The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-08-10
FIVE DAYS IN a DUNGEON.
How Hobson and His Elem We're Treat
edat Santiago.

While Naval Constructor Hobson has
manifested great reticcncc in speaking
of his treatment by the Spanish author
tiles after the Mcrrimac sunk, and has
avoided any reference to his experiences
as prisoner which might increase the
esteem in which he is held by the off,
ciaIs and by the public generally, he
has talked freely on the subject to his
immediate superiors, who declare that
for a time he was treated by the Span
iards as common criminal, instead Of
being accorded the rights of prisoner
of war. According to Chief Construc-
tor Hichborn, Immediately after the
capture of Hobson's men by Admiral
Cervera, when it. was thought that he
and his men alone had survived from
the wreck of an American battleship,
destroyed by torpedoes in attempting to
force thc.harbor, the Spaniards were too
jubilant to pay much attention 70 him,
but when they realized that no Ameri-
can lives had been lost, and the chan
mel had been obstructed, if at all, only
by worthless collier, they looked up
on him with amaZement as a hero
whose gallantry far exceeded any Span
ish conception Of what man might do
for his country and it was with great
chagrin that Admiral Cervera was pre-
vented by the Madrid authorities from
returning the heroic young officer and
his brave men to Admiral Sampson but
compelled to deliver them to the mill
tary authorities ashore as prisoners Of
war.
Gen. Linares, with the brutal instinct
that had marked his conduct Of
Cuban affairs already intrusted to him,
deliberately placed Hobson and his
men in Moro Castle as shield against
the fire Of Sampson squadron and here
he was locked up for five days in soli-
tary confinement in filthy dungeon,
under conditions which, he says, must
have soon resulted in his serious illness
and perhaps his death The treatment
he received and the scanty food given
him were no better than those accorded
i common criminal condemned to exc
cution. This punishment, however.
was of short duration, on account OF the
vigorous protest which was made
through a neutral power to Spain,
coupled with Admiral Sampson notice
to the Spanish admiral that he would be
held personally responsible for Hob
sons welfare. Under these circum-
stances, Admiral Cervera interposed
his influence with Gen. Linares, and
Hobson, with his men, were transferred
to the barracks in the city Here his
solitary confinement continued, but he
could look out Of a window to the hills
on the east and see the smoke from the
American rifles Of Gen. Skaters men.
firing from their intrenchments. with
the consolation that his captivity would
be of short duration. The food given
to him was of the most wretched char
acter, probably because the Spaniards
themselves could spare no better, but
the British consul frequently brought
him delicacies from his own table. \
Spanish official was invariably present.
however, during these visits to prohibit
conversation, and no news of occurrcn-
ces around him vas ever permitted t.
reach Iobson. In this manner he was
kept in ignorance of the destruction OF
Cervcra's fleet until his exchange was
completed, and he had entered the
! American lines