New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-02
LEADERS AT SANTIAGO.
BRAVE AND EXPERIENCED COMMAND
Frs OF THE AMERICAN FORCES.
IpY rgLEGR,p!. To THE TEIBrSE.l

among the highest officials In Washington all
day has been strung at the highest pitch. ana
to-ngh the intense anxiety to secure accurate
information from the Santiago battlefield Is un-
surpassed by anything that has ever been
known In the National capital. even in the criti-
cal periods OF the Civil War. Upon the decisive
ness and rapldlty OF the victory and It's cost In
/ American lives is thought &c depend more OF
/ the future conduct Of the war than has hitherto
! been fully realized. and the official compacency
/ which followed the splendid unreslsted landing
| Of the Army corps at Iaqulri followed 80
! quickly by the gallantry displayed by the
Rough Riders. has given way to consideration
I OF the extreme gravity inseparahle from
hand-to-hand conflict between the contendlng
forces represented by the flower of the Amer-
can Army, assaulting entrenched and ex-
pcrienced enemy. It's superior In numbers. and
constituting the strongest and best equipped
army IN the service OF Spain
The compre hensiveness OF General Skaters
plan Of attack. minimizing the possibility OF
the Spanish Armys escape without uncondi-
tional surrender or annihiation. and the eiabo-
rate preparations for defence completed by the
enemy upon n location Of hs own careful selec-
tor give every promise Of hard-fought and
sanguinary conflict that may bring sad news
to many Of the loved ones Of those at the front.
although tho achievement promises to be one OF
the most glorious in the Natlor's history
The men upon whom rests the chief RESPONSE
bility for the attainment Of the greatest success
OF American arms with the least sacrifice are
among the most gallant to-day in the military
service Of the United States and the utmost re-
lance is placed by every official. from the Pres-
dent and his Cabinet through the various grades
OF the Army. On the brilliant galaxy of general
officers selected by General Miles and General
Shaftcr FOR the command Of The various divisions
and brigades engaged In the assault Upon the
discretion and bravery OF these officers the com
pleteness ard the cost Of the campaign conced-
eddy depend and to them. in all probability. will
be awarded most OF the honor
II IS remarkable that among the general ofn-
GERS OF the Fifth Corps only four are West
Pointers. and that the first OF these who has
already DISTINGUISHED himself by his arduous
labors Of the last week won his greatest dstnc.
ton in the Con moderate service The other six
generals in to-Gay's battle rose through all com.
mlssioned grades either from the volunteer ser.
vice or In the Regular Army. and at leas, three
~ them came from the ranks.
GENERAL! WILLIAM r. SKATER.
The general commanding Major Genera; VIII
lam Il. Shafter. born in Michigan sixty
three years ago and was Grs' lieutenant Of The
1th Michigan Infantry when mustered into ser
vice In 1861. H. rose to major In the 10Th Mich
igan year later and the following year became
Lieutenant colonel In 1864 he commissioned
colonel II the 9TH United States coored troops.
and commanded them until the close OF the
war wher ~ entered the regular service as a
lieutenant colonel reaching the ranl. " brig
adler general about n wear ago When wa was
declared he commanded the Department OF Cal
iforria. bat. volunteering FOR service in Cuba.
he promoted TO major general and eventu-
ally selected 80 command the first invading
expedition.
GENERA, JOSEPH WHEELER
Major-Geacra. Joseph Wheeler second In COM
nard is A native Cia0r g;an and General Shat
ter's Junior ~ bfy, alys,r He was graduated
from West Poin, IN tS,.. and "a Lieutenant OF
cavalry served two years in New-Mexco. re-
signing in April. 1851 to join the Confederate
Army where he attained the rank OF major
general. after becoming enc Of the best known
cavalry leaders on, e,het side. He received the
thanks ~ the Confederate Congress for his
cesstul military operations in South Carolina.
ard became tho senior cavalry general 81 tho
Confederacy. He was subsequently, A lawyer
ard planter until he entcre,! Congress IN 1852.
and since his appointment two months ago as
major general OF volunteers h has been in COM
mnnd Of the cavalry division ~ Skaters corps.
GENERAL. n w LAYTON
Rrigadicr- General II. W. Lnwton. who has
been selected by General Shatte- to command
the Second Division. holding the extreme right
and charged with the great responsibility OF
opening to-day's battle and ntercepting expect
ed Spanish re.ntorcemcnts from the north and
west is fighter ~ experience and ability. He
wa. born I'm Ohio. March = lSi3. entered the
service ms sergeant OF the 9th Indiana in April.
1861. and was mustered out In lNbJ as lieuter-
ant colonel OF his regiment. He entered the
Regulars as second lieutenant In 1866. and rem
dcred valuable services IN the campaign against
the Indians in Texas and Arizona. In fASS he
went into the STAFF department rs inspector
general rising TO the rank II lieutenant colonel
nine years ago. and ~ the beginning 81 the
presen, war he was duty in California. but.
Volunteering for active service. he VAS appoint
ed brgadicr-eencral Of volunteers. and assigned
to Skaters corps at the latters request
GENERAL JOHN G. BATES
General John C. Bates. who commands the
Second brigade under General I.awton. was
born In Missouri in 1912 and entered the service
as first Lieutenant of the llth Regular Infantry
IN lSt;l rising 10 captain at the erd OF the
war and by degrees to the rank OF colonel, COM
manding the "a Infantry six years ago. When
the war began he became brigadier general OF
volunteers
GENERAL HAMILTON $. HAWKINS
General Hamilton s Hawkes. is n Scdth Caro-
Imam and is tho Oldest genera officer on duty
IN Cuba reaching the retiring age OF sixty-four
wears next November. He graduated at
West Point in ls.JJ and rose through ali grades
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