The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-12
EARLY ADYICES
front

Prom the Seat OF War say Nothing About
n Iombardmsnt-Cause OF shafter's DEE
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 11.-Gen-
eral Skaters report from sIboney, sent
lust before midnight last night, caused
bfRclals OF the war department to walt
II day with the expectation of hearing
Ia. the bombardmeut OF Santiago had
5ssun. No word to that effect came.
oweyer, up to the time the department
osed, and though there is little reason
doubt that the general carried out
programme Of which ne had notified
he department, 1t was regarded as
ossIbIe that ne had consented to fur
her extension under the flag OF truce
view of certain signs OF weakening
n the part Of the Spanish commander.
General Miles, with additional REIN
orcements, arrived OIL Santiago to-day,
nd IL a surrender has not been secured
Is believed that the assault upon the
own proper Will be prosecuted at once
iIth the greatest energy and determi-
alton. Tests made recently OF the ma
al ordnance gave very unsatisfactory
esults when It was attempted to pro-
ect shells over the high hills from the
Dpen sea into Santiago citV.
Possibly better results may be at
aiued tomorrow II the attack Is re-
Iumed then, but there Is more likeli-
hood that the main reliance Will be up
6n such OF lighter draft vessels OF Ad.
niral Simpsons. feet as may succeed
n getting closer to the shore and In a
better position than the heavy battle
bhlps.
Cau,e of shaftsF's Delay.
The officials hero are satisfied that
what appears to be delay on the part of
General shafter, was really caused by
bis efforts to carry out strictly the
Presidents Injunction to prevent the
Spanish army from escaping from San
.inuo. He might have attaek>< the town
several days ago with the result that II
the Spaniards were overcome they
would have retreated without obstruc-
tion to the northwest beyond the reach
81 our soldiers to follow. His dispatch
written late last night indicates clearly
that he has been trying to complete his
line Of investment SO as 20 prevent such
nn escape, and as he appears to feel
eatlsaed that ne has accomplished this,
the hnal assault will not be delayed
nIuch longer. General Shafter is dis
posed TO save every life possible in the
war, probably having In mind the par
lcularly large proportion OF Killed,
gouNed aud missing compared to the
loti1 strength OF his army In the battle
pt Laney, which the official figures pro-
nulgated to-day shows was exception
Rl In modern warfare. II is TO save our
troops that he desires to make free
lse Of artillery before the assault pro-
per begins, and also 10 secure the CO.
ppcratiOn Of the navy IN the attack.
More ser!Onu IhNn supposed,
The little artillery duel, OF yesterday,
appears to have been more serious in
IS results than was Mt first supposed
by Gencral'sha,ter himself, for during
he afternoon he was obliged to report
ns one result the death OF Captain
Charles ", Rowcll. second Infantry, one
ot tha most gallant and popular officers
pf the regular establishment. Captain
ROwell wns born IN New York and np-
pointed 10 the military academy In 1870.
le became second Lieutenant In 1874.
first Lieutenant In 81 and was placed
y command OF the company which he
ed TO bis death In 1856 His death cnus-
d deep rrlCf among the officers OF the
apartment who respected him for his
oldierly qualities ar manifested In his
lard service In the west.
The cable communication between
Nashlnnton and General Skaters
eadquartcrs has now been gotten IN
Excellent condition 70 that Il has bccu
oSslblc to receive at che department
nessage within twenty minutes after II
ad been DISPATCHED by General Shat
er. Colonel Allen. who n IN charge at
General ShaiterE end Of tho line has
eported 10 tho department that he is
ow engaged In laying cable from Gu
ntannmo TO Playa del Este. which viii
WV further reduce the time required
p the exchange OF communication,