Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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1 TILE LEDOBU: GAFFNEV, C., JULY 7, 1808 %» uftriLEU Details of His Desperate but Vain Break For Liberty From Santiago. ADMIRAL SLIGHTLY HURT Ho Never Surrendered to Our Forces I'ntil the Liist of the Ships I'uder Him ll.id liecii Fired and Furliier Resistnnee Appeared Useless. Kingston, Jamaica, July 5.—Admiral Cervera’s fleet, consisting of the arm ored cruisers Cristobal Colon, Alniirante Oquenda, Intauta Marie Teresa and Viseaya and two torpedo boat destroy ers, the Furor and the Pluton, which had i»eeu held in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba for sis weeks past by the com bined squadrons of Rear Admiral Samp son and Commodore Schley, lies today at the bottom of the Carribeau sea, o£ the southern coast of Cuba. The Spanish admiral is a prisoner of war on the auxiliary gunboat Gloucester, and from 1,000 to 1,500 other Spanish officers and sailors who escaped the frightlul carnage caused by the shells from the American warships, are also held as prisoners of war. The American victory is Complete, and according to the best information obtainable at this tiiue, the American vessels were practically untouched and only one killed, though the ships were subjected to the heavy lire ot the Span iards all the time the battle lasted. Admiral Corvera made as gallant dash for liberty and for the preservation of his ships as ever occurred in tbe history of naval warfare. In the face of over whelming odds, with nothing before him but inevitable destruction or sur render if he remained any longer in the j trap in which the Ame^tcan fleet held him, he made a bold dasn from the har- bor at the time the Americans least ex- | pected him to do so, and fighting every inch of his way, even when his ship was ablaze and sinking, he tried to escape , the doom which was written on the | muzzle of every American gun trained ! upon his vessels. Decks Covered With Hlood. I The Americans saw him the moment he left the harbor, and commenced their work of destruction immediately. For an hotfr or two they followed the flying Spaniards to the westward along the shore line, sending shot after shot into their blazing hulls, tearing great holes in their steel sides and covering their decks with the blood of the killed and wounded. At no time did the Spaniards show any indication that they intended to do otherwise than light to the last. They showed no signals to surrender even when their ships commenced to sink, and the great clouds of smoke pouring from their sides showed they were on lire. Hut they turned their vessels toward the shore, less than a mile away, and ran them oil the beach and rocks, where their destruction was soon completed. The officers and men on board then es caped to the shore as well as they could With the assistance of boats sent from the American men of war and threw themselves upon the mercy of their captors. One after another the Spanish ships became the victims of the awful rain of shells which the American battleships, cruisers and gunboats poured upon them, and two hours after tbe first of the fleet had started out of Santiago harbor their cruisers and two torpedo boat destroyers were lying on shore 10 to 15 miles west of Moito Castle, pound ing to pieces, smoke and flame pouring from every part of them and covering the entire coast line with a mist which could be seen for n iles. Heavy explosions of ammunition oc curred every few minutes, sending curls of white smoke 100 feet in the air, ami causing a shower of broken iron and steel to fall in the water on every side. Admiral Cervera escaped to the shore in a boat sent by the Gloucester to the assistance of Infanta Marie Teresa, and as soon as he touched the beach lie sur rendered himself and his command to Lieutenant Morton and asked to lie taken on board the Gloucester, which was the only American vessel near him at the time with several of his officers, including the captain of the flagship. Admiral Cervera Is Hurt. The Spanish admiral, who was wounded in the arm, was taken to tbe Gloucester, and was received at the gangway by her commander, Lieuten ant Commander Richard Wainwrighf, who grasped the hand of the gray- bearded admiral and said to him: “I congratulate you, sir, upon having made us gallant a light us was ever wit nessed on the sea. ’ ’ Lieutenant Commander Wainwright then place d his cabin at the disposal of the Spanish Officer. For an hour after Admiral Cervera went aboard the Gloucester, the Infanta Maria Teresa, Alniirante Oquendo and Viseaya continued to burn and every now and then a deep roar accompanied by a burst of flame and smoko from the sides of the shipy would announce the explosion of more ammunition or an other magazine. As the flames shot higher and higher above the decks of the magnificent ves sels that hail composed Admiral Cer- vera's fleet, many of those who wit nessed the scene felt that it had u strong connection with the destruction of the American battleship Maine in Havana hurhc*- five mouths ago. Lieutenant Cmnnmiider Wainwright, the commander of llie Gloucester, was executive officer of the Maine at the time of the disaster and, although he remained in Havana harbor two iiioiitlui after the explosion, he lived on lioard the dispatch bout Fern mid steadfastly refused to set Ins foot within the city until, to use his own words, the time ■Imll come when lie could go ashore at the head of a lauding ixtriyof Americau bluejackets. Sunday it was his shit) that sank two S|Niuish torpedo boat de stroyers and afterwards received the ^itfriish admiral aboard as a prisoner o! war. The Maine Now Avenged. From his position on the bridge of the Gloucester Lieutenant Commander Wainwright watched tho flames and smoke as they enveloped the decks of the three greatest warships of the .Span- Fh navy, which wt ret-oon to be reduced to nothing but shattered masts and twisted (smokestacks, protruding above tho water, similar to that pictured in Havana harbor. It was not strange, therefore, that he remarked to his brother officers beside him: “The Maine is avenged.” Just then the Furor and Pluton sunk. The Gloucester’s boat picked up as many of the survivors as sho could find on tho shore. The prisoners of war included tho captains of both boats. None offered any resistance and were glad to go to the Gloucester, as they toured an at tack from the Cubans. A number of tho survivors, including officers of the Furor, who, it was re ported, had their legs shot off', were scattered along tho coast for some dis tance and could not be found. Three officers and six men of the Pluton es caped from the shore in one of their own boats and pulled to the Associated Press dispatch boat Wanda, where they remained until their captain, who was held a prisoner on the Gloucester, or dered them to join him on the latter vessel. The most remarkable feature of the combat was the fact that, notwithstand ing the utter destruction of the Spanish fleet and the hard light those ships made even after they were on lire, the Amer ican vessels should escape without in jury. I’oor Gunnery of Dons. The only possible explanation of this is the poor markmauship of the Spanish gunners, which has been so well demon strated in every other conflict of tho war. The Newark, Commodore Watson’s flagship, did not participate in the great capture, as she was coaling at Guan tanamo. There can be no doubt that Admiral Cervera’s plan to escape from Santiago harbor was entirely unexpected by Ad miral Sampson, and the best evidence of this is the fact that when tho Spanish vessels were seen coming out of the harbor the flagship New York was 7 miles away steaming to the eastward toward Juragna, the military base, 0 miles east of Mono. The New York was out of the fight altogether at every stage, but she imme diately put about and followed the oth ers. The most dramatic feature of the bat tle was the contest between the torpedo boat destroyers and the Gloucester. The latter was struck several times and is the only American vessel reported dam aged. At the first the Gloucester tired upon them with her 6-pounders, but they ran jmst her and engaged tbe bat tleships. Finding the tire too hot, they turned and attacked the Gloucester again until both destroyers were afire and had to be beached. Their crews threw themselves into the surf to save their lives. Just before this the New York came up and assisted in giving the finishing blow to the destroyers. Ml CD • f HTS fs' \ nH y ml u muf JOr EPITOME OF WAR EVENTS The Progress .Made to Drive 5pain From Western Territory. Bombardment of Santiago Put G.T Until Gbafter and Sampson Meet. Our Men Beforo Santiago do Cuba Enthusiastic Over the Spanish Rout. PRESIDENT SO INSTRUCTS ENEMY MORE AGGRESSIVE S#Y CERVERAESCAPED The Spaniards Know Nothing of Their Defeat. Madrid, July 5.—The general public of the Spanish capital, at this hour, still believes Admiral Cervera and bis squadron have escaped from Santiago de Culw, thunks to the official dis patches given out by the government and tho interviews granted by the : ministers. A dispatch from Captain General Blanco says: “Cervera’.s squadron, at 11 o’clock on Sunday morning, broke the center oi the American fleet and proceeded at full steam in a westerly direction.” The Spanish minister of war, Senot Aunon, is quoted in an interview us saying: “1 am highly pleased with the feat of arms performed by Admiral Cer vera’s ! squadron, which left Santiago the mo- ment Admiral Cervera judged it op- portune to do so.” CERVERA HEARD FROM Defeated Spanish Admiral on the Naval Fight. Off Santiago df. CniA, July 4, via Kingston, Jamaica, July 5.—Tho first and only statement concerning the re- ! cent naval battle made by tho Spanish commander, Admiral Cervera, was to a correspondent of the Associated Press i on board the battleship Iowa. It was as follows: “I would rather lose my ships at sea, like a sailor, than in a harbor. It wa* the only thing left for me to do.” | Foreigners Leave Santiago. London, July 5.—The Evening Nows says a dispatch has been received at the foreign office from the Hritish consul at Santiago saying ho has obtained a post ponement of the bombardment of that city in order to allow itO.OOO nor com batants to leave tho city. Tho consul, with the Rritlsh subjects, will embark on board ships in tho harbor. Spanish View of the Fight. Madrid, July f>.—An official dispatch from Havana says that in the fight of July it three men were killed and seven wounded on board tho Reiua Mercedes. | Of tbe troops diitemlarked by Admiral Cervera 71 were rendered horse de combat. fable Operators Fleeing. Nkw York, July ft. — The central cable office of tho Western Union Tele graph company, at lliilO this morning, issued a notice to the effect that its ca ble operators at the city of Santiago do Cuba have gone on Lu.u«i u Luush gun boat. Land and Sea Commanders K-pected to Iteuch Some Conclusion as to the Advisability of the Admiral Entering the Harbor and Helping. Washington, July 5.—Secretary Al ger, on leaving the cabinet meeting at I'JJiO, said that the president had sent a telegram to Admiral Sampson and General Shatter asking them to confer as to what the situation demanded. Secretary Alger said that it was his un derstanding that the bombardment had not begun, nor would it taka place until a perfect understanding between the two officers had been leached. It is expected that the two officers will reach a conclusion us to the advisability of Admiral Sampson making an attempt to enter the harbor and assist in the bombardment. Transports with troops will be started immediately to reinforce General Shat ter. and will continue to go forwaid as long as the general may think it neces sary to make h:s victory certain and de cisive. General Alger also said that when all the facts have come to lie heard il would be seen that the extreme heal and the severe work done by the troops have contributed as much to our losses at Santiago as the lire of the enemy. The war department lias been in formed of the arrival of General P&ndC at Santiago with reinforcements for the enemy. Alger Calls on McKinley. Secretary Alger bad a conference with the president today, leaving the White House about 1 o'clock. Together they discussed the events of yesterday at Santiago and the "aggressive operations to be resumed before the city at noon today, tho expiration of the truce limit granted by General Shaftor in the in terest of noncombatants. He declined to discuss the reported junction of Pando’s reinforcing column* with the Spanish forces in Santiago. In the hour interval between Secretary Alger’s departure and the cabinet ses sion a number of senators and repre sentatives had personal interviews with the president. Secretary Long went over to confoi with the president shortly after 1(1 o’clock. He had with him some dis patches and other papers. Secretary Long announced at 10:JU o’clock there were no important advices on hand. No Attack This Week. There will be no bombardment ol Santiago today and possibly not during the present week. This is the opinion of members of the cabinet as expressed on leaving the White House after the cabinet meeting. Secretaries Long and Alger have been kept in constant com munication with General Shatter and Admiral Sampson upon the situation and the conclusion has been reached that it would not be advisable to at- b mpf to carry the city of Santiago by storm with our present forces. General Shafter, in a dispatch re ceived last night, confirmed the report that General Pando, with about 0,00;1 Spaniards, had arrived in tho city’ ami were already distributed among the for tifications. This reinforcement makei the Spanish forces defending the city from 1(1,000 to 1H.000. The very great advantage of being entrenched add* materially to their strength, and, in the opinion of military men, makes then effective fighting force from one-third to one halt greater than our own. General Shafter in his dispatch states that the excessive heat and rains of the last two weeks have contributed nearly. as much as the Spanish bullets to the ineffectiveness of *our army. Undet these circumstances it is his opinion that it would bo unwise to attempt tc carry the city by assault. This view i> shared by the officials here and also, il is understood, by’ Admiral Sampson, in command of the fleet. Fleet to Enter (he Ifn-.-bor. At the cabinet meeting tho president directed that telegrams sent to Gen eral Shafter and Admiral Sampson sag- gestit g that they confer as to the situa tion ana particularly to the advisability of the admiral’ll attempt to force a pas sago into Santiago bay and so he in a position to render effective aid in tho assault upon the city. It is known to is- General Shafter’s desire to have tho fleet enter the harbor. Orders were also given looking to the immediate dispatch of tho troopships from Tampa with reinforcements for Shafter, and others now off Santiago will be brought hero at tho earliest pos sible moment to aid in the transporta tion of reinforcements. It is probable that at least 15,(HJ0 will Is; sent forward as rapidly as transportation can be pro vided. Thus augmented, there seems to lie no doubt that the forces under General Shafter will be able to storm and take tbe city without delay*. These are the views entertained by mcmlieni of the cabinet who talk freely today on the subject. Nevertheless the orders under which both the army and the navy are now operating gives the commanders wide discretion and it ig not doubted that should changed cir cumstances seem to warrant it, an tg greisive moment will lie begun. An InelTVctual Effort Made to Hreak Through the American Line and Heavy Loss Inflicted on the Party That .Made the Sortie. At the Front, Huadquartkrs ok General Shaftkk’s Army, Before Santiago de Cuba, July 8, via Kings ton, Jamaica, July 4.—Larly in the day a man on the lookout bore reported that the Spanish fleet, under command of Admiral Cervera, had sailed out of the haibor of Santiago de Cuba, but it was not until lap* this afternoon that the re sult was known at headquarters. As the news of the magnificent vic tory flew from sentry to sentry along the firing lines and was shouted to the companies, regiments and brigades, a great cheer swept down the line of weary men, which gathered force as it went, until the rattle of mnskl try was drowned in the rear from glad Ameri can throats. The news was flashed back into tho underbrush, where the reserves lay, and the men almost stampeded in their en thusiastic desire to get to the front. The cheering continued throughout the evening as the details of the fight came in. The men could not have dis played more enthusiasm had the victory been theirs instead of the navy’s. KIHe Hull For Chaffee. Although the firing continued all day between the outposts, very liitle dam age was done on either side. General Chaffee was wounded slightly, a rifle bullet cutting through his foot, but he will not be compelled to leave the field. The only severe firing during the day occurred when the Spanish fleet was leaving the harbor The enemy evi dently attempted to divert the attention of our troops, bur the Americans re sponded so willingly that the fire soon ceased and was resumed at intervals during the remainder of the day. Last night the only aggressive move ments the Spanish made resulted in their severe defeat. At about JO o’clock the enemy came out of the breeches about the city walls in a large force ami dashed straight for the American lines. In one or two places our men fell back from their po sition, but quickly rallied and drove the enemy back pellmell into their own ditches. The Spanish losses must have been frightful, as they were exposed to a terrific fire for a quarter of an hour. The losses on the American side were very light, as our soldiers lay in the rifle pits and had every advantage. The most during of the Spanish forces are the sharpshooters. They take their positions almost at tha wall, and from the dense tree tops do execution with smokeless powder, making it difficult to locate them. Several times they have shot into General Shafter’s tent, which is several miles from the front, and they have infested the trail for 10 miles be tween Juraguu and the outposts. Men Siuiii In Litters. One of the most horrible features of the M ar is that dozens of men have been killed as they lay in litters, and that surgeons, wearing the emblem of the Red Cross society upon their arms, have been the special object of attack. The number of killed and wounded for the week reaches tonight about l.yoo. No effort is, apparently, being made by our officers to expedite the listing of the casualties, and not one-fifth of the total names are known even to tho command ing officers. Already bOO cases have been handled at the hospital hen?, be cause of the overflow from the hospitals at the front. All the wounded here are recovc ring. There lias been only one death since the hospital was established, that of Private Meyers of the Sixth infantry, which occurred today. He was shot through the body. Adjutant Wood of the Ninth cavalry, who was shot through the face and who mus not expected to recover, is improv ing rapidly ar-d will be sent to Key West next week. There has lieen much conjecture to day as to whether Lieutenant M. A. Rabon of the Ninth cavalry, who is the acting topographical officer of the staff, made the maps of the trails before Fri day’s battle. In the Spanish Lines. He has been at work ever since, most of the time in and around the Spanish lines. He has almost always refused an escort, and though ho lias been shot at several times, he has not been wounded. Thursday, while out with two men, he encountered a detachment of Spaniards and an officer and took all prisoners. A total of 2!M) prisoners were captured in battle at Caney on Friday, of which 4i» were regular Spanish soldiers in uni forms, two officers, and tbe remainder armed residents of the town. Nino wounded men were left in the blockhouse, attended by a native phy sician. Tue other prisoners were brought to Juragna today in charge of Captain McArthur and two companies of the Thirty-third Michigan regiment and camped there. The Cubans followed them in great crowds and burled epi thets at the frightened captives. Ail the soldiers belonged to the Thirty- ninth Spanish regulars and expected to be killed. HOUSE THINKS SCHLEY SHIPS OFF CHARLESTON Joint Resolution Put Forward by Young Berry. Washington, July 5.—Reprcsentattrs 1 Berry of Kentucky today introduced in , the house a joint resolution tendering the thanks of congress to Commodore ! Hchley and the officers ami men under hi* command fol thu (Icsliuctiuil of Uk tipunikh fleet. Columbia and Yale Arrive to Convoy Soldiers. Ciiahlrfton, S. C., July ft. — The cruisers Columbia and Yale have ar- riv -d off the mouth of the harbor, pre sumably waiting lo convoy the troops when embarked. No uuu have yet arrived. Mcrriniac Crew Is Thanked. The senate \\ eduesday passed a reso lution thanking the Merrimac crew for their services at Santiago aud carrying out tho other recommendations made by President McKinley in his message oi Monday. Santiago About to Fall. General Shafter reported to Wash ington Wednesday that he could take Santiago in 4b hours, but indicated tiia: the undertaking might involve consid erable loss. Merritt Sails For JIanlla. The steamer Newport, with Goner 1 Merritt on board, sailed Wednesday 1 jr the Philippines. Fleet Allowed to Coal. The Egyptian government Thursday gave its sanction to the Spanish fleet, coaling from its own transports at Port Said. The Egyptian government had previously prohibited tho Spanish fleet from taking on board any more coal than enough to enable it to return to Spain. Attack on Santiago Begun. N A general assault on the city of San tiago de Cuba by the land and sea forces of the United States began at 7 o’clock Friday morning. General Lawton ad vanced aud took possession of Cabona, a suburb of Santiago. Morro Castle and the other forts at the entrance of the harbor were bom barded by tho American fleet. Tho Vesuvius used her dynamite guns with good effect. The Spanish fleet in tho harbor fired ; on the American troops, who were very ; close to the city. | The fighting continued until dark. The American forces carried the enemy’s ! outer works, and occupied them Friday ! night. It was announced that the light ing would be resumed at daybreak Sat urday. Tho American loss during the day was estimated at 500 killed and wounded, but the Spanish loss probably largely i exceeded that number. Squadron Pusses the Canal. According to a dispatch received at the Spanish ministry of tho marine, Ad miral Camara, in command of the Span ish fleet last reported at Port Said, Egypt, Friday passed through the Suez canal, apparently on his way to the Philippine islands. Second Day of the Fight. The battle of Santiago was resumed early Saturday morning and continued throughout the day. Tho American troops advanced closer to the city, but suffered greatly. It was estimated that General Shafter’s army had lost 2,000 in killed and wounded during the two days’ fighting, while that of tho enemy reached (1,000. Powers Decide to Step In. On the best authority the correspond ent at Berlin of the Associated Press mils informed Saturday that Germany, France uud Russia had reached an un derstanding to interfere in the Philip pines after tho war to prevent the United States or Great Britain gaining possession of the whole islands. Spanish Fleet Wiped Out. According to meager but official ad vices received in Washington Sunday, the United States fleet under Admiral Sampson entered Santiago harbor and destroyed the Spanish fleet bottled up there. It was stated that General Shafter, whose army surrounded the city, had sent a demand for its surrender and expected prompt compliance. American Troops In Cavite. A United States dispatch boat which left Manila July 1 arrived at Hong-Kong Sunday with news of the safe arrival at Cavite of tho American troops that left San Francisco the latter part of May. The Ladrouo islands were captured on the way over and a force left to garrison them. Sampson on the Victor}’. The following cablegram, signed by acting Rear Admiral Sampson, was re ceived at the navy department Monday: “The fleet under my command offers the nation as a Fourth of July present the destruction of tho whole of Cer vera’s fleet. No cne escaped. It at tempted to escape at 9:80 a. ni. and at 2 p. in. the last, tbe Cristobal Colon, had run ashore (10 miles west of Santiago harbor aud had let down her colors. “The Infanta Marie Teresa, Oquendo and Viseaya were forced ashore, burned ami blown up within 20 miles of San tiago, the Furor and Pluton wore de stroyed within 4 miles of the port. Loss, one killed and two wounded. Enemy’s loss, probably several hundred from gun Are, explosion aud drowning. About 1,800 prisoners, including Admi ral Cervera. The man killed was George E. Ellis, chief yeoman of tho Brooklyn.” McKinley to the Admiral. I On receipt of tho u:e>.suge tuiuoaucing i the destruction of the hpuimh licet. President McKinley sent the folloM'ing I dispatch to Admiral Sampson: “You have the gratitude and congrnt- | u’.utions of the whole American people, j Convoy to your noble officers aud crews, ] through whose valor new honors have ! been added to the Americans, tbe grate ful thunks uud appreciation of the , nation.” tjulck Surrender Asked For. General Shafter Monday demanded the surrender of Santiago do Cuba and notified the Spanish commander there that unless his demand was complied with by noon of Tuesday he would bom bard the city. In the meantime a truce of 24 hours was declared in order to afford tho wo men and children an opportunity to reach places of safety. VJ\ R ill Great Santiago Naval Victory Causes Soldiers to Ee Held In Camp. ORIGINAL PLANS CHANGER Six Volunteer Regiments Fall to Leava Cltickamauga Park as Intended Uefore News of the Defeat of Cervera Arrived In Washington. Chick am aug a, Gx, July 5.—No troops left Chickair.auga today and it is now not known when any will go. General conditions have materially changed dur ing thu last 24 hours and as far as the troops here are concerned, it is appa- parent that the M'ardepartment has ma terially altered its plans. Six regiments had been ordered to move today in command of General Wilson, tho railroads had all tbe neces sary trains to carry the soldiers to tho front, the quartermaster's department had loaded u train of 15 cars M-ith sup plies to accompany tbe troops, but the destruction of Cervcru’s fleet Sunday at Santiago changed the M'hole plans of the department, uud a rescinding order was received last night. As a result the troops did not leave, the subsistance train was stopped and the contents were unloaded, and every thing will now wait the next move of the department. The six regiments which expected to go today are as follows: Third Wisconsin, Colonel M. T. Moore commanding; Second Wisconsin, Col onel Charles A. Born commanding; Six teenth Pennsylvania, Colonel Willis J. Hulings commanding; Third Illinois, Colonel Fred Bennitt commanding; Fourth Ohio, Colonel A. B. Coit com manding; Fourth Pennsyh'auia, Colonel D. R. Case commanding. The entire First corps is still prepar ing to move, but orders for the prepara tions to be discontinued and for the va rious regiments to resume their regular routine here, would not prove a surprise to the officers. No information will bo given out at headquarters as to when the movement will begin, or whether or not countermanding orders are expected. If the corps does move, it is generally believed by the officers that it will be sent in its entirety to Porto Rico as at first intended. This belief is based on the fact that none of the regiments will be needed by Shafter. The paymasters continue to work night and day and the indications now are that they will finish their big task by Thursday night. The paymasters have been so busy paying the regiments that up to tonight the sum total paidv out had not been summed up. It will, r however average about $85,(KX) to each regiment. Major H. C. Benson, formerly captain of tho Fourth United States" cavalry, has arrived at the park and reported for duty as the inspector general of the First division of the Third corps. His head quarters will be at the headquarters of General Grant. Major Benson relieves Major A. M. Fuller of the First Missouri, who was acting inspector general. Major Fuller will bo acting judge advocate of the division aud in charge of small arms practice. Senator Carter of Nebraska is a guest of Colonel Grigsby, in command of tho rough riders. Governor Jones and party of Arkan sas remained over today, but will leave for home tonight. CAMARA HOW MOVES Spanish Admiral Passes the Big Suez Canal. Port Said, July 5. — The Spanish flceL under tho command of Admiral Camara, consisting of the Pelayo, Car los V, Patriota, Rauido, Buenos Ayres, Isla dc Panay, Bun Francisco, Isla de Luzon, San Augustin aud San Ignacio de Loyola, has entered the Suez canal. The Spanish torpedo boats which were with the fleet have been ordered to Messina, Sicily. The British consul at Hong-Kong has sent a dispatch boat to Manila in order to inform Rear Admiral Dewey of the fact that the Spanish fleet commanded by Admiral Camara has passed through the Suez canal. The state department at Washington has been officially apprised of the en frame of Camara’s fleet into the Suez canal. Soldiers Ordered to Cuba. Washington, July 5.—Tho brigade under General Garretson at Camp Alger Las lieen ordered to proceed at once to Santiago. The Eighth Ohio regiment goes to New York to take the cruiser St. Paul. The other regiments, the Sixth Massachusetts aud Sixth Illinois, go to Charleston, S. C., where the Yale and Harvard will be intercepted on their way north to embark these troops for Santiago. Sampson Is Now Commodore. Washington. July 5.—The president has sent these nominations to the sen ate: Navy—Commodore Frederick V. McNair, to he rear admiral; Captain William T. Sampson, to be a commo dore; Commander Francis W. Dickius, to lie a captain; Lieutenant (junior grade) H. A. Field, to lie a lieutenant; Lieutenant Commander William S. Cowles, tube a commander. Heneral Wheeler Is Better. Washington, July ft. — A dispatch from the front says General Wheeler’s condition has taken a change far the better and that his physit iaus urA* row almost satisfied that the quick rally will be followed by an early uud complete recovery.