The Portland daily press., 1898-06-15

waiting and preparation the first army
of invasion to start from the eastern
shores of the United States departed
under the command of General Shafter
this morning at nine o'clock. The feet
of transports consisted of 35 vessels, four
tenders and fourteen conveys. These are
all now upon the Gulf of Mexico, headed
to the southwark until they pass Key
West at least. IT the destination be Cuba
until Cape Antonio. at the west of the
island, is doubled, when an easterly
course will be sailed until they reach the
vicinity Of Santiago. The actual en-
barkation of the troops began on Monday
June g. The work proceeded diligently
| until late Wednesday afternoon, when,
| after the departure of several vessels, an
important order came calling halt in
the proceedings. The Castine was dis
patched to overhaul and recall the disap-
pearing vessels. They all came back but
one, the City of Washington, which was
supposed to be aground down the bay. 1t
bad been subsequently learned, however,
that this vessel had outstripped the mes
senger until the coast of Cuba was
actually sighted. Neither the Washington
nor the Castine returned to Port Tampa
until Saturday.
The alleged cause of the delay was the
report that the Hornet while out scout
ing had sighted several Spanish vessels.
Like wet blanket came the order to
halt. Cheerfulness was Edisplaoed by keen
disappointment. Two questions were
on every lip: "Has Spain surrenderedY''
and "Has our fleet met with reverse
The former met with the readiest belief.
many believing the words in the order
indefinitely postponed meant peace,
The unloading of the Florida, which had
been run into by the Miami and seriously
damaged, last Wednesday, gave grounds
for the rumor that all the transports were
being unloaded. Newspaper men were
confidentally told on Friday night that
they had better 60 aboard. The following
day 1t was openly stated that the sailing
would occur on Sunday.
The rush of the previous Monday was
repeated. General Miles and his staff
went to Port Tampa Sunday morning at
$50 to deliver parting instructions.
During heavy rain squall on Sunday
night at eight O'Clock, while the trans.
ports were straining at their cables, the
little tug Captain Sam steamed from shin
to ship megaphoning the order "stand
ready to. sail at day break"
Above the roar of the storm wild cheers
were heard and bright flash of lightning
revealed the soldiers standing in the rain
waving their wet Eats and hurrahinr.
When morning broke the piers were lined
with transports and docks were crowded
with workers. Most of these were I'll led
with soldiers who were cheered until their
ears ached and who cheered in turn until
hOarse.
Horses and mules were kicking IN
clouds Of dust and the sun poured down
its hot rays upon the sweltering smass of
humanity.
Then Sunday passed, the transports at
the docks and those in mid-tream receiy
ing their quotas of men and the neces-
Saries to sustain them.
General Miles again went to the mort
Monday on an early train. The mad rush
had not abated, General Miles from his
OnI WopOhiA5 uuo oCcASS.
Shortly after nine O'Clock the tunnels of
the transports began to pour volumes of
smoke. The commanders gave their
orders to cut loose and the vessels backed
into the bay and anchored to await the
order to sail. All eyes were rivetted ON
the Seguranca, the flagship and when the
final signal came mighty cheer arose
from the lower row Of port holes to her
top hats were waved in wild delight
The anchor was quickly weighed and the
great vessel pointed her PROV down the
bay. In few minutes the City of Wash
ington, Rio Grande. Cherokee, Iroquis
and Whitney followed. As these boats
picked their way through the anchored
heet, men shouted and bands played.