Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-06-25

stores from the transports to the shore
There Is one small tug with the transport
h4et but it is not believed this can be
made available for getting the big guns
ashore. Besides the guns. there are the
heavy mounts, caissons, trucks, etc, which
nothing short of big lighter can take
ashore. How the loss Of the one lighter
occurred is not disclosed. but it is only
known that this one means of getting the
guns ashore has been destroyed. Speedy
steps were taken to remedy this misfor-
tune as far possible. Adtutant General
Ccrbn telegraphed General Coppnger at
Jacksonville to see that two large lighters
| were sent at once to the fleet of transports
with Shafter. The order told General Con-
plr ger that there was need of the utmost
haste.
1t is probable that General Coppinser has
lighters near at hand; otherwise it is ex-
pected he will adopt urgent means to OBJ
tain anything within reach on the Florida
coast. After that they will have to be
toWed over, which is a slow process with
flat-bottomed craft of this kind. In the
meantime it is expected that the naval YES
sells off Santiago will assist In getting the
guns ashore, although it is doubted if they
can afford much more assistance than the
eoe'S NC biiiSuity Is III getting across the
long stretch of shallow water up to the
shore, and only a light-draft lighter can
accomplish this, as a tug or warship can
not get within quarter of a mile of the
shore.
The Late Capt. Capron.
Capt. Allyn K. Capron the cavalry officer
who lost his life near Santiago yesterday.
was specially well known in this city. He
came Of distinguished military stock, his
father and grandfather both having served
with distinction In the army of the United
states His grandfather, Col. E. A Capron.
was gallant soldier in the Mexican war.
ana lost his life on the field of battle in the
service OF his country. His father, Capt
Allyn Capron, is now on duty with Gen.
Skaters army at Santiago. He is attached
TO the 1st Artillery. and was stationed at
Washington barracks with that regiment
wren ordered to the front His wife. mother
OF the young man who was killed by the
spaniards. is now living in her husbands
quarters at the Washington barracks. and
10 ada to her misfortunes, has a younger
son Ill with typhoid fever
Capt. CapIon was formerly second 1ieu-
tenant of the 7th United States Cavalry
WI lch regiment was stationed in Arizona
His military service is specially creditable
he entered the army as private in Octo-
Der, 1880 and was appointed a second lieu
tenant October Z, 1893, and transferred
from the 9TH Infantry to the 7th Cavalry
in November, 1894. His brother also sought
promotion in the army from the ranks. but
his mind broke down under the strain of
study ard he committed suicide at Platts-
burg, N. Y, about a year ago, while serv-
ing as first sergeant of the 21st Infantry.
Their grandmother, Mrs. Vincent, is still
living and owns a fine farm near Fort
Myer, Va, where she makes her home
The family is related by marriage to the
family of Admiral Porter the aunt of de-
ceased having married Captain Carlisle
Porter Of the marine corps. son of the dis
tinguished naval hero.
General Miles pays the highest tribute
to Captain Capron. and refers to him as
ranking with those first heroes of the civil
lost his life at Alexandria; Credible, who
fell at Big Bethel in one of the earliest en-
gagements. and Winthrop, who was killed
at the battle of Five Forks They were
all OF the same type, young. courageous,
K arlcss and impetuous. Physically, Capron
was a model soldier. tall and Of athletic
build, blonde haired and of gentle and
agreeable disposition. Until recently he !
was at Fort Sill In charge OF the Indiana
of that locality. When the rough riders
were fermed Col. Wood termed zCapron as
one OF the hrawest men IN the service, ra1a1
asked for 3As AsEignment m sad5utanf OF
the new regiment. It was IN this capacity