Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1898-08-09

y
of the navy has received letteas vio-
lently attacking Admiral Sampson. He
has given out copy of his reply to one
of them, written Aug. 5, which he fur
nishes for publication, in which he said
in part:
'tirst-Admiral Sampson was Sc
lected for the command of the North
Atlantic squadron because the depart
ment, in the exercise of its best judg.
ment, with an eye single to the public
interests, believed that he was especi-
ally fitted :or the place. Admiral
Sicard, who held the command, having
become incapacitated for duty by rea-
son OF sickness, was necessarily with
drawn by order of the department. and
Sampson was next in command.
"Second-The movement on Porto
Rico was not movement for its cap
ture. The department, which has very
rarely interfered with the movements
of admirals commanding squadrons,
did, however, make one express order,
and that was that our battleships should
not be exposed to the risk of serious in
jury from the fire of any fort. At that
time the Spanish fleet was strong. Its
whereabouts and destination were un-
known. The prime necessity was to
meet and crush its ships and to secure
for us the domination of the sea. The
Oregon had not arrived, the Maine was
destroyed, and no naval authority would
Justify the unnecessary risk of the de-
struction of any of our battleships, ex-
cept i'll battle with the enemy's ships.
The movement TO Porto Rico was to
meet, if possible, the fleet of Cervera,
Which was then expected. Cervera, un-
doubleday learning that ousfieet was at
San Juan, changed his destination to
Santiago. Our movements to Porto
Rico thus became reconnaissance and
fulfilled its purpose.
"Third-NVith regard to sending our
ships into the harbor of Santiago Adj
mlral Sampson was acting under the
explicit orders of the department not to
expose his armored ships to the risk of
sinking by mines, aud the wisdom of
his course, l believe, is universally ac-
knowledged by naval authorities. He
waited. as he should have done, the CO.
operation of the army. How effectu-
ally, under this cooperation the result
was accomplished, is now matter OF
history. There are few more graphic
scenes than must have been presented
at 4 o'clock on the afternoon of Jnly Ia,
when Shafter, with his troops ready to
assault Santiago, awaited the reply of
the Spanish commander to the demand
for surrender. SIMPSONS feet was at
the mouth of the harbor, drawn up in
line and ready to lombard, as it had
been for days previous, and the signal
officer stood on the heights ready to
xxric p - e.
instead OF this signal, came the good
word that the Spanish had surrendered
to this combined readiness for attack.
Fourth Please bear in mind the
variety and the weight of the response
bilities, which were upon Admiral
Sampson for the month prior to the
great battle which destroyed Cervera's
feet. He was commanding officer of
the whole squadron; charged with the
blockade OF the whole Cuban coast;
charged with the detail of all the move
ments of ships; charged with clerical
correspondence with the department
and other officers, and especially charged
with preventing the escape of Cervera
Remember that this man, whom you so
sWeeplngly accuse, was deyoting his
days and nights to these duties. Ii you
will read tine order issued by him, be-
ginning with June l, you will find that
the most thorough precautions had been
taken to prevent the escape of Cervera;
that our feet was kept constantly in
line, so far from the entrance at night,
and SO far by day; that the most rigid
care with searchlights and every other
appliance was taken every night; that
the commanding officer of every vessel
knew his post and his duty in case of
all attempt to escape, so that when
that attempt came, the movement to
prevent it, by the attack of our vessels
upon the outcoming Spanlards went on
like clockwork as at Chattanooga,
every movement Of that great battle
was carried out, although General Grant
was neither at Missionary Ridge nor
Lockout Mountain.
II cannot understand why such "a
bitter feeling is manifested i'll many
quarters toward Admiral Sampson,
when all these officers subordinate to
him, in their reports, clearly and cor
daily recognize the fact that, although
at the beginning he was by orders from
Washington, going to confer with Gen.
eral Shafter, yet the battle was fought
under his orders, and that the victory
was the contamination of his thorough
preparation.
For myself, know no prediction
for any one of these gallant men. /
would crown everyone of them with
Iaurel. want them all to have their