The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-06-22

tiago de Cuba at noon today. The time of
its Decentralization has not yet been deter
mined upon. but 1t probably will be within
the next three days. When the feet OF
50 transports with its freight of fighting
men swept up the southern coast today and
slowed up within sight Of the doomed city
of Santiago. the anxiously awaited soldiers
were greeted with ringing cheers which
family echoed to the transports from the
decks of the blockading warships far in
shore. They were answered by the troops
most vigorously and in kind. The week of
anxious waiting and impatient chatting were
over, the army and the navy had at last
Joined forces and all felt that the final blow
at Santiago was at hand.
1t was one o'clock this morning when the
lookout on the Brooklyn reported seeing the
smoke of several steamers away to the
southeast, and moment or two later he
announced that dozen or two transports
were in sight. The news was exchanged from
ship to ship gladdening the hearts of the
weary blockaders. Then the auxiliary
cruiser Gloucester. formerly ]. p. Morgan's
yacht Corsica. darted away to meet and
| to welcome the troops. About half an hour
later grim forest of masts had sprung up
apparently from the sea and a most i'm
pressive scene was presented as the armada
swept gracefully up from the horizon to-
wards the shores where the great struggle
is to take place. The transports were
| ranged in three shifting lines. with the bat
tleship Indiana on the extreme right and
the other men of war on the outskirts of
| the fleet. In this order the transports and
their escorts steamed slowly in toward the
hills where Morros red walls cleaned in
| the sunlight.
1t was intended to take the entire fleet
to the lines of Rear Admiral SIMPSONS
fleet OF warships, but an order from the
Admiral stopped the advance of the ships
about fifteen miles to the southeast, and
| escorted by the Gloucester, Gen. Shafter
went forward on the Seguranca to confer
with the Admiral.
The transports lay on the smooth sea
while the plans were discussed by the lead
ers on board the flagship. Not the faintest
intimation of their intentions regarding the
landing has been allowed to escape. I'm
doubtedly, however, some of the troops will
be landed at Guantanamo Bay I'M order to
relieve the marines there, but it is gener-
ally believed that the main body of the
troops will be landed much nearer Santiago.
The long and trying journey from Tampa
has left the men In a much better condition
than anticipated. There are fourteen mild
cases Of typhoid on the ships, among them
being Major Horton Of the Twenty-fifth In
| fantry, and several cases of measles There
are, however, no serious cases of sickness
| Owing to the smoothness of the passage,
the soldiers were not generally affected by
seasickness. They are wildly anxious to
get ashore and begin fighting.
The dispatch boat of the Associated Press,
as she steamed among the transports, was
eagerly besieged on all sides for news of
Admiral SIMPSONS operations, officers and
men clamoring for word from the block
aiding fleet. Much satisfaction was ex-
pressed among the troops when 1t became
known that the actual capture of Santiago
is to be left to the army. The horses and
mules on board the transports have suffered
severely, many dying.
The American feet off Santiago has been
greatly strengthened by the addition Of the
watships which escorted the transports,
consisting of the Indiana, Detroit, Mont
gomery, Helena, Ericsson and Foote.
| Foote, Hornet, Annapolis, Castine and
Eagle Wherever the landing may take
place the operations and the information of
| tho last ten days shows conclusively that
bitter work is ahead for Skaters men be-
fore the Spanish flag comes down from
Morros walls. The Spanish infantry cav
airy and guerrilla forces, estimated by Adj
| m.ral Sampson to number from &c, 900 to S5,-
| 900 men are stretched from Guantanamo to
Cabanas, distance of fifty miles, and
ready to concentrate as the point of attack
But starving and harassed by the insurg-
ents, the situation of the Spaniards is des-
perate and naval officers familiar with the
situation fully expect terrific fighting about
Santiago.
Interviews with army officers on the trans
ports show that there is some anxiety as
to how the men will stand the strain, If The
fighting begins Immediately after the long
inactivity at Tampa and the wearing voy-
age. There is no fear, however, for the
final results, as the guns of the fleet will be
Of immense assistance to the American
troops.