Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1898-08-06
SCHEY'S REPORT.
Continued from I'd Page.

Continued from ID Page.
nifcent work at close range. I have
never before witnessed such deadly
and fatally accurate shooting as was
done by the ships OF your command as
they closed in on the Spanish SQUADRON.
and / deem ii a high privilege to COM
mend to YOU for such action as you
may deem proper the gauantry and
dashiBg courage. the prompt decision
and the slzillful handling of their re-
spective vessels. OF Captain Philip.
Captain Evans. Captain Clark and es-
pecially of my chief Of staff, Captain
Cook. who was directly under my per-
eonal observation, and whose GOODNESS
promptness and courage were of the
highest order. The dense smoke of the
combat shut out from my view the
Indiana and Gloucester. but as these
vessels were closer TO your flagship, no
doubt their part In the conflict was
under your immediate observation.
Lieutenant Sharp. commanding the
Vixen, acted with conspicuous courage.
Although unable to engage the heavier
ships of the enemy with his light guns,
he nevertheless was close in to the
battle line under heavy fire. and many
of the enemy's shots passed beyond his
vessel
I beg to invite special attention to the
conduct OF my flag lieutenant, James
III. Sears, and Ensign Edward Nc
Cauley. Jr., aide, who were constantly
at my side during the engagement and
who exposed themselves fearlessly in
discharging their duties, and also to
the splendid behavior of my secretary,
Lieutenant b. w. Wells, Jr., who COM
manded and directed the fighting of
the Fourth division with splendid ef-
feet.
would commend the highly meri-
torious conduct and courage in the en-
gagement OF Lieutenant Commander
N. f. Mason, the executive officer,
whose presence everywhere over the
ship during its continuance did much
to secure the good result of this ships
part in the victory.
The navigator. Lieutenant A. G.
Hodgson, and the division officers,
Lieutenant r. d. Griffin. Lieutenant
w. r. Rush, Lieutenant Edward
Simpson, Lieutenant ]. G. Doyle, En-
sign Charles Webster, and the junior
division officers We're most steady ana
conspicuous in every detail Of duty.
contributing to the accurate firing OF
this ship in her part of the great vic
tory of your forces.
The officers of the medical, pay and
engineer and marine corps responded
to every demand of the occasion. and
were fearless in exposing themselves.
The warrant officers, Boatswain Will
lam L. Hill. Carpenter G.. H. Warford
and Gunner +. T. Applegate. We're
everywhere exposed in watching for
damage, reports of which were prompt
ly conveyed to me.
have never in my life served with a
III
that of the Brooklyn. During the COM
bat, lasting from 9:35 until 1:15 p. m,
much of the time under fire, they never
tagged for a moment, and were ap-
parentiy undisturbed by the storm Of
projectiles passing ahead, astern and
over the ship.
The result of the engagement was the
destruction of the Spanish squadron
and the capture of the admiral and
some 1900 to 1900 prisoners with the
loss of several hundred killed. esti-
mated by Admiral Cervera at 600 men.
The casualties on board this ship
were: G.. II. Ellis, chief yeoman, killed !;
j. Burns, fireman, first class, severely
wounded. The marks and scars show
that the ship was struck about %
times, and she bears in all Al scars as
the result Of her participation in the
great victory of your force on July 3,
1898. The speed cone halliards were shot
away. and nearly all the signal hal
1iards. The ensign, at the close of the
action. fell in pieces.
Schley CongratuIates Sampson.
congratulate you most sincerely
upon this great victory to the squad
ron under your command, and 1 am
glad that had an opportunity to con-
tribute in the least~to victory that
seems big enough for all OF us.
have the honor to transmit here
NTH the report Of the commanding Of