The times., 1899-02-12
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Dor, and we could do nothing but lose while
waiting for them. We concluded, however.
that being used to the sea, and the sea
our home we were in the more natural
element and could well afford to wait un-
til the Spanish sailors tired of being con-
fined to a harbor, should come out and
meet US.
"A rather strange coincidence occurred
on the night of the % of July, which | do
not think has been before recited. Six
block houses lay to the west of Santiago,
and were deserted by the Spanish soldiers,
who desired TO get into the city. These
houses were taken possession of by the
Cubans who. suffering through the cruelty
of the Spaniards and eXulting over their
retreat, burned them. II has subsequently
been learned that Admiral Cervera had in
tended TO leave the harbor and make a
break for liberty with his six vessels on
that night but seeing that the block
houses afire were of the same number as
his fleet he concluded that the Cubans had
signaled his intended departure and de-
ferred his trip until morning.
The E,entfuI Day.
ON the very eventful day at 9:35 o'clock
the guns OF the Maria Teresa were sighted
in the harbor. Ten minutes later it was
apparent that the vessels intended to run
our blockade. There was Immediately q
simultaneous movement of every vessel IN
the feet toward the harbor. 1t was rather
difficult at first to determine what the
Spanish vessels intended doing, and Tor ten
minutes there was Il great deal Of anxiety
From the time the Spanish fleet emerged
from the harbor the bomhardinS from the
different vessels was terrific
After describing the maneuvers nf the
! Brooklyn and the other vessels OF the
fleet. Admiral Schley told the following an
| ecdote of a conversation he had with u
| Spanish officer in San Juan, while there as
| one of the Commissioners TO arrange for
the Spanish evacuation of Porto Rico: Il
| said to the officer that there were four
great obstacles which prevented the Span
| iards from being good soldiers. You as
| sumo that they have lighting qualities
when they are not fed. You try to make
| them fight when they have had no sleep.
| You expect them to fight without pay.
| And last you supply them with a language
so perfect in synonyms that they talk too
much and do not fight enough
The Hon. John *. Richards followed Ad
miral Schley, responding to the toast,
Our Country's Soldier Statesmen. The
! last toast of the evening, Our Deceased
Companions" " was drunk in silence.
The Special Guests.
| Among those present at the special invi-
| tation of the Legion were: George G..
| Broome New York; Major p. S Conner
Ohio; Francis Ethridge, Illinois; Major NJ.
| G. FOote L. s. A., New York; Rear Ad-
| miral Bancroft Ghcrardi. Commanderi in
| Chief of the Loyal Legion; Lieut.. Robert
! f. Grant; William II. Kelly, Missouri
Gen. c. +. Henderson, W. F. Merrill; Capt.
Charles 4. Minnocks; Major Charles A.
| Pierce, Mississippi; the Rev. Wallace Rad
| cliffe; Major J. W. Rely, Massachusetts;
| the Hon. J. X. Richards, Solicitor General;
Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley; DR..
| Robert Smart; Colin Studds; Col A. ].
I Smith; the Chinese Minister; the japanese
| Minister; Gen. c. p. Mattocks, Maine;
Commodore f. J. Higginson. the Hon. T.
| II. Carter.