Evening star., 1898-08-10

1
l-pounders-. i sergt., corp, 10 pvts. II
Colts auto. Il sergt-, corp, 10 pvts. Il
Slgials- z music, pyts.
Battle orderlies -..-........-. pvts. s
Commanding ofiicer's orderly. pvt
Ammunition and fire party. 10 pvts. 10
Commanding and supervisory:
capt, lieut., l LIST sergt. t.................. 3
| Total full strength of guard .............. 80
The men were full of enthusiasm, but
| there was no excitement or disorder, and
| apparently no concern for personal safety.
| The battery was handled with admirable
| cooiness and deliberation. Greater care
| could not be taken in setting sights and
| aiming If the men had been at target prac-
ScOra.
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 mos. destructive to
his men and material, and contributed it's
full share to bringing the battle to an end
so speedily and with so little loss to our
selves 1t is reported that Spanish officers
have stated that so deadly was the effect Of
our secondary battery fire it was impossible
to keep their men at the guns.
3. Where all did their duty manfully, 1t is
a difficult matter to select individuals for
special mention. Thare are some, however,
who deserve to be brought to your notice
by name for conduct that displayed in
conspicuous manner courage, intelligence
and devotion to duty.
Exhibitions of Bravery.
During tine early part of the action a car
fridge jammed in the bore of the starboard
forward six-pounder, and in the effort to
withdraw it the case became detached from
the projectile, leaving the latter fast in the
bore and impossible to extract from the
rear. Corp. Robert Gray of the port gun
asked and received permission to attempt to
drive the shell out by means of the ram
mer. To do this it was necessary to go out
on the gum and the undertaking was full of
difficulties and danger, the latter due in a
great measure to the blast of the turret
guns firing overhead. The gun was hct,
and it was necessary to cling to the Jacob
ladder with hand while endeavoring
with the other TO manipulate the long ram
mer. After 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 promptly
placed himself in the dangerous position
outside the gun port, where he worked and
failed, as the corporal had done. Neither
had been able to get the rammer into the
bore, and there seemed nothing left to do
but dISmount the gun AT this Juncture
Private Macneal, one of the crew, volun-
teered to go out and make a final effort.
The gun was so important, the starboard
battery being engaged, that a foriorn
nope he was permitted to make the at
tempt. He pushed out boldly and set to
work. The guns Of the forward turret were
firing, the blast nearly knocking him over
DOdTu, ana the enemy SnOt were coming
with frequency into his immediate neigh
bcrhood. 1t was at this time that Chief
Yeoman Ellis was killed on the other side
OF the deck. Macneal ncver paused in his
work The rammcr was finally placed in
the bore and the shell elected. The gun
was Immediately put in action and MacneaI
resumed his duties as cooly as if what he
had done were a matter of everyday rou-
tine.
The battle orderlie5 well n,erit a 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 tail IN the prompt and Intelligent per-
formance of taeir responsible duty. The
signal men occupied very exposed positions
during the action and rendered excellent
service. Signal halyardS and numbers, bat
tie 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 Signalmen Coombs and MCINTYRE
and Battle Orderlies Rail and Davis were
so near CONAN Ellis when he was killed
that they were bespattered with blood
The fol owing are the names of the battle
orderlies.
To the flag officer Privates Rail and
Davis.
To the commanding officer - Privates
Kelly, Smith and Sanjule.
To the executive ofcer-Privates G. Brcn-
ren, Wismer and z. ODonneIl
The flag orderly, Private Richmond. and
commanding oLlcerS orderly, Private
Woodsum, were on deck and rendered good
service.
The following are the names of the signal
men:
Forward-Privates Coombs and Mcintyre.
Att-frlVates Shaw and O'Hearne.
Manly Music Boys.
The music boys, Drummer Weisenberg
and Fifer Stewart, were stationed on the
main and the gun decks. respectively, to
r~11y,
None showed more unfiinching courage
than the men in the military tops, who
stood by their guns delivering their fire
with unerring precision, undismayed by the
projectiles flying about them and striking
in their immediate vicinity. Private Stock
bridge, the only man on the sick list climb
ed INTO the main top at the signal for bat
tle where he remained to the end of the
action, doing good work at his gun
The non-commissioned officers First
Sergt. Manning, Sergts. Bristow, Montatr.
ingalls, and McDevitt, Corpls Dittmeier
Doyle and Gray-showed excellent soidieriy
quantities in the management of the men
and battery.
First Sergt. Manning rendered valuable
aid IN supervising the widely separated de-
tachmcnts OF the guard.
cannot speak too highly of the conduct
and bearing of Lieut.. Borden. His courage
ana excellent services proved him a valu-
able officer.
There were no casualties of serious ma
ture. TWO men were slightly injured-one
Private Flynn, in the back by splinter;
the other, Private Barfield, in the leg, cause
unknown. In neither case was it necessary
for the man to leave his station.
T. 1t is a matter of the greatest pride to
the guard. officers and men alike, to be
able TO claim share in the splendid work
done by the Brooklyn on the Sd instant
o. A report nearly identical with this has
been made to the commanding officer Very
respectfully,
tSigned) PAUL ST. c. MURPHY
Captain, U. S. Marine Corps,
Commanding Guard.
To the Colonel Commandant,
Headquarters u. S. Marine Corps
Washington.
Second Endorsement
L. s. FLAGSHIP BROOKLYN