Virginia gazette. [volume] (Williamsburg, Va.) 1893-192?, 1898-07-23

Warrington special says The details OF
tie Porto Rico expedition are fast assuming
shape Thirty thousand men will be sent TO
invade the island. The latest Information
In the possession OF the War Department
shows that the entire spanish military force
TO be conquered NUN bers l9. 900. While the
invasion OF the island will be successfully
ACCOMPLISHED. the difficulties which have at
tended the campaign az Santiago nave
taught the military officials lesson. ana
they propose 70 undertake their new task
with adequate equipment
Gen. Brooke. a man ~ fine physique and
with curly gray hair. which he parts IN tne
middle Is 20 command the invading army
lie and the President aud Secretary AlSer
are planning the details OF the expedition.
Maps % Porto Rico are being examined wiiu
great care. aud all the data which has been
collected by the Bureau % Military lntorma-
ton is cRrfullv discussed The plan OF cam
paiSn will closely follow the programme
adopted AZ Santiago. The army Will be
landed AZ a point near san Juan, which Il
the capital OF ;he island. While this site has
not been definitely selected. u Is likely 70 he
a small town named Arecioo. which - on
the north coast % Porto Rico. and about 30
miles west OF san Juan. a railroad which
connects the two cities will be seized Tor
transportion purposes. Another available
landing place h presented on the south side
. % the Island directly opposite Porto RICO.
but Arecibo Will probably De selected. mere
IS no good harbor 20 the east ~ san Juan
This j. regarded a. unfortunate. as by land
inS on the east the army could march IL
rectiy upon the city from the rear. san
Juan Re situated upon long peninsula
formed by deep bay. which runs from east
90 west. and with lis opening on the west II
prosches the city from the west. 20 make a
long detour around this bay.
The conference saturday was mainly Tor
the purpose OF deciding .he point az which
the troops should embark. Gen. Wilson.
who has been making study 81 this natter.
has reported IA favor % Newport News a.
afIorting Il harbor with depth Of water
sufficient 20 accommodate any % the large
ocean liners which have been purch ased and
also because it has splendid railroad faciIi-
ties. AL the troops fro n Camp A.gcr 20 DO
assigned % the expedition. including the
nrst Rhode Island which is now under or
ders % depart will be shipped from Newport
News and IL j. also likely thai many OF the
regiments from OhickGmauga will also be
brought north % THAI port. Charleston pre-
SCENTS nearer point of emharkation, but
tleir is a Tar across the mouth % the har-
Dor
There s. no lack 90 regiments available Tor
immediate use. The troops AZ Camp AlgeE
are practically aii equipped and at Camp
Thomas. Chlckamauga. according % Gen
Br0oke's report. there are fully 10000 mer
b. completely prepared. Gen. Ernsts brigade
which left ChlckAuauga some time ago. l.
81 still on board the transports az Charleston
To- and wiz lie made part 81 the invading
force a. IL Is said ihe return Of the men q
the camp would produce decentralization II
r the ranks. so anXiously aye they TO set 9
the front. Al Tampa their are eleven regi
% rneuts 20 volunteers. four regiments % regu
lars. three regiments 90 cavalry. and elgh
II batteries o.: artillery. Gen. Lee, who will Il
al probability accompany the expedition
"a has large army az Jacksonville. Il fac
d, the trouble Will be 10 choose the regiment
- for service. There are SO many IN CON
ia plete state % equipment. and the pressur
Tor u-sisamen; u active duty IS 20 great ths
"a, the war officials have 70 exercise some IA,
% in she selection.
10 The seizure % Porto Rico will not De a.
Pr c0mplished within month. The destru
d tion % the coast defenses Will be more dii
cult than az Santiago because the fortilc.
a lions al san Juan are thoroughly modes
y and are equipped with nne large guns
IN the lates, pattern. They are also so sltua
a ed AZ - resist assault from the sea wit
se comparative ease. az Admiral Sampson "
a made aware when be attempted . destrC
them The city Itself Is also naturally i
he Tended Being located GA peninsu
" which l. surrounded by water on three sid
he Il must bc approached over a narrow ne
st. az land on which there has been constru'
,e Cd "a terrace OF forts. There Is sure 20
- . considerable lighting and OF a serious cha
.ae acter before the American nag Hoats o'
uu san Juan.