Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1898-07-28
SCHLEY'S MODEST STORY.
He Gives Special Credit to Captains Phillip, Evans Clark
and Cook.

lowing is Commodore Schley's report.
North Atlantic Fleet, Second Squadron,
United States Flagship Brooklyn,
guantanamo Bay, Cuba, July s, 1898.
Sir-I have the honor to make the fol
lowing report OF that part of the squad
ron under your command which came
under nv observation during the en-
gagement with the Spanish feet, July
8, 1898.
At 9:3j g. IN Admiral Cervera, with
the Infanta, Maria Teresa, Nizcaya,
Oquendo. Cristobal Colan and two tor
pedo boat destroyers, came out of the
harbor of Santiago de Cuba in column
at distance and attempted TO escape to
the westward. Signal was made from
the Iowa that the enemy was coming
out, but his movement had been dis
covered from this ship at the same
moment. This vessel was the farthest
west, except the Vixen, In the blockad-
ing line; signal was made to the west
ern division as prescribed in your gener-
al orders, and there was immediate and
rapid movement inward by your squad
ron, and a general engagement at ranges
beginning at 1,100 yards and varying
to 3, 600 until the Vizcaya was destroy
ed about 1850. The concentration OF
the fire Of the squadron upon the ships
coming out was most furious and ter
rife, and great damage was done them.
About 30 or % minutes after the en-
gagement began, two vessels, thought
to be the Teresa and Oquendo, and
since verified as such, took fire from the
effective shell fire of the squadron, and
were forced to run on the beach some
six or seven miles west Of the harbor
entrance, where they burned and blew
up later. The torpedo boat destroyers
were destroyed early in the action, but
the smoke was so dense in their direc-
ton that cannot say to which vessel
or vessels the credit belongs. This
doubtless was better seen from your
flagship.
The Vizcaya and Colon, perceiying
the disaster 10 their consorts, continued
at full speed to the westward to escape,
and were followed and engaged in a
running fight with the Brooklyn. Texas
Iowa and Oregon until 1880, when the
Vizcaya took fire from our shells. She
put her helm t0port, and with heavy
list to port, stood inshore and ran
aground at Asseradores, about 21 miles
west of Santiago. on fire fore and aft,
and where she blew up during the
night Observing that she had struck
her colors, and that several vessels
were nearing her to capture and save
her crew, signal was made to cease hr-
ing. The Oregon having proved vastly
faster; than the other battleships, she
and the Brooklyn, together with the
Texas and another vessel, which proved
TO be your flagship, continued westward
in pursuit of the Colon, which mad run
close dn shore. evidently seeking some
good spot to beach if she should fail 20
elude her pursuers.
This pursuit continued with increas-
ing'speed in the Brooklyn, Oregon and
other ships, and soon the Brooklyn and
the Oregon were within long range Of
lie Colon, where the Oregon opening
fire with her 13-inch guns, landed &
shell close TO the Cristobal Colon. A
1homent afterward the Brooklyn opened
fire with her eight-inch guns, landed
shell just ahead Of her. Several other
shells were fired ut tho Colon, now in
range Of the Brooklyn's and Oregons
guns Her commander, seeing al
chances of escape cut off and destruc-
ton awaiting his ship, fired lee gun
and struck her flag at lis p. IN, and
ran ashore at a point some 30 miles
west of Santiago harbor Your flag
ship was coming up rapidly at the time,
as were also the Texas and Vixen. A
little later. after your arrival, the Crise
tobal Colon, which had struck to the
Brooklyn and Oregon, was turned over
to you as one of the trophies of that
great victory of the squadron under
your command.
During my official visit little later
Commander Eaton, of the Resolnte, ap-
peared and reported to you the presence
of Spanish battleship near Altarea.
Your orders TO me were to take the Ore
gon and go eastward to meet her. and
done by the Brooklyn, with the result
that the vessel reported as an enemy
was discovered to be the Austrian
cruiser Infanta Maria Teresa seeking
the commander-in-c chief.
/ would mention for your consider
alton that the Brooklyn occupied the
most westward blockading position with
the Vixen and, being more directly in
the route taken by the Spanish Squad
ron, was exposed for some minutes,
possibly TO- to the gun-fire of the three
Spanish ships and the west battery, at
a range OF 1000 yards from the
ships and about 5000 yards from the
batteries, but the vessels of the entire
squadron, closing in rapidly, soon di-
verted this fire and did magnificent
work at close range. have never be-
fore witnessed such deadly and fatally
accurate shooting as was done by the
ships Of your command az they closed
in ON the Spanish squadron, and deem
1t high privilege to commend to you
for such action as you may deem proper
the gallantry and dashing courage. the
prompt decision and the skillful hand
ling Of their respective vessels. Of Cap
tain, Philips, Captain Evans, Captain
Clark, and especially Of my chief Of
staff, Captain Cook, who was directly
under my personal observation, and
whose GOODNESS, promptness and cour-
age were Of the highest order The
dense smoke Of the combat shut out
from my view the Indiana and the
Gloucester, but as these vessels were
closer to your flagship, no doubt their
part in the conflict was under your i'm
mediate observation.
Lieutenant Sharp, commanding the
Vixen, acted with conspicuous courage,
and, although unable to engage the
heavier ships OF the enemy with the
light guns, nevertheless was close in to
the battle line under heavy fire. and
many Of the enemy's shots passed be-