The Monticellonian., 1898-06-17
THE FLEETS OFF AT LAST.
Departure from Key West of the Army of Invasion Under
 Maj.-Gen. Shafter.
OVER FIFTEEN THOUSAND MEN ABOARD.
The Large Fleet of Transports Conveyed by Strong Squadron of Warships, Rang ing from the Big Battleship to the Small Gunboat and Fast-saiIing Armed Yacht.

| puhDOdt anu Edsb-Sdliinb Yacht.
 WAsuGNGroN, June ls.-It is formal ly announced at the war department that the first military expedition left key West at daylight, bound for San tiago. All day Sunday there was d lively conference between the officials of the navy and war departments, and after an dll-daY session the war board completed its plans for conveying the troop transports Maj. j.-Gen. Shafter, who commands this expedition, has with him a force of 773 officers and l4,5Gl enlisted men. The United States regular troops make up the greater part of the force, there be- ing but three volunteer organizations on the ships. These are the Seventy first New York infantry volunteers, the 1 Second Massachusetts infantry volun- teers, and two dismounted squadrons of four troops each from the First United States volunteer cav airy, the regiment which Col Wood commands, and of which Theodore Roosevelt is lieutenant colonel l Whether either of these officers is with the two squadrons named is not yet known at the war department IL Was difficult to prevail upon the mounted ritlemen to leave their mounts behind, but this was matter of necessity. it is said, owing to lack of accommodations for the horses on shipboard
 The best that the department eoufl do at this time in the way of supplying the cavalry contingent for the exprli- tion was to include among the troops one squadron of the Second United States cavalry, fully mounted with nine officers and 2s0 enlisted men.
 The full list of the troops that make up the expedition, as reported to the war department by Gen. Shafter, is as follows:
 Infantry Regiments Sixth Six teenth, Seventy first New York vol unteers, Tenth. Twenty y-frst. Second. Thirteenth, Ninth. Twenty fourth. Eighth, Twenty tY-seeond, Second Nas- saehusetts volunteers. First Fifteenth. Thirteenth, Seventh, Third. Tvea- tieth-total infantry, a61 officers and la, 799 enlisted men
 Cavalry dismounted squadrons of four troops each from the Third. Sixth, Ninth. First and Tenth cavalry and two dismounted squadrons of four troops each from the First United States volunteer cavalry. Total dis mounted cavalry, l59 officers, 2 s75 en- listed men; mounted cavalry, one squadron of the Second. 9 officers and 2so enlisted men.
 Artillery batteries E and K. First artillery; A and r, Second artil- lery. 14 officers and 3e3 enlisted men. Batteries G and II, Fourth artillery siege, four officers and l32 enlisted men.
 Engineers-Companies and E. 9of1i- cers, 200 enlisted men.
 Signal Corps-One detachment, two officers and 45 enlisted men.
 Hospital detaehments are included in the above figures.
 The staff corps numbers 3 officers
 The grand total of the expedition is 773 officers and 14, 564 enlisted men,
 Gen. Shafter, in his report, iudica tes the great obstacles that had to be over come in order to embark his force at Port Tampa, and it is not likely, if his recommendation carries weight, that the effort will be made to again em- bark so large a number of troops from this port without considerably enlarg- ing the shipping facilities.
 It will be noticed that by far the larger portion of the expedition is made up of infantry. although an un- usually large number of artillery is in eluded; and that the cavalry is almost altogether lacking. 1t is expected, how ever, that the dismounted cavalry with the expedition will be mounted later in Cuba, either from the stock of native horses or from mounts that will follow them from this coun- | try. Owing to the mountainous and l jungle-likc character of the country back of Santiago, where the troops must operate, there will be little op- l portunity for the use of cavalry, so that the expedition has not been weak ened in the opinion of experts by with. 1 holding the cavalry mounts at the be- ginning of the campaign.
 The troops will arrive off Santiago Thursday morning at latest, barring storms or accident, and the landing | probably will take place on the after noon of that day or Friday following, as Admiral Sampson is extremely anxious to reinforce the small body of marines now ashore at Guantanamo bay. The position of these men is not entirely satisfactory to the officials here While no advices have yet reached the navy department of the attack made on the marine force by Spanish guerrillas Saturday night, there is no disposition to question the accuracy of the press reports.
 A large force of transports conveyed the troops under the convoyof strong squadron of warships, ranging from the immense battleship to the small gunboat and armed fast sailing yacht. Admiral Camara's Fleet Unfit for Sea.
 WASHINGTON, June 14-Word has been received at the navy department from a high, though unofficial source, that Admiral Gamaras Cadiz fleet has been found unfit for sea.
 | Nominated Brigadter
 WASHINGTON, June IA The pres. dent sent to the senate among other nominations, the name of James Bar l .l.