The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-12-19
THE SCHLBY
COURT DECISION.
Charged With Flight in
Making the Loop.
pEwEY'S SEPARATE OPINION.

mand OF tne ltNlnR SHuhuIOhi o"'"''
have proceeded with the utmost dispatch
on Cienfuegos. and should have main
tained a close blockade OF that port. lie
should have endeayored, on May 23d, at
Cienfuegos. TO obtain information re-
garding the Spanish squadron, by COM
municating with the insurgents at the
place designated In the memorandum
delivered to him at S:l5 \. NJ OF that
date. He should have proceeded to
Santiago de Cuba, with all dispatch. and
should have disposed his vessels with
view TO intercepting 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 retrograde turn westward with his
souadron. He should have promptly
oheyed the Navy Departments order OF
May 25th. He should have endeavored
TO capture or destroy the Spanish vessels
at anchor near the entrance OF Santiago
harbor on May 29th and Both.
He did not do his utmost, with the
force under his command, TO capture or
destroy the Colon and other vessels oil
the enemy. which he attacked on May
3lst.
By commencing the engagement on
July Sd, with the port battery, and
turning the Brooklyn around with port
helm, Commodore Schley caused her to
lose distance and position with respect
to the Spanish vessels, especially with
respect to the yiscaya and Colon.
The turn OF the Brooklyn to starboard
was made to avoid getting her into dan
gerous proximity to the Spanish vessels.
The turn was made towards the Texas,
and caused that vessel to stop, and to
back her engines. TO avoid possible col
lisiOn.
Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieu
tenant Commander A. c Hodgson in
publishing only a portion OF the cores
pondence which passed between them.
Commodore Schley sconduct inconnec-
ton with the events Of the Santiago
campaign prior to June /, 1898, was
characterized by vacillation, dilatoriness,
and lack of enterprise. His official re-
ports regarding the coal supply and the
coaling facilities of the Flying Squadron
were inaccurate and misleading. His
conduct during the battle OF July Sd was
selfpossessed, and he encouraged, in his
own person, his subordinate officers and
men, to fight courageously
(Signed) GEORGE DEWEY
Admiral, q. S. n, President
fSi0nedl SAM. c. LEMLY,
Judge. Advocate General. L. S. ", Judge
Advocate
ADMIRAL DEwEY's VIEWS.
In the opinion of the undersigned, on
the morning Of July 3, 1898. Admiral
Schley was in absolute command, and If
entitled to the credit due to such COM
manding officer for the glorious victory
which resulted in the total destruction OF
the Spanish ships.
(Signed GEORGE DE"Ef'
Admiral, Z. s. ~, President.
fSioned) Sam C.. LEMLY,
Judge Advocate General, IS. n, Judge
Advocate.
Recommendation In view OF the length
of time which has elapsed since the oc-
currence OF the events of the Santiago
campaign, thecourt recommends that no
futher proceedings be held in the prem
ises
(Signed) GEORGE DEWEY
Admiral. L S. n, President.
fSi0ned) SAM G. LEMLY,
Judge-Advocate-Ge General. u. s. n, Judge
Advocate.
DEwEY's POSITION.
= IL loo;.;or ~ tho Schlev cOurt Of