Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-05
Our First Expedition 10 the Philips
pine Islands Landed.
SPANISH cuSnoAT sURRESDER&
Three or Four Hundred Prisonera
in Dewey's Hands-watson to start
for Spain and Camara as soon 40
Possible.
Possible,

W Juiy SOfupftt0
annihilation of the Spanish squadron at
Santiago and the capture OF the Spanish
admiral, Cervera, with 1900 prisoners; the
demand by General Shafter for the SUR
render OF Santiago by II o'clock to-mor-
row. on the pain of bombardment, word
from Admiral Dewey that The Iadrone
Islands had been captured, that Span
sh gunboat had surrendered, that huns
dred or more Spanish officers and men
were taken, and that our first Philippine
expedition had landed--this is IN part the
thrilling record of such Fourtn OF July
as has not been known since the bells OF
independence rang out the tidings OF the
American freedom. IL was day when ono
momentous event followed another In
constant and rapid succession. each hour
bringing forth some new feature more
startling than what had gone before. Tho
climax came at o'clock, when. amid the
widest cheers. which fairly shook the
great war, State. and navy building 10 it's
foundation, Admiral SIMPSONS dispatch
announcing his glorious victory and tho
entire destruction OF the Spanish feet
was given to the public.
The White House was naturally the
focal point OF tho enthusiasm and stir
ring activity which marked official WASH
ington. 1t was the busiest day the Presi.
dent has had since the war began. Con-
ference followed conference with tho
heads OF tho military and naval depart-
ments High officers of the service camo
and went in a constant and steady
stream, and as each hour brought Its
added lustre to the American arms tho
crowd OF officials increased. The Presi-
dent had not n moments respite. Tele~
Grams came and went without cessations
and the historic old mansion presented a
scene such as has not been paralleled
since the momentous hours Of the civil /.
war. :
STIRRING DISPATCHES.
The story OF the day Is best told in the
series of official dispatches. each bearing
date of July 4th, from Sampson. from
Shafter, and from Dewey. Stirring aa
they all are, that OF Sampson was Accord
cd the honor OF chief importance. not only
for the immediate results secured. but
also from the effects OF this crushing de-
feat in weakening the. defenccs OF tho
city OF Santiago. and In dealing Spain
such a staggering blow that She Ia left
practically without navy. The Admirara
dispatch IL as follows:
Washington, July A-The Secretary
Of the Navy has received the following;
playa del Este. via Haiti, July 4th. 3i5
p. M.-Siboney, July 81.
ITO Secretary of Navy:
'3l5 A. M.-The fleet under my coma
mand offers the nation as a F0urth-of-
July present the destruction OF the whole
OF Cerveras fleet. 1t attempted to escape:
at $50 A. NJ. and at p. NJ. the last. the
Cristobal Colon. had run ashore, sixty
miles west of Santiago. and has let down
her colors. The Infanta Maria Teresa,
Oquendo. and vizcaya were forced ashore. )
burned and blown up within twenty miles
Of Santiago; the Furor and Pluton wera
destroyed within four miles OF tine port.
Loss, one killed and two wounded.
Enemys loss probably several hundred
from gun-hre. explosions. and drowning.
About 1900 prisoners. including Admiral
Cervera. The man killed was George H /.
Ellis, chief yeoman OF the brooklyn.
"sAMPsON.~
OUR SAILORS IMMUNITY. III
Although brief. Admiral sampson's dis
patch told story of fearful destruction.
It not only disclosed the tremendous
prowess OF the American feet. but Il
again displayed the strange Immunity
which the American sailor seems to
have in the midst Of death and car
mage. That but one OF our sailors, .
yeoman on the Brooklyn. should have
teen killed In an engagement OF this
magnitude is without parallel In navy
innals. save In that other unparalleled
record which Dewey made at Manila.
NOW FOR SANTIAGO.
With the Spanish feet destroyed. taa
way Is partly cleared for the ssyance Of
The American squadron into the harbof
n Santiago. II cervera's armored erulser5
could cross the mine-Aeld and clear the
derrimac at the entrance OF the harbor.
he American ships can follow the same
ourse. There are the inner fortiscations
md island forts sfili TO be reduced, but
hey have passed through baptism OF
ire recently. and are iittie more than
'uins. Thus. with Skaters guns thun-
lerlng on Santiago from the land. ana
SIMPSONS from the harbor. the fall of
he city is assured beyond further ques