The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-09-06
GEN. MILES WAS IN COMMAND
=
SEMI oFFICI al MEASUREMENTS
EXPOSED BY THE FACTS.
Miles Planned the Shafter Campaign,
But His Orders Were Ignored
His Correspondence With Garcia.

Kansas City, Sept 5.-The Star this
afternoon prints the following article
from its special war correspondent, Mr..
| ]. D. Whelpley. touching on the Alger-
Miles controversy:
The statement made semi-officially
from Washington that Major General
! Miles was not in command of the san
| tiago expedition up to the time 1T lett
Tampa, is not borne out by the Official
records of the war department. Tnese
records prove that Miles not only con-
Quoted the preliminary action with
| General Garcia, but was then recog-
4 nized by the war department as gen
eral commanding.
The details of General Skaters ac-
tual equipment and method of move
ment were naturally left to Smarter,
but q. general plan was devised by Gen
eral Niles and directions were issued
to General Shafter by him, which. af-
ter leaving Tampa, the latter entirely
ignored General Shafter left Tampa
with the full knowledge that he was
subject to orders from General Miles,
and up to that time the war depart
ment recognized this state Of affairs,
which is provided for in the general
statutes organizing the army of the
United States.
The above is shown. according to the
Star, by three kilograms. The first of
these kilograms is from General Miles
to General Garcia, and follows:
Headquarters Cf the Army in the
Field, Tampa, Fla, June 2, 1898.
Lieutenant General Garcia, Cuban
Army:
Dear General-I am very glad to
have received your officers, General
Enrique Collazo and Lieutenant Colo
81 "a
whom returns tonight with our best
wishes for your success. 1t would be
d very great assistance if you could
have as large a force as possible in
the vicinity of the harbor of Santiago
de Cuba. and communicate any infor-
nation by signals. which Colonel Her
nandez will explain to you, either to
our navy or TO our army on its ar
rival, 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 threatening or attacking them
at all points and preventing by every
means possible reinforcements coming
to that garrison. While this is being
done and before the arrival of our
army, if YOU can seize and hold any
commanding positions to the east or
west of Santiago, or both, that would
be advantageous for the use of our
artillery, it will be exceedingly graft
flying to us. With great respect and
best wishes, I remain, very respect
fully,
(Signed.) NELSON A MILES,
Major General Commanding United
States Army
The second dispatch is General Gar
cia's reply. showing, the Star asserts,
an understanding with General Miles
as to a plan of campaign. 1t follows:
Mole st. Nicholas, June 9. 1898 (via
Washington To General Miles,
Headquarters of the Army, Tampa,
Fla:
Garcia's reply on June to your LETT
ter of June 2:
Will take measures at once to
carry out your recommendation, but
concentration of force will require
some time. Roads bad and Cuoans
scattered. Will march without delay
Santiago de Cuba we'll fortified with
advanced Entertainments, but good ar
position can be taken. Spanish
force approximate 10000 between San
tiagO de Cuba and Guantanamo; 5000
militia. VIII maintain a Cuban force
near Holguin to prevent sending rein
forcements to Santiago
THE above given to me by Admiral
Sampson to forward to you.
(Signed.) ALLEN,
Lieutenant Colonel
The third dispatch is from the war
department at washington and reads:
Washington. June II.
Major General Miles, Tampa, Fla:
The following extract of telegram
from Admiral Sampson to secretary of
navy repeated for your information:
. Mole st. Nicholas, Hayti.-General
Miles letter received through Colonel
Hernandez on June 6. Garcia regards
his wishes and suggestions as orders,
and Immediately will take measures to
concentrate forces at the points indi-
Gated, but he is unable to do so as
early as desired, on account of his ex-
petition to Banes Port, Cuba. but will
march without delay. All of his sub
ordinates are ordered to assist to dis
embark the United States troops and.
to place themselves under orders. San
tiago de Cuba well fortified with adj
yanced entertainments, but he believes
position for artillery can be taken as
Miles desires. Approximately 1900
regulars and 5000 militia between San
tiago and Guantanamo. He has sent
force in order to prevent aid going to
Santiago from HOlguin. Repeats every
assurance of good will and desire to
second plans"