Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-12-22

WASHINGTON. D. c.. December et.-
-. official reports of all commanding
officers ~ The navy during the war have
f..r compiled and published by the Navy
department. While treating of events that
l.re already figured in official reports
..t have reached the public. the docu-
rHts suu contain many minor reports
tt throw side-lights on interesting
phases of the war. Almost in the begin
..- il the brief record of the proceed
.-- of the Naval War Board. an un-
Known hero is brought to light in the per-
.a af Ensign II. H. Ward. who. at the
SHINING Of the war; was on duty I'm the
-.E- lion Bureau alternating with
lieutenant Whittlesey in the heavy du-
ties OF assistant 20 the chief of the bu-
.... he volunteered for secret service
..-r. and his exploits, about which no
t.-- has been said in the past, may well
placed ON record beside those Of Lieu
.r.r- Rowan in Cuba, and Lieutenant
Whitney. in Porto Rico.
Within week after the declaration Of
u- Ensign Ward disguised himself and
v.rt reht into the heart of the enemy's
country. making his headquarters at
q. the principal Spanish naval sta
t..u. and informing the Navy Department
l.-. 1f the actual strength Of the Span
... naval vessels and their movements.
-... he went TO the West Indies, and re-
..r-.d everything that was going on
t..Ia ot importance 10 the American
navy. Next. he went again into the enc
ug5 country in disguise, this time TO
Porto Rico. where ne was arrested as
suspicious character and a spy. BY
.r.ltuess he managed TO secure his re-
Ia.e. md escaping from san Juan, cabled
Oh. Navy Department fun account of
tas state of the defences there, and the
Preparations making for the reception of
r.- Spanish squadron under CerVera. All
-..- time. even the officials Of the Navy
Department. were under the impression
that Sir. Ward was engaged in installing
o. system of coast signals on the New
L.=llud coast.
4 WATCHER OF CAA1ARA.
While Ward was in Porto Rico, Ensign
Buck. another attache OF the Navigation
bureau. was on the shores OF the Medl-
t.rIaueau in. disguise, watching every
movement Of the squadron OF Admiral
& mara. which started FOR the Philippines
IIt turned back.
Df tbe Strategy Board itself it is said
u Was part Of its duty 20 keep informed
,f su of the movements. resources, ana
trar4 of the Spanish naval forces through
...rsf agents. and the Navy Department
MAS tbus informed of all important move
---uts. AT times. however information
,..s conflicting. and decisions had 10 De
....G. AS To which report was true.
Tine REPORTS OF the famous naval battle
.f ,aVite include one from United S'aIe9
Consul Williams. rather unusual 'hiHs
.a "a report OF strictly naval character
tut fully justified by its picturesque ana
rf,chnical description OF DeWey's great
victory. Following it is report 10 ms
yarnment on the same engagement by
.. comm8nder-iu-chief of the iE-fated
.gIsh fleet M0nujo.
AlONTIJO'S SAD REPORT
... Admiral depicts the bad condition
o.. ... Spanish feet and defences. lie 50!
.... ... cruiser Castillo was incapdple OF
. ..r.rg ON account Of her bad con-
.-.. while the defenc-s at the entrance
t. -. F.v were very backward. wan
u... .-t he found that the guns
t... ....I have been mounted were ue-
.s.. Do and a half. and he was no
. .-..I 10 find that reHuhc" ""'
L .r... defence of the port upon 81 ne"
t.... DOT properly placed. FlhdlAs
s.. ..- a.fcnceless, the Spanish squat
I.. repaired 90 the Bay OF Manila 10
l..r ..... under less uniayoraDie coiIuI-
..... T... Admiral avoided the city, not
y.-... tl Draw fire upon IT, ana pI'p,'0@
. ...t f.r action. painting ms Fess''7
.... E and having the Hie5 sPie@u
a. SPRINGS put ON the cables. flC S"'o
t... ... -.r.. of Dewey's vessels, Leaving
o.t t.e transports. amounted 10 LAW
t.. 1890 horsepower. lG3 guns uhahy
Jag .-lr.. 1850 men, and an dNei"b0 ~.
l.r of seventeen miles. Against lhl9
tI. .,w.r of his only five effective shlP9
W.. It-I tons. u 200 horsepower 30 guns
l..-. few rapid-hre Ones), loA men, anu
u..l.Iaum speed OF twelve miles.
r. ADMIRAL describes in vivid IAN
Ru.r. tae terrible effect Of the American
o u,.t on the Spanish vessela' iie
ssy- 'Ihe Americans fired most i"pIuiy pH',i,
There came upon as numerous pIoJo."., .,'1
as tle three cruisers 20 the emu y. '
I.a devoted themselves almost Vn'i''
FL. tehUng the Custina. my H"s7nip
short time after the action ooHiiii''''o ~,
D.. .h.U exploded in the forecaalie anu
.I i I...I or AINiUN aAA va N-- 4
ta- four rapid-Grc cannons. -,
Meantime another shell exploded IN the
Cr1p setting IRE 20 the crews bags
KILLING or WOUNDED. .,.
tt+ ~.s4 one shell destroyed completely
DO. steering gear s'' Another desfoyeG
tt. mizzen. bringing down my nag anu
ensign. Another shell eXplodeo On
tae poop. and put out o. action nine men men,
fresh shell exploded in the oneeis
cabin. covering the hospital Win pioou
end destroying the wounded VINO VIZ
being treated there. Another eXplooeu III
tr. ammunition-room
OF had 10 food the magazines when the
.lrtrldges began 20 explode. one lafse
shell penetrated the frc-room, putllhb Vu'
NJ action one ster-gunner and tWeiFe
mcn serving the guns. Another rendered
usciess the starbOard-b0w gun, ana Whhe
the fire Increased astern, another nIe
started forward from another smell me
broadside guns continued firing unili
there was only one gun and ten seauen
remaining unhurt 20 serve them.
THE ship being out Of control; the nun
FmOke-plDe. and mast riddled with shot;
..aHNF