The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1898-11-18
the exception of the smaller craft, had
been directed to return to Key West.
Let Schley Take Command.

The Dupont also brought dispatch. |
which contained the statement that
"Sampson is to have choice of the COM
mand off Havana or at Cienfuegos,
Schley in either case to remain with his
own squadron. The admiral however,
left to Commodore Schley the privilege
Of having supreme command in the en-
gagement which it was believed would
take place off Santiago. The New York
arrived at Key West on the 18th and
found the flying squadron anchored in
the outer roads. Commodore Schley left
the following day for Cienfuegos, with
the Brooklyn, the Massachusetts,, the
Texas and two cruisers and two torpedo
boats. Twenty-four hours later the
Iowa and the collier Merrimac started
to join the flying squadron. In his in
structfons to Commodore Sohley, Ad-
miral Sampson said:
1t is unnecessary for me to say that you
should establish a blockade at CienfuegoS with
the least possible delay and that it should be
maintained as close as possible. Should the
Spanish vessels show themselves in that vicin-
ity and, finding you on the lookout, attempt
to come around the island, the east or west,
please send me notice by the best vessel you
have for that purpose as to their direction,
that may he prepared for them at Havana.
From the department Admiral Samp-
son learned of the presence of the Span
ish feet at Santiago, and informed the
department that he had decided to hold
| the flying squadron at Cienfuegos, but
that there might be no doubt he direct
ed Commodore Schley to go with the
auxiliaries to Santiago. The depart
| ment, however, telegraphed the admiral
that the report OF the Spanish fleet be-
ing at Santiago might very we'll be cor
| rect, and the department strongly ad
| vised him to direct Commodore Schley
to proceed with his whole command to
| that point.
Orders Sent to Schley.
| Thereupon at O'Clock a. m. on May
81 Rear Admiral Sampson gave to Com
mander McCalla of the Marblehead this
instruction to be delivered to Commo-
dore Schley:
SIR-Spanish squadron probably at Santiago
| de Cuba-four ships and three torpedo boat
| destroyers. If you are satisfied they are not
| at Cienfuegos, proceed with all dispatch, but
cautiously, to Santiago de Cuba, and if the
enemy is there blockade him in port. You
communication with some of the inhabitants
fishermen others-to learn definitely that
| the ships in port, it being impossible to
| enter it from the outside.
1t was the expectation of the admiral
that Commodore Schley would receive
the information two days later and ar
rive at Santiago on May "a. This is
shown by this dispatch, sent to Captain
| Wise commanding fha Vale.
Spanish squadron is reported at Santiago de
Cuba Flying squadron will be at Santiago
the 24th. Cruise in Bahama channel and join
Schley at Santiago May "a.
In the meantime, to protect the Ha-
vana blockade, the north Atlantic coast
and to prevent the Spanish ships from
entering Havana, Admiral Sampson
took station in the old Bahama channel
with the New York, the Indiana, the
New Orleans, the Puritan, the Miantono-
moh, the Detroit, the Montgomery, the
Wilmington, the Machias, the New
port, the Vicksburg, the Mayfower and
the Wasp and prepared several plans
for the annihilation of the Spanish feet
should it appear in that vicinity.
sampson's Urgent Orders.
Feeling certain as to the early deliv-
cry of the orders in regard to the de-
parture of the flying squadron for San
tiago sent by the Marblehead, the ad-
miral in t. afternoon of May 81 gave
this instr .01ion to the commanding Off
Ger of the Hawk, to be delivered to
Commodore Schley:
UNITED STATES FLAGSHIP NEW YORK,
III
1t is thought that the inclosed instructions
will reach you by O'Clock a. M, May 23 This
will enable you to leave before daylight-re-
garded very important-so that your direction
may not be noticed, and be at Santiago a. m,
May "a. 1t is thought that the Spanish squad
ron would probably be still at Santiago, as
they must have repairs to make and coal to
take.
The st. Paul and Minneapolis have been tele-
graphed to scout off Santiago, and if the Span
ish squadron goes westward one is to keep In
touch and one is to go west and attempt tc
, inject you If the Spanish squadron goes east
one will keep in touch and the other go into
Nicholas mole to telegraph me at Key West.
shall be off Key Frances, 200 miles east OF Ha
lvana. If you arrive off Santiago and no scout
, meets you, send vessel to call at Nicholas
mole and get information to be left there by
scout as to direction taken by the Spanish II
! case they have left Santiago.
| The Yale has been ordered to cruise in the
Bahama channel until May "a. 1t is thought
possible that the Spanish, hearing of your de
lparture from Cienfuegos, may attempt to &c
there. If this word does not reach you before
daylight, it is suggested to mask your direc
ton as much possible. Follow the Spanish
| squadron, whichever direction they take.
W. T. SAMPSON, Rear Admiral U. S. N.
The Commodore Flying Squadron.
Anxious For SchIey to Move.
And also the following:
Y Instructions were sent to the st. Paul ant
n minneapolis, at Nicholas mole, to scout of
Santiago and if the Spanish squadron move
4 west the scouts to communicate with Schley
I who is expected at Santiago from Cienfuego
a May "a If the Spanish go east, the scouts ar
to telegraph the admiral at Key West from
Z. Nicholas mole and leave letter for Schley
d then go off Santiago to meet him. The ad
It niral will go with the squadron to Ke
g Frances. Should two scouts be available, on
A is to keep touch with the Spanish squadron.
a Apparently so certain was the admira
# That Commodore Schley would leave o.
o May % for Santiago that in the plan Q
4 battle prepared by him in anticipation
!. pf meeting the Spanish fleet he state
"a under date of May %:
IA The squadron of Commodore Schley wi
:, probably leave Cienfuegos tomorrow morning
bound east, in pursuit of the Spanish ship
rt and it is anticipated that they will leave Sal
s. tiago de Cuba on the same day that Comm,
10 lore Schley leaves Cenfuegos to reach Havar
~ oy the North channel of Cuba, in which cas-
81 The blockading squadron off Havana will a
D. Tempt to intercept them by going east abo,
A. zoo miles beyond the junction of Santaren an
70 Nicholas channels. 1t appears to be possib
10 that if these ships come toward Havana fro
at that direction they be intercepted ar
lo Drought to action.
p On the following day the admir-;
a. learned from Commodore Watson tn;
ne information received about o'clock c
i'd May % showed that the Spanish fle
a. mad not left Santiapn Fearing the no