The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1898-07-13
Secret Of Cervera's Dash.

GUANTANAMO, MONDAY, July 4, b
p. M, by the Associated Press Dis.
patch Boat Dandy, via Kingston, ia.
maica, July 6, p. m.-The steamer
Resolute arrived to day with 5O8 pris.
oners including 10 Of the officers and
crew of the Spanish cruiser Cristobal
Colon. The disposition of the prison.
ers has not yet been decided on. The
number of killed and wounded on the
Cristobal Colon was very small. Off
GERS of the American vessels which
were in pursuit Of her say that as it
was o question OF only short time
wheh the Cristobal Colon should be
compelled to surrender or run ashore,
they ceased firing on her, and only
three of her crew were killed (all sail
ors) and thirteen were wounded. Be-
fore running their ship ashore and
hosting the white flag the Spaniards
opened the Kingston valves on board
the Colon and threw overheard the
brcech blocks Of every gun, including
those of their Mauser rifles.
The captured Spaniards were re-
markably cheerful. The officers say
they had nothing to eat for twenty
four hours before the destruction Of
the fleet, and in order to get the men
to their posts large amounts Of liquor
were given out Many Of the cap
tured sailors still showed the effects
of drink when put on board the Reso-
lutte.
The Spanish officers say that order
TO sail was given by the ministry Of
marine at Madrid, and they decided to
make an attempt to escape on Satur-
day night, but it was postponed until
Sunday morning for the reason that
quarters inspection" would be held
at that time, and the Americans would
not be at their guns. None of the
Spaniards expected tn be alive ut noon
on Sunday, believing the destruction
Of the feet to be certain. Most of
their valuables were put on the Girls
tobal Colon, the fastest boat of the
fleet, and everything was done to give
her the best opportunity to escape.
The Spanish officers profess great
admiration for the American ships,
especially the Brooklyn, New York
and Oregon. The Spanish prisoners
say that if the Americans had pressed
the land forces much longer the Span :
iards would have been compelled TO
surrender, as the troops were com
pletely worn out.
WASHINGTON, July The war de-
partment has received the report Of
Admiral Cervera to Gen. Blanco on
the disastrous naval fight to the Span
ish cause off Santiago. 1t is as fol-
lows:
TO the Gcncral-in- Chief, Havana:
In compliance with your orders | went
out yesterday from Santiago de Cuba
with all the squadron, and after an
unequal combat, against forces more
than triple mine, had all my squadron
destroyed by fire, the Teresa, Oquen-
do and Vizcaya beached. and the Co.
lon fleeing. ] accordingly Informed
the Americans and went ashore and
gave myself up. The torpedo chasers
foundered. l do not know how many
were lost, but it will surely reach six
hundred dead and many wounded. AL
though not ;n such great numbers the
living are prisoners of the Americans
The conduct Of the crews rose to q
height that won the most enthusiastic
plaudits of the enemy. The comman-
| der of the Vizcaya surrendered his
vessel. His crew are very grateful for
the noble gene osity with which they
are treated. Among the dead is Vii
lamil and, / believe, Lasaga, (spelling
uncertain and among the wounded
Concas and Eulate. We have lost all,
and are necessarily depressed.
CRRVRRA.