The Washington times., 1901-08-07
READY FOR THE ENQUIRY.
Selection of Admiral HOwisOn
Completes the Schley Court.
The Appointment Received with Sat
isfnction by Both sides tn the Con-
trovcrsy A Partial List of Wit
nesses to He Called Compiled.

isfnction by Both sides to the Con-
trovcrsy A Partial List of Wit
nesses to He Called Compiled.
Rear Admiral Henry l.. HowisOn. re-
tired, has been selected to fill the place
on the Schley Court Of Enquiry made va
cant by the request of Admiral Kimberly
to be relieved on account of i'll health.
This announcement made yesterday
afternoon by Acting Secretary Hackett-
In response to a telegram from Mr.. Hack
EFT, Admiral Howison wired that he would
be able to serve on the court. and the
matter, which has been hanging fire for
week. was thereupOn finally settled.
Admiral Howison's name was one of
the four suggested to Mr.. Hackett by
Capt. James Parker. assistant counsel for
Admiral Schley. as being acceptable to his
client. Captain Parker said that with
two or three exceptions. whom he named,
Admiral Schley would be satisfied with
any of the rear admirals on the retired
list. and he made especial reference to
Admiral Howison and three others as be-
ing epecially acceptable. The names of
those who were regarded as Objectionable
could not be learned.
The selection of Admiral Howison is re-
the SchIey controversy. In signifying his
acceptance of the assignment, the ad-
miral stated to the department that he
had no bias or prejudice in the matter.
and that he had expressed no opinion
upon the merits of the case. He is an
officer of high honor and integrity and
his brother officers declare that he has
steadfastly refrained from being drawn
into the Schley controversy in any way.
The Navy Department has compiled
partial list of the witnesses who will be
summoned to appear and give testimony
before the court. Orders have been sent
already to those who are in remote parts
directing them to come home, in order
that they may be here at the time the
court meets on September Il. The ma
jority of the officers to be called upon for
evidence in the matter are close at hand.
at places from which they will be able
to reach Washington within a few days
The list is not yet complete. and additions
to 1t will probably be made as names are
suggested, and certain points arise which
il will be necessary to elucidate to the
court.
The department has also received from
Admiral Schley a list of witnesses whom
he especially desires to have present
but yesterday he declined to make it
public. 1t is acknowledged, however, that
Commander Seaton Schroeder. the present
Governor of Guam, is one of the officers
whom Schley has asked to have present
He was executive officer of the Massa-
chusetts during the Santiago campaign.
Orders detaching him from service at
Guam have already gone forward, and
will be conveyed to him by the Yorktown,
which has been ordered to Guam. He will
proceed to Yokohama, Japan, where his
wife and children are spending the sum-
mer. and from there will sail for San
Francisco. He will doubtless reach Wash
ington shortly after the court convenes.
During his absence Commander William
Swift, of the Yorktown, will be acting
Governor of Guam. 1t is the present in
tention of the department to have Com
mander Schroeder return to Guam upon
the completion OF his duties before the
Court of Enquiry.
Another witness requested by Admiral
Schley is Lieut.. Benjamin w. Wells, who
was his flag secretary on the Brooklyn
during the Santiago fight. He is at pres
ent on leave in Europe, and orders have
been despatched to him to return in time
for the cenvening Of the court. Still an
be Ensign William b. Wells. who is at
present attached to the Asiatic station.
Rear Admiral Henry Lycurgus Howl
son was born in Washington and was
appointed to the navy as acting midship-
man from Indiana September 26, 1854
lie was at the Naval Academy from 1851
TO 1898 and was warranted as inidshipman
June II. 1855 He attached 10 the
steam frigate Wabash on the MedIterra-
SQUADRON
Previous to the civil war he was serving
on the Pocahontas with the Gulf Squad
ron. He was transferred to the Pawnee
and promoted to passed midshipman Janu-
AIRY 10. 1851 and master February y fol-
lowing He was present on the Pocahon-
tas at the surrender of Fort Sumter by
General Anderson. He was subsequently
employed in Chesapeake Bay and Poto-
mac River conveying troops to Washing
ton. He was promoted to lieutenant April
%, 1861. and sent on special duty to outside
picket post at Clouds Mills Va, with
howitzer and crew skirmishing with
Stuarts Cavalry. In September 1861. he
was made executive officer of the Angus
Ia of Admiral Duponts squadron. He
took part in the capture of Port Royal,
landed in command of a company at Ty-
bee Island He was engaged with rams
Off Charleston in 1862. He was later exc
cutive officer of the Nantucket and was
present at the engagements of Forts
Moultrie. Sumter. and Wagner in 1853.
In August. 1861, he was ordered to COM
manu- iHe hi+HNilie ana participated IN
the battle Of Mobile Bay. In lS64-lS65 he
was with the blockading squadron or
Galveston. He was made lieutenant COM
mander March 3, 1860, and shortly after
ward was ordered to ordnance duty at
the Washington Navy Yard After the
civil war he occupied various positions
on shore duty, and in command OF the
Maytiowcr, Constellation. Minnesota, ana
United States steamship Eandalia. He
was made captain March >. 1885 and was
in command at Mare Island Navy Yard
for sever raj years from August l. ISy2
After being relieved at Mare Island Ad.
mral Howison was placed in command
Of the Boston Navy Yard. where he re-
mained during the Spanish war He aft
erward took command of the South At
fantic squadron and was relieved by Ad-
miral Schley,
He was retired on October 10. 1893 hav-
ing attained the age limit Of sixty-two
years. lie has had fifteen years and four
months sea duty and twenty eight years
and eight months shore tuty. lie was
made a rear admiral November y. 1898.
Admiral Howison's home IS at Youlters.
n. Y, but he is now spending the summer
at Congress Hall. Saratoga
NOT TO REPRESENT SCHLEY.