River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-07-07
HIS FLEET Is ANN|R|LAIED.
News from Watson Announcing the
Complete Destruction of
Cervera's Squadron.
SPANISH ADMIRAL TAKEN PRISONER
Over 500 Spaniards Killed or Wound
ed and 1000 Reported Captured
American Losses Are one Man
Killed and None WOrnded-Great
Rejoicing in WashinGron

Washington, July 5.-At HAS Mon
day night the navy department posted
the appended translation of cipher
cablegram received from Commodore
Watson. 1t is similar to that received
Monday from Admiral Sampson, but
contains the additional information
that $50 Spaniards were killed or
drowned, 100 wounded and LOCO cap
tured. Commodore Watson's dispatch
follows:
playa del Este. July 3-To the Secretary
of the Navy: At $50 a m. Sunday the Span
ish squadron, seven In all, including one
gunboat, came out Of Santiago in column
and was totally destroyed within an hour,
except the Cristobal Colon, which was
chased ~ miles to westward by the COM
mander-in-chief, Brooklyn. Oregon and
Texas surrendering to Brooklyn but was
beached to prevent sinking. None of our
officers or men were injured except on
board Brooklyn. Chief 1eoman Ellis was
killed and one man was wounded. Ad-
miral Cervera, all commanding officers, ex-
cepting of Oquendo, about 70 other officers
and l,600 men are prisoners. About $50
killed or drowned and 100 wounded, latter
being cared for on SOlace and OuYette.
Have lust arrived off Santiago in Marble
head to take charge while commander-in-
chief is looking out for Cristobal Colon
"(SIgned WATSON"
News Received in Washington.
Washington, July 5.-The complete
humiliation of the Spanish squadron
at Santiago and the capture of the
Spanish admiral, Cervera, with 1900
prisoners; the demand of Gen. Shafter
for the surrender of Santiago by -
o'clock to-day on pain of lombard
ment; word from Admiral Dewey that
the Ladrone islands have been cap
tured; that q Spanish gunboat had
surrendered; that a hundred or more
Spanish officers and men were taken,
and that our first Philippine expedi-
ton had landed-this is a part of the
thrilling record of such a Fourth of
July as has not been known since the
bells of Independence hall rang out
the tiGings of American freedom. 1t
was q day when one momentOus event
followed another in constant and rap
i'll succession, each hour bringing
forth some new feature more start
ling than what had gone before The
climax came at one o'clock, when,
amid the widest cheering, which fair
ly shook the great war, state and navy
building to its foundation, Admiral
SIMPSONS dispatch announcing his
glorious victory and the entire de-
struction of the Spanish fleet was
given to the public.
The following message was sent to
Admiral Sampson by the president:
ITO Admiral Sampson. Playa del Este:
You have the gratitude and congratulation
/ of the whole American people. Convey to
your noble officers and crew through
whose valor new honors have been added
to the Americans the grateful thanks and
appreciation Of the nation
"(Sigued) WILLIAM M'KINLEY."
The story of the day is best told in
official dispatches, each bearing date
of July f. from Sampson, from Shafter
and from Dewey. Stirring as they all
are, that of Sampson was accorded
the honor of chief Importance, not
only for the immediate results Sc
cured, but also from the effects of this
crushing defeat in weakening the de
lenses of the city of Santiago. and in
dealing Spain such staggering blow
that she is left practically without a
navy.
The admiral's dispatch Is as follows:
playa, via Hayti July ITO Secretary
of Navy: The fleet under my command Of
fers the nation as a Fourth of July pres
cnt the destruction Of the whole Of Ger
veras fleet. No one escaped. 1t attempted
to escape at $3.50 a. m, and at two p. m.
the last. the Cristobal Colon, had run ashore
60 miles west of Santiago and had let
down her colors. The Infanta Maria Ter
esa. Oquendo and Vizcaya were forced
ashore, burned and blown up within 20
miles of Santiago; the Furor and Pluton
were destroyed within four miles of the
port. Loss, one Killed and two wound
cd. Enemy's loss probably several hun
dred from gun fire, explosions and drown
ing. About 1900 prisoners, Including Ad-
miral Cervera. The man killed was George
H. Ellis. chief yeoman of the Brooklyn.
"(Signed) SAMPSON"