The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-06-13
TRANSPORTS SAIL AWAY
Troops Again Reported En- Route
For Santiago,
SEVENTEEN THOUSAND FIGHTERS

On Board the TroopshirS, which Arc
Conveyed bv seventeen warships.
Among the Invaders Are Roosevelt's
Rough Bidcrs-To Porto Rico Next.
Washington, June 13.-Under COM
mand of Major General Shafter the
first division of the United States army
sailed last night from Key West for
Santigo de Cuba to besiege and cap
ture the town. The army transports,
30 in number, are conveyed by II war
ships and there is no longer reason for
apprehension that the transports can
be attacked successfully by any Span
ish warships, even if such should have
escaped the vigilant search of the
naval commanders at Key West and off
Havana. 1t Is believed here that the
sally out of Havana of three Spanish
gunboats was intended TO create the
impression that they were prepared to
go out to attack the transports
If so the plan mlscarred, for the
craft were detected Immediately by
Commodore Watsons cruisers and
driven back pell nell into Havana har-
bor under the protection of the guns
of the shore batteries. Even If these
boats had escaped they could have done
no damage, for the size of the convoy
furnished for the troop ships Is suf-
ficient to warrant the belief that they
would have been speedily destroyed
shoufa they have had the courage TO
make an attack upon the fleet Of
American ships. The Spanish gunboats
are not of formidable character, not
one of them being the equal in power
nc ha a1 of 70 A 10
ers, or even Of plch gunboats as the
little Bancroft.
The transports will be kept as closely
together as safe navigation will permit,
and the warshlps will be disposed
ahead. astern and on either flank. The
fleet scouting vessels will be thrown
far out in advance of the transports,
and in order to ensure against an at
tack from the rear some of these Ves-
sells will linger far astern, ready to
signal the heavily armed cruisers at the
first sign of an approaching foe. The
stately battleship Indiana leads the
procession of ships. which is the most
numerous gathered in American waters
since the civil war.
The troops should arrive off Santi-
ago by Wednesday night supposing
the fleet proceeds at eight knots speed,
and landing $~erations should begin
by Thursday for General Shafter will
not keep his men cooped up on ship
board a moment longer than necessary.
1t is not believed that they viii be
! landed at Camanera, the point on
Guantanoma bay where the American
| flag now flies over the heads of Samp-
sons marines, as that place, while well
| adapted to serve as a naval base and
as a harbor of refuge for the American
warships is not particularly well suit
| ed for the beginning of military opera
tions.
The expedition Is made up of nearly
| 20 regiments of regular infantry, OF
from 500 to $50 men each. The total
force of regular infantry is 11,0O0 men.
! There are also two regiments of vol
unteer infantry, about 10000 all told,
| the Second regiment of cavalry from
! Mobile. 500 men, and two squadrons
each from the First, Third, Sixth
Ninth and Tenth cavalry about 2,00C
men; eight troops Of volunteer cavalry
taken from Roosevelt's rough riders
$50 men; four batteries of light artil-
lery, 300 men and 16 guns; two batteries
of heavy artillery 200 men and 16 guns
the battalion Of engineers, 200 men
signal corps, etc, about 800 men, {
grand total Of about II 900 men.
In ten days time, unless unforseer
obstacles are encountered, the move
ment upon Porto Rico will begin. The
navy department has been advised OF
the purpose of the army, and the wal
board yesterday was making arrange
ments for the supply of the convoyinf
fleet. This will be of a more formid-
able character than that which goes
with the Santiago expedition, for the
plans contemplate a joint attack upor
the San Juan fortifications by the army
and navy, and the Notifications are SC
powerful that heavily armored ship!
only can be sent against them at tla
beginning. Therefore 1t is believed tina
Simpsons battleships win head thi.
neet.