The Montgomery advertiser., 1901-12-14
The Report Submitted by the President of the Board who Has Himself Heard the Scream of Shot and the Shriek of Shell JuSti-
 fieS the Acts of the
 Commander of
 the Squadron.

the Spanish vessels turned in succession to the westward and took course nearly parallel to the land.
 The Rrooklyn stood toward the Spanish vessels. with varying helm. fired one shot from her forward turret at S,ooo yards range, which proved short, ana then engaged with her port battery. When about 1.40O yards distant from the leading Spanish ship. the Teresa, the Brooklyn turned to starboard, with ner helm hard aport and continued so to turn until she headed to the westward. parallel to the course of the Spanish ships. The commanding officer of the Brooklyn put the helm hard aport and at almost the same time Commodore Schiey gave the order Hard aport'
 When the Brooklyn's helm was put hard aport the Teresa was about l.4oo yards to the eastward of north from the Brooklyn, the Viscaya was to the east ward of the Teresa and the Colon to the eastward of the Viscaya. When the Brooklyn completed the turn and was heading to the westward, parallei 70 the course of the Viscaya, and the Viscaya and the Colon were about 2,400 yards to the northward and westward or the Brooklyn The turn of the Brooklyn was towards the Texas The Texas stopped and backed her engines.
 On July 3. 1898 about the time the RrookIvn began her turn to starboard. a conversation regarding the proximity or the Texas took place between Commooore Schley and Lieutenant A. c. Hodgson' Admiral Schley caused to be published m a daily newspaper letter addresseo Ie him bv Lieutenant Commander A. C Hodeson dated June Ii, 1899 in which lieutenant Commander Hcdgson said; PUBLICATION OF
 HoDGSoN'S LETTER ."rhe colloouy published in The New York Sun and alleged to have taken place between you and me on the day Of tnt battle of Santiago, July 3, lSsS never occurred.
 Admiral Schley did not have published the other letters of Lieutenant Com mander Hodgson in regard to this matter.
 Commodore Schley in command or the flying squadron should have proceeded with utmost dispatch off Cientuegos ana should have maintained a close blockade at that port. o,
 He should have endeavored on May 2S at Cienfuegos to obtain information re- Rarding the Spanish squadron by com rnunicatinR with the insurgents at the place designated in the memorandum delivered to him at S:15 a. m. of that date.
 He should have proceeded from Cien- fueRos to Santiago de Cuba with all ols- patch and should have disposed his Ves- sels with a view of interceptng the enemy in any attempt to pass the flying squadron.
 He should not have delayed the squadron for the Eagle.
 He should not have made the retro grade turn westward with his squadron. HE SHOULD HAVE
 OBEYED THE ORDERS.
 He should have promptly obeyed the Navy Departments order of May 70.
 He should have endeavored to capture or destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor near the entrance of Santiago harbor or May 29 and 30.
 He did not do his utmost with the force under his command to capture or destroy | the Colon and other vessels of the enemy | which he attacked on May a. By commencing the engagement or | July 3, with the port battery and turning the Brooklyn around with port helm Commodore Schley caused her to lose distance and position with the Spanish vessels-especially with the Viscaya and Colon.
 The turn of the Brooklyn to starboard was made to avoid getting her into dangerous proximity to the Spanish ves- sells. The turn was made toward the Texas and caused that vessel to stop and back her engines to avoid possible collls- ion.
 Admiral schley did injustice to Lieu tenant Commander A. c. Hodgson in publishing only a portion of the corres- pondence which passed between them.
 Commodore Schley's conduct in connec- ton with the events of the campaign prior to June 1. 1898 was characterized by vaccillation, dilatoriness and lack of en- terprise.
 His official reports regarding the coal supply and the coaling facilities of the flying squadron were inaccurate and mis- leading.
 His conduct during the battle of July 3 was self possessed and he encouraged. in his own person. his subordinate officers and men to fight courageously.
 (Signed) George Dewey,
 Admiral U. S. N, President.
 Samuel c. Lemly, Judge Advocate General. U. S. N. Judge
 Advocate