The evening times., 1898-07-08

l
July 6. via Port Antonio. Jamaica. July
Z:
| Equaled only by the demonstration OF
| joy at Cerveras defeat was the magnifi-
| cent welcome extended by the American
forces today to Richmond Pearson lIob-
son and hs men.
No noble band of heroes could have
been more overwhelmed by the enthusi-
asm of their comrades than were TIE
brave men of the Merrimac's crew.
Heroes all they were received back
among their comrades amid glad rejoic-
ing. Bands played. from countless points
the Stars and Stripes futtered in the
breeze. and men cheered themselves
hoarse Whistles on half a dozen ves-
sells in the vicinity notified HObson' 5
band that further honors were awaiting
them on the water even while they were
receiving the plaudits of the America n
forces on land.
Unique and inspiring was the welcome
given to the heroes of the Merrimac. En-
thusiasm born of joy over their safcty
| and pride In what they did pervaded the
American forces on land and sea Their
enthusiasm was given free vent, ana
| there resulted a patriotic scene to Wit
ness which well was worth all the hard
| ships and exposures 1t had cost ;hoSe
| present.
| News came by the military telegraph
| line shortly before O'Clock this after
| noon that Assistant Naval Constructor
Hobson and his men had been trans
ferred to the Americans and that they
We're entering Gen. Wheelers camp
Presently bands were playing. Officers
and men were shouting for joy. Fl1Es
were flying. men were throwing their
hats high in the air and Army i'eguid =
tions were being cast to the winds.
Our officers made no attempt to re-
strain their men. but such an attempt
would have been useless. When Hob
son appeared within the lines al o'clock,
the band playing when Johnny Comes
Marching Home" the enthusiasm Of our
men knew no bounds. Never did heroes
have a more Inspiring reception in the
field. Their advance through the lines
from Santiago TO SibOney was 4 conttnu-
Gus triumphal march. in which the cheer
ing thousands WED with one another in
their efforts 10 do greatest honor to the
men just released from prison.
Hobson rode on a horse. while George
Charette. Oscar Degnln. John Kelly,
Daniel Montague J. f. Murphy. John
p. Phillips and Randolph Clausen. the
other members Of the Nerrfmac's crew,
walked on behind. All were well dressed.
having been provided with new uniforms.
When Hobson and his men arrived at
Siboney they found the flagship New
York lying a short distance out. waiting
TO take them on board. 4 boat from the
flagship came to the shore. and ihe dis
patch boats in the vicinity made another
demonstration As the Merrimac's crew.
who arrived at Siboney at dusk. were
being transferred to the New York.
Whistles blew and men cheerCd
The whole ships company fairly went
wild when Hobson went aboard. They
recalled the early morning scene of the
day the Merrimac was sunk when II 30
son. absolutely fearless and full OF de-
termination. had gone down the ladder
to lake charge of the Merrimac on her
final cruise. None of the men on the
New York ever expected to see him
again.
When HobsOn reached the deck of the
flagship one of the first to greet him was
Admiral Sampson. Their meeting was
most affecting. The American admiral.
who AT once had been struck by the bold
ness of HobsOn's plan when the assistant
naval constructor first proposed To sink
the Merrimac displayed a fathers inter-
est in the returning hero. He fairly en-
braced Hobson. giving him a welcome. the
and pleasure Of which could not
be mistaken. Hordlv less delighted over
Hobson's safe return We're Captain Chad
wick and his officers.
After he had been showered with con-
and compliments by the men
on the flagship. | asked Mr. Hobson about
his experiences on the Merrimac and
while he was Spanish prisoner.
Il must ask the Herald to excuse me
from speaking about the Merrimac for the
present he replied. Il must. of course.
first make my official report to Admiral
Sampson. Later on, if the Herald still
cares for more particulars of the exploit
than are brought out in the official re-
port I shall be glad to give them.
But. really" Hobson added. modestly.
what We did was not much of feat"
Were you surprised at your reception
by Admiral Cervera?' asked.
Well, was the reply tine Spanish ad-
miral compiimented me on the effort We
had made. Cervera was very kind to all
Of us. He seemed to think he could not
do too much for us"
i asked Mr.. Robson about the confine-
ment Of himself and his men in Morro. |
and inquired particularly as to whether |
they were alarmed during the lombard !
ments of the Santiago defenses by the |
American fleet.
four days Mr.. Hobson replied Dur
ing that time We were not disturbed in |
any way. In fact. at no time were we in |
danger, because it happened that the fleet |
did all of its heavy bombarding either |
before We We're taken to Moro. or after
We had left there
You were imprisoned in the city itself |
after the first four days. them
mo; from Morro we were taken on |
~
Spanish We're using as hospital ship i
During the firing on Friday many win
lows of the ship were broken by Ameri-
.an bullets, but no one was hurt"
How about your hopes and fears dur
ing imprisonment? Did you expect to
90 aboard an American vessel again?''
The question brought smile to Hob
sons face. He allowed his memory to
1rift back over the events of the preced-
ng weeks. He did not answer for a mo-
nent.
II was greatly depressed at times" he
said presently. ''as We're the other men
IF the Merrimacs crew. l had a slight
attack of fever, but it did not last long.
Yes: 1 am entirely well now and hope
o participate in the war from now until
he close"
Mr.. Hobson again referred feelingly to
he manner in which he and his men
lad been treated while they were pris-
,ners.
'Mr. Ramsden. the British consul. was
,ery kind to me on several occasions"
said Hobson, land so was the Spanish
Nevertheless, you may be
sure / am glad that all of our men came
through safely
The exchange of Hobson and his men
vas effected in return for three Spanish
'ficerS and eight privates, who had been