The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-10-04

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 , 1t was believed at that time the Span iards were preparing to withdraw from the harbor and that Commodore Schley had communicated the facts to the squadron. It was competent, he said. to prove the conduct of the Commodore under the departments precept Captain Lemly and Mir. Hanna contend ed that the certain effect of such ques- tions would be to open the gates for in- terminable inquiry. and that if one side should enter upon such questions, the other must also be allowed to do so. They did not object except for the reason of time involved.
 Captain Parker announced his willing ness to "open the door wide.' He want ed the entire matter investigated and would have the search light turned upon every individual from the eommander- in-chief to the lowest officer Under him.
 MT. Raynor was then permitted to ask his question. which he did in the follow ing words:
 'was the smoke observed on July by Commodore Schley communicated to the squadron7
 The reply was: "Smoke was observed rising in the harbor on July 2, and my impression now is and always has been since that night that that information
 was conveyed to the commander-in- | chief.''
 |
 a brief account of the part taken by the !. Brooklyn in the battle of July 8. which
 he did, repeating much thas had been said yesterday.
 Doyle Describes Battle. | After stating the prelfminarfes. Lieu- tenant Doyle gave his observations of the battle in the following language: "I fired the left gun first and Halligan shortly afterwards fired the right one. Then we began to load the guns again. It was necessary then after loading the guns a second time to turn the turret directly ahead, as our ship was apparent ly shutting the enemy out by turning with starboard helm. Immediately after firing. the left gun the second time the order was to man the starboard bat tery. 1 got out of the turret through the roof, that being the most convenient way of getting out. and crossed over to the starboard turret. I thus had an oppor- tunity to see the Spanish ships. They were Q little on our starbord. As soon as had charge of the controller, which up to this time had been in charge of Mir. Woodward, I swung the turret around onto the starboard bow. In the mean time, some of our forward guns had fired. The volume of smoke was so great that it must have come from one of the l2-inch guns in the forward turret, so that l was entirely shut off from seeing the enemy. While the guns were in these positions MT. Mason, our executive of ficer passed down the starboard gang way calling. Sharp on the starboard.
 '"The interval of time from when the guns were fired on the starboard to the starboard quarter, think must have been two minutes. l swung the guns around to the starboard quarter and then we picked up the enemy. The range at which I fired to the best of my memory was about 400 yards and from then on 1t nj ho up to 2,OOO yards and during the run after being parallel with the Spanish ships, the range varied from about 2.300 to 1,S00 [ think when the Viscaya went in shore the range was about f,S00 yards. Just immediately before she turned in she made a sheer with her starboard helm. apparently coming towards us and then immediately put her helm around the other way and went in shore. From then on 1t was chase after the Colon. At the time the Viscaya went ashore, the Colon, by working up inside of the other Spanish ships, had secured very long lead.
 Schley Directed Signals.
 T should say that she was at least five or six miles, perhaps more. on our starboard bow, we'll in shore. The order was given to cease firing and to come out of the turrets and take 'spelP dur ing the chase of the Colon.
 The Oregon during that chase and while we were on top of the turret was directed to try her thirteen-inch guns on the chase. which she did, and the shots fell short. In a little while they were fired again and came a little closer"
 Admiral Dewey-Directed by whom?
 By Commodore Schley. sir, by wigwag signals. as I remember it.
 Admiral Dewey-You saw that signal?
 ''Yes, sir; saw the signal being made"
 Admiral Benham-Did you read the signal?
 q did not; but I understood what 1t was, and, if I am not mistaken, it was McCaully. an ensign on board who made the signal. Shortly after this the forward and starboard turrets of the Brooklyn mor-piercing shells. The forward turret it did. The shots fell short. Then as I now recall. of $500 yards. We tried fell short. We loaded again in the star to 6,700 yards and fired the right gun It went little to the right of the Colon, as near as I could judge, but the range was very good. The Colon very shortly after that went ashore. We steamed up to her and proceeded to get out a cutter for Captain Cook to go over and receive her surrender"
 In the cross-examnation by Mir. Hanna Lieutenant Doyle said the Spanish ships were headed straight toward the Ameri- cans as the former came out of Santiago harbor. moving in a column.