The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-26

of us; that is, on the starboard bow, and all four ships and the forts were firing at the same time, and, from that moment the following ten or fifteen minutes were the most furious part of this entire combat. The roar of projectiles was one of the things that can be heard only once in a life time. and then never forgotten. It appeared at that moment that all four of those ships were at work upon the Brook lyn, and up to the moment of turning so far as We could perceive, there was not the slightest evidence that they had been injured. At that moment, felt we were alone. and would perhaps have much of that fight upon ourselves. because I did not know then that the battleships could possibly keep up their speed. But said to Captain Cook. We must stay with this crowd I had no idea that We would es- cape. Of course. if they could have shot as we'll as our people did, they certainly would have got us. When we had com pletely turned around, saw the Oregon breaking through the smoke on the star board quarter of the flagship had hoisted the signal of Close up and then follow the flag feeling that a new dis position was necessary. The Brooklyn and the Oregon were firing in a manner had never seen before. I never before realized what rapid gun fire meant. Both ships were at that time a sheet of flame, Soon after that I saw that the leading ship was evidently battered hard. She Jagged astern.
 "Keep the Boys Informed"
 T saw smoke coming out of her ports and out of her matches and the fact that Impressed itself upon me was that the columns were going straight up in the air. said to Captain Cook, We have got one. Keep the boys below informed of movements and they ought to know and he did so throughout the action. Every few mo- ments messages were sent below to the men that were answered often with cheers which we could hear through the ventilators. Shortly saw a second ship on fire. the Oquendo. She started inn mediately inshore, leaving the Viscaya and the Colon. The Viscaya took leading position on the bow and thought for little while that she would outfoot us. The Colon worked inshore and the time between the dropping out of action of those two ships until the Wis caya turned inshore, was perhaps thirty minutes, during which she was abreast of the Brooklyn and the Oregon. She was {. 400 yards away in most excellent target range and a marine stationed in the top reported that he did not see any of the shots of the Brooklyn and the Oregon
 
 were striking the ship. Ellis, who was an expert with the stadimeter. reported to me that the Spanish ships were main- taining the same range; but thought my eye was a little more sensitive and I said: No; they are evidently gaining He went from me the second time and that was the last I saw of him alive. In performing this magnificent duty he lost his life. He was struck about ten feet ato nf his brains and blood were thrown over me. He immediately fell, of course, to the deck. Lieutenant McCauley and Dr. Devalin picked up the body and carried 1t to the side. called out to them not to throw that body overboard; that I thought one who had fallen so gallantly to be buried as Christian.
 Death Wound to Viscaya.
 Just before the Viscaya turned to run ashore she put her helm starboard, ap- parently starting out for the Brooklyn or the Oregon, I don't remember which. and evidently at that moment got a very severe wound for I saw quite an explo- sion under her bow and in a moment afterward she put her helm hard aport. turning in shore, smoke coming from all her matches.
 T thought she was going to capsize she had such a tremendous list to port Just then l saw a shell strike her that appeared to me to rake her fore and aft. and I thought to myself she would sink in deep water. During this part of the fight l noticed that all of the signal halyards of my ship were cut, I think with possibly one exception. One of the speed cones we had hoisted was cut and came near striking me. It came down in front of me and went overheard. After the Viscaya had turned in afire, her colors down, the Colon edged inshore and appeared to be following the contour of the coast and l thought that at that time, looking astern and observing what had happened to her consorts. that she was seeking the best place she could find in order to end the matter at once. From Assaderes, which was behind, some six teen miles west of the harbor of Santiago. to Point Rio Tarquino, Is perhaps about thirty miles, so l said to Captain Cook Cease firing and make the signal I also told Captain Cook to let his men come out of the turrets into the cooler and and get something to eat and to hurry up his men below.
 Gaining on the Colon.
 "I think I went into the battle tower myself at that time and sang out to the men below that we had got all of them except one, and that I though they could be depended upon to catch that other ves- sell I heard good deal of merriment