The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-07-03

shot cleared away, only two red stream
ers of the flag were left. The shell had
gone through the centre of the bunting.
A delighted yell broke from the crew
of the Suwanee. Two or three minutes
later the Suwanee fired again. A huge
cloud of debris rose from the base of
the flagstaff. For few seconds it was
impossible to tell what had been the eff
feet of the shot. Then it was seen the
shell had only added to the ruin of the
fort.
The flagstaff seemed to have a charm
ed existence and the Suwanee only one
chance left. 1t seemed hardly possible
for her to achieve her object with the big
guns. at such distance and such tiny
target.
There was breathless silence among
the watching crews. They crowded on
the ships decks, and all eyes were on
that tattered rag, bending toward the
earth from the top Of what once had
been a grand old castle but it was only
bending, not yet down.
Lieutenant Commander Delehanty
and Lieutenant Blue took their time
The Suwanee changed her position
slightly. Then Il puff of smoke shot out
from her side. And up went spoutng
cloud of debris from the parapet and
down fell the banner of Spain.
Such yells from the flagship will proba-
bly, never be heard again There was
more excitement than is witnessed ut the
finish of q college boat race or a popular
race between first class thoroughbreds
on some big track The Suwanee's last
shot had struck right at the base of the
flagstaff and had blown it clear of the
wreckage which had held it.
well done" signalled Admiral Samp-
son to Lieutenant Commander Dele
hanty.
At 1870 Gen. Duffield signaled that
his scouts reported that no damage had
been done to the Spanish rifle pits by the
shells from the ships and Admiral
Sampson signalled they had been hit
several times but there was no one in
the pits.
However the Suwanee was ordered to
fire a few more shots in their direction.
AT 1918 p. M, the New York having
discontinued firing ut Aguadores com
menced firing S-inch shells clear over
the gully into the city of Santiago de
Cuba Every five minutes the shells
went roaring over the hillside. What
destruction they wrought it was ;mpos-
sibIe to tell as the bluffs hid everything.
In reply to General Duffield's ques-
ton: What. is the news" Admiral
Sampson replied: There is not Il Span
lard left in the rifle pits
Later General Dufield signalled that
his scouts thought re-inforcements were
marching to the battered old forts and
Admiral Sampson wigwagged him:
There is no SDaniard left there If
any come the Gloucester will take of
them"
A little later the Oregon joined the
New York in sending S-inch shells into
the city of Santiago.
This was kept up until 40 p. m. BY
that time General Duffield had sent Il
message, saying his troops could not
cross the stream and would return TO
Altares.
On the report that some Spanish
troops were still i'll the gully, the New
York and Gloucester shelled it once
more. and the Newark. which had not
fired. signalled: Can | fire for target
practice." Have had no previous OPP
portunity.'
Permission for her to do so was sig
nailed and she blazed away shooting
well her G-inch shells exploding with
remarkable force among the rocks.
At $40 p. M, Admiral Sampson
hoisted the signal to cease firing and the
flagship returned to the blockading sta
ton.
On the railroad a train load of troops
had already left for Altares.