The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-07-04
MORRO CASTLE SHELLED.
Flag brought Down by Shot From
the Oregon.

the Oregon.
Copyright by the Associated Press.
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA. July Via
Port Antonio and Kingston. July 9.-The
men of the flagship New York were a pretty
tired lot after nine hours fighting yester-
day. At 4 o'c.ock a. m. the fleet went to
general quarters. The knowledge that MORO
castle was not to be spared created much
interest and the greatest satisfaction among
the gunncrs.
Rear Admiral Sampson said shortly before
the firing commenced: Gen SKATER sent me
word las night that the batteries at the
south OF the harbor had fired on his troops.
| am almost certain that Gen. Shafter Is
mistaken. as all information shows that no
guns bear shoreward. However, l thought
it best to lombard again today. 1t will be
useful, and may have a moral effect that
will assist the army
With the flagship New York leading the
eastern end of the crescent of the ships the
fleet steamed in shore 1900 yards from Moro.
until in a position to enflade both the east
ern batteries.
AT 5:45 the firing commenced. Fer the first
ten minutes the craftsmanship of the Ameri-
can gunners was splendid. One of the east
ern batteries was badly punished that
not a shot was fired from it during the en-
gagement A few small shells from the west
ern batteries dropped around the ships but
hit nothing.
The fusil.ade of shells from all the battle
ships of the United States navy silenced the
fire from the shore in short order. One par
ticularly good shot from the flagship New
York sent gun on one of the eastern bat
teries flying high into the air, and enormous
rcd clouds of earth and debris rose al around
MORO. The smoke from the ships drifted
from east to west.
At $50 the firing had become slower and
more deliberate. The Indiana, Oregon and
Massachusetts were sgnaled to go right in
front of the harbor to shell the Punta Gorda
batteries inside. on the eastern arm They
steamed to within a thousand yards of the
shore. The Oregon took shot at MORO
castle and down came the Spanish flag At
the sight Of this splendid piece of mark man-
ship the crews of the different ships cheered
enthusiastically for several minutes The
three batueships Kept UP an incessant fire on
the Punta Gorda batteries, doing great havoc
to the Notifications and works in course Of
construction. Not a shot came from the
enemy. The other ships contented themselves
by taking occasional shots at Moro castle
It's ancient battlements were knocked to
pieces, and great holes doomed up in its par
aDets.
At 1925 Admiral Sampson hoisted the sig
nal Cease firing" but it was half an hour
later before the Oregon had fired her last
shot.
AS the ships returned to their blockading
stations two shots were fired at them from
five-inch rapid-fire guns on one of the west
ern batteries.
After the bombardment ceased Admiral
Sampson said that he was well satisfied with
the results, and deemed the attack the most
destructive yet made by the American navy
on Santiago. He also believed, he said, that
the moral effect would be sure to be coed
and would tend to dishearten the SPIN 81
troops and encourage our own.
While the admiral was talking an orderly
reported to Capt. Chadwick that the Span
iards had raised very small flag on the
western tower OF MORO castle TO replace
the colors sent to earth by the Oregon's
thirteen-inch guns.
Capt. Chadwick said: cob. well, we will
just have to konck tho;s down, too, when
we get ready
AS soon as the bombardment closed Admiral
Sampson sent officer on shore to COM
municate with the land forces, ard express ed
eagerness to learn what was being done on
shore.