d on transports, proceed under convoy of the navy to the
vicinity of Santiago de Cuba, land your force at such place east or
west of that point as your judgment may dictate, under the
protection of the navy, and move it on to the high ground and
bluffs overlooking the harbor, or into the interior, as shall best
enable you to capture or destroy the garrison there and cover the
navy as it sends its men in small boats to remove torpedoes, or,
with the aid of the navy, capture or destroy the Spanish fleet now
reported to be in Santiago harbor.

You will use the utmost energy to accomplish this enterprise, and
the government relies upon your good judgment as to the most
judicious use of your command, but desires to impress upon you the
importance of accomplishing this object with the least possible
delay....

[Signed] H. C. CORBIN,
Adjutant-General.

In view of the fact that General Shafter had been nearly a month at
Tampa, and of the further fact that his command was composed wholly, or
almost wholly, of regular troops, who were completely equipped for
service when they left their stations, he should have been able, it
seems to me, to comply with this order at once; but, apparently, he was
not ready. Day after day passed without any noticeable change in the
situation, and on June 7 the army at Tampa was apparently no nearer an
advance than it had been when Cervera's fleet entered Santiago harbor on
May 19.

Admiral Sampson, who was anxious to strike a decisive blow before the
enemy should have time to concentrate and intrench, then telegraphed
Secretary Long as follows:

MOLE, HAITI, June 7, 1898.

_Secretary of Navy, Washington_:

Bombarded forts at Santiago 7:30 A. M. to 10 A. M. to-day, June 6.
Have silenced works quickly without injury of any kind, though
stationary within two thousand yards. If ten thousand men were
here[1] city and fleet would be ours within forty-eight hours.
Every consideration demands immediate army movement. If delayed
city will be defended more strongly by guns taken from fleet.

[Signed] SAMPSON.

When this despatch reached Washington, the Secretary of War sent General
Shafter two peremptory telegrams, as follows: