The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1898-06-30

sleep the next day, in spite Of the heat.
My last letter was cut short, as pre-
dicted. had just time to seal the
letter and run with it. | believe | told
you that the next day, June 9th, we
were to have lively engagement with
the batteries. Well, l will take my
| diary and give you few extracts that
are not too dry.
On Monday morning, June 9th, we
we're all up at about 5 a. m. We
cleared ship and went to quarters at
6 o'clock. The first shot, an S-inch
shell, was, on our ship, fired at 7:44,
and we secured our batteries at 1920,
so you see we were in for quite a long
target practice. The first squadron
opened fire on the batteries on the
right, while our squadron devoted our
attention to that on the left of the en-
trance.
The weather was rather misty and
the horizon dark, so that it was diff
cult to make good shots. The ships in
our squadron moved in a circle.
The ships fred in all 302 shots; %
were Is inch shells, Al S-inch SO 6-inch
and the remainder were 6-pounder
shots. Our range varied from 1900 to
5000 yards, so we could see the enemy
at their guns. 1t is extremely difficult
to hit battery on the crest of hill,
but some excellent shots were made.
A oh
silenced one of their heavy guns on
the left of their western battery.
After almost every fire of our heavy
guns we could see the dirt fly in all
directions.
The batteries ashore returned the fire
and seemed to devote most of their
attention to the cruisers, Shot fell
thick and fast all around the New
York. A few came near this ship, and
one only nit US, bending a stay on the
military mast. The men are all proud
of that bent iron rod-it shows that
we have been under fire at least. The
little Vixen, on the left by herself, kept
up lively fire till nearly noon aud the
Dolphin, on the right, kept up her fire
long after noon. We learned later
that she had a railroad train penned
up in cut, the train being loaded
with soldiers and ammunition.
There was very little wind and at
one time the red and yellow cloth on
the MORO dropped for lack of breeze.
Our men, thinking that they had
lowered their cOlors, set up a violent
cheer.
do not yet know what we accom-
plished that day but no doubt there
was quite little damage done Very
likely many of our shells passed over
the hills and came near Stbe ships in
side. AS you know@I was down in the
handling room and learned much of
this after it was all over (read it in the
New York Journal next day, you
know. But got chance during
lull in our firing to get on the top of the
turret and see part of it. It was grand
to see the ships banging and booming
away with gun after gun.
Nothing of Importance has happened
since that day. We are waiting for the
army and some more small ships. On
Wednesday a tug with flag Of truce
came out with a letter from Admiral
Cervera to Admiral Sampson. We do
not know what it was about. We
have also heard that the Marblehead
succeeded in cutting cable from
Guantanamo to St. Nicholas Mole.
She had little scrap with a gunboat
that came out from the port.
June 10. Well, this is about all the
news for the present. Several ships
came in this morning, but [ don't know
what they are yet Possibly they
brought mail for us. hope so very
much. l will write little more later
on. I am very we'll and hope you are
all as we'll as I. Love to all at home.
Be sure and write soon.
This morning the Dixey, Panther,
Scorpion and Supply came here. From
the Supply we received meat and ice.
Mail will leave by her. Love to all.
Your son DAVE.
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