t then insured a capture, which he believed would terminate the war.

There was contemplated at this time sending a fleet to the Spanish
coast; and this expedition was to consist of the Iowa, Oregon, Newark,
Yosemite, Yankee, and Dixie, and they were to go to the Azores for
orders, en route to Tangier, Morocco. The colliers were to join the
fleet at the Azores.

On June 30 the Admiral received a communication from Major-General
Shafter announcing that he expected to attack Santiago the following
morning, and asking that he (Sampson) bombard the forts at Aguadores
in support of a regiment of infantry, and make such demonstrations
as he thought proper at the harbor's mouth, so as to keep as many of
the enemy there as possible.

This request was complied with, and on July 1 General Shafter asked
that the Admiral keep up his fight on the Santiago water front. On
July 2 the following was received from General Shafter.

"Terrible fight yesterday, but my line is now strongly intrenched
about three-fourths of a mile from town. I urge that you make effort
immediately to force the entrance to avoid future losses among my men,
which are already heavy. You can now operate with less loss of life
than I can. Please telephone answer."

A reply was telephoned General Shafter from Admiral Sampson, through
Lieutenant Stanton, which said the Admiral had bombarded the forts
at the entrance of Santiago and also Punta Gorda battery inside,
silencing their fire, and asked whether he (Shafter) wanted further
firing on the Admiral's part. The explanation was made that it was
impossible to force an entrance until the channel was cleared of
mines--a work of some time after the forts were taken possession of
by the troops. To this General Shafter replied:

"It is impossible for me to say when I can take batteries at entrance
of harbor. If they are as difficult to take as those which we have been
pitted against it will be some time and at great loss of life. I am at
a loss to see why the navy cannot work under a destructive fire as well
as the army. My loss yesterday was over 500 men. By all means keep up
fire on everything in sight of you until demolished. I expect, however,
in time and with sufficient men to capture the forts along the bay."

On the 2nd of July, Sampson wrote to Shafter.

"An officer of my staff has already reported to you the firing which we
did this morning, but I must say in addition to what he told you that
the forts