Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1901-11-02

Resrogrnde Movement.
Rear Admiral Schley took the stand on
ahs thirtieth day Of the inquiry and told
1hs story of the beginning of the Santiago
campaign in plain, simple, straightfor-
ward manner. He refrained from at
tempting to question the veracity Of any
officer who has testified against him,
erediting their misstatements to failure
OF recollection.
Petore fatty contradicting Captain
Ssgsbee regarding the information con-
seerning the presence Of the Spaniards in
Santiago Admiral Schley said that Cap
aain Sigsbee was not capable of uttering
a Ralsehood, but that his recollection was
at fault and not his veracity. Captain
Sigsbee," said the rear admiral, would
mot make 4 misstatement for his commits
sion."
Rear Admiral Schley took up the speci-
mcati0ns OF the precept one by one, told
Of the formation Of the flying squadron,
and continued down to the beginning Of
che retrograde movement, when the court
adjourned.
The rear admiral disclaimed that he
was guilty of disObedience of orders, as
ehe order which reached him did not say
the Spanish feet was in Santiago, but
directed Schley to find out if it was there,
and not to permit it to leave without
decisive action"
'|That part of the order was fully exc
guted," remarked Admiral Schley, and
there was a peal of laughter on the part
81 the spectators.
Schley then told of the conference he
Rad with Rear Admiral Sampson on
board the New York at Key West, dur
Sng which he had assured Sampson Of
ais loyalty. Captain Chadwick, on this
occasion, remarked that any one who
anew Commodore Schley was sure of his
loyalty to the commandcr-in-chief.
During this conference it was developed
that both Sampson and Schley agreed the
objective point of Cervera's feet was
either Havana or Cienfuegos, as the lat
ger port was connected with Havana by
rail-. Neither had any idea that the Span
Cards would go to Santiago, which is in
the end of the island, the lines of COM
munication being absolutely controlled by
ghe Insurgents.
During another part of his narrative
Admiral Schley said If any one made
mistake during the Santiago campaign
& was in supposing the Spaniards would
DO the right thing at the right time. He
was often surprised that Ceryera did not
2eaye Santiago when Schley left Cienfue-
nos. During the conference with Samp-
son information was given to Schley that
Oienfuegos was heavily fortified, and he
was directed not to jeopardize his ships
by taking them near the shore batteries
until the Spanish fleet was disposed of.
Rear Admiral Schley said it was impos-
sible to make plans of battles to meet all
contingencies, but in comforting with his
officers at Newport News a general plan
was outlined which contemplated attack
Eng the flagship of the enemy when it
nhculd be met. This plan was to be pur-
sued for the moral effect it might have,
as the men would be thrown into confu-
sion and none Of the vessels would es-
cape, as had been the case when vessels
30 the middle of column had been fred
Rpon IN previous engagements.
Rear Admiral Schley said that the de-
Say at Cienfuegos was due to the fact
ghat Captain McCalla had not communi-
Gated the code of signals arranged with
ahe Insurgents and that Lieut.. Souther
BAND had not communicated information
wAlch he had been directed to give.
The witness said that inasmuch as he
was responsible for the action Of the
Sect he was always on the lookout, and
he 8xed the position of the squadron at
G9enfuegos every morning and night The
squadron steamed in closer at night, and
~rAEle it never abandoned its position it
aid steam away from the harbor in the
Appe OF inviting the Spaniards out into
8as open, as Rear Admiral Schey was
'eeaGdant they were in Cienfuegos.
Difficulty in Coa1inS.
Speaking of the difficulty of coalng in
GAs open sea, the admiral said the Merri-
mas had several holes punched in its eff
9oxls to coal. He used every endeavor
~ coal, but the problem presented to him
On this connection was one that had vexed
@As aayies OF the world for fifty years.
Tss asserted that whenever it was posi-
Ne TO coal the ships he had done so. but
SAare were times when he would not as
s.arae the responsibility, as the vessels
81 his squadron would have been placed
In jeopardy in attempting to coal in the
sgen sea.
s
Aessamony the flying squadron left Glen
sssexos within four hours after he was
certain the Spanish squadron was not in
Sat harbor. He did not mask his move
xnszts, as it would have been to the liking
al hls men and himself to meet the Span
ASS squadron.
Great stress has been laid upon the fact
xAst Rear Admiral Schley did not mask
q niCht h,,4
sra=al Schley said experience had taught
MA that the signals OF ship could not
~ seen more than four miles during the
Gag, and that the ardois lights could not
- seen at a greater distance than six
and half miles at night.
When the flying squadron left Cienfue-
weN they were fourteen miles from the
sAoce and it was impossible for the Span
aasds to be advised OF the movements of
aAe Americans.
Sear Admiral Schley described the for