The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-06-22

I"-CA tGC LISS LOkS Ou ILC SPSO"A~S
side C. The island from US. AS We
kept on cur course and they did not
move, i concluded they hsd no: seen
US.
They had no IDEA th&t We wo2!d oe
50 bold as 10 pass cut so neaE Cay
Frances. But they reckcned without
their host. We rounded the island
ard attacked and captured both vessels
inside Of ten minutes. I was the
most complete surprise I ever saw.
The vessels were anchored very near
the shore, which allowed the Spsniards
chance to escape. Amidst hail Of
lead from our guls, they lowered their
boats, pulled ashore and went helter
skelter through the woods. l: was a
sight to see them run. After it was
all ever, I laughed until I got pain
in my sioe about big, fat Spanlaro
who was left alone on one OF the yes
sells without g hoatto get ashore IN.
Re Jumped overheard and am al
mcst tempted to say that be vas gong
so fast that he ran on top Of the water,
not having time to sink. When he
got 10 LAND. there was 20 doubt st all
shout his flying. l never saw 3 fat
man go so fast in uy life before. We
ran alongside the neares! vessel and L
sent few men on board to cut her
adrift from her moorings and get her
under WY and out to sea at once
while with the others went to the
other vessel, which was lying within
50 yards of thesh hoisted her an
chor and took her in tow until we got
away some distance from the land, for
I did not know but at any moment
we might receive a volley from q
whole regiment lying in the woods
close by.
'FJr US everything was favorable
the wind and tide we're exactly IN
the right irec!ion-aud within few
MINUTES we were sailing gaily out to
sea with cur priz:s Il was blood
less victory for US, as the Spanlards
did not take time 10 turn and lire a
shot. The officer in command even
left his sword, whicn l now have as a
trophy. OF the two swords captured,
I gave one TO Captain D3lhanty OF our
ship. We got lot o highly priced
trophies net 10 ment!untWo Spanish
flags.
You should have seen us when
we returned 10 the ship: co nparative,
ly speaking, little midget OF boat
bringing in tTo large sloors. AS we
approached the ship we could see
everybody lined up at the rail and
wondering what it ali meant. Three
hearty cheers greeted US as we came
alongside and many were the con-
gratulations we received when we got
on board.
Il do not know what injury we
did the Spaniards. Some of them
might have been wounded, but do
NOT think any of them were killed
outright. The fat man got out al
right, for the men shooting at him
were laughing SO hard they could not
take good aim. With the capture OF
these vessels We got the whole hello
graph signal outfit that the enemy
had at Cay Frances and I sufficiently
avenged for their having put the gun
boat on my trail the night before. As
soon as 7 get TO Key West again I viii
send my sword (the trophy nCmeto be
Kept for n-c; i. IS 3 valuable souvenir
to have.
"Ot the vessels we captured one was
given 10 the Cubans and the other
was sunk - prevent It's falling into
ths hand OF the e1emy again. We
had other work to perform and did not
have time to take the vessels to the
L nited States. Had the latter been
done I would have received large
amount OF priza money, but was
amply repaid in having the honor OF
capturing them and in getting sword
as a trophy. # the Spanish officer
had had the courage TO stand and tght
until he was compelled to surrender,
be would have got his sword back.
I. is said that am the fcst 10 plant
the American flag on the main land
of Cuba, but I will not claim this
credit as am not sure OF it. Other
cfllears, l know, have planted it on
Cuban soil, but it is said tney planted
it on adjacent islands. However, |
will not dispute their claims. The
Cubans give me the credit.
"Oa the expedition / gained some
valuable information which l think
will materially help our cause.
'Yours,
VICTOR"