Richmond daily palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1876-1904, 1898-12-03
SCHLEY At SANTIAGO.
Adniral's Story of the Battle o.
Santiago Harbor.
ATTACK oENTERED ON FLAGSHIP,

sampson. He Said. Had signaled to
Disregard Orders of the Command
er In Chief-This Left schley In
Communicable Sisnaled "Close Ac-
Beautiful sight He Ever Saw-Cred-
1t Due to Every One.
AT dinner given in his honor re-
Gently at the Brooklyn club Admiral
Schley told the story of the battle of
Santiago darbor- Ie sas etraightfor-
ward narrative, in WHICH the admiral
told several things new to history. He
repeated with emphasis his famous sen
timent that 1.-THE victory was big enough
for us all. - He said:
Il am overwhelmed at the reception
which you accord me, the more as
have been simply humble instrument
in bringing about a result which has
added SO much to the glory of our coun-
try l had personally no ambition which
did not include the highest glory to my
profession and the greatest luster to my
nation l felt after that momentous day
had ended that the victory was big
enough for us all. 1t is curious. how
ever, how little things often determine
mighty results. After patient and
weary watch for many days under q
tropic sun, surrounded by the most ex-
hausting influences of climate, imper-
fectly fed. vigilant day and night,
when the enemy moved. it is high
tribute to my profession that it was
simultaneously discovered by every ship
that had been set to watch that fleet.
''Curiously enough, after the army
had invested Santiago and the battle of
July 1 bad taken place, was person
ally impressed with the idea that a crit
ical stage in the proceedings had been
reached, and ON the Saturday night
which preceded the Sunday of July 3,
now so famous in our history. that the
enemy contemplated a movement. 1t
was the fact, and the only thing that
prevented it was that the enemy, who
had occupied the hills westward of San
tiago, in order to lose no time in retir-
ing upon the main column had aban-
doned their blockhouses, six in number.
They We're Immediately seized by the
insurgents and burned.
AT that very moment. $50 O'Clock
ut night. the Spanish squadron was
ready to get under way. but perceiving
these blockhouses burning they con
Glued that it was a signal to us, as
there were six vessels in their squadron.
and concluded that they would defer
their movement until morning. That
was the critical moment in Admiral
Cervera's life. 1t was fatal decision.
II he had attempted to come out at
night, be might have saved one vessel,
but coming in the daytime that was ut
terly out of the question.
In l minute and so seconds after
they appeared every vessel was firing
upon them. 1t was the most beautiful
sight L ever saw. These six vessels APP
Feared at the harbor mouth and came
cut IN column; that means in line
ahead aud at correct distance. When
they emerged. was standing on the
bridge OF the Brooklyn, and the first i'm
preston l received was that it was q
Spanish bullfight. fer they came on:
tail up and head iown. There was an
instant movement.
The admiral had been called to the
eastward TO have a consultation with,
General Shafter. Before leaving. the
signal was made to disregard the orders
OF the commander in chief, which was
a Practical announcement TO the squad
ron that the senior officer was in
charge, and that, fortunately or unfor-
tunateiy, happened TO be myself The
moment the enemy appeared the signal
was hoisted for close action 1t was fol-
lowed by an immediate forward move
ment by the squadron.
II was difficult to determine which
OF three methods would be chosen by
the Spanish admiral II he intended TO
make fight. it was assumed that he
would avail himself Of the protection Of
the batteries east and west of the bar
Dor Ii he attempted TO escape, it was
supposed that he would scatter II be
intended TO run. he would take either
the eastern or the western course. II
was an anxious moment, and required
quick decision and quicker action.
Fortunately he chose to run. and
changed his coarse TO the westward
All our vessels had closed in and terrific
had begun Everything