Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-28
THE CUBAN ARMIES.
ASSURANCE OF co OPERATION
FROM GENERAL GARCIA.
TROOPS ARE IN GOOD SPIRITS.
communication Between Garcia and
Gomez Maintained--fn All, There
Are 10000 10 $4,000 Cuban In
snrgcnts i'm the Field.

WASHINGTON, May T.-Secretary Al
scr and General Miles conferred yesterday
with two officers from the stan OF Gem
oral Garcia. General Enrique COLLAGE. and
lieutenant colonel Charles Hernandez.
Who came direct from Garcia's head
CHARTERS. bearing credentials from him,
10 ciYect a plan OF cooperation with the
American forces. They accompanied Lieu
tenant Rowan. Of the United States
army. on his return from Garcia's camp.
and shared with him the dangers OF the
Two DAYS voyage in an open boat from
thc north coast OF Cuba, until picked up
ry a small sloop, which carried them 10
Nassau. They reported first TO the Cuban
6slegauon here. and Secretary ouesada
was careful 10 keep their presence secret
until General Miles had made the fact
known This relieved them from further
secrecy and to-day General COLLAGE and
colonel Hernandez gave an interesting ac-
count Of General Garcia's forces and sur
rouudings. and the General equipment of
the cuban army.
colonel hernandez says Garcia has his
ha.a1uarters at Rayamo. one OF the large
towns in the central part of the island.
ID was surrendered by the Spanish forces
q few weeks ago. after Garcia and his
troops had maintained a long siege In
all about 500 men are CHARTERED there,
They are we'll armed with Remingtons
and Mauscrs captured from the Span
i-5s Most OF them have machetes. but
only tre officers carry other small arms.
The cavalry have small horses. much !
like tte Indian mustangs. hardy and re- !
liable. Mules are used for pack purposes. /
no CoMNnSsARY.
colonel Hernandez SAYS that the com /
w.sSary and quartermarter's department
is unknown in the sense used by the army |
of the United States. The companies not
fully armed are organized as "predios."
The duty OF the 'predios' is to bring
meat ample supplies being secured from
Puerto Principe. and vegetables. which
are grown in the woods. The system
works perfectly, Colonel Hernandez saws
-rd the troops are kept well fed and i'm
good spirits There are no dress parades
md none Of the regularity of daily drill.
usual in the United States army. The
men make long daily marches.
The Cuban General says the arrival OF
..eutenant Rowan aroused the greatest
nthusiasm throughout the Cuban camp.
there was no notice of his coming. and
De first seen of Lieutenant Rowan was
Isl De salloped up Commercial street fol-
owed by the Cuban guides who had ac-
Cmpanied him from Florida He was
warmly greeted by General Garcia, and
he two held a three hours conference.
2 was decided that Lieutenant Rowan
hould return that afternoon, and Gene
%. Garcia assigned General Collazo and
1.onel Hernandez. with three guides 10
company him. He had come from the
.uth shore. but the party went out
0-thward. They expected to secure a
r-e sailboat. but the best thing avail ,
bic was an open yawl with a cubic capa-
ry Of only 80 feet. Sails were impro-
sed by the officers. The first night out
as stormy, and the small craft was {
rely kept afloat, but after that the }
Gather improved. The first morning out {
e party saw twelve American warships 7
Admiral Simpsons fleet. but they made d
b attempt 10 board the ships. The next v
v they were picked up by a sloop off '
hama Kay, and carried to Nassau,
ming thence TO Washington. C
COMMUNICATION WITH GOMEZ. T
colonel Hernandez says communication
maintained with General Gomez and
tn points along the coast From these
has a general idea OF the Cuban r
rces outside Of those with General Gar I
! at Bayamo. He estimates that there
e 12,0O0 men. all OF them well armed, G
st Of the trocha, and constituting the r
roe in the eastern division Of the Island Z
der General Garcia. These include the a
% at Bayamo, the others being scat p
ed at various points. He estimates +
neral Gomez's immediate command at c
put 5000 men. with 5000 scattered at n
-ious points. In all, there are, accord
10 the estimates of General Collazo V
I Colonel Hernandez about 5000 10 |
10 troops actually in the field. II
. is understood that the purpose OF the g
sent visit Of Garcia's officers is to give u
t Generals assurance TO the authori-
! here Of his desire to give every pos
e cooperation TO the American move
lts. Similar assurances have come
m General Gomez. and have been pre- pl
ted by Secretary Quesada. The Gu 81
officers have made a good impression by
e. and the authorities were agreeably al
prised to find them men OF ability and W
ierly bearing. speaking English well. ca
- viii remain some days longer, ana DC
n raf1frn IN C.auaroI Carofato M