Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-27
ScHLEY's REPORT.
Continued from page ~

'"e Nolon, me brooklyn
opened fire With her S-inch guns. land
ing a shell Just ahead of her. Several
other shells We're fred at the Colon.
now IN range of the Brooklyns ana
oregon's guns. Her commander, see
ing all chances of escape cut off ana
destruction awaiting his ship. fired 4
lee gun and struck her flag, at l15 =.
NJ, and ran ashore some so miles west
of Santiago harbor.
iour liagship was coming up rapid
~ at the time, as was also the Texas
and Vixen. A little later. after your
ARRIVAL, the Cristobal Colon, which had
struck to the Brooklyn and the Oregon.
was turned over to you as one of the
trophies of this victory OF the SQUAD
ron under your command
During my official visit little later.
Commander Eaton of the Resolutc ap-
peared and reported to you the pres
ence of Spanish battleship near Al
tares. Your orders to me were to take
the Oregon and go eastward to meet
her, and this was done by the Brooklyn,
with the result that the vessel reported
as an enemy was discovered to be the
Austrian cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa
seeking the commander in chief
Il would mention for your considera-
ton that the Brooklyn occupied the
most westward blockading position
with the Vixen, and being more direct
ly in the route taken by the Spanish
squadron. was exposed for some min
utes, possibly 10, to the guns of the\
three Spanish ships and the west bat
terry at a range of 1900 yards from the
ships and about 5000 yards from the
batteries, but the vessels Of the entire
squadron closing in rapidly. soon Ill
verted this fire and did magnificent
work al close range.
| have never before Witnessed such
deadly and fatally accurate shooting
Is was done by the shius Of our COM
mand as they closed in on the spanish
squadron and | deem it a high privi-
leSe 20 commend 10 You for such action
as You may deem proper, The gallaatry
and dashins courage, the prompt de-
csion and the skillful handling If III il
respective vessels. of Capt. philip. Capt
Evans. Capt Clark, and especially ii
nay chief Of staff, Capt. Cook. who MAS
directly under my personal oheeIva-
tion and whose GOODNESS. promptp,s-
ana courage were Of the hish,s, or
der
Lieut. sharp commander of h.
Vixen, acted With conspicuous coura@e
although unable to engage The heavier
ships If the enemy with his light euns.
nevertheless was close into the battle
line und,- heavy fire and many of Mo
enemy's shot passed behind his vestl
/ beg to invite special attention to
the conduct of my flag lieutcnlnt.
james Ii. Sears and Ensign Edward
McCauley il, aide, who were con-
stantly az my side during the engage
mcut and who exposed themselves
fcarlessly in discharging their duties;
ana also to the splendid behavior of
my secretary, Lieut.. Il. w. Wells, j..
WHO commanded and directed the
fighting of he lth division with sp.nn-
did effect
I would commend the highly m~rI-
torious conduct and courage in he
engagement of Lieut. Commander ~.
E. Mason. TIN executive officer
The NAVIGATOR, Lieut.. y. c. IEodGs-
don and the division officers. Lieut. 7.
y. Griffin. Lieut. W. K. Rush. Lieu
Edward sampson, Lieut.. J. NJ. Duyi'.
Ensign Charles Webster and the Junior
divisional officers were most steady
and conspicuous in every detail Of
duty.
Tho officers Of the pay and engineer
and marine corps responded TO every
demand of the occasion and were fear
less IN exposing themselves llt Wal
rant officers. BoatsWain VIM. |" !it!I,
Carpenter G. II. Warford and Gunner
+, 7. Appegate were everywhere "X-
posed in watching for damage report"
of which were promptly conveyed to
me.
l have never in my life served with Il
Drawer better or worthier crew than th@'
of tac brooklyn During the combat
lasting from 80 a. NJ. until Lilo L. NJ
much Of the time under fire, they mover
Tagged for i moment and We're ApPar-
entity undisturbed by the storm of pr"Jec-
tiles passing ahead. astern and over the
ship.
The result Of tho engagement WAS the
destruction of the Spanish squadron an"
the capture Of Admiral CerVera and som
1900 to 1900 prisoners, with the loss OF seV-
eral hundred killed estimated by Admfal
Cervera 1T 500 men.
The casualties on board this ship were;
G. II. Ellis, chief yooman, killed; D.