Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-06-16
CONSIDERED TARGET PRACTICE.
Spanlards Apparently Left Soon After
Firing Regan-Had 1t Not Been For
Merrimac Heroes in Moro That
Place Would Have Been Destroyed.


Cuba this morning. Not one of our ship
was hit and no casualties occurred on oul
side. The enemy's fire was irregular anC
badly directed. The bombardment LASTED
from 7:45 a. m. until p. m, and its OBJ
ject wss finally accomplished.
Admiral Cervera's ships did not show
themselves. Frequent pauses in the firing
occurred on account of the smoke hanging
over the land. 1t is believed that the
enemy's Notifications were severely dam
aged.
Admiral SIMPSONS order of battle was;
"United States flagship New York, first
rate, off Santiago de Cuba, June 5, 1898:
Preparations will be made to engage the
batteries on Monday morning, June 6,
at Z o'clock. The men should be given
their breakfast at $50, and the divisions
should be ready to form at 6 o'clock.
When the preparations signal '18' is made,
the ships will form south of the Moro Gs
follows
"The western column, heading north,
the Brooklyn, Marblehead, Texas and
Massachusetts,.
"The eastern column, heading north,
the New York, Yankee, New Orleans,
Oregon and Iowa.
"When the signal of execution 49, is
made the columns will move ahead.
POSITION OF THE SQUADRON.
"The commander of each division will
make such signals as may be necessary to
bring his division into the positions marked
on the accompanying drawing, forming on
the circles drawn at 5000 yards, from the
eastern and western batteries, one column
heading in northwesterly and the other
in northeasterly direction. This will be
best accomplished by changing the direc-
ton of the columns, the easterly column
to the northeastward running in these di-
rections until south of the indicated posi-
tons, then heading all vessels of the di-
vision north, simultaneously turning again
into the column when the distance Of 5000
yards is reached.
"Vessels will be 400 yards apart and
will retain their positions, the westerly
column using the starboard battery and
the easterly column the port battery.
son the signal from the commander-in-
chief both columns will open fire, or fire
will be opened in case the enemy begins.
Bearings will be taken carefully and
distances obtained with all practicable
accuracy.
"The Dolphin will take a position to
the eastward and Suwanee and Vixen to
the westward, as shown on the plan for
the purpose of looking after any MUS
kerry fire from the shore. The fire will
be deliberate and continual until the bat
teries are silenced or an order to cease
firing has been made.
"W. T. SAMSON,
''Rear Admiral, United States Navy,
Commander.in-C Chief United States Navy
force, Atlantic Station" j"
This order was carried out in most OF Its
details. The crew on the New York went
to general quartes at 6:45.
DELAY IN GETTING POSITION.
There was some delay in getting the
ships into position. A light breeze was
blowing and the sky was murky. The
New York steamed at the lead Of the
easterly column. At 7:20, while signaling
to the ships to close up was in progress,
Admiral Sampson, leaned over the rail
of the forward bridge and asked Lieu
tenant Marble, in charge of the forward
eight-inch turret, what he could see from
! the turret's side. The lieutenant replied
81 can see yellow earth, but cannot zee
the guns yet, sir.''
The New York went ahead slowly, fol-
lowed closely by the Yankee, and the New
Orleans, Iowa and Oregon some way be-
hind in westerly direction.
A small battery, two miles west o.
Moro Castle, which the New York was
rapidly approaching, seemed to be frinE
with smokeless powder. The Dolphin wa!
signaled to come closer and attend to this
By 7:9S number of guns could be seer
sticking out over the yellow emplace
ments on the eastern battery, which ii
on the ridge of hill quarter of a mile
from MORO. The ships went right half
turn until the New York's port battery
was brought to bear on these emplace
ments.