The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-06-21
Greeted With Cheers,

Copyright, 1898, by Associated Press.)
On board the Associated Press De-
spatch Boat Dandy, off Santiago de
Cuba, June 20, via the Mole ST. Nicolas,
Hayti, June 21.-The United States
army for the invasion of Cuba about
10000 strong commanded by Gen. Shat
ter, arrived off Santiago de Cuba at
noon today. The time of it's disembar-
kation has not yet been determined
next three days.
When the fleet of 81 transports with
its freight of fighting men, swept up
the southern coast today,and slowed up
within sight of the doomed city of San
tiagO, the anxiously awaited soldiers
were greeted with ringing cheers which
family echoed to the transports from
the decks of the blockading warships
far in shore. They were answered by
the troops most enthusiastically and in
kind. The weeks of anxious waiting
were over and the army and the navy
had at last Joined forces and all felt
that the final blow at Santiago was at
hand.
1t was 10 o'clock this morning when
the lookout on board the armored
cruiser Brooklyn reported seeing the
smoke OF several steamers away to the
southeast and a. moment or so later he
announced that a dozen transports
were in sight. Then signals were ex-
changed from ship to ship. gladdening
the hearts of the weary bIockaders
Then the United States auxiliary crus-
er Gloucester, formerly J. P. Morgan's
yacht Corsair, dashed away to meet
and welcome the troops.
About a half an hour later a grim
forest of masts had sprung up appar-
entity from the sea and a most impress
sive scene was presented as the armada
swept gracefully up from the horizon
towards the Shores where the great
struggle is to take place.
The transports were ranged in three
shifting lines with the battleship In
diana on the extreme right and the 9TH
er men of war on the outskirts of the
fleet. In this order the transports and
their escorts steamed slowly in toward
the hills where Morro's red walls
tended to take the entire feet to the
lines of Rear Admiral SIMPSONS fleet
of warships, but an order from the ad-.
m1raI stopped the advance of the ships
about Is miles to the southeast and es-
corted by the Gloucester, Gen. Shafter
went forward on the Seguranca to con-
fer with the admiral.
The transports lay on the smooth sea
while the plans were discussed by the
leaders on board the flagship. Not
the faintest intimation of their inten-
tions regarding the landing has been
allowed to escape. Undoubtedly, how
ever, some of the troops will be landed
at Guantanamo bay in order to relieve
the marines there but it is generally
D0leNeQ IHe main DOQy OF the troops
will be landed much nearer Santiago.
The long and trying journey from
Tampa has left the men in a much
better condition than anticipated
There are fourteen mild cases of
typhoid on the hospital ship, among
them being Major Horton, of the Twen-
ty-fifth infantry, and several cases of
measles. There are, however, no ser
ious cases of sickness.
Owing to the smoothness of the
passage the soldiers were not generally
by sea sickness. They are all
wildly anxious to get ashore and begin
fighting.
The dispatch boat of the Associated
Press, as she steamed among the trans
ports was eagerly besieged on all sides
for news of Admiral SIMPSONS opera
tions, officers and men clamoring for
a word from the blockaders. Much
satisfaction was expressed among the
troops when it became known that the
actual capture of Santiago is to be left
to the army.
The horses and mules on board the
transports have suffered severely, many
dying.
The American fleet off Santiago has
been materially strengthened by the
addition of the warships which escort
ed the transports, consisting of the In
diana, Detroit, Montgomery, Bancroft,
Helena, Ericsson and Foote.