The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-25
THE FIRST CAPTURE.
Delayed Message Giving Account of
the Move Against Havana.

copyright 1898, by the Associated Press.)
ON BOARD THE UNITED STATES
FLAGSHIP NEW YORK, OFF HAVANA,
April 22.-The lightning squadron of the
United States feet arrived safely off Ha-
vana tonight. Before the vessels took up
their positions on the blockade line, two
prizes were captured. One was taken under
the shadows of Cuba's coast and one was
seized fifteen miles south of Key West.
There were no casualties on either side and
the first day of the war has proved salts
factory to our forces, more so, in fact, than
was expected.
A few minutes after o'clock this (Fri-
day. morning the signal was flashed from
the flagship to get under way and at 4:20
the capstan was hauling up the anchors.
Dawn was breaking as the great gray war
ships crept out from Key West harbor and
Admiral Sampson, in command Of the fleet,
paced the quarter deck brskly and on the
New Yorks forward bridge stood Captain
Chadwick in command of as fine an ar
mored cruiser as ever led a fleet With him
were Lieutenant Commander Potter, Lieut..
Roller the navigating officer, and Ensign
BrUmby. On the after bridge were Assist
ant Chief of Staff Staunton, Flag Lieut..
Bennett and Cadet Muslin Ensign Brumby
ana Cadet Muslin were the two aids. The
capstan creaked and groaned as 1t dragged
the arcbors from its bed where it had been
lying since the day after the battle ship
Maine was blown up. There was no con-
fusion, no shouting and no singing When
at minutes to o'clock Captain Chadwick
gave the order to go ahead the clang of
the engine bell could be heard all over the
ship. AT slow speed, the flagship leading
the squadron in column, took an out south
west course and Key West faded out OF
sight.
About fifteen miles off Key West, between
and a. m, a tramp steamer was sighted
bearing down on the fleet and official cruis-
er Nashville's quarter. The steamer hoisted
Spanish flag, whereupon the Nashville
promptly signaled her to stop. The Span
lard paid no attention to the signal and
continued on her way at full speed The
Nashville then put a. shot across her bows
This also had no effect. But minute later
a puff of smoke curled out from the Nash
Vile and the first shot of the war fired in
earnest sped close to the Spanish steamer
A second later down came the Spanish flag
and the steamer hove to. The prize turned
out to be the Ruena Ventura, of Bilbao
She was boarded from the Nashville. the
feet stopped and after a, hurried investiga-
ton the Nashville was ordered to take her
prize back to Key West. 1T was not a very
important capture nor was it an exciting
engagement, but the incident added greatly
to the enthusiasm prevailing among the
rank and file of the fleet.
At a. m. Rear Admiral Sampson hoisted
rear admiraps flag, and as the two white
stars on blue ground flew to the breeze
thirteen guns We're fired in salute Captain
Evans headed the battle ship Iowa near the
flagship and led his crew in giving three
rousing cheers for the rear admiral As
the ships followed each other in a we'll
kept line through tf7 dark blue waters of
the gulf, the guns shining brightly in the
sunlight. the scene resembled more the
peaceful evolutions at Hampton roads than
the menacing progress of a death-dealing
force. 1t was almost impossible to realize
that there was war Orders were quietly
given and were quietly carried out. Neither
officers nor men showed the slightest trace
of excitement. Rear Admiral Sampson
strolled leisurely UP and down the star
board side OF the quarter deck, while on
the port side the officers off duty smoked
and chatted as unconcernedly as il In har-
Dor.
The trip from Key West was made over
smooth seas with gentle breeze blowing
and the sun shining brightly. The war
ships Of the United States now lie il
Havana hach0r In sight or ALorru Castle