The herald., 1898-05-31

The discussion had covered the ent re range
of naval and military operations. With q
partioular view to the active movements
about to begin. General Miles broul hit with
him . memorandum showing the 81 act dis
position Of the military forces now Voncen-
erated at various points throughout the
COUNTRY, With the number of men Al. Tam
pa and other southern points ready, for
embarkation.
Miles Issues Orders
He also made known that at ocloc k this
Uofning, Immediately following the re oeipt
Of DEFINITE information Of the .presen ce OF
the Spanish feet at Santiago, he had gone
20 the war department and had Issued tel
sgraphic orders putting: the troops in mo-
1ion and thus startina tho forward move
ment OF the military arm of the service
Further than this those attending the coil
ference would not discuss their plans.
Reliance on Regulars
It was said at the war department that
chief reliance would be placed at the outset
ON the United States regulars. most OF
whom are conferred In Florida, and In such
volunteer regiments a. are thoroughly
equipped and reasonably well seasoned for
service. Although the officials Will not
state how many troops are available for
active service. 1t is roughly estimated that
there are about 10000 regulars and $1,000
volunteers at Tampa. These include seven
teen regiments of regular infantry and
fourteen regiments of volunteer infantry,
twelve battalions of artillery and five reg
iments of the regular cavalry.
The Forces Available
The infantry force. regular and volun-
teer, is about e. 900 men, the cavalry about
1000, the, artillery about 1900 How many
of these have been or will be dispatched
to any given point, or to several points, is
not disclosed, as that is part of the secret
campaign plans of the government. Back
of this force are other available regiments
at Mobile. New Orleans and other points
easily accessible to Tampa. Still further
back is the large volunteer camp at Chick
q manga, comprising about 10000 infantry
volunteers, 1000 cavalry volunteers and
three regiments of artillery volunteers. 1t
Is understood to be the plan-although as
to this there is no precise official state
ment-to have the troops at Chickamauga
take the place of those at Florida ports as
fast as the latter leave for active service,
thus keeping a large force always ready
for embarkation from Florida.
Aside from the troops already specified,
there are $4,000 men at Camp Alger near
Washington, and lesser bodies Of troops on
Long island and in various states. The 49,
900 volunteers under the recently issued
second call constitute still another reserve
which, however, is yet to be organized and
equipped. Unless there is a change of pro-
gram, General Miles and his entire STAFF,
with the exception of General Gilmore, will
leave for the south about II o'clock tonight
1t was in anticipation of this that the final
plans were gone over with the president
this afternoon.
Officers in Command
General Miles will not state where his
headquarters will be located and, indeed.
It is probable he will move from place to
place as circumstances demand.
General Shafter will be in immediate
command of the forces now embarking,
while General Miles will have general SUI
pervision over this and all military move
ments.
There's Joy in Camp
CHICKAMAUGA NATIONAL PARK,
Ca. May 3o.-The greatest excitement and
over the rumor that general order has
been issued to all troops in camp here to
proceed at once to Tampa.
The rumor, when traced to its source,
by the Associated Press proved to be only
partly true, only eight regiments being
affected by an order from the war depart
ment.
These regiments are ordered to proceed
at once to Tampa and the work of prepara-
ton began tonight 1t is understood that
four of the regiments will leave tomor-
row and the other four of the regiments
Wednesday. The regiments ordered out
are regarded as the best equipped and
most thoroughly prepared of any in the
camp. This order is regarded by the oftic-
ers and men as an indication that speedy
forward movement is to be made on Cuba
and Porto Rico, and as consequence
there was as great rejoicing among the
volunteer soldier boys as there was among
the regulars when they went to Tampa
under the impression that they were going
at once to Cuba.
With those regiments that arrived today
the troops at the park number II, 900. The
regiments ordered away number 5000.
The First Michigan infantry comprising
1921 officers and men; the Second Arkansas,
composed of 1922 officers and men, and the
Fifty-second Iowa, composed of 900 offic-
ers and men, arrived today.
Nearing the End
TAMPA, Fla, May 3O-The impression
prevailed around headquarters today that
the end is now not far off, and that definite
orders for breaking camp and getting on
board the TRANSPORTS in waiting will soon
be given.
II any such orders were received, however
there were certainly no indications of them
at the docks at Port Tampa, where scarcely
dozen negro laborers were lazily engaged
in cleaning up the rubbish left by the car
penters. No loading of supplies of any
kind was done during the day and even the
fires In many of the transports had appar-
emily been drawn.
A special train with 216 members Of the
Chicago naval reserves in command of
Lieutenant Pritty and Ensigns Hunt and
Pewitt, arrived at Port Tampa today.
They will go to Key West tomorrow.
Decoration day was observed in camp
today by the suspension of all drills.
Miles Departs
WASHINGTON. May 3O.-Major General
Miles. commanding the United States
army, accompanied by the members of his
family and his personal and official staff
left at II o'clock tonight for Tampa.
General Miles will proceed directly to
Tampa, where he will establish temporary
headquarters of the army. He will per-
sonally direct the movement of the troops
and the invasion of Cuba,