Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-06-18

.'1nere nave been many very splendid
pets of heroism, even in the brief time
the troops have been employed, con-
tinued General Miles. Lieutenant
Rowan, now lieutenant colonel, and
Lieutenant Wilcox, now captain, in
making their journey to Eastern Cuba
and to Porto Rico gave splendid Illus
trations of the courage, fortitude and
resources of the American soldier
Three expeditions which carried arms
to the Cubans have developed the finest
kind of courage. Captain Connell and
Lieutenant Crawford, who participated
in these expeditions, were with the
Cubans during a sharp engagement
with the enemy. Captain Dorst's re-
versal expeditions have been of great
service to the government, his last one
in particular bringing important results.
'"rhe special importance of this trip,
however, was in opening up direct
communication between General Gar
cia and myself. Two of Garcia's staff
officers had returned from Cuba with
Rowan and came to Washington to see
me. One of these l sent to Banes, with
the supply of arms, with instructions
TO General Garcia, saying | wanted
him to move all his forces to Santiago
de Cuba. He had by that tiEle been
fully equipped by Captain Dorst. The
message to General Garcia was sent
June 2, it reached him June 6. He had
about 5000 armed Cubans before he re-
ceived the munitions Of war by Captain
Dorst. The supplies sent him will en-
able Garcia to adequately equip over
1c 900 Cubans."
General Miles was asked for the COM
munications between him and Garcia,
and, glancing them over, he gave their
general purport.
sIn my communication TO him |
asked him to move as large a force as
possible to the vicinity of the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba, and to cooperate
with our army and navy on their ar
rival, which l hoped would be within a
few days. He was to drive in and har-
ass any Spanish troops near Santiago de
Cuba, threatening and attacking them
them at all points and preventing any
reinforcements from reaching that
point. Pending the arrival 0f our
troops, he was to seize any position east
or west of Santiago de Cuba, or both,
which could be used to advantage by
our artillery.
He replied that he would regard my
wishes and suggestions as orders, aud
would Immediately adopt measures to
concentrate his forces as indicated.
"All his subordinates are ordered to
assist in the Decentralization of the
United States troops, and to place them
selves under orders. General Garcia
said he believed it possible for the artil-
lery positions to be taken as | had sug
Il To a+. 10
vent aid and reinforcements going to
course is shown by the reports of the
last few days, for I see that General
Rabi and his men have taken strong
position just west of Santiago de Cuba.
While there were unavoidable delays at
Tampa, very annoying to myself and
others, l at least had the consolation of
knowing that every day enabled the
Cubans to make their march across the
country and get positions which would
be of the greatest value to our troops
when they landed.
General Miles does not apprehend
any long or serious delay in disembark-
ing the troops on Cuban soil. The
transports have large number of small
boats to assist in this work. The en-
gineer's corps, has large barges and a
pontoon train, by which they can put
together floating pier, SO that unless
there is very rough sea, or the men
are compelled to disembark in the surf,
which is not anticipated, the disem-
barkation is expected to proceed rapidly.
When General Miles was asked if he
expected an early fight, he answered
laconically:
'"That's what they've gone for"