The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-02
He Is to Head the First Army to
Occupy Cuba,
DAY OF DEP PARTUREINDOUBT
Start May Be Made tuesday, and
Possibly Not for Ten Days.

Tampa. Fla, May This has been one
OF the busiest days since Tampa was se-
lected as the base of supplies for the
Cuban invasion Troops have been arriv-
ing hourly, camps have been extended
new camps established, and orderlies have
been on run all the time
Brig. Gen. Skaters arrival was tho
most notable event, and II Is definitely
settled now that he Is to lead the invas-
ion In Cuba Gen. shafter was i'm COM
mand OF that part Of the regular army
which was established In New Orleans.
and when the soldiers were taken away
from there he was selected as being tho
right man to lead the invasion.
The First Infantry. which was Gen.
Skaters old regiment, is here. having arr
rived this afternoon, and they are anx-
ious to be with him on the trip.
The steamers Olivette and Florida were
turned over late yesterday evening TO tho
United States government, and their SER
vices will be iu constant requisltion during
the next few weeks.
About 1000 tons Of coal are on the dock
at Port Tampa, large cargo was unload
ed yesterday, and detachment OF the
Fifth Infantry Is guarding It.
All OF the cavalry and light artillery.
which arrived yesterday and to-day. were
put through to Port Tampa. There was
no room for them on Picnic Island so
they were put on the mainland, close to the
bay shore. The baggage and plunder of
the entire OUTFIT has been loaded ana
when marching orders are received, a
great deal of this will be left behind.
Knapsacks viii be discarded and only tho
blanket roll will be used.
The First Infantry which arrived to-
day, Is from Fort Preside. near San
Francisco. and were In New Orleans but
two days
| New uniforms VIII be issued to the men
this week before their departure The
uniform is especially for use in the tropi-
cal countries. 1t is made Of kind OF
slate colored cotton goods will not show
| dirt very easily, and win be much more
comfortable than the heavy woollen goods
now worn by the troops, The hats will be
changed they viii be nearly like the pres
ent campaign hats only they Will be Of
much lighter material, and they will prob
ably be turned up at one side instead Of
IN the front. as the insurgents wear them.
There were various places In the camps
where divine services were held to-day,
and the soldiers were largely in attend
ance.
The insurgent agents and leaders who
are I'm Tampa are pressing every Cuban
they can into service and a large number
win be brought up from Key West and
pressed into service in the volunteers.
People from all over the state are flock
ing to see the troops eneamped here and
at Port Tampa.
The famous Twenty-hrst regiment band.
known In army circles as the Presidents
own, gave a concert at the Port Tampa
Inn this afternoon.
Gen. Miles viii arrive here tomorrow.
There are two paymasters here and the
men Will receive their pay Tuesday.
orders have been issued by the post
commander at Port Tampa which keeps
everybody out Of the camps unless they
mold a pass, ana Il Is understood that one
Of these passes Is as hard to get as a COM
mission In the army
One OF the reasons for putting the forces
now here at Port Tampa is that at least
1000 volunteers win be placed In Tampa
The Tampa railroads have been so busy
this week hauling supplies that they have
been unable TO obtain sufficient trains to
| carry their regular traffic.
Gen. Shafter gave an audience this even
/ ing TO several newspaper men. In the
| course Of the conversation, the question
OF countersigning war correspondents
passes was brought UP.
! Gen. Shafter said that he would not as
| sume command for a week or ten days.
as he would be busy with other matters
and would take uD the subject In ample
time. THIS practically settles two very
important rlatters. First. that Gen. Shaft
er will command the army IN Cuba, ana,
second. that the troops will not leave here
for Cuba for ten days at least.
The general, while he has come to no
conclusion on the subject, will be Inclined
10 limit the number of accredited war COR
respondents to as small number as pos-
sible.
-Four regiments Of infantry from Chick
amauga Mobile and New Orleans arrived