The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-15

TAMPA, June H--After weeks of wait
ing and preparation. the first army OF IL
vasaen to start from the eastern shores
of the United States departed under the
command of Gen. Shafter this morning at
o clock The fleet OF transports consist
ed OF tnir,y-fiye yessse,s, four tenders and
fourteen conveys.
These are all now on the Gulf of Mexico,
headed southwark. until they pass Key
West at least. II the destination is CuDa
they will continue their present course un-
III Cape Antoine. at the west end OF the
island. is doubled, when an easterly course
will be sailed. untii they reach the vicinity
OF Santiago.
A already stated in these dispatches the
actual eml5arkation Of the troops began on
Monday. June G. The work proceeded dill
gently until late on Wednesday afternoon
when after the departure of severa, ves-
sells. an important order came calling
halt in the proceedings. The Castine was
dispatched at once TO overhaul the dLsap-
peariug vessels ard recall them. They all
came back bat one. the City OF Washing
ton. which was reported TO be aground
down the bay. II had been subsequently
learned. however. that this vessel had out
stripped the messenger until the coa.s, OF
Cuba was really sighted. Neither the
Washington nor the Castire returned to
Port Tampa until Saturday
Entire Army Disappointed.
The alleged cause Of the de.ay was the
report that the Hornet. while out scouting
had sighted several Spanish warships Like
wet blanket came the order 10 ha.;
Cheerfulness was displaced BY keen di--s
pointment. Two questions were on every
tongie: ''Hss Spain sarrendered?' HAS
our fleet met with a reverse?' The former
was the readiest belief. many believing
the words In the order: Indefinitely post
poned," meant peace.
The unloading OF the Florida. which had
been run into by the Miami and seriously
damaged last "Wednesday. gave grounds
fer the rumor that all the transports were
being unloaded. Newspaper men were con-
hdentiai,y told en- Friday night that they
had better go on board. The following
day II was openly stated that the sailing
would occur on Sunday at noon.
The rush Of the previous Monday was re-
reased. Gen. Miles and his STAFF went 20
Port Tampa Sunday morning at ga 70 de-
liver parting Instructions During a heavy
rain s4nai on Saturday night. whiie the
tranaTo orts were straining at their cables
the l'tle tug Capt. sam. steamed from
ship to ship. megaphoning the order:
stand ready to sail a daylight
Soldiers Cheer Unui iionrse.
Allows the roar cf the storm. wild cheers
were heard ana bright fiash of Iightnlar
revealed the soldiers standing In rh.s rain
waving their wet hats and hrrra hin,
When the morning broke PIERS were unei
with Transports. the Jocks were crowded
wiki 1sox cavs, fat cars, stock cars. bag
gage and express cars. Most Of the~e
were crowded with soldiers. who were
cheered until their ears acbed. and who
chsersd in return uniE hoarse.
Bright co!ored dresses ard fragile para-
SOS in the crowds of biuecoats indicated
the presence e The far sex.
Horses ags3 mules were kicking u,
clouds of dust, ard the sun poured down
n hot rays swes,er.ng tire mass Of human
ity. Thus Sunday passed. TIE tr1rspor:s
az the docks and those In rnid-Strear, re-
ceiyiaS their quotas q men aad The
neceszaries % sustain them.
Gen. Miles again we8t TO the ror. on
Moaday on she early train. The stirring
sccnes continued. the mZd rush had not
aNNsted, Ger. Miles. from the Observation,
end Of his car watched the crowd as ,.
passed near him. T,e transports sw.rx-
ing q; their moor!ngs were PLAINLY IN
vsew. were also many Of those AZ re
docks. indicating that the eTnbarka,I3n az
aniula-s was progressing satisfactorily.
Awaiting the order TO sail
shortly after 5 o'clock the tunnels cf he
transports began pouring sofeh columns
of black smoke TIE Margaxet. o;ivet.e
and Mateo and Laura were ysstlns the
feet. giving water 10 one. troops n an
o;hs~, animals and equipments 20 another.
Along the per could be heard the vosces
- tae transport commanders. "a they gave
orders % cui ioose. The gangp.anks were
psalgezi IN. she ha;chwayS closed. tines cas-,
or ard tire eng-nss we're sas in motion
r-ae vessels backed iato ;he bay ana al