The evening times., 1898-11-12
AT SANTIAGO.

In the capture of Santiago de Cuba
America has succeeded where Great Brit
ain failed on two occasions. says the San
Francisco Call. The first attempt was
made in 17I2 and failed because of lack of
harmony between Vice Admiral Vernon
and Gen. Wentworth, commanding the
joint naval and army forces. The expe-
dition sailed from Jamaica July /, 1872
and consisted of eight ships of the line
thirteen frigates and about forty trans
ports with 3,4O0 land forces. The fleet
anchoredNn Waitenham Harbor, 50 miles
by land from Santiago de Cuba. and Vice
Admiral Vernon was so sure of success
that he changed the name of Waltenham
into that of Cumberland, in compliment
to his royal highness the duke. The
Spanish fleet was at Havana, and there
was no Spanish army at Santiago de
Cuba.
The troops We're disembarked. and be-
gan their march against the object of at
tack only four days distant. and detach-
ment Of l0D Americans and negroes got az
far as the village of Elleguava but fail
ing to get support from the main body
returned TO camp. In the meantime Yer
non bloekaded Santiago awaiting with i'm
Ddtitllce NEWS from Jle army Gen. Went
worth frittered his time away until Octo-
Der .. when he notified the admiral OF his
doubt about being able 10 do anything
further, and after waiting more time in
the bush and mountains the army re-em-
parked November 90 and returned 70 ia
maica without having accomplished any
thlnS except losing a lot of men from
fever The ships were thus forced TO haul
of from Santiago. and the Cubans were
lett to ponder over the incomprehensibIe
conduct of the British troops. and finally
came 10 the conclusion that the landing
mad been made without hostile intent
The second taSco was six years later
when Rear Admiral Knowles with ten
ships, carrying liS guns and 35,O men
proceeded on April to attack Santiago
AS the squadron approached the narrow
Inlet to the harbor. Capt. Dent who as
senior officer led in the P1ymOuth-ob-
served that the Spaniards had been SO
d3scOurteous as 10 lay a boom aC.-css the
entrance. with four vessels mOo-ed with
in it. two of which appeared 10 be fire
ships. The cautious captain correctly
conjectUred that these obstrUc.ious We're
placed 10 dissuade any attempt on the
part of the British to fore. an entracce.
and calling a council OF his officers the
agreed with him that the shi:s w5u d he
exposed to great danger.
The gallant Capt. Dent and the othes
ships hauled OFF and returned 10 Rear Ad-
Tniral Knowles. explaining why thsy ma l
retired. The chief commander WIS furi-
Gus. and wrote a complaint To the sdm-
rally against Capt. Dent. and on the lat
ter's return To England H. was Gu [
martialed. but honorably acquitted. Rear
Admiral Knowles later on found the
Spanish fleet between TortUgas and II l.
vana. and gave battle, resulting in tie
Dons losing several ships and the remain
der being forced to flee. Knowles failed
To follow up his advantage and Re was
subsequently, court-mait taied and CEN
sured, but in the meantime the fleet was
generally demoTalized. charges and ccul-
ter-charges were made by the sever1i
captains and there We're more trOub e
than prize money 10 the officers and
crews.