The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-12-29
CHESTER TO GO TO HAVANA.
WILL SAIL THIS MORNING WITH
SIX BATTERIES OF ARTILLERY.

SIX BATTERIES OF ARTILLERY.
Half the second Regiment to Leave
for Havana, About 200 Men In All,
the other Half TO Follow Later.
Battery \ of the Second Ordered
From Huntsville 10 Savannah to
Take Transports Here-The ArtiI-
IerYmen Wanted in Havana by the
Government as Soon as Possible.
Six foot-batteries of the Second Regi-
ment of United States Artillery leave this
morning on the transport Chester between
s and 10 o'clock for Havana, where they
will man the fortifications of MORO Cas-
tie, Fort Cabanas and other defenses of
the city, where The heaviest of modern
artillery pieces are in place. This move
ment of the artileryman was the result of
a telegram received at Washington from
Gen. Brooke, military commander of the
island requesting the immediate transpor-
tation of the regiment to Havana. This
telegram was sent to Gen. Douglass, com
handing the forces at Savannah, as fol-
lows
Dec. %, 1S9S-Gen. Douglass, Commanding:
Following just received from Gen. Brooke:
The Second Artillery should be here on
or before Dec. 81. I find the Spaniards
are evacuating the city rapidly and such
troops as are intended for this part of the
island should be. forwarded rapidly. Ma
tanzas and Cienfuegos should receive at
Secretary of War directs that the Sec
ond Artillery be sent as soon as possible.
BY command Gen. Miles,
II. C. Corbin, Adjt. Gen.
Gen. Douglass replied stating that De-
pot Quartermaster Bellinger, after careful
investigation, was satisfied that the trans
port Chester could return to Cuba at once
in safety, and that he would send six foot
batteries of the Second Artillery on her
Soon after a telegram came from the
adjutant general stating that the Secre-
tary of War approved Gen. Douglass ac-
ton. orders In the meantime had been
issued for the pushing of the coaling and
loading of the transport and the taking of
the effects of the six batteries aboard the
Chester. Orders Were sent Lieut.. Col
Haskins and by night a great quantity of
supplies were stored on The transport.
Col. Bellnger was in doubt the greater
| part of yesterday as to whether the Ches-
ter would sail for Newport News or Hd-
vana. That she would sail this morning
he was satisfied, but whether it would be
for Newport News to enter the dry dock
| for repairs or to Havana with the six
batteries of the Second Artillery was more
than he could say Knowing that there was
no time to be lost in the movement of
troops to Havana, and considering it more
| likely that the latter port would be the
destination of the Chester he proceeded
| during the day with the loading of the
transport. Later information proved that
| his surmise was correct.
The Chester win carry Lieut.. Col Has
| kins, who is in command Of the Second
Artillery and headquarters, and six bat
teries, as follows; b, 1874 men; c, 2O3; f.
49, L. 1875; NJ, 1877; K, 49, making a total of
! 1 III men, and with the % members of the
band total Of 1142 men besides officers
! There will be 1876 teams on board, besides
the officers horses.
1t is evidently the intention of the de-
! partment to send the whole of the Second
! Regiment of Artillery to Cuba as rapidly
as possible. judging by the following tele-
/ gram received yesterday by Gen. Douglass
| from Gen. Lawton, who is in command at
Huntsville, Ala:
Under orders war department Battery
A, Second Artillery, will proceed to Sa-
vannah in time to embark with the re-
mainder of the regiment"
Gen. Douglass was requested to make
! all necessary arrangements a this end of
the line for the embarkation of the bat
/ terry. As the battery cannot arrive i'm time
to embark on the Chester this morning it
/ is evidently intended that il shall embark
! with the remaining batteries at an early
date. In fact, it is not likely that room
could be found on the Chester for another
! battery even should Battery arrive this
morning with this object in view.
Col Bellinger was forced to refuse trans
! portation yesterday to number of men
here who wished to rejoin their commands
now in Cuba. Lieut.. Col. MacWiliams.
commanding the provost guard here, de-
sired to send one company of the guard to
Havana on the Chester, but Col. Bellinger
informed him that there would be no room
on the Chester for the provost company.
/ Col. Bellinger stated, in answer 10 a
/ question by q Morning News reporter that
! the Ainnewaska and the Manitoba. now at
! Charleston, would be ordered to Savannah
on their return trip from Cuba The other
transports now at Cuban ports, will also
return to Savannah. Col. BelMnger said.
/ The OLDHAM being expected here very short
! ~.
Il am unable to say" said Col. Belllne
! er, whether We viii continue to embark
| the remainder of the Seventh ARMY Corns
now here or whether the remaining bat
teries of the Second Artillery win be the
next TO so forward. This is a matter which
rests entirely with the war department
THE TAX INCREASED,