New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-08-09
Colgate & Co.'s
WORKS
LONGS DEFENCE OF SAMPSON
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY REPLIES
70 ONE OF THE ADMIRALS CRITICS

f3Y TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE
Washington. Aus S-The Secretary Of the
Navy has received several letters violently at
tackng Admiral Sampson. The following is
copy Of his reply to one OF them:
Navy Department. Washington. Aug. .. 1895
Ny Dear Sir: in receipt Of your letter ana
hasten assure you that what you say about Ad-
n,ira Sampson is unjust that II can ohIy po
pardoned on TIE ground Of your ignorance Of the
whole matter You have appreciation Of the
responsibilities that have been upon Admiral Samp-
SON Of hi- very superior attachments as an officer
and the splendid work he has done in preparing
for the naval victory which was the GROWING
ACCOMPLISHMENT Of his efforts for weeks and weeks
before Santiago
Justice is always done IN tho Ions run. But
when YOU indulge in such unfounded criticism.
cannot forbear TO protest. as should feel bound
to do If you had referred in similar terms TO any
other OF our deserving officers
First-Admiral Sampson was selected Tor the
command OF the North Atlantic squadron because
the Department. in the exercise Of its best Juds-
ment. with eve single TO the puohc interest
believed that he specially fitted for the place
Admiral Sicard who held the command having be-
come ,ncapacitated for duty by reason or Sickness
was necessarily withdrawn. by order of the De-
partment and Sampson next In command
These two are especially accomplished ordnance
officers having been each al the head or the ORD
nance Bureau. and having devoted themselves TO
that branch Of naval science. Sampson is man
Of the very highest professional attachments. soeiy
devoted to his duty. He never pushes himself for
ward and when you accuse him of anything OF that
sort YOU do most cruel injustice TO a man who has
never sought favor or applause in any other way
than by the simple discharge of his duty
Second-The movement on Porto Rico was not
movement for It's capture The Department, which
has very rarely interfered with the movements OF
admirais commanding squadrons did. however
make one express order, and that was that our Dat
ships should not be EXPOSED 10 the risk Of
serious injury from the fire of any fort. AT that
time the Spanish fleet was strong us whereabouts
and destination were unknown. The primal heces-
sity was TO NEE. and crush It's ships and TO secure
for us the domination of the sea. The Oregon had
not arrived the Maine was destroyed and no naval
authority would justify the unnecessary risk OF the
destruction of any Of hattle-shps except in
battle with the enemy's ships. The movement 10
Porto Rico was TO meet II possible. the fleet Of
Cervera, which then expected CerVera. IN
doubtedly learning that our fleet was AZ San Juan.
changed his destination to Santiago. our move
ment 10 Porto Rico thus became reconnaissance
and fulfilled It's purpose There was no intention
at this time o. taking Porto Rico. as the Army
was not then ready to cooperate.
Third-With regard to sending our ships into the
harbor OF Santiago Admiral Sampson was acting
under the explicit orders of the Department not 10
expose his armored ships TO the risk Of sinking by
mines and the wisdom Of this course. believe, u
universally acknowledged by naval authorities. He
waited. he should have done, for the co-opera-
ton of the Army How efectuay. under this co.
operation, the result accomplished IL now
matter of history There are few more graphic
scenes than must have been presented at o'clock
on the afternoon OF July IA. when Smarter, win
his troops ready TO assault Santiago awaited the
reply of the Spanish commander to the demand for
surrender. SIMPSONS feet was at the mouth Of
r.aAx hrfp
bard. 1t had been for days previous, and the
signal officer stood on the heights. ready TO wig
wag the signal for firing. Happily. instead Of this
signal. came the good word that the Spanish had
surrendered to this combined readiness for attack
Fourth-Please bear in mind the variety and
weight Of the responsibilities which were upon Adj
miral Sampson for the month prior to the great
battle which destroyed Cervera's feet He was
commanding officer OF the whole squadron charged
with the blockade OF the whole Cuban coast
charged with the detail Of all the movements OF
ships charged with clerical correspondence with the
Department and other officers. and specially charged
with preventing the escape Of Cervera. Remember
that this man. whom you so sneeringy accuse, was
devoting his days and nights to these duties. II
you will read the orders issued to him. beginning
with June l. you will find that the most thorough
precautions had been taken to prevent the escape
OF Cervera: that our feet was kept constantly In
line. so far from the entrance at night and SO
lights and every other appliance was taken every
night: that the commanding officer Of every ve-Jel
| knew his post and his duty in attempt
| came: the movement to prevent 1t. by the attack
Of our vessels upon the outcoming Spaniards. went
! on like clockwork; as at Chattanooga every move
ment of that great battle carried out although
| General Grant was neither at Missionary Ridge
nor Lookout Mountain.
! I can well understand why the friends OF other
officers should be so enthusiastic and earnest-as
amin giving them the credit they so rlchly-eVery
one of them-deserve for their glorious work.
| cannot conceive Of anybody so mean as TO detract
by single hair from their merit. But cannot
| understand why such a bitter feeling is manifested
| In many quarters toward Admiral Sampson when
| all these officers subordinate TO him. in their re-
ports clearly and cordially recognize the fact that.
| although at the beginning he was. by orders from
| Washington going TO confer with General Shafter.
yet the battle fought under his orders and that
the victory was the contamination of his thorough
preparation. For myself I know no prediction
for any one OF these gallant men. would crown
every OF them with laurel ! want them all
to have their just deserts. Every one of them de-
serves unstinted praise; not one OF them deserves
anything less than full measure for that days
work And therefore. l can think OF nothing
more cruel than depreciation Of the merit Of the
faithful. devoted. patriotic Hmander- in { hicf
Physically frai worn with sleepless vigilance
weighted with measureless responsibilities and de-
tails letting no duty go undone: for weeks with
ceaseless precautions blockading the Spanish squad
ron: at last by the unerring fuflment OF hi.
plans. crushing It under the feet which executed
his commands; yet compelled in dign.hc(
silence TO be assailed as vindctivey as II he were
an enemy his country. / that on,
more deprecates such attack than the officer
Of the feet-commodore. captains and all. Amonl
them all Is peace: whatever disquet there may b.
elsewhere the Navy is serene am reminded o
Mrs. Bcecher Stoves beautiful
Far. FAR beneath the noise OF empests die,h,
And silver chime peacefully.
And ride storm. how fierce soe'or Il nleih,
D.s,urbs the Sabbath Of that deeper
Truly yours JOHN d. LONG