Semi-weekly Windham County reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1897-1901, 1901-10-11

ADVERSE TO SCHLEY.
COMMANDER POTTS
TESTIFIES ON COMMANDMENT
OF THE COLON


Thinks Schley Was Under Great Mem
tai Stratn-sscretary Longs Order to
Sampson Admitted as Evitiencx-Other
New Witnesses.
Three new witnesses were introduced
in the Schley court Wednesday. They
were Rear Admiral Henry C Taylor,
who as captain commanded the battle
ship, Indiana, during the war with
Spain; Lieutenant Con- mander Templin
M Potts, who was navigator of the
battleship Massachusetts during that
period, and Lieut. + Leiper. who was on
the New Orleans during the war. Ad-
lnlral Taylor related incidents of the
battle of Santiago on July 3, including
the Brooklyn's famousturn. Nothing new
was ELECTED. Commander POtts's tes-
timony dealt especially with the bonn
bardment Of the Colon. AS to the con-
duct Of Commodore Schley during that
engagement. he said it was that Of a
man laboring under great mental
excitement aod of a man who was
anxious to discharge as soon as possible
disagreeable duty. Lieut. Leiper ex-
pressed the opinion that the Spanish
shore batteries at Santiago had not been
Nv duy Uliilc lOTlu ludDlts
The order of Secretary Long to Ad-
miral Sampson, dated April 6, in which
he was admonished against the exposure
of the American vessels at strongly
fortified ports, was introduced as evil
dence.
In the afternoon Commander Potts
testiti 2d.that during the blockade OF SAN
tiago, the flying squadron was from to
miles from the mouth OF the harbor.
lie said be was on the Massachusetts,
May 81, the day of the BON bardmeDt OF
the Colon, when Commodore Schley had
used that vessel as his flag ship. That
when Schley came on board he heard
him say in effect: "Higginson, am 60.
ing in with you and the Iowa and pot
the Colon with your big guns. | want
to fire deliberately. Admiral Sampson
will be here tomorrow morning and |
wish to destroy the Colon.n That he
heard him say: :'Gentlemen.we
are very CONSPICUOUS objects here 10 white
| think we had better get out Of this
and that he then left the forward l3 inch
turret and took his place on the small plat :
form on The lee side of the coming tower.
He further said MY preconceived idea
of Commodore Schley previous to that
occasion was so entirely different from
the impression l received on that day |
concluded that be was under a tremen.
dous mental strain" He continued that
when Schley left the ship he called it a
reconnaissance, drawing the fire OF the
batteries and developing their weakness
or strength.
Only one shot which had been fired at
the American fleet had Impressed Comdr
Potts as being at all dangerous. That
fell near the Massachusetts. Soon after
that the commodore had given the order
Put your helm to starboard and let's
get out of this
Several new witnesses testified yes
teroay as to what they remember of
the Santiago camp ign and Capt Chad
" lex, who commauded Sampson 5 flag
ship, the New York, was expected dur
ing the day. Wednesdays witnesses
we're recalled for correction of testi
nony. A letter was received from
" illiam Il Slaytou, attorney for Ad-
pirdl Sampson, requesting to be al
owed to represent him in court to
,efend him from 'attacks which have
)een. made upon his honor :"