The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-02-16
Stars and Stripes
Placed on Wreck.
ANNIVERSARY DAY
Graves Of Heroes in Colon
Cemetery Decorated.

Havana, Feb. Is, 11.9O a. m.-The sun
shone brightly this morning for the
first time in several days, when the
wreck of the United States battleship
Maine destroyed in Havana harbor on
the evening Of Feb. 10, 1898, was dec
GRATED with a large American flag.
AT O'Clock the stars and stripes was
hoisted at half mast by Capt. Eaton.
Of the United States auxiliary cruiser
Resolute, who, with Mrs. Estes Rath-
bone and Mrs. Dudley and ten sailors
of the Resolute, rowed to the sunken
battleship.
The only others taking part were a
battalion with officers, of the First
Maine heavy artillery. An immense
rope Of greens was festooned about the
fighting top, each loop hung with
laurel wreaths and tied with red, white
and blue ribbon, The Cuban Club of
Havana had placed an artificial wreath
on the boat crane, and this Capt. Eaton
transferred to the peak of the gaff.
At 10 o'clock high mass was cele-
brated in memory of the Maine vic
tins in the MERGED Church, at which
Maj. Gen. Ludlow and several of his
staff We're present. The ceremony,
which was impressive, was attended
by Brig. Gen. George r. Ernst, repre-
senting Maj. Gen. Brooke, Commodore
B. j, Cromwell, captain of the rort,
and other naval officers, the city coun-
ell, the executive committee of the
Cuban Military Assembly, and other
members of the assembly, the secreta-
ries Of the civil departments and many
officials, together with representatives
of the Havana fire brigade and other
local organizations. Many women Of
the better classes were in the congre-
cation, which crowded the edifice.
This afternoon the graves at Colon
cemetery were decorated in the pres
ence of American officials, military and
naval details participating.
The graves were thickly covered with
flowers. FIR. Sherman had been invited
by Mrs Rathbone, who is president of
the Women's Association, to read
prayers at the grave-side; and he APP
peared at the American Club from
which the procession started in full
vestments and with the assurance that
Monsignor Santander, the bishop of
Havana, had given his consent. Com
modore Cromwell said that, as the
bishop was not willing that a Protest
ant chaplain should officiate he Conn
modore CromwelD would not consent to
the reading of prayers by FIR. Sherman.
The latter thereupon went to his hotel.
He had deferred his sailing on receipt
of Mrs. Rathbone's invitation.
Commodore Cromwell informed the
newspaper correspondents that the sail
ors felt deeply on the subject regarding
the ceremony of decoration as distinct
ly naval affair Therefore he could
not permit any except a naval chaplain
to officiate. Although he was quite will
ing that both Protestant and Cath
Ollie clergyman should act, If either
were to be excluded, then the other
must be also.
The procession from the city consist
ed of marines and sailors from the
Brooklyn and the Resolute, the band
of the Brooklyn, Gen. Ludlow's staff
representing him, American women in
ambulances, carriages containing
American visitors, a troop of the
Seventh regular cavalry and one Gu
ban society 1t was met by Gov Gen.
Brooke and staff at the cemetery,
where a wagonload of floral tributes
presented by American women and To-
cal societies were heaped upon the
graves, each sailor and marine also
SOhli SOiIlC HOIS. lOheIls Inc
crowd looked on In silence, some kneel-
ing. 1t was 2.45 p. nj. when the pro-
cession reached the cemetery and cere-
mony was over in half an hour.
Meanwhile Maj. Gen. Lee and the
detachments of the Seventh army
corps had not arrived. The marines
and sailors marched away, Commodore
Cromwell, the naval officers and few
others remaining. In about a quarter
of an hour Gen. Lees column ar
rived.
AS Gen. Lee, on horseback, barred his
head near the graves, Commodore
Cromwels saluted. saying: 81 am sorry
you were not here in time for the dec
Grafton"
Gen. Lee replied: 81 was notified to be
here at 3. 80 p. m, and 1 was at the
cemetery gate at that hour Now that
arrive find everything over"
Commodore Cromwell said: General,
the hour was 2.3O p. m. I sent you word
two days ago.
Gen. Lee replied: 'I never received
it. ! was told $3.50 p. M
Commodore Crowell politely express
ed his regret at the MISUNDERSTANDING.
The Illinois band played America" and
THE star spangled banner" the crowd