New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-06-03
NO TROOPS GONE FROM TAMPA
WAITING UNTIL THE SPANISH FLEET
is DISPOSED OF.

FULLER PARTICULARS OF THE EXPEDITION OF
THE rLoRrpA-1NsURGENTs EAGER FOR AID
Tampa. Fla. June 2.-There is little change
in the general situation here. 1t can be stated
positively that no troors have been embarked
at this point and until definite and Official news
IS received from the fleets OF sampson anu
Schley II Is the generally expressed opinion
among the Army officers that no movement OF
troops from here In the direction OF CUBA VIII
be ordered.
The power OF the fleet Of Admiral Cervera Is
still much Of a factor It Is stated that there
IS no intention on the part OF the authorities
10 assume any more risk than is absolutely nee
essarv in sending big feet OF practically un-
armed and therefore nearly helpless transports
into Cuban waters
For this reason until the Spanish feet Is dis
posed Of or until sufficient number OF United
states warships can be spared 10 insure pro-
lection for the transports from Tampa 10 tneir
destination no movement is expected When
this will be is uncertain but, although noun
ing Official can be learned on this point II IS
not believed any large movement VIII TAKE place
in the immediate future.
The transport Florida, which left here over
two weeks ago with one OF the largest expedi-
Cuban Army ever sent out from Tampa. re-
turned here to-day. Confined on board with the
grave charge OF desertion against him Is an
American who enlisted In the Cuban volunteers.
who were sent on the Florida, but who, accord
ing TO Captain Silver who poted the expedition
n its destination nj the last moment when all
the supplies had been landed and the volun-
teers were ready FOR their march into the In
terror. showed the white feather and ignomin-
iousry hid himself on board the transport.
The mans name Is said to be Tate He lives
in Tampa and Joined the volunteers some time
before their departure. Tate was rot olscoV-
cred until some time after the Florida had lett
Point Bares where the landing was made and'
though at first there strong inclination
10 turn back and put Tate ashore. II was finaiiy
decided 10 bring him to Tampa as a prisoner
Tate in defence OF his action told Captain Silver
that ne had killed man on shore and did not
dare stay with the volunteers for that reason.
The officers place no confidence in this story,
however but believe that the appearance or the
,nsurgents who met the expedition. and the
stories OF prvaton and hardships they told
took all the fighting enthusiasm out OF Tate.
What action will be taken in his case has not
yet been decided
The main features OF the Florida expedition
have been published. but additional details were
learned to-day from Pilot Silver and Captain
J. H. Dorst. who had charge Of the expedition
Although Spanish soldiers were within three
miles Of the landing place and two spanish
gunboats only five miles away. absolutely
no trouble was experienced in landing the stores
The Spaniards undoubtedly knew that stores
and volunteers were being put on shore put
they did not come near. There were no IN
terruptiOns In the entire three days the FLORIDA
spent In the harbOr The transport was met by
a crowd of perhaps three hundred pacihcos oid
men ard women, emaciated and almost naked
who had heard Of her coming. and who assisted
with an eagerness that was almost pathetic IN
unloading the cargo OF the Florida
on the second day OF the Florda's stay IN
the harbor good sized body OF Cuban insur-
gents under command OF General Rayo. ap-
reared on the shore. and the work OF unloading
was then pushed with the utmost vigor. The
day previous the force under General Rayo had
an engagement lasting several hours with
large body OF Spanish troops. which resulted
in the defeat of the latter. The insurgents LOST
q dozen killed in the pursuit OF the Spaniards.
Word came that the steamer Florida was on
the coast and without stopping for rest or ra-
tlons the insurgents took up the march TO the sea.
eighteen miles distant No stop made un
III the shore reached and although the in
surgents for twenty-four hours had had nothing
10 eat except n few bananas apiece. they went
O work at unloading the Floridas cargo
The cases containing the rifles broken
open. the contents distributed among the men
and put on the pack mules for conveyance. SO
hungry were the insurgents that several cases
of bacon were broken open by them and the
contents eaten