Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1898-08-12
HONOR AWARDED.
Secretary Long Bestows 1t
Upon Sampson.
Says That the Admiral Is Modest and Has
High Attachments.

question, Who should be credited with
the honor of the naval victory that was
attended by the destruction of Cerveras
fleet? has been officially answered. To
one of several correspondents who have
deprecated the work of Admiral Samp-
son on that occasion, Secretary Long
took the pains to answer at length as
follows:
Navy Department, Wash, Aug. s.
My dear sir-I am in receipt of your
letter, and hasten to assure you that
what you say about Admiral Sampson
is so unjust that it can only be pardoned
on the ground of your ignorance of the
whole matter. You have no apprecia-
tion of the responsibilities that have
been upon Admiral Sampson; of his very
superior attachments as an officer and
the splendid work he has done preparing
for the naval victory which was the
GROWING accomplishment of his efforts
for weeks and weeks before Santiago.
Justice is always done in the long run;
but when you indulge in such unfounded
criticism, l cannot forbear to protest. as
l should feel bound to do if you had re-
ferred in similar terms to any other Of
our deserving officers.
First-Admiral Sampson was selected
for the command of the North Atlantic
squadron because the department. in
the exercise of its best judgment. with
an eye single to the public interests, be-
Heved that he was especially fitted for
the place. Admiral Sicard, who held the
command having become inCapacitated
for duty by reason of sickness, was
necessarily withdrawn by order of the
department, and Sampson was next in
command. The two are especially ac-
cOmplished ordnance officers. having
been each at the head of the ordnance
bureau and having devoted themselves
to that branch of naval science Samp-
son is a man of the very highest profess
sional attainments, solely devoted to
his duty. He never pushes himself for
ward, and when you accuse him Of any
thing of that sort you do most cruel in
justice TO man who has never sought
favor or applause In any other way than
by the simple discharge Of his duty.
Second-The movement on Porto Rico
was not a movement for its CAPTURE
The department, which has very rarely
interfered with the movements OF adj
mirals commanding squadrons, did
however, make one express order. and
that was that our battleships should not
be exposed to the risk of serious injury
from the fire of any fort. At that time
the Spanish fleet was strong. Its where
abouts and destination were unknown.
The primal necessity was to meet and
crush its ships and TO secure for us the
domination of the sea. The Oregon had
not arrived, the Maine was destroyed
and no naval authority would justify
the unnecessary risk Of the destruction
of any of our battleships except in
battle with the enemy's ships.
The movement TO Porto Rico was to
meet If possible the fleet Of Cervera.
which was then expected. CerVera, un-
doubtedly learning that our fleet was at
San Juan, changed his destination to
Santiago. Our movement to Porto Rico
thus became reconnaissance and full
filled its purpose. There was no inten-
ton at the time of taking Porto Rico.
as the army was not there to cooperate.
Third-With regard to sending orr
ships into the harbor of Santiago. Ad-
miral sampson was acting under the X
plicit orders of the department not to
expose his armored ships to the risk of
sinking by mines, and the wisdom Of this
course | believe, is universally ac-
knowedged by naval authorities. He
waited, as he should have done, the co.
operation of the army. How effectuallv
under this cooperation the result was
accomplished is now matter of history.
There are few more graphic scenes than
must have been presented at 1 o'clock on
the afternoon Of the 14th of July when
Shafter with his troops ready to as
sault Santiago, awaited the reply of the
Spanish commander to the demand for
surrender SIMPSONS fleet was at the
mouth of the harbor, drawn up in line
and ready TO lombard, as it had been for
days previous, and the signal officer
stood on the heights ready to wigwag
the signal for firing. Happily, instead
of this signal came the good word that
the Spanish had surrendered to this
combined readiness for attack.
Fourth-Please bear in mind the va
riety and weight of the responsibility
which were upon Admiral Sampson for
the month prior to the great battle
which destroyed Cervera's fleet He
was commanding officer Of the whole
squadron; charged with the blockade
of the whole Cuban coast; charged with
the detail of all the movements Of ships;
charged with clerical correspondence
with the department and other officers.
especially charged with preventing the
escape of CerVera. Remember that
this man, whom you so sweepingly ac-
Cuse. was devoting his days and nights
to those duties. If you will read the
orders issued by him, beginning with
June l, you will find that the most
thorough precautions had been taken to
prevent the escape of Cervera; that our
fleet was kept constantly in line, so
far by day; that the most rigid care
with searchlights and every other APP
pliance was taken every night, that the
commanding officer of every vessel
knew his post and his duty in case of
an attempt to escape, SO that when the
attempt came. the movement to pre-
vent 1t. by the attack of our vessels upon
the outcomeing Spaniards, went on like
clockwork AS at Chattanooga, every
movement of that great battle was car
rled out, although General Grant was
neither at Missionary ridge or Lookout
mountain.
1 can we'll understand why the friends
of other officers should be so enthusiastic
and earnest. as 1 am, in giving them
the credit they so richly.-everyone of
them deserves for his glorious work;
l cannot conceive of anybody so mean
as to detract by q single hair from their
merit-but 1 cannot understand why
such a bitter feeling is manifested in
many quarters toward Admiral Samp-