The times., 1898-12-06

VI war WHICH eHJOlnS tne overcoming Oh
the adversary and the extinction of his
power wherever assailable as the speedy
and sure means to win peace, divided
victory was not permissible, for no parti-
tion of the rights and responsibilities at
tending the enforcement of just and ad-
vantageous peace could be thought of.
Following the comprehensive scheme OF
general attack, powerful forces were as
sembled at various points on our coast to
invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Meanwhile
naval demonstrations were made at sever
al exposed points. On May lith the cruis-
er Wilmington and torpedo boat Winslow
were unsuccessful in an attempt to silence
the batteries at Cardenas, gallant en-
sign, Worth Bagley, and four seamen fall
ing. These grievous fatalities were
strangely enough among the very few
which occurred during our naval opera
tions in this extraordinary conflict.
THE HUNT FOR cERvERA.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara-
tions had been pushed with great vigor. A
powerful squadron under Admiral Cerve-
ra. which had assembled at the Cape
Verde Islands before the outbreak of hos
tilities, had crossed the ocean, and by its
erratic movements in the Caribbean Sea
the pursuit of our fleets. For time fears
were felt lest the Oregon and Marietta,
then nearing home after their long voy-
age from San Francisco of over 15,GGt
miles, might be surprised by Admiral Ger
vera's feet, but their fortunate arrival
dispeiled these apprehensions and lent
much needed reimbursement Not until
Admiral Cervera took refuge in the har-
Dor of Santiago de Cuba, about May 49,
was ii practicable to plan a systematic
naval and military attack upon the An
! tiliean possessions of Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in prepar-
alton for the larger event. On May /.
the North Atlantic squadron shelled San
Juan de Porto Rico. On May 80 Commo-
dore Schley's squadron bornbarded the
forts guarcing the mouth of Santiago har-
Dor. Neither attack had any material re-
suit. 1t was evident that well-ordeded
land operations were Indispensable to
achieve decisive advantage.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone tie hearts of our countrymcn but
the world by its exceptional hero.sm On
the night of June 3. Lieut.. Hobson, aided
by seven devoted volunteers, blocked the
narrow outlet from Santiago harbor by
sinking the collier Merrimac In the chan
mel, under a fierce fire from the shore bat
teries, escaping with their lives as by a
niracle.-but falling into the hands of the
Spaniards. 1t is most gratifying Incl
dent of the war that the bravery of this
little band of heroes was cordially appre-
ciated by the Spanish admiral, who sent
a flag of truce TO notify Admiral Samp-
son of their safety and TO compliment
them on their daring act They were sub
sequently exchanged July T.
T,u,
BY June the cutting of the last Cuban
cable isolated the Island. Thereafter the
invasion was vigorously prosecuted. On
June TO- under heavy protecting fire, a
landing of GOO marines from the Oregon,
Marbiehead and Yankee was effected in
Guantanamo Bay. where it had been de-
termined to establish a naval station.
This important and essential port was
taken from the enemy after severe fight
ing by the marines. who were the first or
ganized force of the United States to land
in Cuba
The position so won was hell despite
desperate attempts to dislodga our
forces BY June 16 addit .onal~ ~fe.ees were
landed and strongly intrenched. On June
% the advance of the invading army un-
der Major Gen. Shafter landed at Bal
quiri. about fifteen miles east OF Santa
GO This was accomplished under great
difficulties but with marvellous dispatch
On June % the movement against San
tiago was begun On the 2ith the first
serious engagement took place. in which
the First and Tenth Cavalry and the
First United States Volunteer Cavalry
Gen. Young's brigade of Gen. Vince. e.er's
division. participated. losing heavily. BY
,se.t.- fol hAu rt-ir[
miles of Santiago was won. The adyan-
tage was steadily increased. On July
a severe battle took place, our forces
gaining the outworks of Santiago; on the
I'd Ell Caney and San Juan were taken
after desperate charge and the invest.
ment of the city was completed. The
ravy co-operated by shel,ing the town
and the coast forts.
CERVERA'S FLEET DESTROYED,
On the day following this brilliant
achievement of our land forces, the 5 of
July, occurred the decisive naval combat
of the war. The Spanish feet, attempt
ing to leave the harbor. was met by the
American squadron under command of
Commodore Sampson In less than three
hours all the Spanish ships were destroy
ed, the two torpedo boats being sunk,
and the Maria Teresa. Almirante Oqu n
do. Vizcaya and Cristobal Colon driven
ashore The Spanish admiral and over
1890 men were taken prisoners, while the
enemys loss of life was deplorably large.
some coo perishing. On our side but one
man was killed, on the Brooklyn, and
one man seriously wounded. Although
our ships were repeatedly struck. not one
- -
spicuously distinguished themselves.
from the commanders to the gunners
and the unnamed heroes in the boiler
rooms, each and all contributing toward
the achievement of this astounding vic
tory, for which neither ancient nor mod
ern history affords parallel in the COM
pleteness of the event and the marvellous
disproportion of casualties. it would be
invidious to single out any for esp. cial
honor Deserved promotion has reward
ed the more conspicuous actors-the ma
tion's profoundest gratitude is due to a
of these brave men who by their SIX l!
and devotion in a few short hours crush
ed the sea power of Spain and wrought a
triumph whose decisiveness and far
reaching consciousness ca=, scarcely b..
measured. Nor can we be unmindfuI of
the achievements of our builders. me-
chanics, and artisans for their skill in
the construction of our warships.
With the catastrophe of Santiago Spain's
effort upon the ocean virtually ceased A
spasmodic effort toward the end of June
to send her Mediterranean fleet under Ad-
mirai Camara to relieve Manila was aban-
doned, the expedition being recalled after
1t had passed through the Suez Canal
THE FALL OF SANTIAGO.
The capitulation of Santiago followed
The city was closely besieged by land,
while the entrance of our ships into the