The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-07-21
MOVE ON PORTO RICO.
Miles Did Not Get Away as Soon as Was
Expected-The Navy's Part.

WASHINGTON, July 20.-Because of
a failure on the part of General Miles
to receive the orders the president had
prepared late Monday to take command
of the military expedition against Porto
Rico that official did not depart as was
expected from Siboney. The mistake
was soon corrected yesterday morning,
however, and as a result Of some short
telegraphic correspondence that fol.
lowed during the day it was gathered
at the de partment that the Yale would
start last night. Contrary to the first
intention, and probably without Gen.
eral Miles seeking the Yale is to be
conveyed by a naval vessel that Ad-
miral Sampson has been instructed to
select from among the vessels of his
feet. This may result in delaying
General Miles progress somewhat, as
none of the vessels with Sampson are
able to keep pace with the Yale. Never
theless there Is no doubt that the gen.
eral will reach Porto Rico before the
detachment of troops from Charleston.
The personnel of the Porto Rican eX.
pedition having been left in a large
measure in the hands of General
Brooke it is not possible yet to give an
accurate roster of the organizations
that will enter into it.
The president announced privately
yesterday that while no date of depart
ure of the troops to be sent from Chick
amauga to Porto Rico had been fixed he
expected they would leave about one
week from today. He is awaiting de-
tailed report from General Brooke rec.
ommendlng what troops and supplies
should be sent from Chickamauga. The
present plan is stated to be to embark
them them at Newport News or Nor
folk aud those at Tampa either there or
at Key Wost.
Admiral Sampson has received final
orders from the navy department as to
the part the American feet is to take in
the campaign against Porto Rico. The
admiral is instructed to aid the army
movements by dispatching conveys
when required and by covering land,
ing of troops.
The reduction of the harbor fortifica
tions will be the main work, but this
and all other operations of the fleet will
| be supplementary to the main opera.
tions conducted by the army.
Major General John Il. Brooke wa!
expected to reach Chickamauga last
night, and, although he was authorized
| TO use the First and Second divisions oi
his corps for the Porto Rico campaign
it is understood that he was given some
| discretion in the matter, and that 9
change may be made in the formation
| of these divisions. The First division
will leave the country in a very shor
while. General Ernst's brigade, which
has been at Charleston for some days, il
ready to embark. and General Hains
brigade, consisting of the Third Illinois
| Fourth Pennsylvania and Fourth Ohio
approximating 1000 men, was ordered
today to proceed to Newport News fo
embarkation.
In addition there will also go to New
port News for embarkation four batter
les of artillery, consisting of 700 mel
and 1000 horses, hospital corps of 20
men and signal corps of 200 men.
While it has not been definitely set
tied, the probability is that the ThirC
brigade of the First division of the Firs
corps will be ordered to Newport New
| for shipment.