The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1898-05-18

Hudson were the only vessels engaged.
They entered the harbor for the pur-
pose of attacking some Spanish gun
boats which were known to be there
These latter, however, were not dis
covered by the American force until
the Spaniards opened fire. The land
batteries of Cardenas supported the
fire OF the Spanish gunboats The en-
gagement commenced at 2:O5 p. m.
and lasted for about an hour.
The battle, while it lasted, was ter
rife. The Wilmington and the Hud-
son were ahead and opened fire on the
Spanish boats, which were lying at the
docks. The firing began at a range
of $500 yeards.
A few minutes later the Winslow
came up and also opened fire. In an
instant the entire attention of the
Spanish gunboats and land batteries
was directed upon her. From all sides
shot and shell seemed to pour in upon
the little torpedo boat.
The Wilmington and the Hudson
still kept up their fire, but they could
not turn aside the terrible storm of
fire and death pouring in upon the
torpedo boat.
Never FaItered.
never faltered for a second. At 2:35
p. m. a solid shot crashed into the hull
of the Winslow and knocked out her
boiler. In an instant she began to roll
and drift helplessly. Then there was
moment of awful suspense.
A fierce cheer of triumph went up
from the Spaniards on the gunboats,
and in the batteries, and again storm
of fire was opened upon the helpless
boat.
The gunboat Hudson, which was ly-
ing near by, started to the assistance
Of the wfnslow. She ran alongside the
torpedo boat and tried to throw a line
to the imperi11ed crew.
Up to this time. with the exception
If one shot, which disabled the boiler
of the winslow, the firing of the Span
ish gunboats had been wild, but as the
WinsIow lay rolling in the water, the
range grew closer and shells began to
explode all about her.
1t was difficult for the Hudson to get
near enough to throw a line to the
winslow's crew, so terrible was the
fire all about her. Finally, after about
20 minutes, the Hudson approached
near enough to throw line.
Ensign Bagiey and six men were
standing in a group on the deck of the
Winslow.
''Heave herl heave hertz shouted
BagIey, as he looked toward the com
mander OF the Hudson and called for
line.
Don't miss it, shouted an officer
from the Hudson, and with a smile.
Bagley called back: Let her come.
It's getting too hot here for comfort"
The line was thrown and at the
same instant shell burst in the very
nidst OF the group OF men on board
The winslew.
BaR1ey's Tragic Death.
Bagley was instantly killed and a
few others dropped about him. Half
a dozen more fell groaning on the
b1ood-stained deck. One OF the dead
men pitched headlong over the side
Of the boat, but his feet caught in the
Iron rail and he was hauled back.
Bagley lay stretched on the deck
with his face completely torn away
and the upper part of his body shat
bred.
The torpedo boat disabled and help
less, rolled and swayed under the fury
Of the fire from the Spanish gunboats
When the shell burst in the group
on board the Winslow, another wild
shout OF triumph went up from the
Spanish boats and batteries, and again
a heavy fire was opened on the tor
pedo boat
Finally the Hudson succeeded in
getting line on board the Winslow
and was towing her out OF the deadly
range. when the line parted. andsagain
both boats were at the mercy Of the
Spanish IRE.