Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1898-07-08
THE SPANISH FLEET.
Admiral Sampson SRePOrt oIItS
Entire Destruction.
ADMIRAL CERVERA Is TAKEN
PRISONER.
sampson REPORTS SUCCESS.

noon:
Playa Del Este, by way Of Haiti,
July 4.-To the Secretary of the
Navy, .:l5 am:
Sabony, July S.-The feet under
nv command offers the nation as a
Fourth ofJuly present the destruc-
ton of the whole of Cervera's fleet.
Not one escaped. They attempted
to escape at $50 this morning. At ?
the last ship, the Cristobal Colon,
had run ashore sixty miles west OF
Santiago and has let down her colors.
The Marie Theresa, OquendO and
Vizcaya were forced ashore, burned
and blown up within twenty miles of
Santiago. The Furor and Pluton
were destroyed within four miles OF
the port. Loss, one killed and two
wounded.
Enemy's loss probably several
hundred, from gunpowder explo-
sions and drowning. About 1900
prisoners, including Admiral Cerve-
IA. The man killed was George ii.
Ellis, chief yeoman of the Brooklyn.
(Signed) Sampson.
Washington, D. c., July 3.-Admi-
raj Cervera's squadron has been des-
troyed with the exception Of one ship,
which will be captured.
Santiago has been summoned to
surrender by tomorrow. If 1t does
not it will be bombarded.
The victory of Santiago will be
celebrated on Independence day.
Admiral Cervera made desperate
dash out of the harbor Sunday morn
ling at 10 o'clock, but all his ships sx-
Icept one were driven back to the
shore.
The ship that escaped was prompt
ly chased, probably by the New
Y ork and Brooklyn and will certainly
be captured.
Suddenly, day of gloom was
turned into a night of joy at the
White House late this evening when
the Disappointing and distressing re-
port from General Shatter in the
moaning that, sick through the heat
and finding the enemy too strong for
him. he would withdraw from Fl
Caney and to his entertainments on
| high ground and wait for reinforce
ments to take the city was swept
aside by the briefbut splendid news
coming over the Government wire
from Playa del Este that Admiral
Cervera's squadron had been des-
troyed, with one exception, which
would probably be captured, and
that General Shafter, reinvigorated
by this great change in his fortunes,
had demanded the surrender Of Santi-
ago.
The Spanish Admiral, apparently
desperate, in spite Of the deadly
effect of his squadron's fire on our
troops and their withdrawal under
| it, made the attempt to fight his way
to freedom through Admiral Samp-
sons watchful feet waiting outside
in daily and nightly expectation of
such a move.
The escaping cruiser was chased
probably by Admiral SIMPSONS
flagship New York and Commodore
Schley's Brooklyn, with every pros
pect of overtaking her.
The report came almost simult'n-
eously that General Shafter had
given GeneralToral and General
Linares till Monday to sur
render, with notice that lombard
ment would follow failure.
One could see the gallant old SOL
der, oppressed by flesh and heat ris-
ing from his sick cot, his spirit renew
ed by the tonic of the news that his
most dangerous opponent had been
removed, and that he could now make
good his hope of celebrating the
Fourth of July in Santiago, He
would not have to wait for the re
Inducements he had asked Of Sec
rotary Alger; in the morning he
would not fear to at tack the rein
forced Spanish army in Santiago and
felt confident of the result.
Playa Del Este, July 3.
To the Secretary OF the Navy,
Washington, ID. c.:
At $50 a. m. today, the Spanish
squadron, seven in all, including one
gunboat came out of Santiago in
column and was destroyed within an
hour, except the Cristobal Colon,
which was chased forty-five miles to
the westward by the COMMANDMENTS
chief, the Brooklyn, Oregon and
Texas, surrendering to the Brooklyn,
Gin Gtufr