The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-23

here. We went aft and he continued
the conversation. Then Commodore
Schley said Are you sure they are
not in there? He said: / have been
very close to the harbor entrance two or
three times Captain Cotton has been IN
and cut a cable and they are not
there.
Captain Sigsbee later tok dispatch
written by men and vised by Commo-
dore Schley. He tok it abard his ship,
and he was to deliver it. to one of the
small boats, or else take it over him
self"
And Captain Sigsbee took that dis
patch?"
Yes, sir. It was open. 1t detailed
the fact that the fleet was not there"
When witness asked permission to go
aboard the Massachusetts Schley said
that they did not intend to do anything
except find out what the batteries con-
sisted of.
SCHLEY AND HIGGINSON.
Nov tell us regarding the converse
tion between Commodore Schey 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 ammunition
for the defense of Havana and there al
so was discussion as to whether they
haG had time to mount them or wheth-
er 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 it. Commodore Schley
said his idea was to go in about 1000 or
$500 yards and fire, simply to draw
their fire. So far as 1 remember Cap
tain Higginson acquiesced in that
Later Mr.. Poots came in
Were you in the presence of Com
modore Schley during the whole of this
| reconnaissance on the Massachusetts"
''nly part of the time. AT times l was
behind the coming tower and he was on
the other side of it,"
Did you see Lieut.. Potts on board
| the Massachusetts"
He came into the pilot house during
the conversation, and took some part in
! it."
At this point Mr.. Rayner read to the
witness portion of the testimony given
! by Mr.. Potts wherein he had referred to
the conversation between Commodore
Schley and Captain Higginson as to GO
ing in for the bombardment, and asked:
Were you present at any conversation
at all between Commodore Schley and
Lieut.. Potts, or were you present at any
time when Commodore Schley made
any remarks during the time Potts was
present."
HEARD NOT WHAT POTTS HEARD.
No sir. I followed them right out
of the pilot house and down to the con-
ming tower. l did not hear any CONVEX
sation of that kind"
Then you don't know anything
about the conversation about which
Potts has testified that the Commo-
dore said Gentlemen. we are very
/ conspicuous objects here, let's get out of
il ?"
The witness said that he was with the
Commodore during the whole of the re-
connoissance and did not hear either of
the alleged conversations.
Mr.. Graham said that he had not heard
Commodore Schley say anything about
! ''potting the Colon" when the Commo-
dore went aboard the Massachusetts May
| 81 and. that he was with the Commodore
| at the time
After concluding his narrative of this
incident the witness, was asked about sus-
| picious incidents the harbor at Santiago
on the evening of July End and he said
he recalled That the Commodore had sent
the Vixen to investigate.
| Describing the battle of July 8. Mr. Gra-
ham said that Commodore Schley had got
ten to a position in front of the coming
! tower as soon as the nose of the first of
! the Spanish ships appeared. The Brook
| lyn was at that time, he said pointing
almost north. Lieutenant Simpson had
| fired the first gun from the eight-inch tur-
| ret and calling to Commodore Schley said /:
How it that?"
ITO this the Commodore replied" said
the witness, g 1 did not see it. Simpson,
| but keep at it. p"
| SHATTERED WITH ELLIS BLOOD.
THE Commodore" witness said. 'stood
| all the time on the side of the fire so
| that he could see what was doing. He
| was absolutely cool and sent encouraging
| messages to the men to cheer them up
| When Ellis head was shot off he wiped
| some of the blood from his own person
| ard as the men picked the body up to
| throw it over, while the rest of us stood
| Mortified, he calmly said, Don't throw
! that body over. Take it below and wen
| give it Christian burial When the Vis-
| caya went ashore the Commodore went
| into the coming tower and himself 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. l saw her coming up
about the time We were beginning to get
scared. The Brooklyn was fighting alone
three of the Spanish ships when sud
denly | saw in the distance white line,
which soon developed into the Oregon.
That he said, occurred about the time
the Oquendo went ashore.
did you ever see Commodore Schley
when he appeared to be laboring under
any mental excitement?
FEARED ONLY SHE'D ESCAPE.
"Oh, no He was jozial and good ma
tured at ali times and l did not observe
the least trace of excitement cor anxiety
except at one time. That was when it
looked as if the Colon might get away