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18 Chapter Two January—February 1899 Getting There At this time, the Army Transport Service, part of the Quartermaster Department , was responsible for the transport of its own troops and supplies.1 During the run up to the Cuban expedition, the Navy had stolen a march on the Army when it quickly supplemented its own fleet with the charter or purchase of private vessels, including some pleasure craft.2 As a consequence , there was a serious shortage of suitable transport at Tampa available to carry General Shafter’s force to Cuba, let alone supply it.3 Not wanting to be left out of the “great adventure,” anxious troops and their commanders engaged in a wild scramble to secure a place in those few ships. Notwithstanding the aggressive creativeness of Colonels Wood and Roosevelt, a very disappointed contingent of the Rough Riders had to be left behind.4 This situation, along with an inefficient supply system, would increasingly call into question the competence of Secretary of War Russell Alger. Eventually, Alger would become a scapegoat and his name synonymous with incompetence (i.e., “Algerism”). With the defeat of the Spanish fleet at Manila Bay on May 1, 1898, Admiral Dewey asked for a sufficient number of troops in order to garrison Manila. Once again, the Army would be challenged to transport troops, this time halfway around the world. As a result, the Quartermaster Department purchased a number of passenger steamers which they renamed in honor of prominent Civil War generals, like Grant, Sherman, Sheridan, Thomas, Hancock, and Hooker. While some of these ships were utilized throughout the Caribbean, the majority were sent to the Pacific, where they made twice-monthly runs between San Francisco and Manila.5 January–February 1899 | 19 In addition to his diary, young Carter maintained a regular correspondence with his family while aboard the USAT Grant. His letters at this time are necessarily short, as he undoubtedly wanted them to be sent home on the next available westbound boat. USAT Grant January 18, 1899 Dear Mother, My time is short. I send this by one of the party who came on board this a. m. with Sec. Alger.6 Have just been talking with Mrs. Lawton. She thanks you for your kind note. Says she is sorry she has not time to answer it. I got on board in plenty of time yesterday. Poor Helen, I felt so bad to leave her. Percy was very kind and took her to the train. For my sake treat her nicely and do all you can for her. I want to find out about whether I get any allowance for traveling expenses . As it is now, I am paying at the same rate. Enclosed find $5.00. Give this to Helen and tell her I am sorry I could not send her more, but my money was in sad shape, small bills and Gold, that I did not dare to send it by letter. They say sea voyages in the Mediterranean were very beautiful. We are now anchored off of the Statue of Liberty. Time is short. Must say good-bye in haste. Your affectionate son, Robert D. Carter USAT Thomas 20 | A Civilian in Lawton’s 1899 Philippine Campaign January 28, 1899 Dear Sister, I take this opportunity while waiting for my lunch to write you. I have hardly a minute to spare or would have written you from day to day. It is a beautiful , clear day. Very much as we have in the early part of April and May. Nearly all day we have been in sight of land, the first we have seen for many days. In fact, since our departure, we are now passing the extreme southern island of the Azores, Santa Maria. It looks in outline somewhat like this and from this distance , seems a massive mass of bronze colored rocks. The trip so far has been smooth and pleasant. I have not been sick at my stomach since departure. The only effects felt was a severe headache and dizziness when I went down in the fore part of the vessel due to the extreme pitching there. A great deal of the routine of the ship, and various like incidents, you will probably find in a letter which I will mail Helen at Gibraltar. That is if you get her to read it or show you it. Today is the first day that I have not had to hustle [torn and indecipherable ] blessing on...

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