The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-25
sation between Commodore Schley and

Captain Higginson.
There was some discussion about
what the Spanish fleet had brought
with them. A report was current that
they had brought arms and ammuni-
ton for the defence of Havana and
there also was discussion as to whether
they had had time to mount them Or
whether from any ships in the 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 il. Commodore
Schley said his idea was to go in about
1000 or $500 yards and fire. simply to
draw their fire. So far as i remember.
Captain Higginson acquiesced in that.
Later. Mr.. Potts came in"
Were you in the presence OF Com
modore Schley during the whole of this
reconnaissance on the Massachusetts? ?"
"Only part Of the time. At times I
was behind the coming tower and he
was on the other side Of it,
Did you see Lieutenant Potts on
board the Massachusetts,
He came into the pilot house duri7-
the conversation and took some part
in it,
At this point Mr.. Rayner read to the
witness a portion of the testimony Civ
en- By Mr.. Potts wherein he had re-
ferred to the conversation between
Commodore Schley and Captain Hig-
ginson as to going in for the lombard
ment, and asked:
ton at all between Commodore Schley
and Lieutenant Potts or were you pres
ent at any time when Commodore
Schley made any remarks during each
time Potts was PRESENT."
mo, sir I followed them right out Of
the pilot house and down to the con
ming tower. I did not hear any conver-
SatiOn of that kind I"
''Then you don't know anything about
| the conversation about which Potts has
testified that the commodore said:
Gentlemen, we are very conspicuous
objects here, let's go out of it?"
'I never heard such converse tion."
The witness said ne was with the
commodore 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 Schiey say anything
about ''potting the Colon" when the
commodore went aboard the Massachu-
setts May 31st. and that he was with
the commodore at the time.
After concluding his narrative Of this
incident, the witness was asked about
suspicious incidents in the harbor at
Santiago ON the evening of July End
modore had sent the Vixen to investi-
gate.
GRAHAM DESCRIBES BATTLE OF
SANTIAGO.
Describing the battle of July Srd, Mr.,
Graham said that Commodore Schley
had gotten to position in front of the
coming tower as soon as the nose Of
the first of the Spanish ships appeared.
The Brooklyn was at the time, ht said.
pointing almost no1th. Lieutenant
Simpson had fired the first gun from
the S-inch turret and calling to Commo-
dore Schley, said: ''How is that?"
ITO this, the commodore replied"
said the witness. 81 did not see il.
Simpson, but keep at it,
1.-THE commodore" the witness said
stood all the time on the side Of the
fire so that he could see what was do
ing. He was absolutely cool and sent
continuous messages to the men to
cheer them UP. When Ellis head was
shot off he wiped some of the blood
from his own person and as the men
picked the body up 10 throw it over,
while the rest of us stood Mortified, he
calmly said: Don't throw that body
over. Take it below and we ii give it
Christian burial" When the Viscaya
went ashore the commodore went into
the coming tower himself and called
down the tube to the men below: They
are all gone 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 fighting
alone three of the Spanish ships when
suddenly I saw in the distance a white
bone, which soon developed into the
Oregon. That occurred about the time
the Oquendo went ashore.
Did you ever see Commodore Schley
when he appeared to be laborinS under
any mental eXcitement?'
"Oh, no. He was jovial and good ma
tured at all times, and did not observe
the least trace of excitement or anxiety
except at one time. That was when it
looked as if the Colon might get away.
He expressed fear that that might occur
and seemed much concerned. remem-
Der that he discussed with Captain
Cook the advisability of stopping to
couple his engines before dark, fearing
that if postponed until later the Span
lard might get away"
SCHLEY'S REBUKE OF EVANS.
At this point Mr.. Rayner began an
examination of the witness concernig a
conversation reported to have taken
place between Commodore Schley and
Captain Evans of the Iowa, after the
battle. but before the examination had
gone far it was objected to by Captain
Lemly. Were you," asked Mr.. Ray
ner, present at any conversation be-
tween Captain Evans and Commodore
Schley?'
Yes, sir, in the commodore's cabin
on the Brooklyn on July 5th,'' Mr.. Gra-
ham responded.
when Evans came in the first thing
he said was :'Schley did you see Jack
Philip run away with the Texas? and
Commodore Schley said: No, neither
did you
Admiral Dewey-(Addressing the
counseD: "One moment. Poor Philip is
not present, you know"
Mr.. Rayner: THAT was gone into in
Captain. Evans testimony
Captain Lemly: I'm cross examination
something in regard to it was gone into.
1 cannot see what bearing it has"
Mr.. Rayner: I'VE do not want to
prove anything about what Captain
Philip said. This is a conversation at
which Commodore Schley was present"
Captain Lemly: You propose to con-
tradict what you drew out in cross ex-