The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-05

begun. Just two months after the pat
tie of Manila and on the first day Of
the month, like that glorious engage
ment began the first set battle Of the
war in this hemisphere.
This startling news was conveyed in
the following brief dispatch received
from General Shafter at 10 o'clock this
morning:
Camp near S~avilIa, Cuba.
Secretary Of War, Washington:
Action now going on. The firing
only light and desultory. Began on the
right near Caney, Lawton's division.
He will move on the northeast part of
the town Of Santiago. Will keep you
continually advised of progress.
"SHAFTER,
Major General"
Brief as it was, it told the whole
story that the first shots OF the long
expected crash of arms. probably the
first great land engagement of the
war, was underway. 1t sent a thrill
throughout official circles, from the
highest to the lowest. Secretary Alger
was the first to read it. He passed it
to General COrbin, adjutant general Of
the army, and directed him to take
it at once to the White house. Cen
eral Corbin went to the president, car
rying the original dispatch. He was
back shortly, and then a bulletin was
posted, giving the dispatch verbatim.
Uutil then only the higher officials had
known that the decisive hour was at
hand. The news spread throughout
the corridors, and a wave of aWe-like
agitation and expectancy took hold Of
every one. A great crowd Of CORE
~spOndents struggled about the bulle-
tin board; messenger Boys dashed off
with dispatches; the clerks, men and
women, turne from their desks and
gathered at the dOOrWaYs.
General Miles, commanding the ar
my, received a cop of the dispatch
soon after it arrived. He had antict-
pated it. for only a few hour before a
dispatch came to him from General
breckenridge, inspector general of the
army, stating that the spirit of the
troops was high and that they were
eager and eXpeCtant of action.
USING THE BALLOON.
General Miles also received another
dispatch, sent quite early this morn
ing from Skaters headquarters, say
ing that the big military balloon was
now high in the air, and was giving
opportunity for observation over a
great sweep of country. This in itself
was of incalculable value to our
troops.
According to General Skaters re-
port. the attack on Santiago was be
gun by the Second division of the Fifth
army corps, commanded by Brigadier
General II. w. LawtOn This division
consists of three briSades made up as
follows:
First Brigade-Commanded by Col
onel J. J. Van Horn. Eighth United
States infantry. TWenty-secOnd Unit
ed States infantry and Second Massa-
Chusetts infantry.
Second Brigade-COmmanding officer
unknown, but supposed to be Colonel
B~ates-Ffrst United States infantry
Fourth United States infantry and
Twenty-tifth United States infantry.
Third Brigade-COmmanded by Brig
adler General A. r. Chaffee-Seventh
United States infantry, Twelfth Unit
ed states infantry and seventeenth
United States infantry.
1t thus appears that the entire di-
vision which opened the hOstilities of
the day is composed entirely of regu-
lar troops, seasoned and experienced
in battle, with the exception of the
Second Massachusetts volunteer in
fantry. which is regarded as one of
the best volunteer organizations of the
army.
Never before since the declaration
of war has there been such a feeling
of intense interest and anxiety mani
Tested. The officials here are confident
that they have done everything posi-
bic to strengthen Skaters hands for
the great conflict he is waging, and
they have an unlimited confidence in
his discretion, his bravery and his en-
ergy. The attack today, several days
before the pub. mind expected the
battle. is a tribute to his energy, as
we'll as to his judgment. according to
tho nrncnrt 1iohfC for ha IInHnI1hta6-
ly found it necessary to crush the foe
in detail. following Napoleon's favorite
maxim. instead of allowing them to
consolidate and outnumber him.
AS the day wore along without
bringing any news the anxiety in
creased and the question was in ev-
cry ones mouth: why did he not
report?' Adjutant General Corbin's
response was brief. but pointed: "He
is fighting. not writing" and this was
accepted as a likely and sound expla-
nation. Just before 4 o'clock came a
brief dispatch from Playa del Este,
the cable station near Santiago. But
it was from an engineer officer to Cen
eral Miles and made no reference to
the progress of the battle, merely re-
!. ferring to certain necessary material
and live stock. On the whole the very
absence of official news was regarded
as rather a favorable indication, the
IedSOlIlHS DellS ms
gagement was but a heavy skirmish
and that our army was feeling the en-
envy to discover n strike at hIs
weak spot.
SPANISH RETREATING.
It was nearly 6 o'clock when the
signal office received the welcome news
that the enemy was retreating.
The military authorities here are
fully considering the chance of a re-
treat of the Spanish army from San
tiago and are endeavoring so to shape
events that General Skaters force
will not only take Santiago, but will
capture the IL, 900 Spaniards before
they get away northward to effect a
ju%ncture with General Pando. u in
formation as to the possible lines OF
retreat has been at the disposal OF the
war department. One of the most
interesting statements is that of Cen