This was a remarkable situation, and the next thing was a startling shift of scenery:

War Department, Washington, D. C., June 8, 1898.

Major-General Shafter, Tampa, Fla.:

Wait until you get further orders before you sail. Answer quick.

R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War.

Port Tampa, Fla., June 8, 1898—4:06 p. m.

R. A. Alger, Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:
Message received. Vessels are in the stream, but will be able to stop

them before reaching the Gulf.

SHAFTER, Major-General.

War Department, Washington, June 8, 1898.

Major-General Miles, Tampa, Fla. :

The reason for countermanding order you will find in the following. The order was given at the request of the Navy Department by direction of the President:

"Key West, June 8.-Spanish armor cruiser, second class, and Spanish torpedo-boat destroyer seen by Eagle, Nicholas Channel, Cuba.-Remey."

"Key West, June 8.-Last cipher just came by Resolute, just arrived; was pursued by two vessels, Nicholas Channel, Cuba, last night. Shall I order Indiana and all available cruisers to coast of Cuba? More detail to follow.Remey."

Tampa, Fla., June 8, 1898-11:42 p. m.

Hon. Secretary of War, Washington, D. C. :

If that report is true, those Spanish vessels could be within six hours of the loaded transports now, and there to-morrow. Have ample measures been taken by the navy to insure their safety? MILES, Commanding.

General Miles took advantage of the interval to submit several questions, suggestions and plans of campaign. He rattled the Secretary of War.

June 9th, 6:50 p. m.: "Think it would be well to announce that the army got on board transports and started, as they did yesterday. Say nothing about its being recalled, but let our naval vessels go over the course that our transports would have gone over, with the hope of finding those Spanish ships."

Now, the General wanted to know whether the presence of Spanish war

vessels didn't render it extremely hazardous to send troops on transports until the Spaniards were "captured, destroyed or driven away." The General wanted to know whether he should go on with the organization of Expedition No. 2.

The reply of the President was:

Major-General Miles, Tampa, Fla.:

War Department, June 9, 1898.

The President directs me to say that no change of plan will be made; that Expedition No. 2 must be organized as rapidly as possible. We are looking for transports, and are satisfied the navy will take care of that problem. Give nothing out. R. A. ALGER, Secretary of War. General Miles at once had another plan-not a change in the plan, but a new one, right from the mint. It took hold heartily of the navy, and awakened its drowsy consciousness thus:

Tampa, Fla., June 9, 1898-2:45 p. m.

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

It seems that it is a naval problem yet unsolved, and it might be advisable for the command now on board transports to have the protection of the entire navy to convoy it to number 1, number 2, or Nuevitas, or, if this is considered too hazardous, then keep the troops in healthful camps, as they are now, and assist the navy to destroy the Spanish fleet. There are here 25 good steamers that could be used to carry water, coal, and supplies, guns, revolving cannon, and mortars, etc., and they could be added to the force of the navy. It seems strange to be suggesting that the army assist the navy in this way, but I am sure we would receive most loyal support when the waters are safe for crossing with the army.

MILES, Major-General, Commanding Army.

There was talk of disembarking the troops, but Shafter said it was not practicable. They could not be encamped comfortably, but were taken off in detachments to exercise. June 17th it was stated that the expedition should get under way and meet convoy at Rebecca Shoal.

Port Tampa, Fla., June 10, 1898—9:30 p. m. Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C. :

Practically all the transports have been in canal, where men have had free access to shore, and they have been off the greater part of two days. This afternoon all but eleven of the transports have been drawn a short dis

tance into the stream, where the men are much more comfortable than in the canal, with excellent facilities for swimming and keeping clean. The command is being increased only by recruits, of which there are several hundred, the exact number of which will be telegraphed you in the morning, and by one troop of cavalry mounts. The transports now here are practically filled, though it might be possible to get one more regiment of volunteer infantry on. Will be able to tell to-morrow, when a rearrangement of some of the troops will be made. If I find it possible to take another régiment I prefer the Thirty-second Michigan. SHAFTER,

Major-General, United States Volunteers, Commanding.

June 12th, 7:18 p. m., Shafter telegraphed Corbin :

"Have consulted with senior naval officer present, who says we must have daylight to get down to lower bay. Will start the transports at daylight to-morrow, and with good luck will meet convoy from Key West before Wednesday noon."

Port Tampa, Fla., June 13, 1898-1:10 p. m.

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

Steamers are moving out to sea and should be away by 1 o'clock.

MILES, Major-General.

Playa del Este, via Haiti.

(Received at Washington June 22, 1898, 6:22 p. m.)

Secretary of War, Washington, D. C.:

Off Daiquiri, Cuba, June 22, 1898.-Landing at Daiquiri this morning.

General Miles as a Loyal Soldier-Shafter's Fine Voyage and Safe Landing-The First Blood in Battle-Rush of Supplies and Reënforcements to the Army-Alger Wants Shafter to "Get a Good Ready"-Why Siege Guns were not Unloaded-Work Cut Out for the Regulars-Parallel with the British Siege of Havana-The Sword Had to be Swift to Save from the Pestilence.

The credit is due General Miles of pulling steadily in the harness. When one of his suggestions did not take root, he was soon ready with another. If one of his campaigns on paper was blown away in the morning, he was as fertile as ever in the evening. He saw, after the Santiago expedition was under way, that it was the primary enterprise, and would in all ways take precedence, and he was ready and willing to go on with number two. If he was not to command in Cuba, he was persevering for Porto Rico. His plans might be subjected to all trials except that of being tried, but his loyalty as a soldier was never impeachable. In all aspects of his versatility he was facing to the front. If he thought it wise to wait, he said so at large and in particular, but when the word was to go, he was up and doing at the tap of the drum, buttoned and buckled, alert and stepping out to the music. In his contentions with the critics he can always say that his faults were in words, and the facility with which they are flashed about the world, but his feet were rather jubilant than laggard, and the toes of his boots pointed to the enemy. When Shafter's fleet sailed down the bay, General Miles telegraphed the War Department the hour and the minute-June 14, 1898, 10:30 a. m.-when "the last one was out of sight," and he mentioned an auxiliary cruiser, that would go in six hours, and for a wonder the MajorGeneral commanding did not know the destination of the boat. This was signed simply, "Miles, Commanding," but his command at the moment was "out of sight" so far as the regular army was concerned. Major-General