Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-10-24
Record Of Brooklyn's Part in
the Fight at Santiago
Was Changed.
so SAYS ONE OF THE MEN
Entry Regarding the Famous Loop of
scHIey's Flagship Is Not the Same
as the One First Made-schIey
Court Routine.

Washington, Oct 22.-The cross-ex-
animation of Lieut.. Wells, Schley's
secretary, was resumed at the opening
Of today's session of the court OF in
auiry. He denied there was book OF
records kept showing the letters re-
seived on the Brooklyn as Lieutenant
Commander Sears testified there was.
Wells said there had been no written
or printed order of the battle of Santi-
ago, but on the day before Cienfuegos
was reached an order was sent to the
ships relating to signals in case the
enemy was sighted. After few ques-
lions by the court the witness was ex-
cused.
Record Was Changed.
Albert v. Mason, who wrote the log
book of the Brooklyn was called. Ma
son said he made the following entry
on the log of the Brooklyn giving an
account of the Brooklyns turn: 1--WE
were engaged with the port battery at
first, but just as soon as the enemy
stood to westward we put our helm
to starboard at first, then hard a-port,
so as to bring out starboard battery to
bear and swing clear of the Texas
fire; we stood parallel with and to the
enemy"
This entry had, he said, been chang
ed later at the instance of Lieut.. Hodg-
son SO as to make it read, las soon as
the enemy stood to westward we put
sour helm. hard aport to swing clear OF
Hrs. o. etc
ders le' Correspondent Called.
Fan-alashen retired and George Ed
wara Graham, the Associated Press
correspondent, was called. He said
he had been on the Brooklyn from
March 20 to August 20.
Details Conversation.
Graham told of a conversation be-
tween Schley and Sigsbee on the
Brooklyn May 26, in which he (Gra-
ham) had taken part, in substance as
follows:
schley-"Have you got .'em, sigs-
bee?"
Sigsbee-"No, Their are not here. I've
been here for week and they are not
here
schley-"Are you sure they are not
in there?"
Subjective been very close to
the harbor entrance two or three
times. Captain Cotton has been in and
cut the cable, and they are not in
there"
Probable Source of Information.
Graham said after the conversation
he had written a dispatch detailing the
fact that the fleet was not there, which
dispatch Sigsbee took aboard his YES
sci to deliver to small boats, or else
take it over himself. Graham was
also present@at the conversation be-
tween Schley and Higginson in regard
to the reconnaissance of May 81.
Schley said his idea was to so in about
1000 yards and fire, simply to draw
the fire of the batteries and find out
of what they consisted. So far as the
witness could remember Higginson ac
guessed in the plan.
What Schey Did Say.
Graham said he was with Schley dur
Ing IHe WHOlS VI lliS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
but did not hear of the alleged CONVEX
sations as testified by Potts regarding
the bombardment and that Schley hat
said during the same:
Gentlemen, we are very conspicu
Gus objects here; let's get out of it,"
Was Absolutely Cool.
In describing the battle of July
the witness said by the time the
Brooklyn had completed her turn
three of the leading Spanish ships hat
emerged from the harbor The com
modore 'he said, stood all the tim,
on the side of the fire, SO he could SCI
what he was doing. He was absolute
ly cool and sent continuous. messages
to the men to cheer them up. Whel
Ellis head was shot off he wiped SOM
of the blood from his own person an
as theSmen picked the body up t
throw it overheard, while the rest O
us stood Mortified he calmly said
Don't throw that body over. Take
below and We'll give it Christian
burial"
Depend on You, Boys.
When the Viscaya went ashore tn
Commodore went into the ,connin
tower and himself called down tn
tube to the men below: They are a
gone but one; it all depends on 70
boys"
Did 20 never see Schley when h
appeared laboring under any ments
excitement" the witness was asked
"Oh, no, he was jovial and good a;
tured at all times. did not observ
the least trace of excitement or an,
iety except at one time. That wa
when it looked as if the Colon. migf
get away. He expressed a fear thu
it might occur and seemed much COZ