The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-08-11

Washington, D. c., Aug. 1o-The follow
ing report has been made public by the
navy department:
United States Flagship Brooklyn,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 16, 1898
Sir have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing report of the part taken by the
marine guard of this vessel on the Sd
instant. in the action which resulted in
the destruction of the Spanish squadron:
At the moment the alarm was given that
the enemys ships were coming out of the
harbor the guard was at quarters ready
for inspection. 1t was Immediately dis
missed and the men sent TO their stations
for battle.
The men were fuH Of enthusiasm, but
There was no excitement or disorder, and
apparently no concern for personal safety.
The battery was handled with admirable
GOODNESS and deliberation. Greater care
could not be taken in setting sights and
aiming If the men had been at target
practice and each striving to make a
record score.
Considering the fact that the enemy was
within effective range during the greater
part of the action, the fire of the second
airy battery must have been most destruc-
tive to his men and material and con-
tributed its full share 10 bringing the
battle to an end so speedily and with so
little loss to ourselves. It is reported that
the Spanish officers have stated that so
deadly was the effect of our secondary
battery fire that It was impossible TO keep
their men at the guns.
Where all did their duty manfully, it is
q difficult matter to select individuals
for special mention. There are some. how
ever. who deserve to be brought TO your
notice by name for conduct that displayed
in conspicuous manner intelligence and
devotion TO duty.
During the early part Of the action q
cartridge damned in the bore Of the six
FOUNDER and in the effort to withdraw it
the case became detached from the pro-
iectile leaving the latter fast in the bore
and impossible TO extract from the rear.
Corporal Robert Gray. of the port gun.
asked and received permission 70 attempt
10 drive the shell out by means Of a ram
mer. To do this it was necessary TO go
out on the gun. and the undertaking was
fun of difficulties and danger.
The gun was hot and il was necessary
to cling to the jacobs lader with one
hand while el.deavoring with the other to
manipulate the long hammer. After
brave effort he was forced 20 give M and
was ordered in. Quarter Gunner W. n.
Smith then came. sent by the executive
officer. and promptly placed himself in the
dangerous position outside the gun port,
where he worked, and failed, as the CO..
poral haddone. Neither had been able to
get the rammer into the bore. and there
SEEMED nothing left 10 do but dismouEt
the gun. At this juncture Private Mac
Nall. one Of the crew. volunteered to so
out and make a final effort.
The gun was so important. the star
board battery being engaged. that as a
forlorn hope he was permitted to make
the attempt. He pushed out boldly and
set 70 work. The guns Of the forward
surre1 were firing. the blast nearly knock
ing hirn overheard and the enemy's shots
were coming with frequency into his i'm
mediate nefghborhood. L was at this time
that Chief Yeoman Ellis was killed on the