Evening star., 1898-10-22
IN war basis. and all precautions OBJ

on a war basis. and all precautions OBJ
served in time of war have been carried
out. In all of the wearing and wearying
watch duty, all war work both in prepa-
ration for and during actual warfare, the
marines willingly and cheerfuliy took part.
performing the many duties required CT
them so we'll that, during the time of pre-
paration and war there were only two
cases of dereiction of duty: and at all
times meeting with the approval and graft
fIcation of the commanding officer who
has stated to ME that he regarded men
as the best in the squadron.
Il cannot mention specific cases of duty
performed In a markedly superior manner
when all did so well.
"On July 2, during the attack on the forts
at Santiago. the marines did all the tlrins
at the eastern battery and Morro. This
firing was so accurate and controlled 10
draw strong expressions of admiration and
approval from the commanding officer and
the officers of other ships.
"On the occasion of the destruction of
Cervera's fleet. the rapd-flre battery of
this ship fired 1,744 shots in about sixty five
minutes; of this number 534 were fired by
the guns under my charge, little more
than third Of this number being fired by
the marines.
sa after the action, together with the rapid
destruction of the torpedo-boat destroyers,
attest the accuracy of the fire of the rapid
fre batteries. The statement made at Nor
folk by Captain Conchas Of the Teresa, to
the effect that he could not keep his
at the guns or send messages and orders on
fire guns of the three eastern ships of the
squadron is a further proof of the accuracy
and rapidity of fire of these guns.
Captain CGnchas stated in conversation
with civilians that his ship was destroyed
by the fire of the three first ships few
moments after leaving the channel and
turning to the westward"
Capt. H. c. Taylor, commanding the In
| diana, indorsed Capt. Walters report as
follows:
The conduct of the marines equaled in
eycp1lpOce that of the other divisions of
the ship. All divisions of the ship. includ-
ing the marines, behaved admirably in all
the various engagements of the war.
With reference to the marine officers of
| the Indiana their conduct was equally de-
serving high praise and commendation with
| the officers of the other divisions OF the
ship
On the New York.
Lieut. R. H Lane, commanding the guard
| of the flagship New York, says in his re-
port:
"On July 5. 1898, the men went to their
stations with much enthusiasm and were
delighted at the prospect of coming to close
quarters with the enemy. Privates william
| Rapp, William O'Neil and Charles w. Ber-
| thold were on the sick list, but went to
| their stations for general quarters and per-
| formed their duties there. The men at all
| times showed a commendable GOODNESS
while under fire. The ammunition passers
were subject to call as rifiemen. Private
William Rapp was slightly wounded by
fragment of a shell at San juan. The sta
| tiCns during the different engagements with
| shore batteries were practically the same
as at San Juan. The services of the mar
! ines of this vessel were each occasion
| efficient.
| In addition to their regular duties. the
| marines furnished parts of prize crews
patrol launch crews, stood watch at the
| guns and We're posted armed lookouts
for torpedo boats.''
Capt. F. f. Chadwick, commanding the
New York, forwarded Lieut.. Lanes re-
| port with the following Endorsement:
The officers and men of the marine
| guard on board this ship at all times in
action did their duty most creditably. l
| have nothing but Hraise for their cond1ct
and bearing at any line when engaged or
when there was prospect of engagement"