The evening times., 1898-08-10


6pounders-2 sergts.. l CORP, Is pvts. II
1-rounders-l sergt-, ! corp, 10 pvts. Il
Colts automatic-l sergt., l corp, 10 pvts... j.
Signals musicians. 4 pvts.
Battle orderies-S privates.
Flag orderly-1 pvt-.............
Commanding officers orderly-1 pvt.
Ammunition and fire party-l0 pvts. II
Commanding and superyisory-l capt,
lieut., first sergt -----.-..-.--.......-..
Total (full strength of guard ..... Gs
THE men were fun of enthusiasm. but
there was no excitement or disorder. and
apparently no concern for personal safe
ty.
THE battery was handled with admi-
rable GOODNESS and deliberation. Greater
care could not be taken in setting sights
and aiming II the men had been at target
practice. and each striving to make a
record score.
considering the fact that the enemy
was within effective range during the
greater part of the action. the fire of
the secondary battery must have been
most destructive to his men and material
and contributed its full share to bring
ing the battle 10 an end so speedily and
with so little loss 10 ourselves. 1t is re-
ported that Spanish officers have stated
that so deadly was the effect of our
sSSohiiiN iiiC II WAS lupOSSlDlt
to keep their men at the guns.
49, Where all did their duty manfully.
it is a difficult matter TO select individ-
ualS for special mention. There are
some, however. who deserve to be
brought to your notice by name for con-
duct that displayed in a conspicuous
manner courage. intelligence and devo-
ton TO duty.
During the early part Of the action a
cartridge jammed in the bore OF the star
board forward 6-pounder and in the ef-
fort to withdraw ii the case became de-
tached from the projectiie leaving the
latter fast in the bore and impossible to
extract from the rear. Corporal Robert
Gray. of the port gun, asked and receiv-
ed permission to attempt to drive the
shell out by means of the rammer. To
do this it WAS necessary to go out on the
gun and the undertaking was full of diff
ficulties and danger. the latter due in a
great measure to the blast Of the turret
guns firing overhead. The gun was hot
and It was necessary to cling TO the jacob
ladder with one hand while endeavoring
with the other TO manipulate the long
rammer. After a brave effort he was
forced to give up and was ordered in.
Quarter Gunner w. H. Smith then came.
sent by the executive officer. and prompt
ly placed himself in the dangerous posi-
ed and failed as the corporal had done.
Neither had been able to get the ramner
into the bore and there seemed nothing
left to do bur dismount the gun. AT this
juncture Private Macneal one of the
crew. volunteered to go out and make a
final effort. The gun was so important.
the star5oard battery being engaged.
that as forlorn hope he was permitted
to make the attempt He pushed out
boldly and set TO work. The guns Of the
forward turret were firing. the blast
nearly knocking him overheard and the
enemy's shot were coming with frequency
into his immediate neighborhood. 1t was
at this time that Chief Yeoman Ellis was
killed on tbs other side of the deck. Mac
neal never paused in his work. The ram
mer was finally placed in the bore and
the shell elected. The gun was immedi-
ately put in action and Macneal resumed
his duties as coolly as II what he had
done were matter of every day routine.
THE battle oEderlies well merit place
among those whose conduct is worthy OF
special mention. They were on the move
constantly. bearing battle orders to all
parts of the ship. and in no instance did
they fail in the prompt and intelligent
performance of their responsible duty.
The signal men occupied very exposed po-
sitions during the action. and rendered
numbers. battle flags and speed cones.
were riddled by small projectiles and
fragments of bursting shell, casualties
that show in what a zone of danger the
signal men performed their duties. Sig
nal Men Coombs and Mcintyre and Bat
tie Orderlies Rail and Davis were so near
Yeoman Ellis when he was killed that
they were bespattered with blood.
THE following are the names of the
battle orderlies:
ITO the flag officer-Privates Rail and
Davis.
ITO the commanding off1cer-Privates
Kelly. Smith and Sanjule.
ITO the executive oficer-Privates Bren-
men, c., wismer and ODonneli. P.
THE flag orderly. Private Richmond.
and commanding officers orderly. Pri-
1ate wocdsum. were on deck and render
I'd good service.
The following are the names of the
signal men:
"Forward-Privates Coombs and McIn-
yre.
"Aft-Privates Shaw and A'Hearne.
1.-The music boys. Drummer -Weisenberg
Ind Fifer Stewart, were stationed on the |
main and the gun decks respectively, to |
'ound trumpet calls, and behaved man. |
ully.
None showed more unflinching courage |
han the men in the military tops. who |
tood by their guns delivering their fire |
With unerring precision. undismayed by |
he projectiles flying about them and |
triking in their immediate vicinity. Pri-
'ate Stockbridge, the only man on the
lick list. climbed into the main top at the i
ignal for battle. where he remained to
he end of the action. doing good work at |
lis gun.
THE non-commissioned officers-First |
sergeant Manning. sergeants Bristow.
ingalls, and McDevitt. Corpor-
Is Dittmeier. Doyle and Gray-showed
soldiery qualities in the man
lgement of the men and battery.
First Sergeant Manning rendered val
lable aid in supervising the widely sep
rated detachments OF the guard
Il cannot speak too highly of the con-
luct and bearing of Lieut.. Borden His
courage and excellent services proved him
valuable officer.
There were no casualties of a serious
Iature. Two men were slightly injured,
ne. Private Flynn, in the back by a
plinter: the other. Private Barfield, in
he leg. cause unknown. In neither case
vas 1t necessary for the man to leave his
tation.
'4. II IL a matter Of greatest pride to
he guard, officers and men alike to be
BILE to claim q share in the splendid