Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1898-08-05

squadron, and / deem it a high privi-
ledge to commend to you for such act
ion as you NAV deem proper the gal
. lantrv and dashiDg courage. the
prompt decision and skillful handling
of their respective vessels. of Captain
/ Philip, Captain Evans, Captain Clark
and especially my chief of Staff Capt.
Cook. who was directly under my per-
sonal observation and whose coolu ess,
promptness and courage were of the
highest order. The dense smoke of
the combat shut out from view the
/ Indiana" and Gloucester but as
these vessels were closer to your flag
ship, no doubt their part of the con-
fiict was under your immediate obser-
vation
Eight-Lieut. Sharp, commanding
the Vixen acted with conspicuous cour-
age: although unable to engage the
heavier ships of the enemy with his
light guns. nevertheless was close in
to the battle line under heavy fire
and many of the enemys shot
passed behind his vessel.
Ninth beg to invite special atten-
ton to the conduct of nv flag Lieuten-
ant. James A. Sears. and Ensign Ed
ward McCauley, Jr., aids who were
constantly at my side during the en-
gagement. and who exposed them
selves fearlessly 10 discharging their
duties: and also to the splendid be-
havior of my secretary, Lieut.. B. Wells
Jr. who commanded and directed the
fighting of the fourth division with
splendid effect
Tenth would comment the highly
meritorious conduct and courage in
the engagement of Lieutenant Com
mander y. z. Mason. the executive Off
GER. whose presence everywhere over
the ship during its continuance did
much to secure the good results of
this ships part in the victory.
Eleventh-The navigator. Lieut. A.
C. Hodgson, and the division officers.
Lieut. T. d. Griffen. Lieut. W. r.
Rush. Lieut.. Edward Simpson. Lieut.
j. d. Doyle, Ensign Charles Webster
and the junior divisional officers were
most CONSPICUOUS in every detail of
duty contributing to the accurate fir
ing of this ship in her part of the great
victory of your forces.
Twelfth-The officers of the medical
pay and engineer and marine corps re-
sponded to every demand of the occa-
sion and were fearless in exposing
themselves. The warrant officers
William L. Hill, Carpenter
e. H. Wsrfard and Gunner F. T. APP
plegate, were every where exposed in
watching for damage, reports of which !
were promptly conveyed to me.
Thirteenth-I have never in my life 1
served with a drawer. better. or
crew than that of the Brook /
Ign. During the combat, lasting from |
D:35 until 1l:l5 p. m. much of the time /
under fire. they never tagged for
moment and were apparently undis-
turbed by the storm of projectiles /
passing ahead, astern and over the 1
ship.
Fourteenth-The result of the en-
gagement WAS the destruction of the
spanish squadron and the capture of
the Admiral and some 1900 to 1900
prisoners with the loss of several hun
ired killed. estimated by Admiral
-ervera at 500 men.
Fifteenth-The casualties on board
were: G. II. Ellis, chief yeo-
nan, killed: j: Burns. fireman. first
lass. severely wounded. The marks
'how that the ship was struck about
twenty-five times and that she bears
n all forty-one sears as the result of
Ter participation in the great victory
II your force on July the 3rd. 1898.
rhe speedcone halliards were shot
way. and nearly all the signal hal
iards. The ensign at the main was
o shattered that in hauling it down
t the close of the action it fell to
,ieces.
coNGRATULATEs THE ADMIRAL.
Sixteenth congratulate you most
incerily upon this great victory to
he squadron under your command
nd | am glad have an opportunity
D contribute in the least to victory
hat seems enough for all of us.
Seventeenth have the honor to
transmit herewith the report of the
officer and drawing in
ro6le of the ship, showing the loca-