
men,. under Gen. Rios, against the 5000
men at Manzanillo. OF this garrison, $500
started TO reinforce the garrison at Santi-
ago, and were engaged in no less than
thirty combats with the Cubans on their
nave been stopped had Gen. Garcia's re-