River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-10-17

Fire of Three of Enemies ships,
Washington. Oct. 15.--Just before
the Schley court of inquiry took re-
cess for lanch Monday Mr.. Hanna
asked Capt. Cook, who was on the
stand: what was the conduct and
bearing of Commodore Sehley under
fire on such occasion as you had the
opportunity of observing"
81 always regarded him as an en-
Enthusiastically brave and patriotic Of
ffcer; never in any other way, re-
piled the witness.
Capt. Cook also testified that he
(Cookl gave the order for the Brook
Ilyn's loop at the battle off Santiago
and that he considered the movement
eminently successful.
During the war with Spain Capt.
Cook was commander of the flagship
Brooklyn and also Admiral Sehley's
chief of staff, thus occupying the
same relative position to Admiral
Schley that Capt. Chadwick occupied
to Admiral Sampson. His appearance
on the stand therefore created CON
siderable interest and his testimony
was listened to attentiyely.
Capt. Cook on The stand.
The early proceedings of the court
Of inquiry Monday were occupied by
the previous witnesses correcting
their testimony. after which Capt.
Cook was called. He was questioned
bv Mr.. Hanna, and responded in clear
and distinct tones. He said he had
been at Key West on May 10. His
testimony in brief is as follows:
what information did you have at that
time concerning the whereabouts OF Ger
vera's feet?' asked Mr.. Hanna.
MY impressions now are simply from
rumor. that they had left the Canary is
lands and a part of them had been sighted
at Martinique and from consular informa-
ton, or perhaps information sent by the
Harvard that they had gone to Curacao.
That is all from impression
Giving the reason for the departure of the
nvfng squadron for Cienfuegos, Capt. Cook
said the squadron had been sent to that
port ITO intercept and meet the Spanish
squadron, il having been determined as
we believed at that time, by them TO make
Clenfuegos their objective point lie had
understood that the Spanish fleet carried
munitions of war for Havana and 1t was
believed that they would go to Cienfuegos
because of its accessibility to Havana.
Capt. Cook detailed a conversation be-
tween Commodore Schley and Capt. Ches-
ter while the squadron was en- route 10
Cienfuegos. He said there had been talk
between them about coaling on the south
ern coast Of Cuba. In conversation some
thing was said about Cape Cruz, but 1t
did not seem a favorable place for coaiing
ships from golfers.
Capt Cook recalled the meeting of the
Marbehead with the flying squadron en-
route to Cienfuegos, but could recall only
very indtstinctIy the fact that the Scorpion
had delivered TO the Brooklyn the infor-
nation from the Eagle at that time Il
did not receive any information" he said
"and did not consider the incident inn
portant."
Capt Cook said that upon arriving off
Cienfuegos On the morning of May y
blockade was Immediately established, as
the firing Of guns was heard and it was
believed that Ceryera had arrived and
fete In honor of his appearance was on.
Earthworks on the shore also were seen,
but they were not fired upon because II was
considered desirable not to unnecessarily
eNpend ammunition.
Signal lights were noticed along the
shore, but it was not possible to determine
from whom or to whom they were sent.
Did Not See McCaIIn Memorandum.
Mr. Hanna questioned the witness con-
corning the arrival of the Iowa and the
Dupont OFF Cienfuegos. Capt Cook said
they had brought dispatches and he had
gathered from conversation with Commo-
dore Schley after their receipt that 1t was
the idea both of Sampson and Schley that
they should continue to hold Cienfuegos.
I Il No es1}E oil In et.R# s4f
the McCalla memorandum conveying a
landing place near Cienfuegos. After read
| ing the dispatch he said: Il never saw or
heard % 1t. 1t may have been received,
but il | had seen IL l certainly would
member IT,"
Made McCnIIa Start.
Capt Cook said he was present at con-
ference between Capt. McCalIa and Com
modore Schley, and that when the latter
mentioned the signal lights noticed on
shore Capt. McCalla gave a start, threw up
his hands and said: That is the signal
from the insurgent camp They want to
communicate with you" and added: We'll
] can 60 there and find out at once" The
commodore told him to SO. to get of as
soon as possible, and added: You can
send boat across and let me know as soon
as possible"
Dispatches Brought by Hawk.
Capt, Cook said he recalled the arrival
Of the dispatch boat Hawk on May a with
| dispatches He was told that the nforma-
tlon was to the effect that the Spanish
tieet was in Santiago, but" he said. Il
WAS not especially impressed with that
! fact. as | had heard It before" He was.
| however told that this information was
more positive than any which had vet been
| brought The commodore. he said, had
/ told him that the Hawk had brought orders
10 the effect that the sqhadron should pro-
/ coed to Santiago if he tthe commodorel
/ was satisfied that the Spaniards We're not