that we invaded in force.  The public had been considerably interested and entertained by the rousing accounts of the various naval bombardments of Spanish shore fortresses.  But the firing from our ships had not materially shaken the Spanish defenses.  The sea power had not shattered the shore lines, but found abundant occupation in guarding transports and protecting the troops when landing.  It would have been an act of the most gross imprudence and incompetency to have put an army ashore unless the supremacy of the navy on the sea was absolute.  More than that, our own cities had to be assured that they were secure from attack.  On the 31st of May orders were issued for the embarkation of the army of invasion as follows: 

1.  The Fifth Army Corps.

2.  The Battalion of Engineers.

3.  The detachment of the Signal Corps.

4.  Five squadrons of cavalry, to be selected by the commanding general of the cavalry division, in accordance with instruction previously given.

5.  Four batteries of light artillery, to be commanded by a major, to be selected by the commanding officer of the light artillery brigade.

6.  Two batteries of heavy artillery, to be selected by the commanding officer of the siege artillery battalion, with eight (8) siege guns and eight (8) field mortars.

7.  The Battalion of Engineers, the infantry, and cavalry, will be supplied, with 500 rounds of ammunition per man.

8.  All troops will carry, in addition to the fourteen (14) days’ field rations now on hand, ten (10) days’ travel rations.

9.  The minimum allowance of tentage and baggage as prescribed in General Orders 54, A.G.O., current series, will be taken.

10.  In addition to the rations specified in paragraph 8 of this order, the chief commissary will provide sixty (60) days’ field rations for the entire command.

11.  All recruits and extra baggage, the latter to be stored, carefully piled and covered, will be left in camp, in charge of a commissioned officer, to be selected by the regimental commander.  Where there are no recruits available the necessary guard only will be left.

12.  Travel rations will be drawn, at once, by the several commands, as indicated in paragraph 8.

This was by command of Major-General Shafter.  There were delays on account of inadequate facilities for embarkation at Tampa and Port Tampa.  Orders for General Shafter to move with not less than 10,000 men were issued on the 7th, and there was delay on account of reports of Spanish ships of war ready to strike a blow at the transports.  Twelve squadrons of cavalry not mounted were added to the troops designated in the general order, and June 14th the expedition sailed with 815 officers and 16,072 enlisted men, and had a smooth and uneventful passage.  There were several demonstrations for the deception of the enemy, in one of which 500 Cubans were employed.  General Shafter was committed by the movements and the ground, as he says in his official report: