The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-06-13
ECHOES OF SANTIAGO FIGHT.

AhotheE account OF tlo DoihDnrumout OF
That Port-Awfui Puni,hment Indicted
by tho American Guns.
Copyright, 1855, by tho Associated Press.)
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, June G,
Monday, 2 .. M, via KINGSTON, Ja-
ma!ca, June observation-disclosures In
transmisslon). The fleet commanded by
Rear Admiral Sampson bombnrded and
sllenced the batteries at Santiago de
Cuba this morning. Not one Of our
ships was hit and no casualties occur
red on our side. The enemv's fire was
irregular and badly directed. The bonn
bardment lasted from 7A5 a. m. until
p. m, and It's object was finally ac-
complished.
Admiral Cervera's ships did not show
themselves. Frequent pauses In the
firing occurred on account OF the smoke
hanging over the land. It Is believed
thnt the enemy's fortifications were
seriously damaged.
Admiral SIMPSONS order OF battle
was as follows:
~. S. flagship New York, first rate of
Santiago de Cuba, June S, 1898:
Preparations will be made TO en-
gage the batteries on Monday morn
lng. June 6. at o'clock. The men
should be given their breakfast at $3.50
and the divisions should be ready to
form at 6 o'clock. When the prepara-
tions signal IS is made. the ships will
form south OF the Moro as follows:
THE western column, heading north.
the Brooklyn, Marblehead, Texas and
Massachusetts,.
THE eastern column, heading north,
the New York. Yankee, New Orleans,
Oregon and Iowa.
The crew OF the New York went to
general quarters at 6:45. There was
some delay In getting the ships into po-
sition. A light breeze was blowing and
the sky was murky. The New York
steamed at the head Of the easterlr coll
unn. At 7:20. while signalling to the
ships 10 close UP was in progress, Ad-
miral Sampson leaning over the rail OF
the forward bridge. asked Lieutenant
Marble In charge OF the forward eight
inch turret what he could see from the
turrets sight. The lieutenant replied:
IT can see yellow earth. but cam
not see the guns yet. sir"
The New York went ahead slowly fol-
lowed By the Yankee and the New Or
leans. Iowa and Oregon some way be-
hind In westerly direction.
a small battery. two miles west OF
Moro castle, which the New York was
rapidly approaching seemed TO be firing
with smokeless powder The Dolphin
was signalled to come closer and attend
70 this.
By 7:3S o'clock a number Of guns
could be seen sticking out over the yel-
low emplacements on the eastern bat
terry, which Is on the ridge OF hill q
quarter OF mile from Morro.
The ships went right half-turn until
the New York's port battery was
brought to bear on these emplacements.
The Opening Fire.
At 7:45 tho signal to commence fir
ing was holsted and few seconds la
ter the New York's big guns roared
out. On her starboard quarter the Yam
kee, with the naval reserve crew and
the New Orleans followed suit. The
firing was rapid and fairly good. Great
dust clouds few upon the hillsides.
The Oregon and Iowa were rather far
out while the New York was close In
shore. firing at 1000 yard range.
The westerly column was almost out
of sight and apparently out OF position,
but 1t was firing rapidly at the western
batteries.
Smoke began to hang over the shore
and several times the firing was order
ed to stop until the smoke cleared
| away.
The men waited for the Shrek OF the
enemy's shells. but they were seldom
heard.
Out where tho iowa lay rising Jets OF
water occasionally showed where the
enemy's aim was directed.
On the starbonrd bow of the New
York was n small railroad trestle close
to little battery. A freight train was
seen going In the direction Of Santiago
de Cuba. When II came TO the eastern
end OF the trestle It stopped as II afraid
to cross. Then, with smoke pouring
from the engine. 1t flew across the tres
lie and wns lost to sight behind cliff
before shot could reach 1t.
At o'clock rain commenced to foil.
By this time Moro hill, which is 1s0
feet high. wns being peppered badly
from the waters edge to where the
light house stands at the top. Great
clouds OF smoke and dust arose contin-
unllF and when shots hit the rocks
sparks flew back several hundred feet
into the sea.
The rain como down heavily at S:11
and the smoke was so thick that It was
impossible to tell tho effect OF the shells
nnd n general signal TO cense firing was
hoIsted. BY this time the enemy was
almost silcnccd a few minutes later,
with more deliberation, the attack was
recommended. Commodore Schley's
division Mt this time aud until the end
OF the bombardment could only be seen
faintly. white clouds rising on the west
harbor were the only sign that there
was another attacking force besides the
easterly column.
The New York steamed closer until
she was 1000 yards east of the batter
les and n milo from the shore. In this
position most effective work was done,
three guns on the easterly battery be-
Ing dismountcd.
The naval reserves on tho Yankee
cheered vocifcrously every few minutes
as shots. were sccn 10 land. g
The officers on deck were Mt this stngc
OF the engagement rigged out IN their
southwesters and oil Hiips Tho adj
mirnl went below, rcappenrcd In black
oil skins and tramnc1 the forward
bridge. Captain Chadwick was outside
the coming tower, Just below the ad.
Hiiral.
Itrurivptt k1vfut puni,hnirnt. r
An incessant flrc. waS kept UP BY the
eastcrly column, then using It's star