The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-07-13

MAI. GEN. OTIS AND STAFF WILL
LEAVE AT ONCE
Brig. Gen. Otis Will Be in Command Of
the Next Expedition to Manila
Until Honolulu Is Reached

SAN FRANCISCO, July 12.-Plans are
| nearly completed for thedeparture of the
next two expeditions for the Philippines.
A slight change In the assignment Of Sig
nal corps men has been made, and instead
of the full company, only detachment of
eight of the corps will go on the expedition
now ordered to sail on Friday. General
Otis and his stan are ready for departure.
The fleet OF transports to follow is expected
to get away in less than ten days, and
some officers fix the date as early as next
Monday. The troops for these three ves-
sells will be not designated for two or three
days.
General Otis issued an order tolay placing
Brigadier General M. p Miller in COM
mand of all troops left at Camp Merritt
and the Preside, including the expedi-
tionary forces. He will be under Mapor
General Merriam, who was recently in
structed by the war department to take
control of all forces after General Otis
departure. After tomorrow the troops re-
naming at Camp Merritt will be re-brig-
AIDED, and it is probable that Brigadier
General King will remain to go with the
last expedition. 1t is thought that Brig
adler General Otis will be in command of
the fleet, comprising the st. Paul, Pennsyl-
vania and Rio de Janeiro. These will over
take the Peru and City of Puebla at Homo
lulu, and after annexation ceremonies the
five ships will proceed to Manila with Gen.
eral E. S. Otis in charge.
The troops will embark upon the City
of Puebla tomorrow. and the orders are for
her to pull into the stream tomorrow morn
ing. Government stores are being rapidly
put aboard and the Puebla is entirely ready
10. the eception of the soldiers. The same
orders have been received at the Pacific
Mail dock for the Peru. The troops are to
go aboard tomorrow, and the vessel will
pull into the stream at night, making an
early start Thursday morning. The stores
the Peru is now receiving consist chiefly
of summer uniforms for the men. The Red
Cross has sent down several tons of stuff
for the soldiers, and all of this freight
will be on board by tonight
A large force of men is working on the
Pennsylvania.
The Rio de Janeiro is coaling.
The sailing ship Tacoma will be ready in
a few days to take on board $50 horses and
mules.
The Walla Walla, which arrived last
night from northern ports. is said to have
been taken by the government. She be-
gan discharging early this morning and
ought to be finished by tomorrow.
SAN FRANCISCO, July 12.-Major Gen
eral Otis has practically finished his plans
for the second half of the fourth expedition.
The three vessels comprising 1t will sail
from this port on the 25th inst. The bulk
of the third brigade has been selected to &C.
Colonel Berry, commanding the Seventh
California, and Colonel Kessler, command
ing the First Montana, have been notified
by Major General Otis that they will sail
on that date. The rest OF the expedition
will be made up of either the South Dakota
or Fifty-first Iowa troops. with the South
Dakotas given the preference Brigadier
General Otis, now commanding, will be in
charge, unless at the last minute he is or
dered to accompany Major General Otis on
Friday.