The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-11-26

St. Clair McElway introduced Admiral
Sohley, who spoke as follows: II am over
whelmed by the reception you accord me-
have been simply an humble instrument
in bringing about a result which has
added so much TO the glory of TIE Nation
had no personal ambition which did mt
include the highest glory to my profession
end THE greatest luSlre TO my Nation !
felt AFTER that momentous day that the bat
Tie was Big enough for lis all. AT all even Is
1t seems 10 have been big enough for The
country and big enough for the world.
1T is curious how little things change
results. After the army had invested San
tiago and performed prodiges OF valor !
was impressed on that crhttcal Saturday
which preceded the historic July 3, | NAV
say that / was confident that the enemy
contemplated q movement. 1t proved TO
be true.
"The Spanish forces to the westward hao
abandoned six block houses which vera
immediately seized by the insurgents and
burned. At $3.50 o'clock that night the
enemy's ships were all prepared to get un-
der way to make dash in the night
They thought those burning block houses
was a signal to us. There were sick block
hor@es as eave said and the enemy had
six shifts
That was critical moment in Ger.
vera's life. In the night time there was
possibility of one vessel escaping. Com.
irg out in the day time it was simply
an utter lmpossibllty. The enemy thought
we were at Quarters. So we We're In ore
minute and about thirty seconds from tho
time he appeared at tie mouth of the
harbor every one of our vessels was firing
upon him 1t was the most beautiful sight
! ever saw" p
There was burst of laughter and eS-
carnations of right you are."
Il say so frankly" Admiral Schley went
on Tho Spanish appeared in column
! was standing on the bridge of the Brook
lSn ana the first impression made O., ma
was that 1t was like Spanish bull fight,
ln .Ihs came ns, ON ,al up and head dowa.
the eastward to confer with shaftcr.
before leaving he signnIIed to dis
regard the orders OF communacr-in-
chfef' This was an announcement |
that senior officer was left In |
charge. Fortunately or unfor,uu-
ately. that happened to he myself
The moment the enemy appeared
set the signal for close action.
Inc ensmy would choose one of three
,n.ethois He could elect TO fight and avail
himself OF the protection of the land hat
tefdes. He could try to escape and scat
ssr as y lo1k OF cartridges when he was
frustrated He could attempt to run choos
Ing eithar the eastern or western course.
1t was an anxious moment while wa
were waiting to see what he purposed do
ing. 1t required quick decision and uulelxar
action. Fortunately he chose to run and
took the course to the westward. All iha
vessels closed in with terrible cannon
aiding. The Brooklyn was the point of At.
tack because she was the fleetest ana ina
flagship. The form OF proiectile around
about reminded me OF q mill pond in n
hail storm: but until a man was killed meas
me was not aware that there was shot
within hundred miles nt me A furious
onslaught was made on the tactical diame-
ter OF the enemy's fire. We could move In
and mask or turn out or turn mast. on
course. We moved in and within twenty-
nine minutes four OF the enemys shins
were absolutely annihilat~i
THE Colon and the Vlzcaya were Ter,
They put their helms to port ard speeasi
TO the westward. There was a r,nninp ,sh.
of hftysfour minutes" s"'
Admiral Schhey described that f,eht an,
the destruction Of the vizcaya Ia,,;na
her to the Texas TO dispose OF. ADMIT |
schley pictured the surrender Of tn. cnis ,
and recapituaated the results Of the ha.na
He spoke OF Dewey's victory al Ma~ais a.,
OF his own work In Porto Rico Thaa
aaced SOME MODEST things abo.t hin,.' ~
aud sat down amid great applause.