The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-07-28

val FORCES on AEtRHuc 9LbtlOh'
U. s. TEXAS, off Santiago, July I, 1898.
SIR:-In accordance with the require.
ments Of article 4S7, navy regulations, !
respectfully submit the following state
ment in regard to the part the Texas
took in the engagement with the enemy
yesterday.
At daylight on the morning Of the Srd,
the Texas stood out from the to harbor,
taking day bloclSadiES position about
three miles from the Moro (the Moro
bearing NNE).
At 9:3j, the MORO bearing N, by E. Y,
distant 800 yards, the enemy's Hhlps
were sighted standing out Of the har-
Dor Immediately general signal $50
made; this signal was followed by the
Iowa's almost at the same time.
The ship, as per order was heading
In toward the entrance; went ahead fun
speed. putting helm hard a starboard,
and ordering forced draft on all boilers.
The officer Of the deck, Lieut.. N. L.
Bristol, having given the general alarm
and beat to quarters for action at the
same time,
As the leader, bearing the admlral's
nag, appeared In the entrance, she OPP
ened fire, which was, at $40, returned
by the Texas at range Of 1900 yards,
while closing In The ship leading was
Of the Viscaya class and the flagship.
Four ships came out, evidently the
Viscaya, the Oqueado, Maria Teresa
and Colon, followed by two torpedo boat
deEtroyers. Upon seeing these two, we
Immediately opened Are upon them with
our secondary battery, tine main battery
at the time being engaged with the
second and third ships In line; owing to
our secondary battery, together with
the iowa ard Gloucester, these two de-
stroyers we're forced TO beach and sink.
Whilst warmly engaged with the THIRD
in line, which was abreast and engaging
the Texas, our fire was blanketed for a
short time by the Oregon forging ahead
and engaging the second ship. This
third ship, after a spirited fire, Efeered
In shore and at 1895 ran up q white flag;
we then ceased fire on the third and OPP
ened fire with our forward guns at long
range $1,000 yards) or the second ship,
which was then engaged with the Ore
gon, until los when she Cenemy'B Sec
ord ship,) slfeered Into the beach on
fire, AT 1l:S0 she struck her colors, we
ceased fire and gave ch0se with the
Brooklyn and Oregon for the leading
ship until 1880, when the Colon sheered
into beach and hauled down her coiors,
leaving them on the deck at the foot Of
her flagstaff. We shut of forced draft
and proceeded at moderate peed to
close up.
| would state that during this chase
the Texas was holding her own with the
Colon; she was heading US about four
miles al the start.
The reports Of the executive officer
and the surgeon are transmitted.
have the pleasure Of stating that the
entire battery Of the Texas Is In most
excellent condition and ready for any
service required by the COMMANDMENT
chief, especially calling attention to the
efficiency Of the two turTet guns, due to
the alterations recently made by Lieut..
r. J. Haesler, Of this ship.
The bearing and performance Of duty
Of all officers met with my entire appro-
val, Very respectfully submitted.
]. w. PHILIP,
Capt. U. S. N. Commanding.
To COMMUNICATIVE Chief, North ATTAIN
tic station