The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-09
SchIey and CeNera.

| Commod Winfield Scott Scnley sent u
| the war department when he caught sigh
! of Admiral Cervera's fleet in Santa 81
harbor early in the morning of May e.
The location of the phantom fleet after
| a lively hunt covering several weeks
created a great stir in Washington, and
! Commodore Schley was rewarded, if il
may be so-called, by being placed in COM
mand of the flying squadron at Hampton
| Rhoads while Acting Real Admiral Samp-
son was placed in charge OF the blockad ding
| squadron.
| The friends of Commodore Schley in the
war department did not think that he
| had been fairly treated in removing him
| from the front when there was prospect
| OF a fight and glory, and now they re-
joice over the fact that, when Cervera
made his mad break for freedom, Com
| modore Schiey was on hand with steam
up TO the top notch, while Acting Rear
Admiral Sampson and Commodore Wat
son, who was next in rank, were or some
where on the blue sea hunting for mer-
maids and new suggestions for the war
department.
Commodore Schley, when Cervera's feet
appeared. coming at full speed out Of
Santiago harbor, took command on the
bridge, gave the signals, outlined the
manoeuvers Of the attack on the feet, and
the Cristobal Colon sixty miles and forced
her commander to surrender.
Commodore Schley comes Of a race Of
warriors. Thomas Schley, the founder OF
the family in this country. settled in the
little town of Frederick, Nd, in the early
part Of the last century, and had many
a fierce contest with the Indians.
The family came from Schleswig- on the
Schley, and were stanch Huguenots. John
Schley, the Commodores father, served
with distinction in the war Of 1872, and
named his eldest son Winfield Scott Schley
in honor of the grim old warrior, who on
several occasions visited the Schley family
in Frederick. Md, where the commodore
was born in 1899.
AS a boy, ''Scotty" Schley was courage
Gus, goodnatured, always in mischief rath
er inattentive to study, inclined to practi-
cal jokes and always had a chip on his
s1oulder. When ten years old he whipped
boy much larger and older. His father
reprimanded him for creating a disturb
ance in the street, but told him that, If
he ever heard that he had been whipped
in a fight, there would be a good spank
ing awaiting him at home.
Young Schley went to the Naval Acad-
envy at Annapolis, but did not alarm any
one by his brightness. He was graduated
near the foot of his class in 1860. During
his academic career he just worked hard
enough to pass the examinations, but in
physical proves he was always IN the
front rank and ever ready to attack anoth-
er or defend himself when there was &C.
casion for action.
Shortly after graduation he was as
signed as midshipman to the old frigete
Niagara, under the command of Captain
Fremont, and went to China. On the re-
turn trip, in 1861. Midshipman Schley was
put to a test which aroused all the man
hood in him and gave him the Opportu-
nifty to lay the foundation for the gIori-
Gus career and the magnificent triumph
at Santiago, which has thrilled the hearts
of seventy million grateful Anne leans.
When the frigate approached Boston
harbor, a pilot went aboard. The frigate
had not spoken to ship for two months
and there was anxiety among the officers
and men as to the outcome of the quarrel
between the north and south in congress-
What is the news, piIot?" asked Cap
tain Fremont.
bad enough" was the reply; Fort
Sumpter has been fired upon and has
surrendered to the rebels"
Captain Fremont, a stanch Unionist,
knew that many of the men on the ship
were in favor of states rights, if not Of
rebellion. He spent a few hours, alone
in the cabin, and then assembled the of
fcers and crew on deck. He spoke of the
grave crisis involving the stability of the
nation, and said that, in spite of the oath
of allegiance which they had all taken
when they joined the navy to support
the government, he would advise every
one to decide for himself what he would
do, according to the dictates of his own
Il have drawn up new oath of allegi-
ance." said Captain Fremont, land il is
on the table in my room. Every man that
wants to put his name under mine to sup
port Old Glory can do so now, and those
who do not desire to do this can leave the
ship at once"
The loyal men rushed to the cabin. but
a large number refused to subscribe to
the oath. Captain Fremont went to the
cabin when sufficient time had been given
to all to decide, and standing by the Ia
bic, found the tall, commanding figure
and determined face of Mldshipman
Schley. The captain had been doubtful as
to what course the young man would !
take
well, Winnie" said the captain, have |
you decided? VIII you sign the oath?"
AYE, aye, SIR" responded the midship- |
man. My name is next to yours on the /
list. Same flag and same Uncle Sam in |
Maryland as in Massachusetts, l will /
fight under the Stars and Stripes"
God bless you. my boy!' exclaimed /
Captain Fremont, grasping the young |
mans hand. Il fought shoulder to Shout !
Ter with your father in 1872, and while /
some of the boys are going away 1T has /
been my prayer that your fathers son |
and I would stick to the old flag"
Commodore Schley began active service |
Ship Island, in 1861. The following year |
he was on the Winona. doing blockade /
iuty in the Gulf, and took cart in all the
laval battles there 70 the fall of Port |
Hudson. He won promotion to lieuten-
incy in 1863 for bravery at Port Hudson: /
vas placed in command OF the gunboat /
Nateree, and was assigned TO the Pacific |
station.
In 1854 he went TO the Chinchla Is
aCds. landed a the head of one hun |
ired marines. throttled an instruction
lmong the Chinese coolies and gave them
, severe drubbing for threatening the life
If the American consul. He received the
commission OF lieutenant-comman6e in
S66. and was assigned to duty at the Ma
-al Academy for three years. His next
ietail was to the Asiatic station in COM
nand of the Benicia and he took an ac-
i've part in the overthrow of the forces
defending the Salu River in COrea. He
vas appointed instructor OF languages az
annapolis in ISL. He is said 70 be the best
inguist in the navy. He was made COM
nander in 1874 and for five years vas in +
barge OF the North and South Atlantic
stations and the west coast OF Africa. He
Killed several hundred pirates on the Con-
20 and made the African coast a 1T place
o Live.
His next assignment was 10 the North
POLAR land, IN command of the Greedy re-
ief expedition. After a perilous trip in
ne frozen sea, he rescued Lieutenant
freely and SIX survivors ~ Cape Sabine
md brought them safely home. His re-