The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-12-03

He says the assistance of the navy has
been OF the greatest benefit and enthu-
siasticaly given and without them he per-
haps would not have landed at all He
wanted nothing at that time At this
point a communication is inserted direct
ed to General Miles by the secretary or
dering the formation under command of
General Brooke, of the expedition against
Porto Rico, and directing that immediate
preparation be made.
| A telegram from Shafter to the secre-
tary dated off Siboney, June p, after re-
ferring to precaution taken to mark SOL
diers' graves, says:
In General Duffield's command ashore.
1 will not act hastily though I believe /
can take the place within fortyeight
hours. but 1 fear at considerable loss of
life. There is no necessity for haste as
we are growing stronger and they weaker
every day. That their command is re-
| ported to me by the surgeon as remarka-
bic outside of the wounded. There are
today less than 150 men sick; so far no
wounded have died but two men OF dis
ease since leaving Tampa
On the 10Th ShSfter reports that he does
| not intend to take the siege guns TO the
front until they are needed as they might
block the road. Several kilograms from
| Shafter follow. telling the story of each
days events in the campaign. Coming
down to the battle of the 1st of July.
Shafter first estimated his loss at
400 and then reported that this was an
underestimate
Another depression from the history of
| the Santiago campaign occurs about this
| point, in the shape of a letter from Miles
| TO the secretary of war suggesting that
| While waiting for transports to go to San
| tago. the time was opportune TO take and
| occupy the Isle of Pines. The reasons set
| out for this suggestion are that the cap
ture OF the island would cut the Spanish
! out of base of supplies; that it would
be easily taken while the attention of
the enemy was distracted TO other points
and that it was dramatically suited for the
treatment OF sick soldiers and for de-
tention place for prisoners of war The
one steamer then at Tampa with some
artillery would suffice for the expedition.
The secretary's reply was 81 have the
honor to inform you that this is not ap-
proved by the president"
disquieting telegram about this time
was one from the censor at Key West,
who reported that Cervera had been or
dered 10 shell Santiago as soon as the
Americans get possession and that foreign
consuls had been notified 10 retire. This
was forwarded to Shafter July 3. for in
formation.
On the same/date there was received
by the secretary, Gneraf Skaters mes
sage dated Sevilla, July 3, saying that he
mad invested the town with but a very
lin lima fI,.at
it by storm with the present force and
he was seriously considering withdraw
ing I'VE miles so as to get near the rail-
road He describes the present condition
of the army with Wheeler and Young
sick. Hawkins wounded, and himself con-
fined to the tent four days by the heat.
He also speaks of urging Sampson to an
entrance, but the text of this telegram
has been published both in the report of
General Shafter and General Miles. The |
secretary's answer has not been 1t. with |
Skaters rejoinder, was as follows:
War Department
Washington, July 3. 12:lO D. m.
Major General Shafter, Playa Del Este. |
Your first dispatch received. OF course.
you can judge the situation better than |
we can at this end of the line. If. how |
ever, you mean to hold your position and |
especially San Juan Heights. the effect /
upon the country would be much better
than falling back. However. we leave !.
all the matter to you. This is only A sug-
gestion. We shall send you reinforce
ments at once.
Signed) "R. A. AJGER
Secretary of War"
Playa Del Este. via Hayti.
Received Washington, July 4.I:4s D. ny
The Hon Secretary of War, Washington.
Headquarters Fifth corps, Third-Shall
hold my present position
'.SHAFTER, Major General"
July 8, Adjutant General Corbin teIe-
graphed Shafter that he could have what
ever reinforcements he wanted, and told
of the starting from this country for San
tiago of 200 troops from Tampa, 1900
from Newport News and 1000 from Char
lesion. The secretary supplemented this
later in the day with the following dis
patch:
I'VE are forwarding reinforcements 10
you this week. How is your health? Do
you think that some one should come 70
relieve you? Are you going TO be able to
stand through? What do you think? Be
careful OF yourself.
'R- A. ALGER. Secretary OF War"
In a dispatch of the same date TO Shat
ter, Secretary Alger directs him to inter
cept ali press dispatches and make report
to him at the close OF each day Of events
OF special Importance A dispatch dated
Camp near Santiago third from Shafter
to the secretary OF war. conveys the first
news OF the attempted escape OF the
Spanish feet. Lieutenant Allen mad re-
ported that Cervera mad started out about
10 o'clock that morning: Duffield had teIe
phoned from Siboney that Sampson had
signaled for the chase and the French
consul had informed General Garcia thar
Cervera was going out at about 10 O'Clock
having told the consul that il was better
20 die fighting than to blow up his ships
In the harbor.
In the same dispatch Shafter reports
that ne had demanded the surrender OF
Santiago under .hrea; OF bombardment
but Up TO 40 had received no answer.
He says:
Situation has been precarious on ac-
count of difficulties of supplying com
mand with food, and tremendous fighting
rapabll.ty shown by the enemy from his
almost impregnable position"
The next day ne says that Re Is uhv-
sically exhausted sun. but had eaten a
little for the first time in four DAYS. Shat
Ter transmits copies OF Ms demand for
he surrender OF Santiago. and the reply.
Z refusal under date % July .. and then
shows that ne postponed the bombardrnent
until noon Of the 5th, in order % alloy
he foreign consuls . remove their peo-