The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-08

Snyder's division Of the Fourth corps
as reinforcements for General Shafter.
MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
Assistant Secretary Meiklejouhh
said today that eleven transports were
available to carry Snyder's troops,
and while without any official infor-
nation on the subject, he assumed
that probably 5000 Of them were now
on their way in these transports to
join those in Santiago province. The
other troops TO be sent to the aid Of
General Shafter. according to the un-
Outstanding here, will be the remain
ing portion Of General Snyder's divi-
sion and such other regiments now at
Tampa best equipped and ready for
active work General Brooke. COM
manding at Chickamauga, has already
received Instructions TO have fifteen
regiments prepared for immediate
movement. General Snyder's division.
which was under orders for Santa
go, included the following regiments:
Eleventh and Nineteenth infantry OF
the regular army, First District of
Columbia, Second New York. Fifth
Maryland, Third Pennsylvania, One
Hundred and Fifty-seventh Indiana
and First Ohio.
General Garretson's brigade now at
Camp Alger is under orders also for
Santiago. Garretson's brigade is COM
posed Of the Sixth Illinois, Sixth Mes
sachusetts and the Eighth Ohio volun-
teer regiments. The army officials
feeling that they have p~roited by the
experiences in preparing the first *
petition, say better time Will be maze
with those to follow.
The Mohawk and Mississippi, two
vessels of the American Transport
line, just acquired by the overrment,
have facilities for o 1,S00 men
and animals and probably will be util-
lied in sending aid to Shafter. They
are now at New York under orders for
Tampa.
TO BE EMBARKED AT SAVANNAH
Savannah, Ga, July 3.-The rail-
roads here have been ordered to ar
range for the transportation at once
of 5000 troops from Tampa to Savan-
nah. They will be brought here for
the purpose of embarking them on the
Atlantic transports to go as reinforce
mentS to General Shafter. The trans
ports have already left New York, 1t
is reported, and the men Will he
brought here by the time they arrive.
Just what regiments his includes
is not definitely known.
GLORIOUS NEWS.
Washington, July 4.-Glorious news
from Cuba affords the American peo-
pie just reason for an enthusiastic
celebration of this, the nations natal
day.
the work which he was directed to
perform when he left Key West for
the southern coast of Cuba. He was
ordered to find and destroy Cerveras
fleet. Several weeks ago Commodore
Schley located the fleet in the bay of
Santiago. Yesterday, after being bot
tied helpless in the harbor for weeks,
the fleet was destroyed. Nothing now
remains of the Spanish squadron but
shattered and burning hulks.
SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO DE-
MANDED.
In addition to the splendid work ac-
cOmplished by Admiral Sampson, Gen
eral Shafter, in command Of the land
forces, before Santiago, had so far pro-
| crossed in the carrying out of his
! plans for the reduction Of the city hat
at 1920 yesterday morning he de-
handed the immediate surrender Of
the Spanish forces. At 4:30 yesterday
afternoon General Skaters demand
had not been complied with, so far as
the war officials were able to ascertain.
That the demand will be complied
with, however, General Shafter fully
believes, and that the stars and stripes
will, on this fourth Of July, be raised
| over the former capital of Cuba, is re-
| garded as practically certain.
/ Shortly after II o'clock this morn
ing Assistance Secretary of the Navy
Allen left the White house hastily and
| going directly to the department post
ed the following upon the bulletin
board:
The following statement was tonight
| given out at the White house:
| Playa del Este, July 3.-Early this
! morning I sent a demand for the inn
mediate surrender of Santiago, threat
ening to lombard the city. 1 believe
the place will be surrendered.
| This co~ntradicts the report hat Gen
eraI Shafter has fallen sick.
The following dispatch was received
at the war department.:
Playa del Este, July 3.-SibOney Of
flee confirm statement that all the
| Spanish fleet except one Warship de-
stroyed and burning or the beach. 1t
was witnessed by Captain Smith who
told operator no doubt of its correct
ness. ALLEN,
Signal officer.
The information contained in the
| above statement was received early in
| the evening, but it was not announced
officially until seven hours later. As
a result Of its receipt, however, a ON
| ference of prominent officials was held
at the White house Immediately. Those
| present at the conference besides the
| president were: Vive President Ho-
bart, Secretary Day, Secretary Long,
Secretary Alger, Postmaster General
| Smith, General Miles, Adjutant Gener-
al Corbin, General Guy V. Henry and
Senator Hanna. The information was
discussed in all it's phases. The news
sent by both General Shafter and
Lieutenant Colonel Allen was received
with intense satisfaction. 1t was
taken to indicate not only that Ad-
rliral Sampson had accomplished mag
| n~ificently the task to which he had
been set, but it also clearly proved that
General Shafter was in a much strong
| er position than the war officials had
been led to believe he held. One of the
| officials who attended the conference
| said, after the news mad been officially
l announced that if very materially