The herald., 1898-08-21
The Saluting Battery

|
on to the sod to keep from falling to the
bottom.
The Saluting Battery
| A platoon of light artillery Of two pieces,
under command of Captain Wendell from
the First battery, had planted it's guns
directly opposite the tomb, under the trees
on the edge of the bank. 1877 o'clock the
New York put her nose in front Of the tomb
and as she did so the battery fired a salute.
Scarcely had the smoke from the guns
cleared away when the bow guns of the
flagship rang out and saluted. Then she
passed on. her stately way. The other
ships also saluted and came abreast Of the
tomb Captain Wenders battery answered
every salute, and salutes were constant
from the Jersey shore. In silence the great
crowd watched the fleet pass in. There
was practically no sound except from the
guns. Slowly the fleet steamed on to both
street, and the New York turned to the left
at II 80 o'clock and started on down the
river. At u o'clock she passed the tomb
once more, but her guns were silent, al
though those of the Wendell battery doomed
out many times.
The Citizens Committee
The committee boat Glen Island left the
Cortland street dock with the mayor and
his suite on board and steamed down the
bay to the flagship New York. The police
boat patrol then came alongside Of the
Glen Island, and the mayor and sixteen
nembers of his committee were taken
aboard the Patrol. She steamed over to
the New York and the party went aboard.
Admiral Sampson and his officers were on
deck. After a cordial greeting, the mayor
began his address. He said:
The Mayors Address
''Honored Sir, Admiral commanding
| the North Atlantic squadron Of the
American navy returning from the
never to be forgotten triumph at San
tiago: In behalf of the people of the
| City of New York, it is a high privilege,
as their chief magistrate, to present to
you, and through you to every officer,
| marine, sailor and landsman under your
| command, the warmest welcome home.
| at is not in words to express the
emotion out of which this greeting
| springs, as the achievements of he
| American navy are crowded with VIC
torious consequences. unsurpassed in
| the annals of warfare, ancient or mod
| ern. The tongue necessarily stammers
| in attempting to express 'he feelings of
| combined gratitude, pride and patriotic
fervor with which every American
| heart is filled in contemplating them.
There was not in the world four months
| ago a navy with a more splendid rec
| ord than that of the United States. To-
| day we speak within the bounds of
| reason in declaring that what might
| have seemed impossible Las been ac-
complished. The record has been still
more glorious. Never while history
continues to instruct men and the menu
| DRY of American deeds remains to I'M
press free men or make tyranny
trembe can the battle which saw the
| Spanish fleet annihilated on the coast of
| Santiago be forgotten.
| "In contemplation of victory, the
courage and the magnanimty of the
| victories, together with the far-reach-
effects upon the future of the civilized
world, that engagement stands without
| a parallel in the history of men.
+ However, am not here to describe
| or attempt to describe. even in review,
| the deeds of valor that made heroes of
| the brave officers and men of the navy
| at Santiago. MY simpler ana nlghly
priced duty is to extend to you, the Of
| ficers. marines, sailors and men of The
North Atlantic squadron the congratu-
| lations and hearty welcome of the peo-
| pie of the Greater New York and the
| freedom of the city,"
Admiral Sampson then replied:
SIMPSONS Reply
"Mr. Mayor and Gentlemen: Permit
me TO thank you, on behalf of the off,
GERS and men of the navy, who, through
| their efforts, have won your congratu-
lations. l am sure that were t1ey
here, standing with me, and could hear
you talk, they would appreciate it as
I do. We have done our duty only, ,
and we are consequently deeply grate-
full to you for expressing the thanks and
congratulations of the peopla of the
city, which you have done N such