The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-06-17
PRAISE FOR BRAVE MEN
OFFICERS AND CREW OF THE MARI
ETA AND HUDSON COMMENDED.
Letters from Secretary Long RecOg-
MIXING Zeal of Capt. SymOnds and
Courage of Capt. Newcomb.

WASHINGTON, June 16.-SecretAry Long
is determined that American officer who
has distinguished himself by noteworthy
gallantry shall lack commentator if the
matter comes under his notice. He recog-
nized in the zeal, energy and discretion ex-
hibited by Capt F. M. Symonds, of the
Marietta, something worthy of official
praise, whereupon he addressed the follow
ing letter to him:
ITO the Commanding Officer of the Ma
rietta-In acknowledging the receipt of the
report of the 9th inst. relative to the pas
sage of the United States steamer Marietta
from San Jose de Guatemala to Key West.
the department takes occasion to congratu-
late you and those under your command on
the successful termination of your long
voyage. The department desires to express
to you, and through you to the officers and
men under your command, its appreciation
of the efforts made by them to carry out
their, orders. 1t is such zeal and spirit as
the Marietta that has brought to success
full end every enterprise undertaken by our
service in the present war"
The department has just received an ac-
count of the fine display of courage made
by Capt F. NJ. Newcomb, commanding the
revenue cutter Hudson, in the engagement
18th of last month in which Ensign Bagley
and several other men were killed and
Lieutenant Bernardou wounded on the
torpedo boat WinSlOw. Secretary Long s
praise in this case is the more gracious in
asmueh. as it is directed to a revenue marine
officer and not to an officer in his own de-
partment. He directed the following letter
to the secretary of the treasury on June 10:
Il have the honor to acknowledge the re-
ceipt of your letter of the 9th inst, and to
forward herewith copy of the report re-
ceived. The rescue of the Winslow by the
Hudson was so calamity done, in the face
of the most CALLING fire, that her captain
officers and men deserve the warmest COM
mendation. The Winslow was riddled with
shell, disabled and helpless, drifting on to the
hen oh fVlfA he hANar nF hnr
captain wounded; her only other officer
and half of the crew killed; but the Hud-
son courageously remained by her in the
very center of the very hottest fire of the
action. although in constant danger of go
ing ashore on account of shallow water
until finally a line was got to the Wins
low and the vessel drawn out of the way OF
the enemy'S guns.
The report of Captain Newcomb, on which
the secretary's letter was based, was as
follows:
"At 1870 a. M. while off the main en-
trance to Cardenas bay, the Hudson was
ordered by the senior officer to accompany
the United States steamer Wilmington and
the United States torpedo boat Winslow in
side. All three vessels started Immediately
and after some preliminary soundings to de-
termine the best water, passed through
Blanco channel into the bay and headed
of coroga Point the Hudson was ordered
by the commanding officer of the Umted
States steamer Wilmington to go out ,,, and nd
look for small craft Steaming over toward
Diana bay and skirting the western shore
of the bay, discovered vessels. and OBJ
serving that the Wilmington and Winslow
were nearing Cardenas at 1:35 p. M,
steamed over toward them at full speed. AT
las p. m, when little over a mile distant
from the vessels, firing coming from
the shore, which was Immediately returned
by our ships. At $50, when within range
of the shore guns, the Hudson opened fire
upon them with her two 6-pounders. OBJ
serving that the Winslow was quite in shore
and exposed to the full strength of the
mngton and asked if we should go to her
assistance (Winslow). Received the answer
yes and Immediately steamed into the
immediate vicinity of the Winslow keeping
up constant and rapid fire from the Hud-
sons battery upon the enenys guns on
shore
AT 2:20 the commanding officer of the
Winslow reported his vessel totally disabled
and requested to be towed out of range
Owing to shoal water and the rapid drift
toward shore of the Winslow (the wind was
on shore), it was fully thirty minutes before
the Hudson succeeded in making a lire fast
from the Winsow and starting ahead with
her The enemy kept up a constant fire
during this time, which appeared to be eS-
pecially directed toward the Wins1ow, which
fire was returned at every opportunity by
the Winslow and Hudson. The Winslow
was lowed alongside the Wilmington from
which vessel boat was sent with medical
officer. who transferred the dead and
wounded from the Winslow to the Will
mington. Finally. about $3.50 p. M. all three
vessels steamed out of the bay the WinSlow
in tow of the Hudson At about dark
Joined the United States steamer Machias
outside where the Winslow was anchored. -