The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1898-12-09

ing an assault. It was fitting that what
ever was to be done in the way of de-
cisive operations in that quarter should be
accomplished by the strong arm of the
United States alone.
Obeying the stern precept of war, which
enjoins the overcoming of the adversary
and the extinction of his power wherever
assailable as the speedy and sure means
to win a peace, divided victory was not
permissible, for no partition of the rights
and responsibilities attending the enforce
ment of a just and advantageous peace
could be thought of.
Following the adoption of comprehen-
sfve scheme of general attack, powerful
forces were assembled at various points OH
our coast to invade Cuba and Porto Rico.
Meanwhile, naval demonstrations were
made at several exposed points. May IL
the cruiser Wilmington and torpedo-boat t
Winslow were unsuccessful in an attempt
to silence the batteries at Cardenas, in
Matanzas, Ensign Worth Bagley and four
seamen falling. These grievous fatalities
were strangely enough among the very
few which occurred during our naval
operations in this extraordinary conflict.
Meanwhile, the Spanish naval prepara-
tions had been pushed with great vigor.
A powerful squadron under Admiral Ger
vera, which had assembled at the Cape
Verde islands before the beginning of hos
tilities, had crossed the Atlantic ocean and
by Its erratic movements in the Caribbean
sea delayed our military operations, while
battling the pursuit Of our fleets. For a
time fears were felt lest the Oregon and
Marietta, then nearing home after their
long voyage from San Francisco of over
IL, 600 miles, might be surprised by Admiral
Cervera's fleet, but their fortunate arrival
dispelled the apprehensions and lent much
Cervera took refuge in the harbor of
Santiago de Cuba, about May 9, was it
practicable to plan a systematic military
attack upon the Antillean possessions OF
Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coast of Cuba and Porto Rico in -prepara-
ton for the larger event. On May Is the
North Atlantic squadron sheued San Juan
de Porto Rico. On May 30 Commodore
Schley's squadron bombarded the forts
guarding the mouth of Santiago harbor.
Neither attack had any material result 1t
was evident that well-ordered land opera
tions were Indispensable to achieve a de-
cided advantage.
Hobson's Heroism.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts Of our countrymen, but
the world, by its exceptional heroism.
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 miracle, but falling into the
hands of the Spaniards. 1t Is a most graf
flying incident Of the war that the bray
cry of this little band of heroes was cor
daily appreciated by the Spaniards, who
sent flag of truce to notify Admiral
Sampson of their safety and to compli-
ment them upon their daring act They
were subsequently exchanged, July T.
By June the cutting Of the last Cuban
cable Isolated the island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. June
III, under heavy protecting fire. a land
ing force of 800 marines from the Oregon,
Marblehead and Yankee was effected at
Guantanamo bay, where it had been de-
termined to establish cable station. This
important and essential port was taken
from the enemy after severe fighting by
the marines, who were the first organized
force of the United States to land in Cuba.
The position SO won was held, despite the
desperate attempts to dislodge our forces.
By June 16 additional forces were landed
and strongly intrenched.
June % the advance ofo the invading
army under Major-GeneraI Shafter landed
az Daiqufrt, about Is miles east of Sxnti-
ago. This was accomplished under great
difficulties. but with marvellous dispatA
OmJune 2 the ipovement against Santiago
was begun.
On the 24th the first serious engagement
took place in which the First and Tenth
cavalry and the First volunteer cavalry,
General Young's brigade Of General
Wheeler's division, participated, losing
heavily. By nightfall, however, ground
within five miles of Santiago was won.
The advantage was steadily increased.
On July l severe battle took place, our
forces gaining the outer works of Santiago,
and Ell Caney and San Juan were taken
after a desperate charge and the invest
ment of the city was completed. The
navy co-operated by shelling the town
and the coast forts.
Destruction of the Armada.
On the day following this brilliant
achievement of our land forces, July 3,
occurred the decisive naval combat of the
war. The Spanish fleet, attempting to
leave the harbor, was met by the Ameri-
can squadron under command of Commo-
dore Sampson. In less than three hours
all the Spanish ships were destroyed.
Two torpedo-boats were sunk and the Ma
ria Teresa, Almirante Oquendo, Vizcaya
and Cristobal Colon were driven ashore.
The Spanish admiral and over 1900 men
were taken prisoners. While the enemy's
loss Of life was deplorably large, some
200 perishing, on our side but one man
was killed and one man seriously wounded.
Although our ships were repeatedly struck,
not one was seriously injured. The men
also conspicuously distinguished them
selves, from the commanders to the gun
ners and the unnamed heroes in the
boiler-rooms, each and all contributing
toward the achievement Of this astound-
ing victory, for which neither ancient nor
modern history affords a parallel in the
completeness of the event and the marvel
GUS disproportion Of casualties. 1t would
be invidious to single out any for special
honor. Deserved promotion has rewarded
the mere conspicuous actors-the nations
profoundest gratitude is due to all of those
brave men who by their skill and devo-
in few short hours
power of Spain and wrought a triumph
whose decisiveness and far-reaching ef-
fects can scarcely be measured. Nor can
we be unmindful of the achievements of
their skill In the construction Of our war
ships.
With the catastrophe of Santiago,
Spain's effort upon the ocean virtually
ceased. A spasmodic effort toward the
end Of June to send her Mediterranean
fleet, under Admiral Camara, to relieve
Manila was abandoned, the expedition be-
ing recalled after it had passed through
the Suez canal.
Surrender of Santiago.
The capitulation of Santiago followed.
The city was closely besieged by land,
while the entrance of our ships into the
harbor cut off all relief on that SIDE After
a truce to allow of the removal of the
protracted negotiations
continued from July until July Is, when,
under menace of immediate assault, the
prelfminarfes of surrender were agreed
upon. On the 18th General Shafter occu-
pied the city. The capitulation embraced
the entire eastern end of Cuba. The num-
ber of Spanish soldiers surrendered was
% 900, all of whom were subsequently con-
veyed to Spain at the charge Of the
United States. The story of this success
full campaign is told in the report of the
secretary Of war which will be laid be-
fore you.
Invasion of Porto Rico.
With the fall of Santiago, the occupa-
tion of Porto Rico became the next STRAIT
egic necessity. General Miles had pre-
viously been assigned to organize an ex-
pedition for that purpose. Fortunately,