Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-07-07
sCHLEYs VICTORY.

The Joint resolution introduced in the
House Tuegday by Representative Berry
of Kentucky, extending the thanks OF
Congress 10 Commodore Schley and the
officers under him for their distinguished
and heroic conduct I'm destroying Ger
vera's feet, will be heartily endorsed by
the American public. The more details
we receive Of the engagement the clearer
It becomes that the fight was Schleys,
and that the first honor should be ac-
corded him And the public will be all
the more pleased TO see honor placed
where honor is due, because of little
piece of naval history that antedates
Cervera's dash TO destruction.
Soon after Schleys squadron was sent
TO Cuban waters it was, much to the dis
appointment of the commanders friends,
merged into the squadron OF Sampson.
This may have been a necessity of the
estuation and of naval requirements.
AS TO that we are not competent to
speak. But the fact remains that the
"Flying Squadron" lost its identity, and
the gallant Marylander commanding 1t
was completely o7ershadowed by samp-
son. Indeed, schley practically dropped
out of notice.
But there IS now no doubt that on Sun
day he came to the front again in
blaze OF glory, and vindicated TO the ut
most the claim Of his admirers that
should the opportunity. be presented 20
him no would add brilliant page TO our
naval history.
We would not detract In the slightest
from the credit due Sampson for the
general conduct Of our naval operations
off the Cuban coast These seem TO have
been conducted with great courage, sa-
yacity. and ability. Nor do We see reason
20 criticise him for not being in position
ITO take active part in the engagement CT
Sunday until Schley had practically an
initiated the enemy's squadron. More
over. we are not prepared TO criticise him
for having so disposed his ships as that
had Cervera gone east instead Of west,
in his heroic break. he would probably
have escaped. Under all the circum-
stances, nothing was more improbable
than that the Spanish admiral would
make the desperate venture he did
make and the conditions that existed al
the time Of that venture may have been
fully justified by all the lights before
Sampson.
Viewing the matter from standpoint
personal TO Sampson. 1t was his misfQr-
tune that these conditions did exist.
Nevertheless. that does not alter the fact
that 10 Schley Is due the honor OF wiping
Cervera's feet of the surface Of the sea,
and achieving for the American navy a
victory not second to that Of Dewey in
Manila bay. The responsibility. 1t matters
not how, of commanding the part of our
navy destined 10 engage Cervera fell
upon him, and he accepted 1t. and dis
charged II magnihcenty. He proved him
self equal 10 the occasion in every par
slcuiar.
And just here we would say that there
is another officer, whose name will ever
stand out with especial prominence in
the story OF the engagement. We refer
10 Lieutenant Commander Wainwright.
OF the Gloucester. who was executive OFF,
Ger Of the Inflated battleship Maine. 1t
Is said that he. had blind eye for sig
mails. At any rate, he fought his little
converted yacht with a yalor and a
daring that recall vlvidly the record Of
Sir Charles Beresfopd in the British gun
Boat Condor, at the bombsrdment OF
ALEXANDRIA,