Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1901-12-21

ant Commander "a. @. Hodgson, date'
June IL, 1899, in which Lieutenan
Commander Hodgson said: The col
loquy published in the New York SUI
and alleged to have taken place be
tween you and me on the day of the
battle or Santiago, JulyaS, 1898, neveI
occurred" Admiral Schley did mo-
have published the other letters q
Lieutenant Commander Hodgson in re
gard to this matter.
opinion of the Court.
Commodore Schley, in command o.
the flying squadron, should have pro
ceeded with utmost dispatch off Glen
fuegos and should have maintained 9
close blockade of that port.
He should have endeavored on May
% at Cienfuegos to obtain information
regarding the Spanish squadron by
communicating with the insurgents al
the place designated in the memoran
dunn delivered to him at 8:15 a. m. Cd
that date.
He should have proceeded from
Cienfuegos to Santiago de Cuba with
all dispatch and should have disposed
his vessels with view of intercept
ing the enemy in any attempt TO pass
the flying squadron. 4,
I. He should not have delayed the
squadron for the Eagle.
He should not have made the retro
grade turn westward with his squad
ron.
He should have promptly obeyed
the navy departments order of May
25.
He should have endeavored to cap
,ture or destroy the Spanish vessels
at anchor near the entrance of Santi-
ago narbor on, May 20 and 80.
He did not do his utmost with the
force under his command to capture
or destroy the Colon and other vessels
of the enemy which he attacked on
May 81.
By commencing the engagement on
July 3 with the port battery and turn
ing the Brooklyn around with port
helm Commodore Sohley caused her
to lose distance and position with the
Spanish vessels especially with the
Vizcaya and Colon.
The turn of the Brooklyn to STAR
board was made to avoid getting her
into dangerous proximity to the Span
ish vessels.
The turn was made toward the
Texas and caused that vessel to stop
and back her engines to avoid possible
collision. Il
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. G. Hodgson il
only portion Of the corre-
spondence which passed between
them.
Commodore Schley's conduct in CON
nection with the events of the Santi-
ago es;;:E1r::iigH pqfes 10 june =, 1893,
was characterized by vaccilation, dila-
toriness and Lack of enterprise.
His official reports regarding the
coal supply and the coaltng facilities
of the flying squadron were inaccurate
and misleading.
His conduct during the battle OF
July was self-passessed and he en-
couraged in his own person, his sub
officers and men to fight
courageously. .rs
Opinion Of Admiral Dewey.
In the opinion of the undersigned
The passage from Key West to Glen
auegos was made by the flying squad
on with all possible dispatch, Comma
lore Schley having in view the impor-
;ance of arriving off -Cienfuegos with
us much coal ais possible in the ships
1unkers.
The blockade of Cienfuegos was
effective.
Commodore Schley, in permitting
he steamer Adula to enter the port
if Cienfuegos, expected to obtain in
ormation concerning the Spanish
squadron from her when she came out.
The passage from Cienfuegos to a
Joint about % miles south of Santiago
vas made with as much dispatch as
vas possible while keeping the squad
on a unit.
The blockade of Santiago was ef-
ective.
Commodore Soh1ey was the senior
,ffcer of our squadron off Santiago
when the Spanish squadron attempt
ID to escape on the morning of July
]. 1898. He was in absolute command
nd is entitled to the credit due to
UGH commanding officer for the glori-
ns victory which resulted in the total |
obstruction of the Spanish ships.
The Courts Recommendation.
In view Of the length of time which |
as elapsed since the occurrence OF |
he events of the Santiago campaign, |
he court recomm ends NO further pro- |
eedings be had in the premises.
utncE pAvNER