The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-07-08

and went aground 200 yards from the
shore, flames shooting from them in
every direction.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT OF THE BAT
TILE
New York. Juiy 4.-The New York
Herald has received from its CORE
spondent at Santiago the following de-
tails of the destruction of Admiral
Cervera's fleet:
Three OF the Spanish. cruisers that
were bottled I'D in Santiago harbor
and two torpedo BOAT destroyers. were
pounded into helpless hulks by the
guns of Admiral SIMPSONS fleet on
Sunday in a rain attempt to escape
from the harbaor. The vessels were
beached in a last effort to save as
many lives Of h crews as possible.
Admiral Cervera on board the Chris
tobal Colon, headed his fleet in the
attempt 10 get away at about $50
o'clock. So little were the Americans
expecting the dash that the flagship
New York was cruising up the coast
to the east and returned only in time
TO see the finish fight and to fire a
shot or two at the torpedo boat de-
~stroyers.
The Iowa, Indiana. Oregon, Massa-
chusetts, Texas, Brooklyn the
converted yacht Gloucester, formerly
he Corsair, formed in position to
give battle as soon as the Colon was
sighted rounding the wreck of the
Merrimac. The American vessels did
not open fire at once; they waited until
Cervera's ships were out Of the range
of Morro's gun before giving battle.
Cervera headed to the west, the Colon
in the lead followed by the Vizcaya
and Oquendo and the destroyers all
firing rapidly.
All of the American battleships
opened fire at once and the Spanish
were soon in a hurricane of shot and
shell, but the Colon kept on bravely
till when about ten miles westward Of
MORO castle, Admiral Cervera turned
his vessel to the shore and beached
her. She was blazing in a score of
places, but her guns kept at work and
the white flag never showed until she
was com: pletely disabled. The OQuendo
and the Vlzcaya were opposed to the
Iowa, Texas and Indiana, and went
down to defeat with fearful swiftness.
covering only about half the distance
made by the Colon before their cap
tive ran them ashore. Their crews
fought with desperate bravery, but
their courage was no match for the
courage of our men, added to their
superb gunnery. The Spanish shells
went wild for the most part, but the
American gun-fire was marke by
merciless precision. The two cruisers,
both on fire, were beached not more
than one-quarter of a mile apart.
The most dramatic feature of the
battle was the contest between the
torpedo boat destroyers and the Glou-
cester. The latter was struck several
times and is the only American YES
sci reported damaged. AT first the
Gloucester fired upon them with her
6-pounderS, but they ran past her and
engaged the battleships. Finding the
fire too hot they turned and attacked
the Gloucester again until both de-
stroyers were afire n had to be
beached. Their crews threw them
selves into the surf to save their lives.
Just before this the New York came
up and assisted in giving the finish
ing blow to the ~destroyers. There was
explosion after explosion from the
beached vessels.
THE PRESIDENTS CONGRATULA-
TIONS.
Washington, July 4.-The following
message was sent to Admiral Sampson
by the president:
ITO Admiral Sampson, Playe del
Este:
You have the gratitude and con-
gratulations of the whole American
people. Convey to your noble officers
and crews through whose valor new
honors have been added to the Amer
leans, the grateful thanks and appre-
citation of the nation.
WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
REJOICING AMONG THE TROOPS.
The war department has posted the
following from General Shafter:
Playa, July 4.-Headquarters Fifth
army corps, near Santiago.-When the
news of the disaster to the Spanish
fleet reached the front which was dur
ing the truce, h regimental band
that had managed to keep it's instru-
ments on the line, played "The Star
Spangled Banner and "There'll he a
Hot Time in the Old Town Tonight"
Men cheering from n end of the
line to the other. Officers and men
without shelter tents have been soak
ing for five days in the afternoon
rains, but all are happy.
SKATER.
DISPATCHES FROM SKATER.
Washington, July 4.-General Miles
has received the following telegram
from General Shafter:
playa del Este, July 4.-Headquar-
ters Fifth Army Corps.-Killed a
Spanish general in affair at Caney
and a large number of officers. Gen
eral Linares' arm broken. My demand
for surrender Of Santiago still being
considered by the Spanish authori-
ties. Pando has arrived near break
in railroad with his advance. think
he will be stopped"
Also the following from Adjutant
General Wagner at the same place
and time:
"Pando six miles north with 5000
Garcia opposes with 5000. Lawton car
support Garcia and prevent the juno
ton"
SKATER DEMANDS SURRENDER
Copyright by Associated Press.)
OFF Juragua, OIL Board the Associat.
ed Press Dispatch Boat Dandy, Sun
day, July 8, 10 p. m, via Port Anto-
MO, ia, and Kingston, July 4, 1884 p
m.-General Shafter today demanded
an instant n unconditional surren'
der of Santiago de Cuba