The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-08-11
HERoIsM OF MARINES.
CAPT. MuFphy's Report on the Conduct
of His Men Aboard SchIey's Ship.

CAPT. MuFphy's Report on the COnOuct
of His Men Aboard Schley's Ship.
WASHINGTON. Aug 1O-The following
report has been made public by the Navy
Department:
United States Flagship Brooklyn,
Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July 6.
"Sir-I have the honor to submit the fol-
lowing report of the part taken by the
marinenguard of this vessel on Sd inst
in the action which resulted in the destruc-
ton of the Spanish squadron:
t'At,the moment the alarm was given that
the enemy's ships were coming out of the
harbor the guard was at quarters ready
for inspection. 1t was Immediately dismissed
and the men sent to their stations for bat
tie. The men were full of enthusiasm, but
there was no excitement or disorder, and
apparently no concern for personal safety
The battery was handled with admirable
GOODNESS and elaboration. Greater care
could not be taken in setting sights and
aiming if the men had been at target prac-
tice and each striving to make record
score.
considering the fact that the enemy was
within effective range during the greater
part of the action, the fire of the secondary
battery must have been most destructive
to his men and material, and contributed it's
full share to bringing the battle to end
so speedily and with so little loss to our
selves. 1t is reported that the Spanish Off
GERS have stated that so deadly was the eff
feet of our secondary battery fire it was inn
possible to keep their men at the guns.
Where all did their duty manfully it is
difficult matter to select individuals for
special mention. There are some, however,
who deserve to be brought to- your notice
by name for conduit that displayed in a
conspicuous mann, - courage, intelligence
and devotion to duty. During the early part
M he IN arrt i6crn inn 1cu6 in "a
bore of the siX-pounder and in the effort
TO Withdraw ii the case became detached
in the bore and impossible to extract from
the rear. Corporal Robert Gray, of the port
gun, asked and received permission to at
tempt TO drive the shell out by means OF
rammer To do this it was necessary to go
out on the gun and the undertaking was
full Of difficulties and danger, the latter due
In a great measure to the blast of the tur-
ret guns firing overhead. The gun was hot
and 1t was necessary to cling to the Jacob
with the other to manipulate the long ram
mer. After brave effort he was forced to
give up and was ordered in. Quarter Gun
ner w. ii. Smith, then came, sent by the
executive officer, and promptly placed him
self in the dangerous position outside the
gun port where he worked and failed as
the corporal had done. Neither had been
able to get the hammer into the bore, and
there seemed nothing left to do but dis
mount the gun.
''At this juncture Private MacNeal one
of the crew, volunteered to go out and make
final effort The gun was important, the
starboard battery being engaged, and as a,
forlorn hope he was permitted to make the
attempt He pushed out boldly and set to
work The guns of the forward turret were
firing, the blast nearly knocking him over
board and the enemy's shots were coming
with frequency into his immediate neigh
Dornood; 1t was at this time that Chief Yeoe
the deck. MacNeal never paused in his
work. The hammer was finally placed in the
bore and the shell elected. The gun was i'm
mediately put in action and MacNeal re-
sumed his duties as coolly as if what he
had done were matter of every day rou-
tine.
THE battle orderlies we'll merit a place
among those whose conduct is worthy of
epeeiaf me mention; They Were on the move
parts of the ship and in no instances did
they fail ingthe prompt and intelligent per-
Torrance of their responsible duty. The
signal men occupied very exposed positions
during the action. and rendered excellent
service. Signal halyards and numbers,
battle. HagS and speed cones, were riddled
by small projectiles and fragments of burst
ing she'll, casualties that show in what a
zone of danger the signal men performed
their duties Signal Men Coombs and Nc
Intyre and Battle Orderlies Rail- and Davis
were So near Woman Ellis when he was
killed that they were despatched with
blood. Following are the names of the
battle orderlies: To the flag officer. Pri-
Yates Rail- and Davis; TO the commanding
to the executive officer Privates Bremen,
G. Wsmer and p. O'Donnell. The flag or
Qeflyha PRIVATE HlcnInOnQ. ana commanding
officers orderly, Private Woodsum, were on
deck and, rendered good services. Follow
ing the names of the signal men: For
ward, Private Coombs and Mcintyre: aft
Privates Shaw and A I4learne. The music
boys. Drummer Weisenberg and Fifer
Stewart were stationed on the main and
the gun decks respectively, to sound trum-
pet calls, and behaved manfully
None showed more unfiinching courage
than the men in the military tops. who
stood by their guns delivering their fire
with unerring precision. undismayed by the
projectiles flying about them and striking
in their immediate vicinity. Private Stock
bridge. the only man on the sick list
climbed into the main top at the signal
for battle. where he remained to the end
of the action. doing good work at his gun
1.-THE noncOmmissioned officers-First Ser
geant Manning, Sergeants Bristow, Mon
taire, ingalls, and McDavitt Cosporals Dit
meier, Doyle and Gray-showed excellent
soidierly qualities in the management of the
men and battery First Sergent Manning