Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-02
WAR ON THE BAY.
EVIDENCE OF IT'S EXISTENCE SEEN
AT EVERY TURN.
SAILORS, SOLDIERS, AND VARSHIPS.
The People Have War Before Their
Eyes All Day-The Flying Squadron
and Fort Monroe-A Wild Buiie-

The seat OF war, so far as Virginia
Is concerned, is at Norfolk. Old Point
and Newport News.
Richmond people are all the time eager
to hear from the blockading Meet. the
flying squadron. the plucky Admiral
Dewey. who had to fight the first great
naval battle OF modern times 1900 miles
from home, but they do not regard war
as so much OF a reality as do the people
down on the coast. where soldiers
sailors, and marines are In constant slght,
and warships, grim and defiant, lie in the
harbor, silent guardians of It's waters,
but with steam up, and ready to sail at
almost a moments notice, 10 repel an
incursion of the foreign foe.
1t is small wonder that with all these
evidences Of existing war before them,
and the not remote prospect that the
men and vessels with which they have
become familiar will soon be engaged In
a duel to the death with the Spanish
fleet, the interest In all that pertains TO
the national defence on sea, and on land,
runs high, and little is needed TO change
interest to excitement and enthusiasm.
A WILD BULLETIN.
An illustration of this was seen in
Norfolk Saturday, when local paper
announced on its bulletin-board that the
Raleigh, built at the Norfolk yard. and
having In her crew a number OF men
from that city and Portsmouth. had
been blown up off Manila. The news
spread like wildfire, and 1t was only
short time until the most intense excite
ment reigned throughout the two cities,
mothers and sisters and sweethearts be-
ing wrought up to the highest pitch lest
their dear ones had been lost The ex-
element had become fearful when 1t
was discovered that the bulletin was
bogus, and had been posted without the
knowledge of the management OF the
paper.
THE FLYING SQUADRON.
But it is at Old Point that one gets,
perhaps, the most vivid impression of the
existence OF war. The Brooklyn. Com
modore Schley's flagship, lies close in
shore, opposite the Hygeia, and perhaps
not a hundred yards out; the battleship
Massachusetts probably twice is far out,
and slightly higher up, while the Texas
Is anchored still higher up, but nearly
as close in shore as the flagship. The
fighters In their dark-gray coats. their
murderous guns pointing in every direc-
ton. and every portion of woodwork
stripped from their decks. remind one OF
nothing so much as bulldogs on the point
OF springing forward to seize the threats
of their antagonists.
The officers have shore leave now. but
have to report aboard early every night.
The rotunda at Chamberlin's Is crowded
with them every afternoon. and the
spectacle is brilliant and interesting.
Commodore Schley was the centre of a
conspicuous group there yesterday after
noon, his fine figure and handsome face
attracting the attention of the strangers
spending Sunday at the hotel. though
they did not know his rank.
NO ADMITTANCE TO THE FORT
The existence of war Is as evident at
the fort as i'm the Roads. Instead of
strangers having free ingress now. and
liberty TO stroll about the grassy en-
bankments, a sentinel with bayonet fixed
marches up and down in the arched
portal, and the corporal in charge OF the
guard detail politely informs the would
be visitor that he cannot enter.