Condition of the Insurgents
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">The statement is made on good authority that when the troops of the United States land in Cuba for the purpose of driving out the tyranny of Spain from that island, they will receive comparatively little help from the insurgent forces. Undoubtedly the statement will awaken much surprise in view of the superb courage which insurgent forces have exhibited since the outbreak of the present uprising nearly four years ago. But we hasten to observe that the cause for this predicted inability on the part of the Insurgent forces to render much assistance to our troops is not due to any lack of patriotism at this crisis, but solely to the lack of food. On account of the hardships and privations which they have been compelled to suffer within the last few months, they have lost much of the physical endurance which is needed to support them in the vigorous military operations which must now be carried on without intermission. Such being the case, it is not likely even with improved weapons in their hands the Insurgent forces worn out in the struggle which They have waited so long and thin, can be of much assistance to the fresh and energetic truth of the United States, except in the matter of supplying them with information and advice concerning the appointments of the island.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> Information received within the last few days from sources which can be relied upon state of the Insurgent forces in the provinces of Pinar Del Rio and Havana number scarcely more than 3,000 men. We've been induced by statements which is coming from other sources to believe that Gomez with ready at the head of 40,000 Cubans to meet the troops in United States, and to move immediately upon a fan of; but such, it appears, is not the case in the whole of Cuba there are not 40,000 insurgents under arms. Slaughter, famine and disease have played sore havoc within the ranks until it links they barely aggregate the half of that number. Instead of being mobilized in one place awaiting the arrival of fresh fruits in the United States, they are scattered broadcast throughout the island. In fact, the statement is made that General Gomez has not even made any serious effort to mobilize the troops which are located in the immediate neighborhood of Havana, the alleged reason being that he does not look with much favor upon the invasion of Cuba on the part of the United States, since it is likely in some measure to deprive him of his laurels.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> While this statement made you great Injustice to the patriotism of the Cuban leader, still it is evident from the best information which can be obtained Cubans are in rather poor condition to give any practical assistance, and that in seeking to take possession of Havana we must rely mainly upon our own strength.</span></p>
Uncredited
The Goldsboro Headlight
May 19, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068337/1898-05-19/ed-1/seq-2/
Spanish Surrender
County Union, (Dunn, N.C.)
July 27, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068061/1898-07-27/ed-1/seq-1/
A Call For Volunteers
Bill To Be Introduced Today Authorizing The President To Issue a Call for 60,000 or 70,000 men - State Militia Technically Avoided - A Second Call For 100,000 May Be Required.
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Washington, April 18th - Representative Hull, of Iowa, chairman of the house committee on Military Affairs, will tomorrow introduce an administration Bill authorizing the president to issue a call for volunteers to the number of 60,000 or 70,000 men. It will be considered at once by the committee, its passage expedited as rapidly as possible and will take effect immediately upon the president's approval. It's terms will authorize the president to call on the various States for quotas in making up the aggregate. By reading in this way instead of specifically looking to calling out the various State militia, will avoid several embarrassing technicalities, the main one being the Constitutional inhibition on sending State militia out of the country, while volunteers so called for can be ordered anywhere.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">It is likely that if the situation develops into such grave proportions as now expected, a second pole for 100,000 volunteers a week by the president. The necessity for the cement number, however, is not clear to the military authorities at this time. The draft of the present one measure has Justin graded by the war Department officials and the leading members of the military committee have already conferred with the war department Authority on the Necessities on this line, the latter having announced that a maximum 80,000 volunteers would be sufficient at this time. </span></p>
Uncredited
Daily Concord Standard
April 19, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068267/1898-04-19/ed-1/seq-1/
Second Regiment Mustered In
Uncle Sam added another regiment yesterday to its fighting force.
The 2nd North Carolina Regiment of the United States volunteers is a reality, the news liars and scandal mongers to the contrary. It is a regiment of which North Carolina may well feel pround , and if given an opportunity ill add to the glory and lustre of the State. The Second will compare with the best. There is no fighting machine in the volunteer forces superior to it.
The Greenville Company was mustered in yesterday afternoon, making the Second Regiment complete. The officers, with exception of Surgeon Brooks, had been previously mustered in. Dr. Brooks is expected shortly.
The Adjutant General has authorized Mr. E.E. Briton, of Burlington, to proceed at once with the organization of a company of volunteers under the second call made by the President on Wednesday.
Uncredited
The Wilson Advance
June 02, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026523/1898-06-02/ed-1/seq-1/
Serious War Ahead
A Long and Hard Cuban Campaign is Promised
Army officers have given up the idea that a campaign in Cuba is to be of the short and sweet order. Scarcely one of them holds the opinion that the United States forces will land, march triumphantly and uninterruptedly to Havana, carry that city by storm in a day and all Cuba within two or three weeks. It is a fact that many army men came to Tampa with the idea that they were simply going to Cuba on a little tropical picnic, with just enough burned powder and camp life to make the affair interesting. In short, they looked upon the whole business much as the northern volunteers regarded the Civil War before the first battle of Bull Run. But the events of the last few days, the Cardenas and Cienfuegos affairs, The failure of the Gussie expedition and the growing conviction that the effective force of the insurgents has been largely overestimated, has served to change opinions and ideas.
It is dawning upon many that the Spaniards in Cuba are numerous enough, brave enough, reckless enough and strong enough to put up a series of good fights. Interviews with a score of commanding officers, all of them veterans in the secret service, show conclusively that the large majority of the officers in this provisional division of the United States forces realize that unless Spain backs down soon we are in for a Cuban campaign which may run until snow flies in Chicago.
There has been a great deal of the comic opera, grand stand, center of the stage business carried on and Tampa since the troops began coming in, much to the amusement and disgust of the army officers. Tampa is filling up with men generally wearing a semimilitary rig, who claim to be general or colonel of this or that volunteer organization. Who demand places in the army of invasion which will entitle them into a sword, spurs, shoulder straps and a “striker.” they besieged General Wade, General Schaefer, General Wheeler and other commanding officers. They are possessed of an abnormal appetite for printers ink, and they generally are “turned down” cold and flat. Sometimes they make their first plunge into the Cuban Camp, Shout “Cuba libre” wear Maximo Gomez sombreros, buy a $3 machete and ask for a brown canvas uniform and a commission on the staff of General Lacret or General Nunez.
it is useless for such self advertised Heroes to apply for jobs in Tampa. They are not in the regular army, and the Cuban contingent is limited to 750 men. The only way they can get the Cuba to shed their hot blood “for the cause of liberty and revenge the Maine” is to join the volunteer forces and take their chances with the boys who are ready and willing to fight as privates, simply because disinterested patriotism and a strong desire from end the whole Cuban business leads them to shoulder rifles in the ranks. All of this, comic style play has come to an end. Serious business has swept it aside, and there is a general compression of lips and furrowing of foreheads and squaring of shoulders which caused a brigadier-general to say the other day, “the boys are getting ready for work.”
Colonel A. L. Wagner, chief of the bureau of military information, regarded as one of the finest tacticians in the service, every inch of him a soldier and the representative of the army on the strategic board, and his aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Edward Anderson, came to Tampa few days ago, Colonel Wagner has held continuous consultations with General (unreadable), General Schaefer and their aides. He brought with him the latest military map of Cuba and the advanced sheets of the book on Cuba, it's forts, defenses, cities, roads, ports, etc, which the government is about to issue to the authors of the army of invasion and the Navy.
Colonel Wagner and Lieutenant Rowan, who returned from his visit to General Gomez, met here, and Wagner soon was in full possession of all the valuable information the sunburned, modest lieutenant brought back with him. It seems to be pretty well established that the original plan of using the insurgents has been abandoned. This was to send to the eastern end of Cuba all the Cuban volunteers obtainable in the United States, with a strong force of American cavalry, there to join the insurgents. The combined forces, according to the plan, were to move west towards Havana, driving the Spaniards before them, and reach Havana about the time the American forces were ready to invest that city. Rowan said Gomez could easily give 12,000 effective men for this plan.
Several of the commanding officers believe in this plan but it seems that the forces in Tampa will establish a base of operations, and when the volunteers have been organized into an invading Army the regular volunteers will march on to Havana, where Blanco, according to the latest reports has about 65,000 Spanish soldiers and about the same number of civil guards, guerillas and volunteers. It is believed the roads will be passible for artillery and wagon trains up to September, and the Surgeons in yellow fever experts are telling the commanders that a sanitary discipline will reduce the danger from yellow fever to a minimum which will not embarrass the movements toops or the success of the expedition
uncredited (Reprint from the Chicago Record)
The Wilson Advance
June 02, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026523/1898-06-02/ed-1/seq-1/
Tar Heels in Florida
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">Col. Eugene Harrell has been granted a week's furlough for the purpose of returning to Raleigh and straightening up the business of the first regiment. He will leave Jacksonville for Raleigh next Monday.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> General Breckinridge reviewed the troops here today, which was followed by an inspection.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> The government has not yet equipped us, and I have been unable to find anyone you could tell me when it would do so. I see no Prospect of it this week at least.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> Why the matter is delayed is not explained, unless it is connected with the possibility that our destination has not been fully determined upon.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> The troops will be sent to Cuba direct from here will be equipped in some respects differently from those are to go to Manila, but it is possible, of course, and it has ever even been hinted that we might be sent to the Philippines, but there was no ground the base itself is supposition on so far as I'm aware.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> The weather remains pleasant here, and the North Carolina boys in Camp are without exception well.</span></p>
Uncredited
The Wilson Advance
June 02, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026523/1898-06-02/ed-1/seq-1/
Explosive Beef
All kinds of beef including the “ embalmed” variety, have figured in the beef discussion since the war with Cuba, but some of this beef has since developed unsuspected properties, which is referred to by the Baltimore Herald :
When General Miles first informed an interested nation that “embalmed” beef had been supplied to the Army as “an experiment,”and that the canned roast beef was devoid of nutriment, besides nauseating the men, he apparently possessed no information concerning another, entirely unsuspected quality. He evidently did not know, nor does anyone else seemed to have been aware of the fact, that the product furnished by certain Western concerns to sustain our soldiers in an arduous campaign possessed the properties of an explosive.
As set forth exclusively in the herald of Saturday, a number of the cans containing tinned roast beef which had been stored in the Lemon Building, where the Investigating Commission meets, to be used as evidence in refuting with charges preferred by General Miles and other officers, birthday loud detonation, causing consternation among the occupants of the building and spreading Otis throughout the edifice that gave rise to a regular Stampede among the Clarks. It is a matter of record that thousands of pounds of army beef with jettison from transport, and that large quantities with Barry and Cuban and Puerto Rican soil. In the light of recent developments, such methods of disposal must be regarded as deplorably wasteful. Had the expansive and propelling for canned roast beef being ascertained while the war with Spain was yet in progress, the race answer to unserviceable as food might have been used in lieu of ammunition. Perhaps they would have proved an admirable substitute for smokeless powder.
In any event they could have been employed like Chinese stinkpots, to overwhelm the enemy with paralyzing effluvia.
Is too late to Avail ourselves of this powerful Paralyzer, unless we should have some subsequent racquet and Cuba, but it isn't too late to utilize it as a paralyzer of the Filipinos who now seem to be requiring special attention. Suppose a lot of it was shipped to Admiral Dewey and let him And let him shoot it among them, that is if it can be with strange from exploding before across the Pacific. It wouldn't destroy towns as the steel projectiles do, but it would everlastingly get away with the fellows within smelling distance of where it was landed.
uncredited
The Weekly Star (Wilmington N.C.)
March 03, 1899
Newspaper article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026538/1899-03-03/ed-1/seq-2/
Peace With Spain
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">For nearly eight months the United States has been practically at peace with Spain. Since the protocol was signed in August last there has been an entire cessation of hostilities and a treaty has been negotiated which was ratified by the United States Senate and approved by the queen regent of Spain. Last week the final ceremony took place in the White House in Washington, and now peace has been formally established and proclaimed between the two countries. In time, diplomatic relations will be resumed, new commercial treaties will be negotiated, and the attitude of the United States and Spain towards each other will be as it was before the destruction of the battleship Maine in the harbor of Havana, and the action of Congress in ordering the Spaniards out of Cuba. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> Spain has lost the most important of its Colonial possessions as a result of the war. It has evacuated Cuba, to which the Congress of the United States, before war was declared, pledged freedom and Independence. It has been compelled to ceed Puerto Rico to this country, and, on account of reverses in the Philippines and in consideration of $20,000,000, Have transferred its sovereignty in the archipelago to the United States. Its best fleets have been annihilated and its Army in Cuba escaped destruction only because of the early cessation of hostilities. This, briefly stated, is a summation of Spain's losses in his brief war with a vastly superior power.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;">The United States is a quiet place in Puerto Rico, which may be of some value to us in the future as a strategic point if we are ever involved in war with a naval power. If our acquisition of territory had been confined this island in the West Indies are treating makers would have displayed greater wisdom. Not content with this addition to our territory, the administration insisted upon the cession by Spain of a thousand islands or more, nearly 7,000 miles from our Pacific coast, inhabited in the main by a semi civilized population for whom it has agreed to pay $20,000,000 or about $250 apiece. In acquiring this remote territory from Spain the United States has become involved in a war with the Filipinos and is now engaged in the difficult task of “benevolently assimilating” the natives with a large Army and Navy and at a sacrifice of blood and treasure by no means insignificant. Furthermore, it has abandoned the policy of this government from Washington down to and including Cleveland and has made it possible for this country to be involved at any time and complications with European nation. This abandonment of the principles of the founders of the government may prove a very costly experiment.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight:400;"> Spain has sustained an enormous loss in territory, but Cuba and the Philippines were a great burden, held only by the maintenance of a large military and Naval fourth in both feet. This burden has been shifted permanently the United States, so far as the Philippines are concerned, while we are under the necessity of keeping an army of occupation temporarily in Cuba. Spain's loss of territory may prove a blessing in disguise to the Spaniards. Let us hope that the “new possessions” will not prove as great a curse to us as they were to the nation from whom we have taken them. </span></p>
Uncredited
The Goldsboro Headlight
April 20, 1899
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068337/1899-04-20/ed-1/seq-2/
National Law Makers
The House Passed a Declaration of War Last Monday - Time: 1 Minute, 41 Seconds - The Senate Also Passed the House Bill Declaring the Existence of War Between the United States and Spain
April 21st - Three important measures were passed by the Senate this afternoon, all of which relate largely to the nation defense. The sundry civil bill, which has been pending for two weeks, and which arries a large amount of money intended to be used in the strengthening of the country's coast defenses, was finally passed. The naval appropriations bill was immediately taken up and practically completeted, although pending the discussion of an amendment concerning the price of armor plate, the bill was displaced in order that the measure temporarily increasing the military establishment of the United States in time of war, might be considered. After a long discussion the bill, as amended by the committee was passed. A joint resolution was adopted giving the President power to prevent the exportation of coal and other war material. Tillman, of South Carolina, offered and secured the adoption of an amendement providing for an electric light and power plant at a cost of $20,000, and for the storage and handling of coat, at ta cost of $20,000, bot hat the naval station of Port Royal, S.C. <br />April 22nd - In the Senate the volunteer bill was agreed to and Vice President Hobart attatched his signature to it at 2 o'clock. Money, of Mississippi, officially announced the death of Senator Walthall. In doing so he delivered a brief eulogy on the dead statesman. Money then offered the usual resolutions expressing regret of the Senate at the death of Senator Walthall and directing the Vice President to appoint a commiittee of nine Senators to represent the Senate at the funeral. The resolution was adopted and the Vice President named as the committee Senators Money, Berry, Bate, Pettus, Spooner, Gray, Proctor, Pasco and Cannon. Senate then adjourned until the 26th. <br />April 25th - At 3 o'clock the Senate went into executive session and passed the bill of the House, declaring the existence of war between the United States and Spain. Subsequently a brief open session was held, during which minor buisness was transacted. Vice President Hobart signed the bill declaring the existence of war between the United States and Spain at 5 o'clock. A few minutes later a message was recieved from the House announcing its disagreement with the Senate amendements to the army reorganization bill, and asking for a conference. The conference was agreed to, and Messrs Hawley, Proctor and Cockrell were named as the Senate Conferees. <br />April 26th - During the two hours' session of the Senate today, the conference on the army reorganization bill was agreed to, and the measure engrossed and signed. The remainder of the session was devoted to the passage of seventy four private pension bills and numerous measures from among the general calender, among the mbeing a bill to enable the officers, warrant officers, petty officer and marines of the United States navy, who may distinguish themselves in action, to recieve medals of honor, rosettes and ribbons. <br /><br />The House<br />April 21st - The consideration of the contested election case of Paterson vs. Cormack, from the tenth Tennessee district was interrupted to allow the passage of the joint resolution to authorize the President, in his discression, to prohibit the exportation of coal and other war materials. The measure is considered of vital importance to prevent the shipment of coal to Cuba, Porto Rico and other ports where it could be used by Spain. The Speaker signed it just before the House adjourned. <br />April 22nd - In the House the Patterson-Carmack contested election case was disposed of, the sitting member, Carmack being given the seat by a vote of 136 to 118. Several Republicans voted wtih the Democrats and many declined to vote. The Senate resolutions announcing the death of Senator Walthall of Mississippi, were presented, together with an invatation to attend the funeral in a body. The resolutions were adopted and the invitation was accepted on motion of Allen, of Mississippi. The Speaker appointed Messrs. Allen, Fox, Henry, Lord, Sullivan and Williams of Mississippi; Bartlett, of Georgia; Spalding, of Michigan, and Johnson, of Indian, to attend the funeral. <br />April 23rd - The House passed the army reorganization bill, at the urgent request of the President and Secretary of war. Some fear was expressed on the Democratic side that the bill might increase the regular army in time of peace, but an amendment prepared by Bailey, which removed all doubt on this score, was accepted by Hull, and the bill passed by a unaimous vote. The bill reorganizes the army into the three battalion formation, and authorizes the twenty five regiments of the infantry arm of the service to be recruited up to a total of 31,800 enlisted men. It gives 84 instead of 100 privates to each infantry company. It authorizes the recruitment of the ten regiments of the cavalry arm of the service to a total of 12,000 enlisted men; the seven regiments of the artillery arm of the service to be 16,457 men, and the engineer battlion of five companies up to 752 enlisted men, including two non-commissioned officers; which makes a total for those four arms of the service when at a maximum strength of 61,010. At 11:55 a.m. House took a recess to attend the funeral of Senator Walthall, but reconvened at 12:50, and the principal part of the day after 2 p.m. was devoted to eulogies upon the life and public service of the late Senator Earle, of South Carolina. The following members paid tribute to his memory: Messrs, Elliot, Democrato f South Carolina; Hamilton, Republican, of Michigan; Terry, Democrat, of South Carolina;Lanham, Democrat of Texas; Barrows, Republican, of Massachusetts; Stokes, Democrat, of South Carolina; Norton, Democrat, of South Carolina, and Lattimer, Democrat, of South Carolina. <br />April 25th - The House Today passed the resolution declaring the existence of war between the United States and the Kingdom of Spain in a manner which cannot fail to impress the world. The representatives of 70,000,000 voted for it without a word of debate, without a dissenting vote and without a roll calling, but with a solemn appreciation of the gravity of their momentous action. It required one minute and forty one seconds to accomplish this. The House was considering an election case when the message was recieved and simply paused to declare war. There was no excitement, no cavil, no word or question. It was only when the cheer that went up from the floor and galleries when Speaker Reed announced its passage, that the tremendous import of the act and the supressed enthusiasm behind it were shown. After the President's message was read the committee on foreign affairs framed the resolution. Acting chairman Adams wrote the report and it was passed on its way to the Senate in an hour and six minutes. The Speaker signed it at 4:49. The remainder of the day was devoted to the election case of Wise vs. Young from the Second Virgina district. Messick made the argument in the election case in favor of the claims of the contestant, Wise. When the army reorganization bill, with Senate amendments, came back to the House, on motion of Hull, the amendments were non-concurred in and the bill was sent to conference. Messrs. Hull, Cox of Tennessee, and Marsh, Republican, of Illinois, were appointed conferees. <br />April 26th - The war revenue bill was reported to the House today, and by arrangements made, the debate will begin tomorrow and continue at night sessions until Friday. At 4 o'clock on that day the vote will be taken. The contested election case of Wise vs. Young, from the second Virgina district, was decided today in favor of the contestant, Dr. Wise, who is a Republican, by a party vote. Speeches for the contestant were made by Crumpacker, Republican, of Indiana, and Grosvenor, Republican, of Ohio. Jones, Democrat, of Virgina, followed for the Contestee. The Senate amendments to the naval appropriation bill were non-concurred in and a conference requested. The Speaker appointed Boutelle, Hillborn and Cummings, conferees.
Uncredited
The Marion Messenger
April 29, 1898
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068692/1898-04-29/ed-1/seq-1/
Minor Mention
We do not apprehend that the adoption of resolutions by Congress favoring either Cuban belligerancy or Cuban independence will result in any serious complications with Spain or with any other power. Spain has more than she can well attend to in Cuba now and it is not likely that sehe would be foolish enough to tackle the United States when such an act would ensure thae speedy loss Cuba. No other power has interest eunough in Cuba, or in Spain to join issue with her, and incur the expense of war to enable her to hold Cuba. There is not the slightest probability that England would, unless, perhaps, in the event of complications in Venezuela which would not be settled in a peaceable way (of which there is little danger) she might encourage Spain to embarrass this Government. There is as little probability that France will get mixed up in it, on account of the Spanish loans held by the Bank of France, for that matter could doubtless be arranged by frends of Cuba in a matter satisfactory to France. The passage of these resolutions will, in our opinion, expedite the settement of the trouble in Cuba and secure home government, at least, which many of the Cubans would have preferred some time ago to independence and many, doubtless, would still prefer. Independence has, in the estimation of many of them its disadvantages, with the mixed population and the preponderance of the black element, which would, of course, claim recognition and might have, if they saw fit to exercise it, a controlling voice in the government of a Republic, which contingency would not present itself with simply home rule. Spain cannot reasonably be as deaf to the demand for home rule as to the demand for independence, and as this struggle is costing her a good many men and a great deal of money, with less prospect of sucess now than ever before, her reason may get the better of her stupidity and pride, and she may show more disposition to listen to a proposition for home rule in the island. War is a costly buisness, entirely too costly for a nation with Spain's empty treasury.
Uncredited
The Weekly Star (Wilmington N.C.)
March 06, 1896
Newspaper Article
http://newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn84026538/1896-03-06/ed-1/seq-1/