Then said the White House, "It is imperative that the fleet be stopped at once."
From Port Tampa, "No sir, I can't find General Miles or General Shafter."
I replied, "Have all the transports pulled out of the slip?"
"Yes sir, so far as I can see they are all gone."
From Washington, "Have you stopped the fleet?"
"Wait a minute—will let you know later, am trying now."
To Port Tampa, "Go out and find a tug and get this message to either General Miles or General Shafter, 'The President directs that you stop the sailing of Shafter's army until further orders.' Now fly."
Just then Port Tampa said, "Here comes General Miles now," and in a minute more the message was delivered and the fleet stopped. I then reported to the President:
"I have delivered your message to General Miles and the fleet will not sail until further orders."
They came back wondering what had stopped them and that evening we learned of the appearance of the "Phantom" Spanish fleet in the Nicholas Channel heading westward. "Cervera wasn't bottled up in Santiago," said some, "and before morning he will be here and blow us out of the water." Great was the consternation and as a precaution all the ships were ordered back into the slip. It must be said, however, that General Miles never had any idea that the Spanish fleet was approaching our shores.