The age-herald., 1898-07-29
CAPT. CoTrON's REPORT


 United States Steamship Harvard, at Sea off Altares Cuba, July A. 1898
 Sir:-1. On Sunday the 3d instant, the Harvard under my command was at All tares, Cuha, discharging stores brought from Newport News. Nearly all the boats and the ma jority of the officers of the ship were employed in this work.
 2. At 10:45 the United States steamship Resolute passed Altares at a considerable distance, standing to eastward sounding her whistle vigorously and flying signal which announced that the Spanish fleet had fled. With the utmost dispatch I re- called the boats and officers to the ship and cleared for action.
 3. I had previously observed that the fleet was firing. but supposed that it was a ombardment of the Morro. The ships of the fleet had meantime disappeared to the westward.
 4. I soon came up with the wrecks on shore of two of the smaller vessels and two of the cruisers of the Spanish fleet and shortly afterward with the wreck of third cruiser, all of the cruisers burning fercely.
 5. had meantime passed the Indiana and one of our torpedo boats standing to the eastward in search of the missing Spanish cruiser.
 S. At the most westerly of the three wrecks of tho Spanish cruisers-the Viz caya-I found the battleship Iowa and com municated with her. I learned from Cap tain Evans that you in the New York were in chase of the Cristobal Colon and were probably many miles to the westward. and was ordered not to go further in that di- rection.
 '. Shortly after the Iowa and the Har- ward stood 10 the eastward and upon reach ing the wrecks of the Oquendo and Maria Teresa Captain Evans informed me that the officers and crews of both vessels were ,lx1 =,t1t, and oe1y yAA me if I would rescue them-a request with which I, of course, instantly compiled. sss
 Rescued Survivors s,-s
 S. I took the Harvard in as near the wrecks as I deemed to be prudent and at 4:40 D. m lowered nine of our boats and sent them into the shore to rescue the sur- vivors. This work continued until 9:4o p. m, when the last boat load of Spanish prisoners came alongside. During the great CT part of the time the steam cutter of the Indiana rendered valuable assis tanceE Z in towing our boats to and from the shore. We had the good fortune to rescue 35 off, cers and 637 men without accident to them or to our boats, notwith landing the fact that the landing was through the surf and dangerous as we'll as from the incessant explosion of ammunition, both small and large. The boats were handled with skill and judgment by the officers in command of them, who were Lieuenants Roberts, Beale, Davis and Bradshaw, Ensigns Fur ner and Cumming, and Cadets Noal and Bruff whose conduct and that of the boats' crews was commendable.
 g. Among the rescued were thirty-eight sick and wounded.
 The Spanish officers and men received every attention that it was possible to be- stow upon them for their comfort and welfare. Some of them came on board wholly nude and many with only a shirt or trousers. As soon as possible after their arrival on board they were provided with food and necessary clothing. 10. I transmit herewith a copy of the de- Continued on Third Page.)