The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-10-23

harbor prior to the arrival of the
fleet they had taken any large guns
and mounted them. The two officers
smoked their cigars and chatted over
it. Commodore Schley said his idea was
to go in about 1000 or $500 yards ana
fire, simply to draw their fire. So far
as I remember Capt. Higginson ac-
quiesced in that Later Mr.. Potts came
in"
Were you in the presence of Com
modore Schley during the whole of this
reconnaissance in the Massachusetts? p
"Only part of the time. At times
was behind the coming tower and he
was on the other side of it,"
Did you see Lieut.. Potts on board
the Massachusetts? 2"
He came into the pilot house dur
ing the conversation and took some
part in it,
At this time Mr.. Rayner read to the
witness a portion of the testimony CIV
en- by Lieut.. Potts, wherein he had re-
ferred to the conversation between
Commodore Schley and Capt. Higgin-
son as to going in for the lombard
ment, and asked:
Were you present at any converse
tion at all between Commodore Schley
and Lieut.. Potts or were you present
at any time when Commodore Schley
made any remarks, during each time
Potts was present?"
mo, sir. 1 followed them right out
of the pilot house and down to the
coming tower. 1 did not hear any con-
versation of that kind"
Then, you don't know anything
about the conversation about which
Potts has testified that the commodore
said Gentlemen, we are very con-
spicuous objects here, let's get out OF
it?"
'I never heard such conversation"
Mr.. Graham said he was with Com
modore Schley during the whole of the
reconnaissance and did not hear either
of the alleged conversations.
Mr. Graham also said that he had
not heard Commodore Schley say any
thing about 'potting the Colon" when
the commodore went aboard the Mas
sachusetts May 81, and that he was
with the commodore at the time.
After concluding his narrative of this
incident Mr.. Graham swas asked about
suspicious incidents III the harbor al
Santiago on the evening of July and
he said he recalled that the commodore
had sent the Vixen to investigate.
Hattie of July 3.
Describing the battle of July 3 Mr.
had gotten to a position in front OF
the coming tower as the nose of the
first of the Spanish ships appeared. The
Brooklyn was at that time, he said
pointing almost north. Lieut.. Simpson
had fired the first gun from the S-inct
turret and calling to Commodore
Schley said: How is that?"
ITO this the commodore replied
said Mr.. Graham, "I didn't see it
Simpson, but keep at it
The commodore" witness said
stood all the time on the side of tn,
! fire so that he could see what was do
! ing. He was absolutely cool and sen
| continuous messages to the men t
cheer them up. When Ellis head wa
| shot off he wiped some of the bloo'
from his own person, and as the mel
| picked the body up. to throw it over
while the rest of US stood horrified, h
calmly said, Don't throw that bod!
over. Take it below and we'll give /
| Christian burial.
when the Viscaya went ashore tn
commodore went into the coming tow
er and, himself, called down the tube t.
the men below: They are all gon
but one; it all depends on you boys
Did you see the Oregon?' asked Mr.
Rayner.
Very distinctly. 1 saw her coming
up about the time we were beginning
to get scared. The Brooklyn was fight
ing alone three of the Spanish ships
when suddenly 1 saw in the distance {
white line, which soon developed int
the Oregon. That occurred about thu
time the Oquendo went ashore"
schIey Was Not Excited.
did you ever see Commodore Schley
when he appeared to be laboring un
der any mental eXcitement?"
"Oh, no! He was jovial and gooC
natured at all times, and I did not OBJ
serve the least trace of excitement OF
anxiety except at one time. That wa.
when it looked as if the Colon NIGH
get away. He expressed fear that thai
might occur. and seemed much con.
cerned. 1 remember that he discussed
with Capt. Cook the advisability o.
stopping the vessel to couple his en-
gines before dark, fearing that if post
poned until later the Spaniard NIGH
get away"
At this point Mr.. Rayner began ar
examination of the witness concernine
a conversation reported to have taker
place between Commodore Schley anC
Capt. Evans of the Iowa, after the bat
tie, but before the examination haC
gone far it was objected to by Capt
Lemly.
Were you" asked Mr.. Rayner
present at any conversation between
Capt. Evans and Commodore Schley?'
Eyes, sir. In the commodores cabir
on the Brooklyn on July s." Mr.. Ora
ham responded.
when Evans came in, the first thine
he said was 'Schley, did you see Jacl
Philip run away with the Texas?' anC
Commodore Schley said, No, neither
did vou.'"
Admiral Dewey addressing counsel)
"One moment. Poor Philip is no
present, you know"
Mr.. Rayner: THAT has gone in IL
Capt. Evans testimony"
Capt. Lemly: In cross examination
something in regard to it has gone in
/ cannot see what bearing it has"
Mr.. Rayner: I'VE do not want L
prove anything about what Capt
Philip said. This is a conversation II
which Commodore Schley was pres
ent"
Capt. Lemly: you propose to con-
tradict what you drew out in cross
examination"
Mr.. Rayner: "Why, OF course"
After some further argument the
court retired for the consideration o
the point raised. After being out fol
twenty minutes the members returned
and Admiral Dewey announced the de.
cision in the following terms:
THE court decides that the ques.
tions intended to impugn the credibll.
ity of witness, intended to prove anS
point regarding the movements of the
Brooklyn during the battle Of July g
intended to prove any statements mad,
by Commodore Schley or conversation,
held with Commodore Schley which
have material bearing upon the mat.