Linares Hopes To Have Thirty Thousand In The Trenches When The Attack Is Made

(First Published 1st July 1898 in the Louisville Courier Journal Newspaper and reported by James Gordon Bennett 30th June. Washington D.C. )

Within the next few days the men under Major General Shafter, 30,000 strong, will comc up to fight against the 30,000 Spaniards who are now trying to get together in thc valley of Santiago. Along the hills of the Sevilla country, across two miles of the valley, the glow of America stands against the glare of Spain from over the defences.

From sources which are to be relied on, there are now in Santiago City thirteen battalions of infantry of 800 men each; four squadrons of cavalry, 75 men each; one battery, 100 men; two transport companies, 100 men each; three companies of sappers and miners, 100 men each; one telegraph company, 100 men; one telegraph section, 50 men; total infantry 10,400 men; cavalry, 300 men.

Then there are 750 men besides, making, all told, 11,450 men. This does not include volunteers.

The force in the city, in detail, with the commanding officers, is constituted thus:

Commanding Division General Linares, Headquarters Santiago de Cuba First Brigade

Commanding Brigade General Vara de Rey

Battalion Constitucion, No.29
Battalion Escuadras, Santa Catalina
Battalion Toledo, No.35
Battalion Asia, No.55
2nd Battalion Cuba, No.65

Second Brigade Commanding Brigade General Toral

1st Battalion Simances, No.64
2nd Battalion Simances, No.64
Battalion Principe, No. 5
Battalion Mallavera, Peninsular, No. 4
Battalion Leon, No.38

Attached to Division

Battalion Cordoba, No.10
Battalion Puerta Rico Provisional, No.1
Battalion San Fernando, No.11
1st, 2nd and 4th Squadrons Rey
6th Battery, 4th Mountain Artillery Regiment
1st & 8th Transport Companies
One Squadron Guardia Civil
3 Companies, 1st Battalion, 3rd Regiment Sappers and Miners
1st Section, 1st Company Telegraph Battalion
5th Company Telegraph Battalion

Outside of the city in the Province of Santiago de Cuba, in the Manzanillo Division, there are these troops:

Commanding Division General Arolas
Headquarters of Veguila

Commanding 1st Brigade General Aldave
Headquarters Bayamo

Commanding 2nd Brigade General Lopez Amor
Headquarters Veguila

Then at Veguila are six battalions attached to the Division with headquarters at Veguila, with three squadrons, two batteries and transport companies. The total amounts to 12,050 men distributed in this way: 14 Battalions of Infantry, 800 men in each, 3 Squadrons of Cavalry, 75 men in each, 3 Batteries, 100 men in each, 3 Transport Companies, 100 men in each, 1st Telegraph Section of 25 men.

In the Holguin Division, commanded by General Luque

1st Brigade commanded by General Solomayor headquarters at Holguin

2nd Brigade commanded by General Ballesteros Headquarters near Puerto Padre with squadrons, batteries and transport companies attached to the Division.

The total force in this Division amounts to 6,850 men, distributed this way: 8 Battalions of Infantry, 800 men in each, 2 Squadrons of Cavalry, 75 men in each, 1 Battery of 100 men, 1 Transport Company of 100 men, 1 Company of Sappers and Miners of 100 men.

The Light Division of the Province is commanded by General Bernal and is composed of 9 Battalions of Infantry, 2 Squadrons of Cavalry and 1 Battery.

A recapitulation brings up the total force in the province to these figures: 44 Battalions of Infantry, 11 Squadrons of Cavalry, 6 Batteries, 6 Transport Companies, 4 Companies of Sappers and Miners, 1 Telegraph Company and 2 Telegraph Sections with 50 men in each section. Altogether, therefore, 37,825 men are accounted for, of which 11 ,140 are in the city of Santiago.

The Manzanillo Division is going solidly toward the city, and with the volunteers added, it is the hope of the Spaniards to have behind the trenches fully 30,000 men before the time comes of reckoning with Shafter.

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