The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-06-15
BUT WAS RECALLED
ONE SHIP HAD GOTTEN IN SIGHT
OF CUBA.
TROOPS WERE BITTERLY DISAPPOINTED
Wild With Enthusiasm When Orders Came for
Second EmbarkaIiOn- -Cheered Until
They were Hoarse--WOmen
Waving Parasos.
Waving Parasols.

waving FaFdSOlS'
Tampa, Fla. June 14.-After weeks
OF waiting and preparation the first army
of invasion departed under the command
of Gen. Shafter this morning ut 8
o'clock The feet Of transports consist
ed of thirty five vessels, four tenders and
fourteen conveys. These are ain now
upon the Gulf of Mexico headed to the
southward until they pass Key West
at least Should the destination be
Cuba, they will continue their present
course until Cape Antonio, at the west
end Of the island, is doubled, when an
eastery course will be sailed until they
reach the vicinity of Santiago.
1t has been indefinitely decided that if
this expedition lands in Cuba at all the
place of Decentralization will be on the
south coast near Santiago. AS already
stated in these dispatches, the actual
embarkation of the troops began on
Monday, June 6. The work proceeded
dIIgently until late on Wednesday after
noon when, after the departure of sew
eral transports an important order came
calling a halt in the proceedings The
Castine was dispatched to at once over
haul the disappearing transports and re-
call them. They all came back but one.
the City of Washington. which vessel
was reported to be aground down the
bay. 1t was subsequently learned how
ever. that the vessel had 0utstFipped the
messenger until the coast Of Cuba was
actually sighted.
Like a wet blanket came the order To
stop Two questions were on every tom
glle--'I Has Spain SlIrrendeFedg" Has
our fleet met with n reverse?" The
former met with the readiest belief, many
believing the words in the order-'In-
definitely postponed ''-meant peace
Those who followed each event close
ly were assured that such was not the
case. While horses and mules were be-
ing disemharked. men and equipments
Were moving aboard in steady stream.
The unloading of the Florida. which
had been run into by the Miami and
seriously damaged last Wednesday, gave
grounds for the rumor that all the
transports were being unloaded. News
paper men were cOnhdeRtially told on
Friday night that they had better go
aboard. The following day it was open
ly talked that the sailing would occur
on Sunday noon.
The rush of the previous Monday was
repeated. General Miles and his staff
went to Port Tampa Sunday morning at
6:30 o'clock to deliver parting instruc-
tions. During heavy rain squall on
Saturday night at s O'clock, while the
transports were straining at their ca
bes and the wind shriezing through the
rigging, the tug Captain Sam, came up
with the order. Above the roar of the
storm, wild cheering was heard and n
bright fash of lightning revealed the sol
diers standing in the wind waving their
hats and hurrahing
General Miles and his staff. from Il
private car. far down the pier could
witness all the scenes of the embarka-
tiOn. From this point Of vantage mes
sengers went scurrying, while uniformed
dignitares hovered near during the err
tire day. The busy piers were lined
with transports, the docks were an ever
changing scene of box cars. fat ears.
stock cars, baggage and express cars.
Most of these were crowded with soldiers
who were cheered until their ears ached
and who cheered in turn until hoarse
Bright colored dresses and fragile par
asols in the crowds of blue-coats indica-
ted the presence of the fair sex. Curosi-
ty attracted the women as it had most
of the crowd. Some were s0bbing while
others were taking in the sights with
tears coursing down their cheeks.
Horses and mules were kicking up clouds
of dust and the sun poured down its
hot rays on the sweltering mass Of hui
manity. Thus Sunday passed, the
transports at the docks and those in mid
stream receiving their cargoes of life and
the neceSsaFieS to sustain it.
General Miles again went to the port
on Monday morning on the early train.
The expedition would surely sail before
dark. The stirring scenes continued,
the mad rush had not abated. General
Miles from the observation end of his
car watched the crowd as it passed
near him. The transports swinging at
their mOorngs were plainly in view, as
were also many of those at the docks.
The embarkation of animals was pro
gresssing satisfactorily. The passing
crowd craned their necks to catch
glimpse of General Miles, who sat in an
easy chair, without coat, at times par
taking Of refreshing drinks.
Shortly after o o'clock the raking fun
nels of the transports began to pour vol |
umes Of black smoke. The stokers We're
preparing their fires, which before |
had been partly banked.
Along the pier could be heard the
stern voices of the transport commanders
as they gave their orders to cut loose. /
The broad gang-ways were pulled in. the
hatchways closed, lines cast off, and the
ponderous engines We're put in motion.
Continued ON Second Page)