The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-27
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circumstances bearing upon the subject
of the investigation hereby ordered and
| to this end besides examining all or all
proper witnesses whose attendance can
be secured, will call upon the Depart-
ment for all documentary evidence in re-
lation thereto on its files.
Upon the conclusion of the investisa
tion the court will report its proceedings
and the testimony taken, with a full
and detailed statement of all he perti-
nent facts which it may deem to be es-
tablished, together with its opinion and
recommendations in the premises.
While the department relies upon ahe
discretion of the court to make its exam
ination into this matter full and COM
| plete, as requested by the officer at
| whose instance ii is convened the re-
port should show the conclusions reached
upon certain important points. to which
attention is specifically directed, as fol-
| lows:
III His conduct in connection with the
events of the Santiago campaign.
90. The circumstances attending, the
| reasons controlling and the propriety OF
the movements of the flying squadron
off Cienfuegos in May, 1898.
3. The circumstances attending, the
reasons controlling and the propriety Of
the movements of the said squadron in
proceeding from Cienfuegos to Santiago.
4. The circumstances attending the ar
rival of the flying squadron off Santiago,
the reasons for its retrograde turn west
ward and departure from off Santiago, and
the propriety thereof.
%. The circumstances attending and the
reasons for the disobedience by Commo-
dorG Schley of the orders of the depart
ment contained in its dispatch dated May
%, 1898, and the propriety of his conduct
in the premises.
IS. The condition. of the coal supply of
the flying squadron on and about May
q, 1898; its coaling facilities; the neces-
I sity if any, for, or advisability of, the
i return of the squadron to Key West to
coal; and the accuracy and propriety of
the official reports made by Commodore
Schley with respect to this matter.
81. Whether or not every effort incum-
bent upon the commanding officer of Il
fleet under such circumstances was made
to capture or destroy the Spanish cruiser
Colon as she lay at anchor in the en-
trance to Santiago harbor, May q to 81,
inclusive, and the necessity for, or advsa-
bility of, engaging the batteries at the
entrance to Santiago harbor, and the
Spanish vessels at anchor within the en-
trance to said harbor. at the range used,
and the propriety of Commodore Schleys
conduct in the premises.
fS. The necessity if any, for, and ad
visibility Of withdrawing at night the
flying squadron from the entrance TO
Santiago harbor to 4 distance at sea, if
such shall be found to have been the
case; the extent and character Of such
withdrawal; and whether or not close
or adequate blockade of said harbor, to
prevent the escape of the enemy's yes
sells therefrom, was established, and the
propriety of Commodore Schleys conduct
in the premises.
SO. The position of the Brooklyn on the
morning of July 3, 1S9S at the time of
the exit of the Spanish vessels from the
bar harbor of Santiago. The circumstances
attending the reasons for, and the incl
dents resulting from the turning of the
Brooklyn IN tn direction in which she
turned at or about the beginning of the
action with said Spanish vessels, and the
possibility of thereby colliding with or
endangering any other of the vessels of
the United States fleet, and the propriety
Oh COHlmOQOFe OCuley . COuuuCI III inc
premises.
10. The circumstances leading to, and
the incidents and results of, a contro
yersy with Lieutenant lbon c. Hodgeson,
U. S. N. who, on July 3, 1898, during
the battle of Santiago, was navigator
of the Brooklyn in relation TO the turn
ing of the Brooklyn; also the Colloquy
at that time between Commodore Schley
and Lieutenant Hodgeson and the ensuing
correspondence between them on the sub
ject thereof, and the propriety of the
conduct of Admiral Schley in the premi-
SeS
The foregoing specific directions
given primarily for the information and
guidance of the court, but do not limit
or restrict the scope of it's inquiry into
the entire matter the investigation of
which is asked by the officer concerned.
Rear Admiral Schley has been inform
ed of his right to be present either in
person or by counsel, during the investi-
CATION, to cross-eXamine witnesses, and
to offer evidence before the court, should
he so desire. The court may at any time
grant to others interested and entitled
thereto like privileges.
The investigation will be held in open
court.
This employment on shore duty is
required by the public interests.
Given under my hand, at the Navy
Department, Washington, this twenty
sixth day of July, nineteen hundred and
one.
SJOHN D. LONG
FfSocrotarv