The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-12-03
HISTORY OF THE WAR.
Cuban Invasion Was to Commence
Near Havana.


reports Of General Miles, and all other
generals who participated in active
operations. He then takes up the tele-
graphic and other correspondence re-
latng to the wat, and that matter oc-
cupies ROre than a fourth of the secre-
tary's whole report.
Tins part Of the official story begins
with tne statement that early in May
a movement upon Havana, was contem-
plated, aGd it was believed that the
city coeld be assaulted and captured
before the rainy season set in, but the
plan Was subsequently abandoned on
account OF the reported movement of
The erenlv fleet 1t was proposed to
sena another part of it to Key West
OF account OF the close proximity OF
the latter place to Mariel. Cuba. The
Secretary ppotes one OF the dispatches
at this point as follows.
Headquarters of the Army, Wash
lEgt1n, &ay 9.--The majcr general COM
handing directs that the following or
oegs be sept ny telegraph to General
Wade ct Tampa:
Direct Ma3os Shafter to move his
command. unasr protection of the navy,
aud seize and hn,d Mal.el, or most inn
pcrta-n- point Gu north coast Of Cuba
where tec1tpr.s IS ample to land and
oepl0y army FIi3ow up his command
with all th.4 fores sent 20 you. Troops
WI Ds Seni yoG a. rapidly as possible
from Chiekamaug2 and other points
J. Q. GILMORE.
Assistant Adjutant General"
This order was forwarded by Adiu-
taat General COrbiB to General Wade.
who was further instructed to have
troops fully eGuipped, with sixty days
rationS. to ba followed by four months
supplies A number of kilograms are
f..
experienced il getting water at Key
West fer the expedition.
At this point appears an order to
General Miles TO make an inspection of
the camps before the departure of the
Shafter expedition; there is nothing in
The correspondence TO show what ac-
ton was taken under it. The order
reads as follows:
War Department, Washington. May
26.-Maior General Nelson A. Miles,
commanding general, L. 5. A, Wash
5ton: You viii proceed to the fol-
ing points. to make a thorough in
4ction of the troops there in camp:
iickamauga, Ga; Tampa, Fla: Mo-
lie, Ala You viii be accompanied by
the officers of your personal staff. On
the completion Of this duty you viii
return to the city, and make report Of
the INSPECTION herein ordered.
"dsigned ~ r. 4. ALGER,
Secretary of War"
transports; the loading facilities at
Port Tampa were imperfect. The
railroad facilities were inadequate;
there was a failure to label cars, and
the pQstoffice was congested SO that
bills of lading We're delayed. Few of
the thirty-siX transports finally gath
cred there were fit for service, but
they were the best that could be had.
and while rbaN cd ut 000
passengers in capacity. even the 10000
persons transported was d larger num-
Der than should have been carried.
Fortunately they arrived without SER
ious accident, however
The first duty for which General
Snafter was selected. viz, to make a
nOissance in force about 5000
strong on the south side Of Cuba. Sec
rotary Alger says. was abandoned on
account of the movements Of the en-
emy's feet.
GENERAL NILES PLAN.
The next dispatch is one from ecu
era Mis- outlining the plan Of cam
palgn Il READS as follows
headquarters of the Army. Washing
ton. May - The Honorable. the Sec
Rotary of Wa.
SIR Referring To my letter Of yes
terday and 10 oDT consultation since. I
desire to submit the following:
AS we are now about 10 inaugurste
active military operations in conjunc-
ton with the navy 7 think il would be
advisable 10 load the transports al
Tampa with a strong force of infantry
and artillery. move them to Key West
and thence along the northern coast OF
Cuba. where they would have the full
protection Of Admiral Simpsons fleet
until they reach Admiral Schley's fleet
a.
abined effort of the army and navy
= cSsture the haTbor, garrison. and pos
sibiy the Spanish fleet at that point.
IF, before reaching Admiral Schley's
feet. It shall be found that he has al
ready accomplished. the above object
or that the Spanish fleet shall have es-
capped. I then urge the Importance of 9
combined attack of the army and navy
upon Puerto Rico
I'VE will be able to land a superior
force. and 1 believe that a combined
effort viii result in capturing the is
land with its garrison, providing it is
done before it can be reinforced from
Spain. The distance from Key West Il
Puerto Rico is LAC miles. and from
Cadiz, Spain, 20 Puerto Rico, it is about
4 900 miles. The possession Of Puerto
Rico would be Of very great advantage
to the military, as it would cripple tbs
forces Of Spain, giving US several thou.
sand prisoners. II could be well forti
fed, the harbor mined, and would b,
q most excellent port for our navy
which could be speedily relieved from
any responsibility in the charge Of tia
port. as we could leave a sufficient gar
rison to hold it against any force tina,
might be sent against 1t.
Then we should commence, in m!
Judgment, a movement toward the ives
by capturing the ports along the north
ern coast of Cuba. at the eastern end
supplying the insurgents with abund
ance Of arms and munitions OF war
and as speedily as possible land oui
cavalry and sufficient light artillery t,
enable them TO move from the harboi
Of Puerto de Nuevitas along the line Of
railroad 70 Puerto Principe. From tina
\ bese our cavalry and light artillery il
eGnjunction with the forces Of Lieuten
y ant General Garcia and General Co
I mez. should move west 10 near SAINT;
eClara. These movements, in my judg
ment can be accomplished during tn,
rainy season, through country com
psratively free from yellow fever. wei
stocked with cattle ind having gras
sufficient for our animals. While this
being accomplished. our volunteer al1.,
will be prepared to land in the vicinit,
of Mariel. HaiSna or Matanzas. Il
sufficient force upon the island Of Cuba
The advantage of this movement vii
be that the army and navy VIII act 4
concert and close union; that II doe