The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1898-12-06

pdrJ Vi Jno auxiliary navy.
The maximum effective fighting force OF the
navy during the war; separated into classes,
was as follows:
Four battle ships of the first-class; one bat
tie ship of the second-class; two armored
cruisers; six coast defense monitors; one
armored ram; II protected cruisers; three I'M
protected cruisers; IS gunboats; one dyna-
mite cruiser; IL torpedo boats; IA old vessels
of the old navy, including monitors. Auxiliary
navy: Eleven auxiliary cruisers; % converted
yachts; q converted tugs; 10 converted col
Tiers; 10 revenue cutters; four lighthouse ten
ders and 10 miscellaneous vessels.
THE COAST DEFENSE.
Much alarm was felt along our entire Allan
tic seaShore lest some attack might be made
by the enemy. Every precaution was taken
to prevent possible injury to our great cities
lying along the coast Temporary garrisonS
were provided, drawn from the state militia
infantry and light batteries were drawn from
the volunteer force. About Il, coo troops were
thus employed. The coast signal service was
established for observing the approach of an
enemyS ships to the coast of the United
States, and the life saving and light house
services co-Operated, which enabled the navy
department to have all portions of the Atlantic
coast, from Maine to Texas, under observa-
tion.
The auxiliary navy was created under the
manned by the naval militia of the several
states. This organization patrolled the coast.
and performed the duty of a second arm of de-
Tense.
Under the direction of the chief of engineers
submarine mines were placed at the most eX-
posed points. The aggregate number of mines
placed was 1885 at the principal harbors from
Maine to California. Preparations were also
made for the planting of mines at certain other
h9rhOrS early q
the Spanish fleet these mines were not placed.
THE SIGNAL CORPS.
The signal corps was promptly organized,
and performed service of the most difficult and
important character. Its operations during
the war covered the electrical connection of
all coast Notifications, the establishment of
telephone and telegraphic facilities for the
camps at Manila. Santiago and in Porto Rico
In Porto Rico cable communications were
opened over a discontinued route, and on land
the headquarters of the commanding officer
was kept in Geographic and telephone COM
munication with the division commanders
on four different lines of operations.
There was placed in Cuban waters a COM
pletely QUILTED cable ship with war cables
and cable gear. suitable both for the deStruc-
tiOn of communications belonging to the enemy
and the establishment of our own. Two ocean
cables were destroyed under the enemys bat
landing of Gen. Skaters corps at Caimanera.
within 20 miles of the landing place, cable COM
muncatiOnS were established and cable sta
tiOn opened, giving direct communication with
the government at Washington. This service
was invaluable to the executive in directing
the operations of the army and navy. With
total force of over 1300 the loss was by disease
in camp and field, officers and men included
only tive.
APPROPRIATIONS FOR THE WAR.
The national defense fund of S5O,OOO.OOO
was expended in large part by the army
and navy and the objects for which it was used
are fully shown in the reports of the several
secretaries. This fund. being inadequate to
the requirements of equipment and for the
conduct of the war, the patriotism of the con-
gress provided the means in the war revenue
act of June -, by authorizing three per cent.
popular loan not 20 exceed 500. 0J0.G COO. and by
levying additional imposts and taxes. OF the
authorized loan 300 900 were offered and
promptly taken.
1t is not within the province of this message
to narrate the history of the extraordinary
war that followed the Spanish declaration Ct
April II, but brief recital of it's mor1 salient
features is appropriate. The first encounter
Of the war in pOin of date took place April %
when detachment of the blockading squadron
shelled the harbor forts and demolished sew
THE BATTLE OF MANILA.
The next engagement was destined to mark q
memorable epoch in maritime warfare The
Pacific fleet, under command. of Commodore
George Dewey, had lain for some weeks at
HOngkong. Upon the colonial proclamation of
neutrality being issued and the customary "A
hours notice being given, it Fep&ired 20 Mrs
bay, near HOngkOng, whence it proceeded to
the Philippine islands under telegrG pied or
derS to capture or destroy the formidable
Spanish fleet then assembled at Manila
The message then reciteS the battle o. Ma
Mia in which the Spanish squadron under COM
mand of Adm MOntCjO was annihilated by the
vessels commanded by Adm. Geo. Dewey
On the seventh day of May the government
was advised officially OF the victory at Manila,
and at once inquired of the commander of our
fleet what troops would be required. The in
formation was received on he 18th day of May,
and the first army expedition sailed May p,
and arrived eff Manila June 60 Other expedi-
lions soon followed the total force consisting
of 641 officers and 1908 men.
Only reluctance 10 cause needless loss of life
and property prevented the early Storming
and capture of the city, and Herewith the alb
SOlute military occupancy of the ole group.
The insurgents were constrained from taking
Manila. as it was fitting that whatever was to
be done in the way of decisive operations in
strong arm of the United States alone Obey
ing the stern precept of war which enjoinS the
overcoming of the adversary and the kline
ton of his power wherever aSSaila BILE as the
speedy and sure means to WIN peace. divided
victory was not permissible. for no partition
of the rights and responsibilities attending
the enforcement Of a just and advantageous
peace could be thCIght Of
TEE FIGHTING IN CUEA.
Not until Admiral Cervera took refuge in the
harbOr CT Santiago de Cuba. about May 9th.
was it practicable 10 plan a systematic mill
tary attack upon the Artillean possessions of
Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico il preparation
for the larger event. On May 18th the North
Atlantic squadron shelled san Juan &c Porto
Rice. On May Both Commodore Schley' )
squadron bombarded the forts guarding the
mouth CT Santiago harbor Neither attack
had any material result 1t was evident that
we'll ordered land operations were indiSrcn-
sable 10 achieve u decisive advantage.
The president rCxt tells Of the heroic deed #
Lieut.. HobSOn and the seven devoted vOlua-
teers who sank the Merrimac in the n oath OF
the harbor at Santiago under fierce fire from
the shore batteries escaping with their lives
as By miracle, bu: falling into the Spaniard' 5
hands