The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1898-07-28
(CharlOtte ObServer)

(CharlOtte Observer)
1t lacks but few DAYS of BEING
three months since war was declared
between Spain and the United States
and this brief period has been
crowded with important results. The
army and navy were equipped, mad e
ready for business in short order. q
task in the performance of which the
immense resources of his Govern
ment were strikingly displayed.
A great deal of time was consumed
in hunting the Spaniards. Admiral
Dewey had his eye on one squadron
which was anchored near him, and
as soon as he heard war was declared.
he sailed out with his ships, gave
battle and destroyed the entire fleet
Of the enemy. He was fortunate in
having had the Spaniards located
and was thus enabled to wipe them
out without the loss of time. In
Cuban waters, it was different.
Weeks were spent in hunting for
Cervera's squadron, and after it was
located, days were consumed in
efforts to get at it. When the op-
portunity finally came, this squadron
was annihilated, every ship being
destroyed. The destruction of these
two Spanish fleets were accomplished
without the loss of an American ship
and with the loss of but single
man. This completed all the work
the navy had to do outside of block
adc service, for there were then left
no fleets of the enemy save one,
which is playing a hide and seek
game 1900 miles across the water.
A squadron is being made up to
destroy or capture this fleet, and
that will practically close the naval
chapter in the history of the present
war.
This much has been said in a gen
eral way, but it will be interesting
to note some of the more prominent
events of the war in the order of
their occurrence. April 21st was
recognized as the day upon which
war was formally declared, following
the investigation into the destruc-
ton of the Maine, on February 18th.
The flying squadron left Hampton
Roads for Key West on April 21st.
and during the same week President
Mckinley called for volunteers. On
May l, the Spanish fleet in Manila
Bay was destroyed by Commodore
Dewey. On May 11th, Ensign Bagley
was killed on the Winslow, in Car
denas harbor. Admiral Sampson
bombardcd San Juan on May -.
Commodore Schley located Cervera's s
fleet in Santiago harbor on May %,
and on June 3rd, Naval Constructor
Hobson sunk the Merrimac in the
entrance to the harbor. The first
landing of Americans was at Baiquiri
on June 6, when a force of marines
was sent ashore. Guantanamo Bay
was occupied on June 9. The ma
rines were attacked by the Spaniards
on June II and four Americans were
killed. These marines bravelv held
their position until July 22nd, when
the transports bearing General
Skaters army arrived and landing
was effected. The first engagement
between Skaters army and the
Spaniards occurred on June "a, in
which the Rough Riders participated.
The Americans continued to advance
their positions toward Santiago and
there were battles on July l and 2,
in which over 200 Americans were
killed. On July 3rd, Admiral
Cervera's fleet attempted to escape
and on running out of Santiago
harbor was met by the American
ships, defeated and destroyed. The
Ladrones were taken on July l3,
Santiago surrendered. the Spanish
army formally capitulating to the
Americans on July II.
Such in brief, are the leading fea-
lures OF three months of war. The
Americans have captured two ad-
mirals, one general and about p. 900
prisoners. They have utterly des-
troyed two powerful fleets and are
practically in possession of the
Philippines. the Caroline and the
Ladrone Islands and eastern Cuba;
and all this has been accomplished
without the loss of a ship, with but
eight men being taken prisoners and
with loss of life of less than 25O
men. 1t is most remarkable record,
embracing the most famous series of
achievements in the history of war,
ancient of modern.
Our baby has been continually troubled
with collie and cholera infantum since his
birth and all that WI, could do for him did