The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-27
GEN. GARClA'S SITUATION
HIS HEADQUARTERS ARE LO-
GATED AT BAYANIO.
TROOPS WELL FED AND IN GOOD SPIRITS
Garcia has About 5000 Men Under his lmme
date Command and About g. 600 Scatter
ed at Various Points The Officers
Make Good Impressions.


Washington, u. c., May 26. Secrc-
tary Alger and General Miles conferred
today with two officers from the staff OF
General Garcia, General Enrique Col
lazo and Lieutenant Colonel Charles
Hernandez,who come direct from Garcia
headquarters, bearing credentials from
him to effect a plan of cooperation with
the American forces. They accompa-
MED Lieutenant Rowan, of the United
States army, on his return from Garcia S
camp and shared with him the dangers
of two days voyage in an open boat
from the north coast of Cuba until pick
cd up by a small sloop which carried
them to Nassau. They reported first t.
the Cuban delegation here, and Secretary
Quesada was careful to keep their pres
ence secret until General Miles had made
the fact known This relieved them from
further secrecy, and today General Col
laZo and Colonel Hernandez gave an in
teresting account of General Garcia S;
forces and surroundings and the general
equipment of the Cuban army. Colonel
Hernandez says Garcia has his head
quarters at Bayamo, one of the large
towns in the central part of the island.
1t was surrendered by the Spanish forces
few weeks ago, after Garcia and his
troops had maintained large siege
Tents are not used but in their place
the men hastily construct coverings made
of palm leaves and guinea-grass, which
are more effective than canvas as a shell
ter against the hot sun. In all about
5000 men are thus quartered. They are
we'll armed with Remingtons and Maus-
ers captured from the Spaniards. Most
of them have machetes, but only the
officers carry other small arms. The
cavalry have small horses much like the
Indian mustangs. hardy and reliable.
Mules are used for pack purposes. Col
onel Hernandez says that the commits
sary and quartermaster's department is
unknown in the sense used by the army
of this country. The men of those com
panies not fully armed are organized as
predios. The duty of the ''predios" is
TO bring meat ample supplies being Sc
cured from Puerto Principe. and vege-
tables which are grown quickly in the
woods. The system works perfectly,
Colonel Hernandez says. and the troops
are kept well fed and in good spirits.
the regularity of daily drill usual in The
oniteu tates army. The main occupa-
ton is in making large daily marches to
keep the men hardened. The Cuban
general says the arrival of Lieutenant
Rowan aroused the greatest enthusiasm
throughout the Cuban camp. There was
no notice of his coming; the first seen Of
Lieutenant Rowan was as he galloped M
Commercial street, followed by the Gu
ban guides who accompanied him from
Florida. He was warmly greeted 10y
General Garcia. and the two held a
three hours conference. 1t was decided
that Lieutenant Rowan should return
that afternoon, and that General Garcia
should assign Gen. Collazo and Colonel
Hernandez with three guides to accom-
pany him. He had come from the soutl
shore, but thep arty went out northward
They had expected to secure large
sail boat but the best thing available was
an open yawl or life boat with a cubic
capacity Of only 104 feet. Sails were
improvised of the tents carried by the
officers. The first night was stormy
and the small craft could hardly be kept
ail0at, bunt after that the weather was
calm. A little way out they saw twelve
American warships. The next day they
were picked up by sloop of Bahia Key
and carried to Nassau. coming thence t.
Washington. Col. Hernandez says
Communication was made with Come
and with points along the coast From
these he has a general idea of the Cuban
forces outside of those with Genera
Garcia at Bayamo" He estimates thai
there are 1000 men, all of them wei
armed. east Of La Trocha and consttut
ing the forces in the eastern division o
the island under Gen. Garcia. These
include the 5000 at Bayamo, the Others
being scattered at various points. Ht
estimates General Gomez's immediate
command at about 5000 with 5000 scat
tered at various points. 1t is under
stood that the purpose of the presen
visit of Garcia's men is to give the gen
eral assurance to the authorities of III
desire to give every possible co-operatlol
in the American movements. Slmlla
assurances have come from Gen. Come
and have been presented by Secretar
Quesada. The Cuban officers have mad
good impression here, and the authori
ties were agreeaby surprised to fin
them men of ability and soldierly bear
ing. speaking English we'll They vii
remain some days longer and then re
turn to General Garcia's camp.