Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1898-06-15
that INVADING ARMY
After a Long Wait it Is Off
for Cuba--Again.
NO MISTAKE THIS TIME
Fleet OF Thirty five Transports, Four Ten
AZ ders and Fourteen Conveys Lesve
- Tampa for Santiago. List of
Troops ON the Way.
(By TeIegraph.1

nrSt army Oh INVASION to sail from the
eastern shores of the United States de-
parted under command of General
Shafter this morning at O'Clock. The
fleet of transports consisted Of thirty
five vessels. four tenders and fourteen
conveys. These are all now upon tn.
Gulf of Mexico. headed to the south
ward until they pass Key West at least
Should their deStina ton be Cuba they
Will continue their present course until
cape Antonio. at the west end OF the
island, Is doubled. when an easterl.
course will be steered until they reach
tn" vicinity of Santiago.
1t has been definitely decided that II
thus expedition land in Cuba at all the
place of Decentralization Will be on tn.
south coast near Santiago.
AS already stated in these diSpat chte
the actual embarkation of the troops
began on Monday. June G. The worl;
proceeded diligently until late on Wed
neSday afternoon. when. after the de-
parture of several transports. an i'm
portant orde: came calling q halt in the
proceedings. The Castine was dis
patched to at once overhaul the disnp-
pearing transports and recall them
They all came back but one. the City
of Washington. which vessel was re
ported to be aground down the bay. 1t
has been subsequently, learned, how
ever. that this vessel had outstripped
the messenger until the coast OF Cuba
was dclualiy sighted Wnat gives color
to this is the fact that neither the
Washington nor the Castine returned
to her anchorage at Port Tampa until
Saturday.
The cause of the delay was
the report that the Hornet while GU,
scouting. had sighted several Spanish
war vessels.
Like a wet blanket came the order to
halt Cheerfulncss was displaced by keen
disappointment Two questions were
on every tongue-"Has Spain surren-
dered?' HAS our feet met With n re-
verse" The former met With the
readlest belief. many believing the
words in the order ''indefin,t.ly post
poned" meant peace.
Those who followed each event close
~ We're assured that such was not the
case. While horses and mules We're be-
ing disembnrked. men and equipment
We're moving aboard in steady
stream. The unloading OF the Florida.
which Ind been run into by the Miami
and seriously damaged last Ncdncs-
day, gave grounds for the rumur that
all the transports were being unIonded.
Newspaper men were confidently told
on Friday night that they had better
go aboard. The following day 1t was
openly talked that the sailing would
occur on Sunday noon.
The rush of the previous Monday was
repeated. General Miles and his staff
went to Port Tampa Sunday morning
at 6:S0 to deliver parting instructions
During the heavy rain squan on sat
urday night at o'clock, while the
transports We're straining at their ca
bles and the wind shrekinE through
the rigging the little tug Captin Sam
steamed from ship to ship mcgaphon-
ing in deep tones the order STAND
ready to sail at daylight" Above the
roar OF the storm wild cheers We're
heard and Il bright fash OF lightning
revealed the soldiers standing in the
rain, waving their wet hats and hur-
rahing.
General Miles and his staff from a
private car, far down the pier. could
witness all the scenes OF the cmbarka
ton. From this point OF vantage. mes
sengers went scurrying, while uniform
ed dignitaries horere~. near during the
entire day. The busy piers We're lined
with transports. the docks We're on ever
changing scene OF box cars. that ears.
stock cars. baggage and express cars.
Most of these were crowded with sol
diers who were cheered until their ears
ached and who cheered in turn until
hoarse. .-
Bright colored dresses and fragile
parasolS in the crowd OF blue coats in
dictated the presence of the fair sex.
Curiosity attracted the women as ii
had most OF the crowd. Some were sob
bling while others We're taking in the
sight with tears coursing down their
cheeks. Horses and mules We're kick
ing up clouds Of dus, and the sun
poured down its hot rays on the SWEET
ering mass OF humanity. Thus Sunday
passed, the transports at the docks and
those in md-stream receiving their
cargoeS of life and the neceSSlries to
sustain 1t.
General Miles again went to the port
on Monday morning on the early train.
dark. The stirring scenes continued.
the mad rush had not abated. General
Miles, from the observation end of his
car. watched the crowd as il passed
near him. The transports swinging at
their moorngs were plainly in view. as
We're also many of those at the docks.
The embarkation Of animals WAS pro
crossing satisfactorily. The passing
crowd GRAINED their nccks TO catch a
glimpse of General Miles. who sat in an
easy chair. without coat, at times par
taking of refreshing drinks.
Shortly after 9 o'clock the raking
tunnels of the transports began to pour
forth volumes Of black smoke. The
stokers were preparing their fires.
which before had been partly banked.
The OIivette, Margaret, Matco and
Laura Mere visiting the fleet, giving
water to one. troops to another ami
mails and equipments to others. Along
Cne pier cOulu DC Ied!u VIC st'i II
voices of the transport commanders as
they gave their orders to cut loose. The
broad gangways We're pulled in. the
# hatchWays closed. lines cast off and the
ponderous engines We're put In motion.
The vessels backed into the bay and
anchored to await the order Of their
going. The MattaeWan hove her cable
shortly after 10 O'Clock. All eyes on
board her We're rivited on the Scgur-
anca. the flagship. and when the final
signal came Il mighty cheer arose
From the lowe. row of portfolios to he1
spar tops hats were waived In wild de-
light. The anchor was quickly weigh
ed and the great vessel pointed he!
prov down the bay. while, from the
surrounding vessels, arose q concert ni
cheers. In a few minutes the City OF
Washington. Rio Grande, Cherokee
Iroquois and Whitney followed. AS
these boats picked their way through
the anchored fleet men shouted them
selves hoarsc and bands played with
vim E,yery vessel ELECTED a wild dis