Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-16
WHAT DEWEY SAID At BATTLE.
Signal Book at Variance With The memory Of
an Officer.

several weeks after the memorable
battle between the two fleets, cores
pondent for Chicago newspaper, for
whom Admiral Dewey had shown a
warm liking. visited the flagship.
Admiral. I wish you would tell me
what you said during the fighting on the
morning you entered the bay" said the
correspondent. Nearly all great naval
battles have brought out some utterance
from the victorious commander which
has become historical. and would like
to know what you said that can be pre-
served in
remember what Said during the fight
the admiral said, knitting his brows
thoughtfully. II was so busy. you know,
that paid M. attehtion to anything ex-
TRY and think What you said urged
the correspondent. II believe there Is a
good story, in the fight that has never
Admiral Dewey thought long and earn
estly, not that he had any desire to glo-
rify himself. but, simply because he
wanted to oblige the correspondent. FL
nally the correspondent suggested that
the admirals staff officers might recall
something of value as an historical utter
ance: The idea was at once acted upon
to call the officers. ahey presented them
selves, two young flag iieutenants, who
have the most profound admiration for
their commander Emma that , can be imagined
said during the .fighting?" said Admiral
Dewey. addressing the, Junior officer.
John wants a story. and I'd like to help
him out. | don't remember saying any
thing worth repeating, do you?"
II hope you will excuse me from re-
peating it, sir said the young officer, a
Go on, Mr.. Scott responded Admiral
Dewey. IF you can give Jonn a story
We'll, sir, do you remember when We
were turning the second time on the fig
ure that you noticed the Baltimore was
dered?"
Yes, I remember that very WELL re-
piled Admiral Dewey.
We'll, sir. do you remember what you
said as soon. as you noted the position OF
mo. l have forgotten everything about
that except ordering a signal of some
What did ! say?..3 :
the blankety bianked man? Is the
bianked blank a blank coward? Tell the
blankety blanked Baltimore to close up.
Blank him, tell him to close up
Admiral Dewey looked across the bay
toward the City of Manila a moment and
fiecked the ashes from his cigar. The
young officers knees were beginning to
tremble, and the correspondent was be-
ginning to wish he. had not been so per-
sistent in his search for historical ut
terance, when their suspense was broken
by the admiral turning with quiet smile
and saying:
Let's look at the signal book for that
morning. That will tell what l said
The signal book was quickly produced.
and this was all that could be found re-
ferring to the Baltimore: ~
please close up!''
Soon after Major General Merritt
reached Manila he began to experience
trouble with the insurgents. Aguinaldo
the generals orders, and the general
deavoring to avoid any clashing of the
American with the insurgent forces. The
situation was becoming somewhat
strained when General Merritt sought Il
conference with Admiral Dewey on the
Olympia. The general and the admiral
discussed the situation at great length
the former giving special attention to the
question of jurisdiction in the Philippines
"a. last General Merritt put this question
TO the admiral:
admiral, how far, in your opinion,
does your jurisdiction extend on the
Admiral Dewey took two short turns on
the quarterback before answering. Then
he said:
General. my jurisdiction extends from
as close to shore as l can move these
fiatirons," pointing to the American fleet,
ITO as far into the island as can throw
a shell. From the Chicago Times-Her-
aid