Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-09-09
HtistelIansous 8eading.
BEST GUN WORK OF THE WAR.

BEST GUN, WORK OF THE WAR.
Sailors Held Their Breath While vIcto,
Blue Redeemed Promise.
New York Sun.
Perhaps the best bit of gun work O
the war was executed by Lieutenant
Victor Blue, of the Suwanee. 1t was
at Aguadores one morning in June
Half dozen Yankee ships, including
the New York, Admiral Sampson's
flagship, had been bombarding the
Spanish positions in the hills, which
fringed the shore, without any other
result than to smother the enemy's fire
when the signal "cease firing" futter'
ed from the New York. The position
of one of the Spanish batteries which
had been uncommonly active in reply
ing to the Yankee volleys, though
without doing any damage, was mark
ed by red and yellow flag, which
could easily be seen in the clear morn
ing atmosphere. The staff from which
this flag Aoated was fixed in a solid
pier of masonry, the top of which
showed above the redoubt that pro-
tected the Spanish guns and gunners
Blue was preparing to take crack at
the flag when the order came. He
appealed to Lieutenant Commander
Delehanty, who was in command Of
the Suwanee, to let him 60 on and cut
the flag down. Delebanty's desire to
see the thing done was as keen as
Blues desire to do it. He asked per-
mission of the flagship to 60 ahead.
"Cease firing" was the peremtory
signal repeated from the flagship.
II guess it's no co." he said to Blue
"The admiral says we can't clio any
more shooting"
"But I can cut it in three shots, u
protested Blue.
Delehanty pursed his lips and squint.
ed wistfully at the Haunting red and
yellow bunting. 81 hate like the devil
to ask again." he said half to himself,
"but III do it," Back futtered this
signal to the flagship:
"Can cut the flag down in three
Shots"
For several moments there was nc
reply. The admiral seemed to be con-
sidering the Suwanee's proposition
Every eye from the Suwanee and from
the other ships, which had seen the
exchange of signals, was fixed on the
flagship. Finally the admiral's signal
Gail right, if you can cut it down in
three shots, 60 ahead" was displayed.
The signal was received with cheer
on the Suwanee which several of the
other boats echoed. Then the atten'
ton of the fleet became riveted on the
Spanish flag. Blue bent over his gun,
adjusted the sights, showed cart.
ridge into the chamber, and closed the
breach. For the fraction of second
he glanced down the barrel. Then
there was a sharp report. The far
away flag suddenly twisted around the
staff. Then it slowly unwound and
two yellow pennants futtered in the
brisk east wind. Blues shot had cut
out the led bar in the centre which
bore the Spanish coat. of-arms.
"a corker, Blue" shouted Dele
hanty from the bridge. "Try again ;
but remember that you were little
high that time. Depress your piece a
bit."
Blue readjusted his sights, and again
bis gun spoke. This time cloud OF
dust rose from the base of the flag
staff, which leaned over. 1t was
quickly righted by one of the Spanish
guuners.
"a bit low and too far to the left
that time," said Delehanty, examining
the effect of tbe shot carefully through
his glasses. "You knocked off a cor
ner of the pillar the staff is fixed on
Take more time with your next shot.
It's the last, you know"
Blue was fully minute arranging
for the next shot. Every man on the
Suwanee held his breath, and every
eye was fixed intently on the far
away yellow streamers which still 1ut-
tered defantly. Blue fired and down
came the staff, cut clean in two at the
middle.
Delehanty started to say something
comnlendatory; but his voice was
drowned in the deafening yell which
arose from the SuWanee's crew. The
yell was caught up on the other ves-
sells one by one, the crew of the New
York finally joining in the chorus. AS
the cheering died away the signal,
"Well done, Suwanee," futtered from
the admiral's flagship and the incident
was closed. The range at which Blue
did this bit of shooting was $500
yards.