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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral Montgomery Sicard, President of the Naval War Board, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long

Navy Department,

office of naval war board,

Washington, D. C.,  June 17, 1898.

Sir:-

     The Board understands that it has been definitely decided to send a military expedition to Porto Rico as soon as it can be fitted out, and in this connection the following information should be obtained from the War Department, as soon as available:1

     Where will the expedition start from, and when?

     How many army transports will be employed?

     How many days coal will each carry, steaming at ordinary sea speed?

     This information is necessary in order that the Navy Department may take proper provisions regarding the convoy.

Very respectfully,          

M. Sicard                   

Rear Adml.  Pres. of Board. 

Source Note: TLS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 29. Addressed below close: “The Honorable,/The Secretary of the Navy.”

Footnote 1: Army and naval officials, especially Maj. Gen. Nelson A. Miles, had been early advocates of a Puerto Rican campaign. See, Cosmas, Army for Empire, 81 and 197-98; and Trask, War with Spain, 339-46. The convoy left Cuba for Puerto Rico on 21 July.

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