The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-12-06

done. ObeFInf th6 stern preeept Of
war which enioing the overcoming OF
the adversary and the extinction pl MS
power wherever aGgaflable ~ the speedy
ana stfe means 10 win a peace. divided
victory was not permisaibie, for no par
tition OF the rights and responsibilities
attending the enforcement or a just
ana advantageous peace could 20
thought Of
Following the comprehensive echenle
OF general attack. powerful forces were
assembled at various points on ous
coast 70 invade Cuba and Porto Rico,
Meanwhile navni demonstrations were
made a. several exposed points. on
Nay II, the cruiser Wilmington ana
tnrnedo boat Winalow were unsuccess-
fil n an attempt 20 silence the batter
les n Cardenas. gallant ensign, Worth
Barley, and four seamen, falling. These
RrieyonB fatalities were strangely
enough among the very few which oc-
CURED during our naval operations IN
this extraordinary conflict
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepaf-
atIons had been pushed With great Wig
or. "A powerful squadron under Admir-
al Cervera, which had assembled at the
Cane verde Islands before the outbreak
81 hostilltles. had crossed the ocean.
ana BY IT'S cratic movements In the
Caribbean sea delayed our military
plans, while battling the pursuit OF our
meets, For a time fears were felt lest
the ships Marietta and Oregon nearing
home after long voyage from San
Francisco, OF over 1900 miles, might be
surprised by Admiral ceFyefa's aeet.
but their fortunate arrival dlspelled
these apprehensions and lent much
needed reinforcement. Not until Admir-
al Cervera took refuge IN the harhor OF
Santiago de Cuba, about May -, was u
practicable to plan a systematic naval
ana military attack upon the Antillean
possesslons OF Spain.
Several demonstration occurred on
the coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico ~
preparation for the larger event, on
May l3, the North Atlantic squadron
shelIed San Juan de Porto Rico. on
MAY 30, Commodore Schley's squadron
bombarded the forts guarding the
mouth OF Santiago harbOr. Neither at
tack had any material result. II was
evident that well ordered land opera
lions were indispensable to achieve q
decisive advantage. II,
The next act In the war thrilled not
alone the hearts OF our countrymen, out
the world, by its exceptional herolsgl.
on the night Of June 3. Lieutenant Hob
son. aided by seven devoted volunteers
blocked the narrow outlet from Santiago
harbor by sinking the collier Merrimac
in the channel, under fierce fire from
the shore batteries, escaping with their
lives as by a miracle. but falling into
the hands OF the Spaniards. It is most
gratifying incident OF the war that the
bravery OF this little band Of heroes was
cordially appreciated by the Spanish nd
miral, who sent a flag OF truce TO notify
Admiral Sampson OF their safety, and
to compliment them on their daring act.
They were subsequently, exchanged
July Z.
BrillIant Santiago Campaign.
BY June z the cutting Of the last Gu
ban cable isolated the island. TheTeaf-
ter the invasion was vigorously prose-
cuted. on June 10. under heavy pro-
tecdng IRE. a landing OF six hundred
marines, from the Oregon, Marhlehead
and Yankee. was effected In Guanta-
namo Bay. where II had been determined
to establish naval station.
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after severe
by the marines, who were the
AAAHk baAAAAG4 AGANG VI hAAE NAAANN--
tSates to land In Cuba.
The position so won was held despite
desperate attempts to dislodge our
forces. By June l6, additional forces
were landed and strongly entrenched.
On June % the advance OF the invading
army, under Major-General Shnfter,
landed at DaIquiri, about fifteen miles
east OF Santiago. This was accomp-
llshed under great difficulties, but with
dispatch on June %, the
against Santiago begun. on
the 24th the first serious engagement
took place, in which The First and Tenth
cnvalry and the First United States
volunteer cavalry General Young's
brigade OF General Wheeler's division,
losing heavily. BY night
fall. however. ground within five miles
OF Santiago was won. The advantage
was steadily increased. On July a Sc
we're battle took place, our forces gain
ing the outworks of Santiago; on the 2
III Caney and San Juan were taken, af-
ter a desperate charge. and the invest
ment OF the city was completed. The
navy co-operated by Smelling the town
and the coast forts.
On the day following this brilliant
OF our land forces, occur
red the decisive naval cambat OF the
war The Spanish fleet. attempting to
leave the harbor. was met by the Amer
lean, squadron, under command OF Adj
mlral Sampson. In less than three
hours all the Spanish ships were de-
stroyed, two torpedo boats being sunk,
and the Maria Teresa, Almirante
Oquendo, Vizcaya and Christobal Colon
driven ashore. The Spanish admiral and
over 1900 men were taken prisoners,
while tho enemy's loss OF life was de-
plorably large, some six hundred PERISH
ing. on our side but one man was kiln
ed, on the Brooklyn, and one man was
distinguished themselves,
from the commanders to the gunnerS,
and the unnamed heroes in the boiler
rooms, each and all contributing toward
the achievement OF this astounding vic.
tory, for which neither ancient nor mod
ern history affords a parallel, in the
completeness OF the event and the mar
Vicious disproportion OF casualties. It
would be lnvldlous 10 single out any for
special honor.
Deserved promotion has awarded the
more conspicuous actorB-the Nations
profoundest gratitude 10 due to all OF
these brave men, who, by their skill and
devotion in n few short hours, crushed
the sea powers OF Spain, and wrought
triumph whose decislveness and far
reaching consequences can scarcely be
measured. Nor can VIC be uBmlndful OF
the achievements OF our builders, me-
chanics and artisans for their skill In
the construction OF our warshlps
With the catastrophe Of Santiago
Spnin's effort upon the ocean virtually
ceased. a spasmodic effort toward the
end Of IIne 10 send her Mediterranean
fleet. under Admiral Canaan, 10 relieve
Manllu, was abandoned. the expedition
being recalled after II has passed