The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-05-08

III was 5.So when the Olympia opened with
her S-inch guns, and we were in for It.
Tie dawn came suddenly out of the black.
hieht ahead of us lay the Spanish fleet aud
the Cavte fort. Far IN the bay was Ma
Mia. Some of The men we're nervous. one
lieutenant was surly, ana another sang
softly to himself ] was told afterwards
that Howard. on the Concord. was founl
reading his Bible.
Dewey led right ahead showing that he
knew what he was about. He had The in
surgent chief, who acted as pilot, and had
brought us through safely aud if there
was any fear of mines now the commo-
dores actions did not show IT, Only tho
most perfunctory orders were given. though
there was no longer any necessity for SO
crecy. The officers. out of nervous ten
sion, passed the orders in low tones.
Then boom sounded great gun on Ca
vte; bang came from the Spanish flagship
firing a modern gun. But neither shot
came near enough even to throw water on
anybody
The enemy were close in shore ard Lad
rugged and fixed some sort of log booms
as well as stone piers outside their los'-
ton, while behind them loorned l,ie arst nal
. and fur hiu batteries
To the south was another battery, we'll
in range
From this, on the McCulloch. heard
great cheer and looked Zip. Flaming flags.
Remember the Msine,"
Shout on shout arose as the different
ships caught tho meaning of the futtering
flags,
The Spaniards were now popping mer-
rily; the sharp report showed they had
some good guns,
Goodbye boys; we'll give EN- hell for
you"' shouted some one from the Boston
as she steamed into action.
But though the Spsniarda yolleyed and
thundcred the Americans answered never
a word. There was no spout of flame from
turret or sponsor and Dewey was taking
his Yankee time with dreadful deliberation.
A jackie on the McCullocb tod me the
admiral had signaled Men, hold your
Gre until close in
Another asserted the signals read: Save
your powder until close range"
In any event, the Olympia went on In
grim silence.
Most of the men had never been under
fire before. and my heart pounded like a
tammer.
Then off the bow of the Baltimore sud
denly vomited great spout of water, black
/. with harbor mud, 1.-THE mines the mines
a They're amongst the minee'" our men
shouted.
Il Another eeyser came UP near the Raleigh
. Great waves washed out. but nothing was
e hurt 1t was $50 before the Olympia
= orened with hr s-lnch guns, and The
/ American fleet swung in front OF the Span
10 ish fleet ana fort in single file, firing the'l
p port guns. Then. wheeling. they passed
5. back, firing their starboard guns This
i mantever was repeated five times. rhs
d entire American fleet passed all the Span
lie ish ships and batteries, and cash time drew
l. in closer and delivered fire at more deadly
range.
s. During two hours and a half there wa,
tremendous resistance from the eleven
It srsrish ships and five land batteries, all Il
i full play against the six American warshine
Hut most OF their powder was spent Il
vain. whine the American craftsmanship
5 was faultless
AT 7;45 a. m. we Withdrew to ascertain
i damages and permit the smoke TO clear.
1t was then seen that several spanisl
'e ships were crippled or burning, while OF
= vessels had suffered hardly at all.
. Admiral Dewey called his captains int
consultation and arrangements were mad
Il for another attack.
e, At 1910 he alta ked again, the Baltimore
b leading She advanced straight upon n
enemy, Smelling them constantly, and tn
lie other Americans followed. working tael
guns as rapidly as they could load and fire
" The effect Of this assault was terrific
r Ship after ship of the spaniards went dow
or was run ashore to ksep it from sinsin
r. or falling into our hands.
he At la;4b p. m. the spanisFds struck the'
On oolors-