New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-27

fired a Ice gun and struck her flag. AT l:l5 p m'
and ran ashore point some fifty miles west or
Santiago Harbor Your flagship was coming up
rapidly al the time was also the Texas and the
Vixen A little later after your arrival the Crsto-
bal Colon which had struck to the Brooklyn and
the Oregon. was turned to you as one of the
trophies Of this great victory OF tho squadron under
your command.
Sxth--Durng my official visit little later COM
mander Eaton. OF the Resolute appeared ana re-
ported to you the presence Of Spanish oattle-shp
near Altares Your orders to me were 10 take the
oregon and go eastward TO meet her. and this was
done by the Brooklyn. with the result that the
vessel reported enemy was discovered to be
| the Austrian cruiser Infsnta Maria Theresa. seek
| ing the Comma lder-n-Chief
SEVENTH would mention for your consideration
| that the Brooklyn occupied the most westward
blockading position. with the Vixen and. being
| more directly in the route taken by the Spanish
SQUADRON was exposed for some minutes-possibly
| ten-to the gun fire of three OF the Spanish ships
and the west ba tterv az range Of 100 yards from
the ships and about 1900 yards from the batteries.
but the vessels of the entire squadron. closing In
rapidly soon diverted this fire and did magnificent
| work at close range.
OFFICERS COMMENDED.
| have never before witnessed such deadly and
fatally accurate shooting as was done by the ships
| OF YOUR command as they closed in the Spanish
squadron and | deem IT high privilege TO COM
| mend to you for such action as you may deem
proper the gallantry and dashng courage. the
prompt decision and skilful handling OF their
respective vessels Of Captain Philip Captain Evans
CAPTAIN Clark and especially Of my chief OF staff.
I Captain Cook who directly under my per-
sonal observation and whose GOODNESS. promptness
| and courage were Of the highest order The dense
smoke OF the combat shut out from my view the
Indiana and the Gloucester. but as these vessels
were closer to your flagship doubt their part IN
,trds
acknowledgements Sharp. commanding the Vixen.
4, acted with conspicuous courage. although unable
TO engage the heavier ships OF the enemy with his
light guns nevertheless he was close into the battle
| line under heavy fire and OF the enemys shot
! raised beyond his vessel
Ninth beg to invite special attention 70 the
conduct Of my flag lieutenant James H. Sears, and
| Ensign Edward McCauey. 1r aid who were con-
stantly al my si,, during the engagement. and who
exposed themselves fearlessy In discharsng their
! duties and also TO the splendid behavior OF my
| secretary Lieutenant B W. Wells jr.. who COM
| manded and directed the fighting OF the fourth
| division with splendid effect.
Tcnth-I would commend the highly meritorIous
, conduct and courage In the engagement Of Lieu
| tenant Commander n. F. Mason the executive
! officer whose presence everywhere over the ship
during It's continuance did much 10 secure the good
| result OF this ships part in the victory.
| Eleventh-The navigator Lieutenant A c. Hods-
son and the division officers, Lieutenant T d.
| Griffin Lieutenant W P Rush. Lieutenant Edward
| Simpson Lieutenant J. G. Doyle and Ensign
Charles Webster and the tunior divisional officers
were most steady and conspicuous In every detail
OF duty contributing 10 the accurate firing Of this
| shin in their part OF the great victory OF your
| forces
Twelfth-The officers Of the Medical Pay and
| Engineer and Marine corps responded to every de-
| mand OF the occasion and were fearless In expos
| ing themselves The warrant officers. Boatswain
| William L. HILL Carpenter G. Fl. Warford and
| Gunner F. T. Applegate. were everywhere exposed
| In watching for damage. reports or which were
! promptly conveyed 10 me.
| PRAISE FOR THE BROOKLYNs CREW.
| Thlrteenth-I have never in my life served with
drawer better or worthier crew than that OF the
| Brooklyn During the combat, lasting from $50
| m until ll5 D. m much of the time under
fire they never tagged for moment, ana were
annarently undsturbed by the storm or proJectNes
| passing ahead astern and over the snip
| Fourteenth-The result OF the engagement was the
| destruction Of the Spanish squadron ana the cap
ture OF the Admiral and some thirteen hundred 10
ef,een hundred prisoners with the loss OF several
| hurdrsd Titled estimated by Admire. Cervera az
| six hundred men
| Fifteenth-The casualties on board TINS snip
| were. G II Ellis chief yeoman. killed: j. Burns.
| fireman first class, severely wounded. The marks
! and scars show that the ship was struck about
! TWENTY-FIVE times. and she bears In all forty-one
scars a. the result 81 her participation In the great
victory OF your force July 3, 1898 The speed.cone
hayards were shot away, and nearly all the signal
| halvards The ensign nj the main was so shat
| tered that In hauling It down AT the close OF the
| action Il fell in pieces.
| CONGRATULATIONS FOR SAMPSON
| Sixteenth congratulate you most sincerely upon
this great victory Of the squadron under your COM
mand. and am glad that had an opportunity