The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-15
THE DELAY BYSAMPSON
In Sending important Information to
SChley Brought Out in the
Court of Inquiry.

and Cape Francis in the vicinity of
Cane Pedras?"
Yes"
Did you have the blockade of Cien-
fuegos in mind when you protested
against the sending of the congatula-
tory dispatch?"
May 1 ask if you mean I had that
only in mind?"
Il do not mean that. 7 mean whether
you brought it in mind at ALL
Il can say 1 had it partially
After Mr.. Rayner had formally asked
his second question, Captain Chad
wick offered a written reply, but H1r.
Rayner objected, saying he must first
read what the witness had written he
fore he answered.
Captain Chadwick then tore up bis
written reply and answered verbally.
II had it partly in mind.
On redirect examination Mr.. Hanna
brought out the information that the
telegram of congratulation to Commo-
dore Schley had been based partially
upon the capture of collier with coal
for the Spanish fleet, which capture
was made by Captain Sigsbee.
Captain Chadwick also said that he
had drafted Admiral SIMPSONS sec
ond dispatch of May 21st, the one sent
from Havana, and while the dispatch
from Key West, designated as No. s.
was sent at o'clock the second was
sent between and o'clock.
Captain Chadwick was then excused
and Lieutenant Commander Sidney A.
Stanton was called. Before the Wit
ness took his seat, Judge Advocate
Lemly asked and received permission
to put in as evidence Admiral Samp-
sons official report made at Guantan-
amo bay August 3rd, 1898
HOW INFORMATION OF SPANISH
FLEET WAS SECURED.
Lieutenant Commander Stanton re-
lated the particulars of his securing in
formation of the presence of Cervera's s
fleet at Santiago. He said that while
the fleet under Admiral Sampson lay
at Key West on the morning of May
goth he went ashore. While in the Of
flee of Commodore Remey, he said
Captain Allen. of the signal office, had
called him aside and told him that ne
had decided information of the pres
ence of the Spanish fleet at Santiago
which he believed to be correct The
information was to the effect that the
fleet had entered the harbor on May
18th. The information came from an
employe of the telegraph office at Ha-
vana, who could only send his informa-
tion at o'clock when others were alb
sent from the office there. Captain
Allen had. the witness said, asked that
great secrecy be observed for the pro-
lection of the operator, only agreeing
that the commander-in-chief and his
staff should be informed. Later, the
witness had returned to Key West and
received confirmatory information.
Commander Stanton then stated that
on the next morning, May 21st, the
fleet proceeded to the blockade of Ha-
vana, Admiral Sampson being satisfied
that the information concerning the
presence of the fleet at Santiago was
correct. The admiral, accordingly had
called up the Hawk and forwarded his
dispatches TO Commodore Schley.
Captain Lemly: Tell the court full
| ly from what source the information
was received concerning the arrival CT
Cervera's fleet in Santiago. 1 would
like you to identify the dispatch i,lIt
into cipher at that time, to which you
refer
The dispatch / referred to as having
been drawn up by Captain Chadwick,
in my presence is the dispatch known
| as the memorandum that accompanied
| dispatch No. 81
SAMPSON DELAYS SENDING DIS
PATCH NO. s.
Mr.. Rayner: "The Hawk carried No.
| s. is that right?''
The captain of the Hawk was called
on board and remember his instruc-
| tlons We're to proceed with all speed
| until he met the Vesuvius and trans
NIT the dispatch to her as she was a
faster vessel. AS to whether No. s was
| enclosed with this. I was not secre-
| tary and did not enclose it,
/ When did the Hawk leave?"
'She left Havana blockade some
distance west Of Havana, about dusk,
| on May Ist. probably about $50
| o'clock
Then you received this information
on May Goth at $3.50 o'clock in the
morning and the Hawk left at dusk
| May 21st?"
/ THAT is correct
| The witness said in reply to ques-
| ton that the memorandum beginning:
The enclosed instructions will reach
| you,' had not been sent by the
| Continued on the Fourth Page.)