Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 84, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 June 1898 — THEY HAVE NO FEAR. [ARTICLE]

THEY HAVE NO FEAR.

Miles and Alger Confident of Success of Our Troops. PLEASED WITH NEWS FROM CDBA. Hot Surprised That Fishting Hu Be-goD-American* Will the Spaniard* to Do Battle— The Reinforcementa. Washington, June 24.—Secretary Alger and Gen. Miles were in conference in the secretary’s office at four o’clok Thursday afternoon when the first Madrid bulletin announcing that fighting had begun was shown to them. The secretary read it aloud with evident satisfaction, and both of them expressed themselves gratified with this favorable report, coming, as it did, from the enemy. There was no surprise that the fighting had begun so soon. It was suggested by the reporter that the troops had completed their landing only Thursday morning. “Y r es. but they have gone there to fight, and are ready to begin it at once,” replied Gen. Miles. Secretary Alger said no word had been received up to that hour indicating that fighting was in progress. He had no reason to doubt, however, that our troops had encountered the Spanish forces and had given a good account of themselves. He commented on Admiral Cervera’s cable that the situation was “critical” and that the Spaniards had been obliged to retire as in strange contrast with Madrid’s claim of a “Spanish victory.” Will Force the Fightlne. Gen. Miles said that t/he American troops would now push forward aggressively. driving in the Spanish and forcing them to figh,t. There was not a suggestion of apprehension or doubt, either with Secretary Alger or Gen. Miles, as to what the outcome would be. They had made their plans well and

they were confident that Gen. Shafter and his troops would be hammering at th» gates of Santiago before long. The impression here is that the Spaniards will make their strongest stand close to Santiago and the inner harbor within range of protection of the guns of the big Spanish cruisers lying there. Only One Hurt. The only positive news coming to the war department up to the close of office hours was a dispatch to Gen. Miles from one of his staff officers with Gen. Shatter, and also a brief dispatch 1o Gen. Greeley from Lieut. Col. Allen. Gen. Miles’ dispatch stated, in substance, that the landing of troops had been completed without any casualties, save to one Cuban soldier, who had his arm injured by the bursting of a shell. The troops of Garcia and Rahi. about 5,700 in number, had m< f the American forces with enthudnstir greetings. Stress was laid upon the point that the Cubans were well armed and well disciplined. Gen. Garcia was confident that his forces would lie swelled to 10.000 men as soon as Santiago fell. About the only need among the Cubans was shoes and quinine. The dispatch to Gen. Greeley merely stated that progress was being made in connecting the military forces directly with the war department. The Reinforcements. During the day orders were issued to the entire division, comprising the new-ly-created command of llrig. Gen Guy V. Henry, for the speedy departure to reinforce Gen. Shafter at Santiago. Already the Thirty-third Michigan regiment and one battalion of the Thirtyfourth Michigan hnve started on this mission. Thursday's orders cover the balance of Gen. Henry's command. It includes the remaining battalions of the Thirty-fourth Michigan, and the Ninth Massachusetts regiment. These will complete Gen. Duffield’s commnnd. The orders also cover the entire brigade of Brig. Gen. Gnrretson. which includes the Sixth Illinois. Sixth Massachusetts and Eighth and Ninth Ohio regiments. The plan is to move all of Gen. Henry's division on the Harvard and Yale, these ships to make two round trips. The first trip will carry most, if not all, of Gen. Duffieid’s brigade. The war department allows three days for the trip, two days to unload the troops, and three days to return to Newport News, making eight days. By that time Gen. Garretson’s brigade will be at Newport News ready to go on board the ships, and then w ill come the second trip, taking three days, with two days allowed for Garretsori’s troops to unload in Cuba. * The records of the adjutant general’s

office of the war department 6how that the actual number of officers and men mustered into the United States service under the president’s first call for 125,000 men amounted to 124,241. Of these 5,084 were officers and 118,257 were enlisted men.