The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1899-05-19
BRAVEST ARE THE TENDER
EST.
The Story of the Battle With Ger
vera's Ships Off Santiago.

vera SNfpS OH SSaNtIaSO.
The fullest official history over
written Of naval battle, probably, is
that to be found in the May number
of the Century Magazine, in which
each cf the captains OF American ves-
sells gives the story of his part in the
battle with Cervera's sbirs. In ad.
dition to the report of the fighting
there are thrilling and pathetic pic.
turss of the reception OF the distin'
guished prisoners ON different ships,
and it all bresthes the air of manli,
ness and courtesy, giving color to the
sentiment, 1.-The bravest are tho ten.
derest." Here ia an extract from
Capt. Fighting Boz" Evans story:
"As the boat approached the gang
wsy cav Captain Eulste was wound
I'd, and chair was slupg and lowe red
iur lis sccommC dation. AS the boat
lsy at the saDgmay she presented
specscio that could lie seen only in
wor, and rarely thea, 1 imagine.
Ilege was foot of water in her bot
fem, end in this rolled two dead men,
stInhly torn to pieces by fragments
# 81 ell:; q o water was red with their
lood. In The storn-sheets sat Cap.
1T Enlate, supported by one of CTR
:~el cadet. and about his feet lay
five or six wounded Spanish sailors.
AZ tie unfortunate captain was raised
over the side, and the chair on which
he eat placed on the quarter deck, the
guard presented arms, the officer Of
the deck saluted, aud the Spanish |
prisoners already on board stood At
attention. Captain Euiate slowly
Strengthened himself up, and with an
effort unbuckled his sword. belt, kissed
tie hill. of the sword, and
with graceful bow presented it to
me- declined the sword, but accept
ID the surrender Of himself, oficcrs
and crew as prisoners to Admiral
Sampson, in command of the Ameri>
can feet. The crew Of the Iowa most
Of them stripped to the waist, black.
ened with powder and covered with
perspiration, crowded over the alter.
lurrets and superstructurc, aud, as
declined the sword Of the Spanish
captain, broke out into ringing ohecrs."
Captain Evans, little later on,
also received Admiral Cer7era on
board the Iowa, and he gives the fol {
lowing account of the honors paid the
defeated admiral: t
"Au preparations W re made to re
ceiye the admiral with the honors due |
his rank. TIE full marine guard OF t
eighty men was parallel; officers |
on the starboard side of the |
the officers and Crew of c
the N;zcaya were arranged on the l
pert side of the quarterback and the l
crew of the Iowa, just as they came {
out of battle, clustered over the tur- t
refs and surerstructure. Captain l
personally accompanied
the admiral. The guard presented
arms the officers uncovered the bug
les rang out their hourishes and as '
the distinguished officer, who had lost
more in one hour than any other man
has lost in modern times, stepped on
the quarter deck. the crew of the Iowa {
broke out into cheers, and for fully
minute Admiral Cervera stood bow
ing his thanks. 1t was the recogni.
ton of gallantry by brave men, and
the recipient of it was fully aware OF
its meaning. Though he was scantly
clad, bareheaded, and without shoes,
he was an admiral, every inch of him.
With perfect composure and man
ner of quiet dignity he received the
plaudits of his late enemies and the
silent sympathy Of bis conquered
companions"
Another instance of that brave con.
siIeration for the feelings of their con-
ouered enemy which was expressed in
the blunt command of Captain Phillips,
"Don't cheer, boys. the poor devils are
diving" is set forth in Captain Cooks
story. The Brooklyn had chased the
Colon SO miles to the west, and it was
moonlight when she steamed back to
the anchorage in front of Santiago
harbor. Captain Cook says:
"Wo then steamed down to the
Iowa, and found her crew also on deck
awaiting news. We were hailed and
the same inquiry was made. When
we told them cf the fate of the Colon,
there was some clapping of hands and
a stir of voices, but no cheering, and
we we're Immediately informed that
Admiral Cervera was on board, and
many Spanish wou lded. Our men
,uore standing ready for cheer, but