The Portland daily press., 1898-02-19
TELEGRAM FROM SlGSBEE.
Beiated Dispatch First Notice at the De-
partment Friday.

WASHINGTON, February 1S.-The first
notice to reach the navy department
this morning from the scene of the great
naval disaster at Havana was belated
telegram of last nights date from Capt.
Sigsbee reading as follows:
nineteen of Names dead were buried
this afternoon, with great ecclesiastical.
naval and military ceremony and with
all of the resources of Havana brought
into requisition. The Spanish govern
ment, under express directions of Gen.
Blanco, the bishop of Havana, Gen. Par
RADIO and Admiral Manterola, and the
mayor of Havana, took complete charge
of all arrangements. The bodies were
city government of Havana and were
covered with floral and other embleIns
suitable to the occasion, which were pre-
sented by the officials and other persons
of Havana of all shades of political
opinion. They were escorted to the Gem
etery by representatives OF all the mill
tary and civil organizations and from
the foreign consular officers, and through
vast concourse of people, spreading
over the routes.
"Gen. Lee, myself and officers and men
now here, together with Lieut.. Com
mander Cowles and members of the
Ferns crew, were given special carriages
and conveyances. Ground for the burial
of all the Names dead has been present
ed by Gen. Blanco and the bishop OF
Havana in the beautiful cemetery of Ha-
vana.
1.-the utmost sympathy and respect has
been shown. I am informed by the au-
thorities that this is the second instance
of such a demonstration having been
shown to foreign officers in the history
of Havana. 1t is inconceivable that a
greater demonstration could have been
made to me, personally. great num-
her of people have expressed sympathy
for the Maine and for the United States
government and people. The remainder
of the dead must perforee be buried
with brief ceremony, which will be con-
Quoted by ourselves, but the care and pre-
marathon of the remains will te with the
| Spanish authorities Also in addition to
| those buried. other bodies have come
| Even in the case of some of those men
who are wounded, recognition is difficult.
| have not for moment lost sight of the
Grief OF the families and friends of the
members of the Maine's crew, but
| beg the department. to explain to them
that it is ilnpracticable in fact, impossi-
BILE, to send bodies home. Facilities are
|
secure transportation under the most ia.
vorable circumstances.
"Embalming is only imperfectly done
here. Will wire all cases of identitica-
| ton. | maintai2 organization of my
small force here, but it can be we'll I'M
derstood that the execution Of the work
with which We are charged is one OF
much detail and difficult of execution.
| at is believed that all of the depart
ment's kilograms have reached me. L an
deeply grateful for the helpful sentiments
and directions telegraphed by the Presl-
dent aud the department. l have the
earnest help of all the officers of the
Maine now here, which was to be expect
| ed under all circumstances.
ga previous telegram sent today give:
the names of those buried by the Span
ish authorities.
"I,he flags of all vessels, naval and
merchant, in Havana, have been at hall
mast yesterday and today. Shall send
Mangrove back to Key West tomorrow
with eight wounded. Will wire names
later. DR.. Glendenning of the army vii
remain with the wounded. Assistant
| Surgeon Speare also came with the
Mangove, but will be detained here or
board the Fern to accompany others O.
the wounded when they are ready to bt
removed. VIII put some divers at worl
tomorrow.
| "Divers requested of Admiral Sicard
will be here Saturday morning by thu
| Oiivette. Recovery of Names batter i'm
practicable, except by regular wreckinE
outfit.
| ''Sigsbee."
EQUIP THE GUNS.
Boston, February 1S.-A special to thu
journal from Washington says: Order
were issued today from the war depart
ment, directed to Lieut.. Col. Carl A
| Woodruff, commanding Fort Warren, il
Boston harbor. directing him to increas
his force to full limit. He was also or
dered to equip squads consisting o
twenty men and one officer with arm
and ammunition and station them at al
forts, armed with modern guns along tn
coast.