The San Francisco call., 1898-06-26

Sevilla is the point where the Spaniards claim they will make a desperate stand, and with our forces only a mile and a half off it is apparent that a decisive | fight is near at hand. It is five miles from Sevilla to Aguadores (the interior ther to Santiago. This shows our troops to be about eight and half miles from Santiago, according to Gen. eral Shafters report.
 The Captain Wainwright referred to in General Shafter's dispatch as being injured belongs to the First Cavalry. His full name is Robert F. P. Vain wright. He was born in Pennsylvania, and appointed to the military academy from New York.
 Secretary Alger and General Miles look for desperate fighting very soon. The main attention is given to hurry ing forward re-enforcementS and stores to General Shafter.
 During the day Secretary Alger and General Miles held several conferences, not so much to go over the struggle of yesterday as to give every military preparation for the great struggle yet to come. As a result, however, re- achievements will go forward at once, both from Tampa and from Newport News. An expedition of 5000 men is expected to leave Tampa within the next three days. It comprises the command of Brigadier General Snyder, the Third Division of the First Army Corps. The stores are already going aboard the transports and the start of the expedition only waits the arrival of the naval convoy. Part of the war ships sent over with Shafters eXpedi- tion have been released from Admiral Sampson and are now on their way back to Tampa to escort the additional
 
 another formidable marine procession will start across the Gulf to Cuba. Whether the battle-ship Indiana will lead this expedition, as it did the last, is not definitely settled. There will be several heavy Warships, however, as well as lighter craft, to give safe conduct to General Snyder's division. Simultaneous with this, General Henrys division will be moving along the Atlantic coast and thence to San tiago. In all the endorsements from Tampa and Newport News will be in the neighborhood of 12,U00 or 14, 900 men. Drafts on Chickamauga are likely to follow soon, as the hurry orders re- gently given have led to the full equip ment of several commands.
 The War Department is acting on the theory that it is not polite to take any possible chance of serious re- verse near Santiago. The latest 1n- formation reaching the authorities here shows that the Spanish army is greater than has been estimated thus far. Lieutenant Joyce of the regular army reported to General Miles to-day, giv- ing much information as to the num- Der and location of the Spanish troops. Before Joyce entered the United States army he had served with General Gar cia and had traversed a good part of Santiago Province.
 He was on the ground only for few weeks ago, leaving there in April and at that time he had opportunities to get an accurate idea of the Spanish forces at the eastern end of the island. He reports the number at 37,000 of which 12000 are in Santiago 10000 at Holguin and 5000 at Manzanillo. Once concen- trated at Santiago this would make formidable army, but separated by for est and mountains. the insurgents are expected to keep the force at Holguin and Manzanillo from getting to Santi- ago. One of the curious features of the situation was the opening of direct communication between the Spaniards in Santiago and the outside world over the French cable, through the medium of an American military censor. This was effected to-day by the restoration of the circuit running from Santiago overland to the place on the shore within the American line-Playa del Elsewhere the cable begins which runs across to Cape Haytien. At the junction sits the American army off, cer who discharges the duty of censor. So far only test messages have gone through over this circuit but 1t will be open to ordinary business that is able to pass successfully both American and Spanish censorship.
 The Naval Department has acquired the fine steamship Pedro which was declared a prize, having been captured by the Nashville early in the war She was bought subject to prize liens and was to-day christened Hector and or dered to be converted into collier The steamer Morse Kin, just purchased, has been christened Rainbow and changed into a distiller to supply the fleet with pure water