The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-06-30

in that memorable naval combat, but
they are proud OF her admiral, who
stood on her bridge and directed the
attack upon the Spanish feet.
The particular thing that interests the
people is the fact that Admiral Schley
was on the Brooklyn's bridge at that
particular time; that the Brooklyn was
in front of Santiago harbor, and that
it helped toss enough shells into the
~retreating enemy to change the map of
the hemisphere and to make history
that will be read with pride by his
children's children"
Major J.. M. Carson writes to the
Philadelphia Ledger, rep, an intelli-
gent article on the fine strategy of
Schley at Santiago, and says distinctly
that it was the means of winning the
battle with the Spanish fleet. We copy
an edifying and sensible passage:
"The allegation that Schley made the
movement in controversy from a feel
ing of fear u meet the enemy is too
absurd to be given serious considera-
ton, and is contradicted by every pre-
ceding and subsequent movement of
the Brooklyn during the contest. The
Il WI hLOWo nAdI lOllohCu lAC VIII
| brated turn Of the Brooklyn. In his
| official report of the battle made to the
| senate committee on naval affairs,
Schley explained that the course on
| which the Brooklyn was being held at
| the time would, if continued, have
brought her into a position where she
| would have blanketed the fire Of the
| eastern vessels of our force. Instant
| decision was therefore, necessary to
| avoid interfering in any way said Ad-
miral Schley, or cutting off any of the
| fire of our vessels, as would have &C.
| Cured if she had turned toward the
| Spanish fleet, now approaching the
| Brooklyn"
1t will be remembered that several
weeks, perhaps months ago, Captains
| Eulate and Conchos of the Spanish
fleet, gave statements that fully vindi-
Gated Schley and showed that his ship
| was the one feared by the Spaniards.
The loop" was necessary and results
fully indicated it. Captain Eulate
said:
"The entire squadron was ordered to
devote the fire of their guns to the
cruiser Brooklyn, because it was be-
lieved that she was the only ship in the
American squadron that could overtake
us. When We got out of the harbor my
ship was second in the line, and I saw
Immediately that the flagship Maria
Teresa was getting a terrible baptism
of fire. 1t was frightful. The Texas
and the Brooklyn were just Kidding
her, and in fifteen minutes 1 saw that
she was on fire. The Brooklyn was a
half mile closer to us than any other
ship, and I determined to ram her so
that the Colon and Oquendo would get
away, and I started for her. She was
a good mark, with her big broadside,
and as l started I thought surely I
would get her. Bue she had evidently
seen us, and very quickly she turned
about, and, making a short circle,
came at our port side, so I thought she
would ram us. | moved in toward the
shore, so that l could avoid her, and
then I saw the Oquendo had gone
ashore also, her steam pipes having
evidently been severed by a shell. The
maneuver of the Brooklyn was bauti-
full. We opened a rapid fire at her
with all our big guns, but she returned
it with terrible effect"
All the men of the south who love
fair play and admire splendid gallantry
and ability will honor Schley and con-
denim his enemies.