The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1901-12-19
Admiral SchIey Convicted BY Court
Of Inquiry.
minority REPORT BY DEWEY.
Majority Report Finds Twelve Counts
Against Schiey, But Praises His
Conduct,

val tribunal ever held IN this country
came to close Friday having in open
and secret session lasted three months
short Of one week, when Secretary
Long was handed the finding CT the
court OF inquiry which examined into
the conduct of Rear Admiral Schley
during the Santiago campaign. For
seven weeks the court heard testimony
and for fully month it deliberated
upon the mass of evidence, finally
reaching the conclusion announced
Friday. The result was a comr/.e sur
prise and 1t is probable that no proph-
esy has approached the truth. Instead
Of one report there are two. Both are
signed by George Dewey, president,
and by Sam. S. Lemly. as Judge advo-
cate. This is a form to be recognized
in all courts of inquiry, the signatures
CT the other members not being neces-
sary, but 1t is explained that Admiral
Dewey signed the second report, mi
nority report, to express his qualifica-
ton Of, or dissent from the views ex-
pressed by the court, comprising beside
himself Admirals Benham and Ram
say, in the first report. 1t Is said at the
Navy Department that there will be no
further proceedings in this celebrated
case on the Departments initiative.
Secretary Long and Judge Advocate
Lemly positively decline to discuss the
finds in any phase. The Secretary re-
ceived the reports at o'clock Friday
evening and he has not yet acted upon
them. 1t is probable that he will simply
append his signature with the word
Approved" to the whole record. The
court itself recommends no further
proceedings, owing to the lapse OF
time.
After reviewing the conduct OF Schley
during the whole campaign, the court
givns the following
OPINION:
Commodore Schley. in command Of
the flying squadron, should have pro-
ceeded with the utmost dispatch off
Cicnfuegos and should have maintain
ed a close blockade Of that port.
"He should have endeavored on May
%, at Cienfuegos, to obtain informa-
ton. regarding the Spanish squadron
by communicating with the insurgents
at the place designated in the memo
randum delivered to him at SIS d n.
CT that date.
"He should have promptly obeyed
Cicnfuegos to Santiago de Cuba with
all dispatch, and should have disposed
Of his vessels with view Of intercept
ing the enemy in any attempt to pass
the flying squadron.
"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 oyeyed
the Navy Departments orders OF May
25.
"He should have cndeavored to zap
ture or destroy the Spanish vessels at
anchor near the entrance OF Santiago
harbor 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 en- May
81.
by VHSoSShiNhN VA
July with the port battery. and turn
ing the Brooklyn around with port
helm, Commodore Schley caused her to
lose distance and position with the
Spanish vessels, especially with the
Viscaya 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 tG-
ward the Texas and caused that vessel
to stop and to back her engines to
avoid possible collision.
Admiral Schley did injustice to
Lieutenant Commander A. c. HodgSoa
in publishing only portion OF the cor
resrondencc which passed between
them.
Commodore schley's conduct in
connection with the events OF the San
tiago campaign prior to June l. 1878,
was characterized by a vaciliation, di-
latorifess and lack of enterprise.
"His official reports regarding the
coal supply and the coaling facilities
of the flying squadron were inaccurate
and misleading.
"His conduct during the battle OF
July was self-possessed and he en-
couragei, in his cwn person. his SUD-
ordinate officers and men to fight rour-
ageously. GEORGE phWhl'
Admiral U. S. NJ. President.
"SAM C. LEMLEY,
Judge Advocate General U. 5. NJ
Judge Advocate"
"In the opinion OF the undersigned
the passage from Key West to Glen
fuegos was mada by the flying SQUAD
ron with all possible dispatch. Com
modore Schley having in view the i'm
portancc of arriving off Cienfuesos
-. --...aA ..al &C rnc-ihle in the