The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-05-18
TWO FIGHTS!
Five Americans Killed and One Boat
Slightly Damaged.
SAMPSON BOMBARDS SAN JUAN, WRECkNG
ITS FQRTIFICATIONS!

the Winslow. She ran alongside and
the torpedo boat tried to throw a
line to the imperilled crew.
Up to this time, with the exception
of the one shot, which disabled the
boiler OF the Winslow, the firing of
the Spanish gunboats had been wild,
but as the WinsIow lay rolling in the
water, the range grew closer and
shells began to explode all about
her. 1t was difficult for the Hudson
to get near enough to throw a line
to the Winslow's crew so terrible
was-the fire all about her.
Finally, after trying for about 20
minutes, the Hudson approached
near enough to throw line.
Ensign Bagley and six men We're
standing in group or the deck of
the Winslow. "Heave hel! Heave
hel!" shouted Bagley as he looked
toward the commander of the Hud-
son and called for line.
Don't miss it," shouted an officer
from the Hudson. and with smile
Bagley called back:
Let her come. It's getting too
hot here for comfort"
The line was thrown and at the
same instant a shell burst in the
very midst of the group of men on
board the Winslow.
Bagley was instantly killed and a
few others dropped about him. Half
a dozen more fell groaning on the
blood strained deck. One of the
dead men pitched over the side of
the boat; but his feet caught in the
iron rail and he was hauled back.
Bagley lay stretched on the deck,
with his face completely torn away
and the upper part of his body
shattered. 1t was a terrible moment.
The torpedo boat, disabled and help
less, rolled and swayed under the
fu y of the fire from the Spanish
gunboats. When the shell burst in
the groupe on board the Winslow
another wild shout of triumph went
up from the Spanish boats and bat
teries and again a heavy fire was
opened on the torpedo boat. Finally
the Hudson succeeded in getting a
line on board the Winslow and was
towing her out of the deadly range,
when the line parted, and again both
boats were at he mercy Of the Span
ish fire. At $50 p. m. the Hudson
managed to get another line on the
deck of the Winslow, but there were
! only three men left there at that
! time to make it fast. The line was
finally secured and the Winslow was
towcd up to Ped-es Island, where
she was anchored, with her dead and
wounded on her decks. Then some
men from the Hudson went on boar d
the Winslow and took the most Sc
riously wounded of: T rec who
were taken on board the gunboat
Machias died there shortly afterward.
At 9:l5 p. NJ, yesterday, the Hud-
SOD, with the dead bodies and some
cf the wounded started for Key
Wes', arriving here at S o'clock this
marning. Commander Bernadou OF
the Winslow was wounded in the
left leg, but not seriously. Lieut.
Bernadou, with the surgeon bending
over him, told the story of the battle
to the representative Of the Associ
ated Press as calmly as il talking Of
the weather. He began: I'VE went
under full speed to attack the Span
ish beats in the harbor and you know
the result. We went under orders
from the commander of the Whining
ton. Our boat is badly damaged
but she will be brought here for re
pairs, and I think she will be ready
for service again in two weeks.
/ CJntipuing, the lieutenant said
The Winslow was the worst Djure(
and had FIVE Of her men killed and
don't know how many injured W
were ordered to attack the Spanisl
gunboats at Cardenas. We steamed
in under full head and were free