The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-12-22
.SJDE-LIGHTS ON
THE SPANISH WAR
Some Minor Reports That Have Not
Been Heretofore Made Public.
MONTUO'S STORY OF CAVlTE.
He Expresses Much Disgust at the In
efficiency of SPANS Manila Defen-
ccs-A Graphic Account OF
Dcwoy's Work.
MONTUO'S STORY OF CAVlTE.

WASHINGTON. Dec. 2l.-The official
reports Of all commanding officers OF the
navy during the war have been COM
piled and published by the Navy De-
partment While treating OF events
that have already figured in oihciai
reports that have reached the public
the documents still contain many
minor reports that throw side lights on
interesting phases Of the war.
Almost I'm the beginning in the brief re-
cord of the proceedings OF the naval war
board. an unknown hero is brought to
light in the person Of Ensign ii. II.
Ward. who al the beginning OF the war
was on duty i'm the navigation bureau
alternating with Lieutenant Whittlesey
in the heavy duties Of assistant to the
chief Of the bureau. He volunteered Tor
secret service duty and his exploits, about
which nothing has been said in the past
may well be placed on record beside
those Of Lieutenant Rowan in Cuba, and
Whitney in Porto Rico.
HIS FIRST EXPEDITION.
Within a week after the declaration OF
war. Ensign Ward disguised himself and
went right into the heart OF the enemys
country. making his headquarters at
ton. and informing the Navy Department
here Of the actual strength OF the Span
fsh naval vessels and their movements.
Then he went TO the West Indies and re-
ported everything that was going on
there Of Importance to the American
navy.
Next he went again into the enemys
country in disguise, this time TO Porto
Rico where he was arrested as suspl-
cious character and a spy. BY adroitness
he managed TO secure his release and
escaping from San Juan cabied the Navy
DEPARTMENT a full account OF the state
Of the defences there and the prepare
lions making for the reception OF the
Spanish squadron under Cervera. All
this time even the officials of the Navy
Department were under the impression
that Mr. Ward was engaged in installing
a system of coast signals on the New
England coast
ANOTHER HERO.
While Ward was i'm Porto Rico, Ensign
Buck. another attache Of the Navigation
Bureau. was on the shores OF the Medl-
terrancan. in disguise watching every
movement of the squadron of Admiral
Camara. which started for the Philip
pines, but turned back.
or the Strategy Board itself, 1t was
said il was part Of its duty 10 keep IN
formed ~ all OF the movements, re-
sources and plans of the Spanish naval
forces through secret agents. and the
Navy Department was thus informed Of
all important movements. Al times,
however. information was conflicting and
decisions had 10 be made as 10 which
report was true
The reports of the famous naval battle
OF Cavite include one from United States
Consul williams. a rather unusual thing
IN a report Of a strictly naval character:
but fully justified by its picturesque ana
description OF Dewey's great
victory.
SPANISH REPORT.
Following 1t is a report TO this Govern
ment on the same engagement by the
commander-in-chief OF the Inflated
Spanish feet. Montijo.
The Admiral depicts the bad condition
VI the Spanish fleet and defences. He
says that the cruiser Castillo was inca
pable Of manoeuvering on account of her
bad condition. while the defeRces at the
entrance OF Subig Bay. were very back
ward. With much disgust he found that
the guns which should have been Gount-
FL were delayed "A month and half, and
he was no less Disguised TO find that
reliance was had for the defence OF the
port upon a few torpedoes not properly
placed. Finding Subig Bay defenceless,
he Spanish squadron repaired TO the
Bay OF Manila 10 meet battle under less
conditions.
READY FOR ACTION.
The Admiral avoided the city. not wish
ng to draw fire uDon II. and prepared
MS fleet for action. painting his vessels
, dark gray and having the
Tres aspread and springs on the
,ables. He says that the force
II Deweys vessels, leaving out the trans
ports. amounted to 2l.il0 tons, 1920
horsepower. 1853 guns (many rapid-fire).
$50 men and an average velocity of sew
nteen miles.
Against this the power Of his only hye
.0ective ships was. l0iil tons; 1920
horsepower: 70 guns very short Of rapid
ire) 1874 crew, and maximum speed ~
niles
The Admiral describes in vivid language
he terrible effect of the American on
Taught on the Spanish vessels. he says:
The Americans fired most rapidly.
rhere came upon us numerous proJectiles
- the three cruisers 10 the end OK the
inc devoted themselves almost entirely
n nght the Christina, my flagship
hort time after the action commenced
me shell exploded In the forecas.le add
,ut out of action AL Of those who served
ne four rapid fire cannons.