The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-28

i WODIO state Inal InLS chase IOt
Texas was holding her own with the
Colon, she leading US about four miles a.
the start.
1 have the pleasure OF stating that tho
entire battery of the Texas is in a most
excellent condition and ready for any
| service required by the commander-in.
chief; especially calling attention to the
efficiency of the two turret guns. due to
the altera tons recently made by Lieuten-
ant F. w Haesler of this ship.
The bearing and performance Of duty
of all officers met with my entire ap-
prevail.
Very respectfully submitted.
J. w. PHILIP,
Captain, U. S. N, Commanding.
| WAINWRIGHT--G
u. S. S. Gloucester,
OF Santiago. July 6. 1898.
Sir-I have the honor to report that at
the battle of Santiago, July 8, the officers
and crew of the Gloucester were unin-
! jured and the vessel was not injured in
hull or machinery, the battery only re-
curing some slight overhauling.
L enclose herewith a copy of the report
| of the executive officer, made in compli-
ance with paragraph 525. page 10, naval
regulations. which report believe to be
correct in all particulars. I also enclose
copies of the reports of the several offic-
ers, which may prove valuable for future
reference.
1t was the plain duty of the Gloucester
to look after the destroyers and she was
held back, gaining steam until they ap-
peared at the entrance. The Indiana
poured in q hot fire from all her second
airy batteries upon the destroyers, but
Captain Taylor's signal "gunboats close
in" gave security that we would not be
fired upon by our own ships. Until the
leading destroyer was injured our course
was converging necessarily; but as soon
as sha slackened her speed we headed d.
rectly for both of the vessels, firing both
port and starboard batteries as the occa-
sion offered.
All the officers and nearly all the men
deserve my highest praise during the ac-
ton. The escape of the Gloucester was
due mainly to the accuracy and rapidity
of the fire. he efficiency Of this fire, as
wei do lilciL VI Tie snip BeuSTdIIy, was
largely due to the intelligent and unremit-
ting efforts of the executive officer, Lieu
tenant Harry P. Huse. The result is
more to his credit when 1t is remember
ed that a large proportion of the officers
and men were unframed when the Glou-
ceSter was commissioned Throughout
the action he was on the bridge and car
ried out my orders with great GOODNESS
That we were able to close in with the
destroyers-and until we did so they were
not seriously injured-was largely due to
the skill of Passed Assistant Engineer
George w. McElroy. The blowers were
put on and the speed increased to II
knots without causing a tube to leak or
a brass to heat.
Lieutenant Thomas c. Wood, Lieuten-
ant George H. Norman, Jr., and Ensign
John T. Edison not only controlled the
fire of the guns in their divisions and
also did some excellent shooting them
selves. Acting Assistant Surgeon ]. F.
Bransford took charge of one of the guns
and fired it himself occasionally Acting
Assistant Paymaster Alexander Brown
had charge of the two Colt guns, firing
one himself, and they did excellent work.
Assistant Engineer A. NJ. Proctor carried
my orders from the bridge and occasion
ally fred a gun when 1 found it was not
being served quite satisfactorily. All
were cool and active at a time when they
could have had but little hope of escap-
ing uninjured.
Lieutenants Wood and Norman, Ensign
Edison and Assistant Engineer Proctor
We're in charge Of the boats engaged in
saving lives. They risked their lives re-
peatedly in boarding and remaining near
the two destroyers and the two armored
cruisers when their guns were being dis
charged by the heat and their magazines
and boilers were exploding. They show
ed great skill in landing and taking off
the prisoners through the surf
OF the men mentioned in the several re-
ports I would call especial attention to
John Bond. chief boatswain's mate. He
would have been recommended to the de-
partment for promotion prior to his gal
liant conduct during the action Of July
3. I would also recommend to your atten-
ton Robert P. Jennings, chief machinist,
mentioned in the report of Mr. McElroy.
I believe it would have a good effect 10
recognize the skill of the men and the
danger incurred by the engineers force.
I would also recommend that the acting
appointments Of those men mentioned by
the officers in their reports, be made per
manent.
The wounded and exhausted prisoners
were well and skinfully tended by AS
sistant Surgeon Bransford. assisted by
Ensign Edison, who is also a surgeon.
The admiral. his officers and men were
treated with all due consideration They
were fed and clothed so far as our limit
ed means would permit
Very respectfully.
RICHARD WAINWRIGHT,
Lieutenant Commander. L. s. ", Com
mandng.