Evening star., 1898-11-11

ed until June -.
Preparing for Foreign Movements.
Resuming his story, Gen. Miles says
The regular infantry was ordered, April
Il. 1898. to New Orleans. Mobile and Tam
pa. preparatory to an immediate movement
TO Cuba should war be declared. This or
der. however. was partially suspended, and
a part of the regular infantry, with the ar
tliery and cavalry, ordered to camp at
Chickamauga Park. On May 10 the regu-
lar artillery and cavalry were ordered from
Chickamauga to Tampa, preparatory to a
movement on Cuba. Later 10000 men were
ordered TO move on Cuba, and commssary
stores for ninety days for the men and
thirty days stores for the animals were
ordered to be concentrated at Tampa None
of these movements on Cuba however. ma
terialized. The want of proper equipment
and ammunition rendered the movement
impraCticable.
While troops were being assembled at
Tampa, Mobile. New Orleans Chckamau-
ga. Washington and in the different states
an expedition to the Philippine Islands was
gathered at San Francisco under the com
mand of Major General Wesley Merritt
The command was well organized and as
We'll supplied as it was possible with the
means available. The expedition sailed
May % lS!'s. was well conducted and emf
hently successful in every way. Full re-
ports nave been submitted by General Mer-
r1tt and his subordinate officers.
AS soon as hoStiiitieS were commenced
expeditions Were Immediately organized to
give AID and support to the Cubans in the
way OF supplying them with arms muni-
tons OF war. and supplies, wherever and
whenever possible.
"A short time before the commencement
OF the war, there left Washington from
the bureau of military information. two
ofhcers, Lieut.. A. S. Rowan and Lieut. III
H. whitney, to attempt the most difficult
and dangerous enterprise of ascertaining
existing conditions in the islands of Cuba
and Porto Rico, respectively. Their ef-
1orts We're eminently successful Both of
these officers penetrated the enemy's coun-
try and obtained most accurate and valua-
bic information regarding the position of
the military and naval forces, the defenses
ana the geographical and climatic fea-
lures OF the country, all of which was of
great value in subsequent military opera
tions.
The first expedition with arms and sup
plies for the Cubans was started from Key
West under the direction of Col. r. H.
Hall, 18th Infantry (now brigadier general.
L. 5. W. 1t landed on the coast under
charge of Capt. j. ]. O'ConnelI. 1st United
| States Infantry: Lieut.. W NJ Crofton Ist
infantry, being the first officer to land on
| Cuban soil after the commencement of hos
tilities.
Several expeditions were subsequently,
made by Col. ]. H. Dorst, Lieut. c. P.
johnson, 10th Cavalry, and others
Also, a strong expedition was organ
| lied, consisting of 5000 men, under the
| command of the senior officer then at Tam
| pa MAJ Gen. w. X. Shafter the objective
! point being Tunas, on the south side of
cuba. where it was expected to omen com
munication with the forces under Gen. Co
mez and support and Cooperate with him
| IN that mountain region (Which IS a health
fuI part OF Cuba), and also to furnish all
the supplies needed by that force This ex-
petition, when fully prepared was delayed
on account of the movement of Admiral
IerNera fleet from Cape Verde Islands to
i nf he II
movement Of our troops was susnended
awaiting the result of the expected CON
| hict between that fleet and our own.
An important expedition, under Lieut..
! Col. Dorst, I. S. v, sailed from Key West
to the north of Nassau. New Proyidence.
thence directly south, landing at the har-
Dor or Banes. on the north coast of Cuha
whlch mas been held during the war by the
CuDans, where he remained five days land
Ing steamer load of the munitions of war
most needed, including 800 rifles, l 900 OOO
cartridges, 1900 uniforms and other ma
terial needed by the 10000 Cubans under
Gen. Garcia.
Memorial Day Order.
May 30 General Miles issued a general
order to the army, in which he said in mart.
After a prolonged period of peace our
army Is once more called upon to engage in
war IN the cause of justice and humanity.
10 bring the military forces to the highest
| state OF efficiency and most speedily ac-
ccmpflsh what is expected should he tbe
earnest effort and call forth the best en-
| erS'es of all its members of whatsoever
station. q
Every officer of whatever grade will. so
| far as may be in his power euard md
preserve the health and welfare of tbnse
Under his charge. He must labor diligently
! ara jealousy to perfect himself and his
sub9rdiuates in military drill instruction
ana discipline; and above all, he must CON
! Enr l,,ry
10 maintain the highest character to foster
ana simulate that true soldier,y spirit and
PdtFlouc devotion to duty which must
characterize an effective army. The ma ior
| general commanding confidently trusts tbst
| every officer and soldier in the service Of
| the republic. each in his proper sphera
| VIII contribute his most Jealous efforts to
me eho that the honor and character of
| the army may be preserved untarnished
| ana ITS best efforts crowned with success
| rms order Is given upon a day sacred
| 10 the memory of the heroic dead whose
| services and sacrifices afford us example
| ana inspiration. and IL is expected that oil
| VIII be fully impressed with the sacred
| DUTY imposed upon the army by the gov
erhment of our beloved country
General Miles then takes UP the San
| tiago campaign and says:
The Santiago Campaign,
Definite information having been re.
| ceiVed that Cervera's fleet had been in.
| closed in the harbor OF Santiago de Cuba
| D. the navy. orders were given to General
Shafter' May 80, 1895 to place his troops
! on transports and go to the assistance OF
the navy in capturing that feet and har.
| DOR II was expected that the transports
engaged al that time would convey some
| 1900 men.
| i desire to go with this command and
| sent the following telegram to the he nor.
| able Secretary of War:
| HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY.
| - Tampa, Fla, June s. 1888
| Inc Secretary of War. Washington d. c.
| ms expedition has been delayed through
| 80 no,t; ,auit ot any one connected with IT. II
| contains the principal part of the army
| which, for intelligence and efficiency is moi
! eAcelled by any body of troops on earth
II contains fourteen of the best conditioned
| regiments of volunteers. the last oS wbict
arrived this morning. Yet these have never
| been under fire. Between 80 and 40 pei
| cent are undrilled, and In one regiment