The sun., 1898-08-09
LONG PRAISES SAMPSON.
WARM DEFENCE OF THE ADMIRAL
FROM UNJUST CRITICISM.

ously Attacking the Command rim Chief
of the Naval Force on snntiaEo-with
Regard to His Entering Santiago Harbor
He Says Sampson Acted Under Explicit
Orders Not to Expose His Armored ships
to the Risk of Being Sunk by Mines.
WARRINGTON. Aug. 8.-The Secretary Of the
Navy has received several letters violently at
tacklng Admiral Sampson. The following is
copy OF his reply to ono Of them;
NAVY DEPARTM
WARRINGTON. Aug. b. 1888.
my DEAR SIR: am In receipt OF your letter
and hasten to assure you that what you say
about Admiral Sampson is 80 unjust that It can
only be pardoned on the ground OF your igno-
rance OF the whole matter. You have no appre-
citation OF the responsibilities that have been
upon Admiral Sampson. OF his very superior
attainments as an officer. and the splendid
work he has done In preparing for the naval
victory which was tho crowning accomplish
nent 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 / cannot forbear to protest, as
should feel bound to do II you had referred In
similar terms to any other Of our deserving
officers.
Admiral Sampson was selected for the COM
mand OF the North Atlantic squadron because
tho department, In the exercise OF it's best
judgment. with an eye single to the public in
forest. believed that he was specially fitted for
the place. Admiral Scard who held the COM
Inand, having become incapacitated for duty by
reason OF sickness. was necessarily withdrawn
by order OF the department. and Sampson was
next In command. These two are especially
accomplished ordnance officers. having been
each at the head OF the Ordnance Bureau and
having devoted themselves to that branch OF
naval science. Sampson Is q man OF the very
highest professional attanments, solely de-
voted to his duty. He never pushes himself
forward. and when you accuse him of anything
on that score you do most cruel injustice to q
man who has never sought favor or applause
in any other way than by the simple discharge
OF his duty.
80. The movement on Porto Rico was not a
movement for its capture. The department
which has very rarely interfered with the
movements Of Admirals commanding squad
rona did, however, mako ono express order.
and that was that our batteships should not be
exposed to the risk OF serious INJURY from the
fire OF any fort At that time the Spanish feet
was strong; its whereabouts 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
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 II possible
the feet OF Cervera. which was then expected.
Cervera undoubtedly learning that our fleet
was at San Juan. changed his destination to
Santiago. Our movement to Porto Rico thus
became a reconnaissance and fulfilled its pur-
pose. There was no intention at this time Of
taking Porto Rico. as the army was not then
ready to cooperate.
-. With regard to sending our ships into the
harbor of Santiago. Admiral Sampson was act
ing under the explicit 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 acknowledged
by naval authorities. He waited. as he should
have done. the cooperation OF the army. How
effectuay under this cooperation the result
was accomplished is now matter OF history.
There are few more graphic scenes than must
have been presented at o'clock on the after
noon OF the 14th Of July. when Shafter. with
his troops ready to assault Santiago. awaited
the reply Of the Spanish commander to the de-
mand for surrender SIMPSONS feet was at
the mouth OF the harbor. drawn up In line and
ready to lombard. as it had been for days pre-
vious. 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.
a. Please bear in mind the variety and
weight of the responsibilities which were upon
Admiral Sampson for the month prior to the
great battle which destroyed Cerveras fleet.
He was commanding officer OF the whole squad
ron. charged with the blockade OF the whole
Cuban coast. charged with the detail of all the
movements OF ships charged with clerical cor
respondence with the department and other
officers. and specially charged with preventing
the escape ofCervera. Remember that this man,
whom you so sweepinRly accuse. was devoting
his days and nights to these duties. II 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 es-
cape OF Cervera; that our feet was kent con-
stantly In line, SO far from the entrance at
night and so far by day: that the most rigid
care with searchlights and every other appli-
Ance was taken every night; that the COM
manding officer OF every vessel knew his post
and his duty in case Of an attempt to escape 80
that when that attempt came the movement to
prevent it, by the attack OF our vessels upon
the outcoming Spaniards. went on like clock
work; as at Chattanooga every movement Of
that great battle was carried out, although
Gen. Grant was neither at Missionary Ridge
nor Lookout Mountain.
Il can well understand why the friends OF
other officers should be 30 enthusiastic and
earnest. az am. in giving them the credit they
30 richly. every one Of them. deserve for their
glorious work. cannot conceive OF anybody
80 mean as to detract by single hair from
their merit But cannot understand why such
bitter feeling is manifested in many quarters
towardAdmiral Sampson. when all these officera.
subordinate to him. In their reports clearly and
cordially recognize the fact that although at the
beginning he was. by orders from Washington.
going to confer with Gen Shatter. yet the bat
tie was fought under his orders. and that the
victory was the consummation of his thorough
preparation For myself, know no prediction
forany one OF these gallant men. would crown
every one of them with laurels. want them
all to have their just deserts Every one OF
them deserves unstinted praise: not one OF
them deserves anything less than full measure
for that days work. And, therefore. can think
OF nothing more cruel than depreciation of