Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1898-10-13
PLAN OF CAMPAIGN
ALGER MAKES STATEMENT TO
INVESTIGATING COMMISSION.
REASONS FOR EAct' MOVE
1t Was Decided to Blockade Important
Ports OF Cuba and Rush in Troops
as Emergencies Arose-Soldiers
Kept in South to Be Handy and Be-
come Acclimated.

Washington, Oct. 1.-THE war in
vestigating committee devoted consid-
cradle time Tuesday to the examina-
ton of Secretary Ayers statement,
and the papers furnished by him in
reply to the commissions inquiries.
Secretary Alger states III his report
that when it became Qulle certain that
Cervera was securely entrapped, Adj
miral Sampson wired the fact to the
secretary of the navy, asking that
troops be sent immediately. He said
he had Silenced the batteries which
were accessible from the sea, and that
10000 men could capture the town
within IS hours. The delay in getting
the troops started from Tampa was
due to the report that Spanish war
ships were lying in wait for the trans
ports.
The commission asked Alger, among
other things, for information on the
following subjects:
/. What plan of campaign was de-
cided upon Immediately after the
declaration of war? Was it decided
campaign be postponed until autumn?
Answer-An immediate blockade by
the navy of the important ports in
Cuba, as directed by the PRESIDENT
proclamation was decided on and the
holding of troops at points nearest
nal, No lob Ia IN aN
which might arise, and especially to
be ready for prompt assistance in case
the operations of the navy should
make the use of land forces necessary
or desirable Early in May u plan
was partially matured to land force
yana, reports having been received
that in its immediate vicinity were
high grounds, we'll watered and suit
able for the camping of troops and
preparatory for Il movement on Ha-
vana later if it were deemed advisable
the thought being that possibly an as
sault might be made upon the forces
defending that city before the rainy
season set in. Orders were issued to
that effect May g. but subsequently
the plans were changed on account OF
the further information that there
-weHld be great danger to the health OF
the troops in that vicinity, and also
on account of the uncertainty of the
movements of the enemy's fleet. II
was then determined to keep the forces
in the United States, at points as neal
Cuba as possible, for immediate en-
barkation should emergency demand
it. The Santiago campaign proved tc
be that emergency. After consulta.
ton with the medical authorities il
was believed that the troops camping
in the southern states during the sum
mer would become somewhat accli-
mated for service.
when was the Santiago campaign
determined upon?
Answer-The Santiago campaign
was made necessary by the presance OF
Cerveras fleet in Santiago harbor, but
it had previously been contemplated as
one point on the coast where a recon
noisance in force was to be made to
find out the strength % the enemy in
eastern Cuba. The immediate de-
struction of Cerveras fleet was neces-
sary and to enable the navy to accom-
plsh this the military force under
Shafter was sent to Santiago. The
following message was sent 70 Shafter
at Tampa June Z:
"Shafter, Tampa-Since telegraph
ing you an hour since, the president
force you have ready.
-"Alger."
Shafter replied that he would sail in
the morning. Steam could not be
raised earlier. On the morning Of
June Skaters departure was stopped
by dispatch from Alger saying that
Commodore Remy reported sighting
several Spanish vessels In the Nicho-
las channel The transports were
then held until the navy department
furnished convoy.
Major General Graham was the only
witness before the commission Tues
day. He was the first commander OF
Camp Alger. No running stream was
near by, but there were many fine
springs. AS the troops increased 1t
became necessary to dig wells. There
was delay in digging the wells. forty
OF which were sunk, one for each reg
iment. The supply was then ample
for all purposes except bathing. He
was inclined to attribute much of the
sickness to the fact that the soldiers
insisted on taking water from the lit
tie streams running through the camp.
Much sickness was also due to delica-
cies sent the soldiers from home.