The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-06-24

The general continues to wear ms
citizens dress, while all the officers
about him are in fatigue uniforms, and
save for the pith helmet such as is
worn in the East Indian service. he
shows no evidence of coming from the
field.
He conferred with Secretary Aiger
for half an hour before the cabinet
meeting, and then had long talk with
Gen. Luddington. quartermaster-gen-
eral... on the condition of quartermas-
ters' supplies. lie came in response to
a telegraphic summons from the secre-
tary of war, who desires to go over GER
tain phases of the campaign with him.
Speaking in a general way of his
observations, Gen. Miles said: Having
spent some time with the troops, dur
ing a trying period of hurried prepare
lions, / am free to say that they are
splendid body of men, of whom the
country may well be proud. As to the
regulars, they are the finest corps
in the world. without any excep-
ton, in physical Development, effi-
cheney. experience, discipline, marks
manship. equipment and all that goes to
make up first-class soldiers OF course
Che volunteer army Is not as well
equipped. SCre of the states sent
men into the field in very good condi-
ton, notably Massachusetts, and New
York. Others sent their quotas with
out arms, equipment or clothing.
They were not soldiers at all. only en-
Moved men 1t takes time to make
soldiers of this material. There
must be uniforms, arms, ammunition,
camp equippage. tentage. transporta-
ton and hospital supplies Then, in
addition, they have to have ordnance,
artillery. siege trains, intrenching
tools. horse equipments. engineer APP
pliapces of all kinds; balloon appli'
ances, etc After that comes the great
question of moving an army across the
sea. with all the dangers and vicissi
,tudes Of an ocean voyage. The work
with its infinite detail, has been car
ried out. / am glad to say, with fail
degree of success, and the command o
$50 men under Gen. Shafter moved
away with an outburst OF patriotic en-
thusiasm which overcamc the trial.
they had passed through.
Gen. Miles attention was directed u
the reports coming from Tampa O
great confusion and delay in preparing
the expedition and getting IL off TO
Cuba
44Yes.r said he. there were cause
contributing to this delay. In the mrs
place, the post Office service at tines
points of army concentration Is yer
deficient. They have the same facil
lies. and no more, as the local towr
have when normal conditions exis
When 5000 to 60, 900 men are added
the incubation of the small towns, an
all of the men are sending and r
reiving letters from their friends al
relatives at home, besides the iarg
amount Of official business carried o
the local post Office facilities are el
tirely inadequate. That has been oil
OF the troubles at Tampa, Chick
mauga and other places, and as a
suit the official communication to AZ
from the war department, on which q
mend the regularity OF NOV
mcnt of many kinds Of stor
has been seriously delayed. The
in gathering the munitions
war for an army it was necessary
have the service OF great number
trains, loaded with stores, crowdi
the meager railway lines far bcyo
their usual capacity. However,
this is getting Strengthened out a
nearly all Of it has been overcome.
'.The troops at Tampa are in ve
good health, both those who went I
ward with Gen. Shafter and the
still remaining. The sick list
less than one per cent, which
an exceptionally good record. I
.spivit Of the men also is Of the best a