The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1901-02-21
SAMPSON GOES HEAD
President Puts Kis Name Before
That Of Admiral Sch!ey.
SENATE WILL SETTLE MATTER
Old Controversy Concerning Rank
IS ReneWed--Hobson and Blue
Advanced In Numbers.

The president Thursday sent q
special message to the senate recon-
mending that the same recognition
that has been given Dewey and his
officers and men for his services in
Manila bay should be given Sampson,
commander of the north Atlantic feet
and his men for services in and about
Cuba. The message was as follows:
"Duripg our recent war with Spain
the United States naval force on the
north Atlantic section was charged
with varied and important duties,
chief among which were the mainten-
auce of the blockade of Cuba, aiding
>the army in landing troops, and III
subsequent operations, and particular
.ly in the pursuit, blockade and de-
structiou of the Spanish squadron
under Admiral Cervera.
s'This naval campaign, embracing
objects of wide scope and grave re-
sponsibilities on the part Of the com.
mander.in- chief and of the officers am
enlisted men under his command. It
eliminated in the annihilation of the
Spanish fleet in the battle Of July 3,
1898, one of the most memorable naval
engagements in history.
1.-The result of the battle was the
freeing of our Atlantic coast from the
possibilities to which it had been ex-
posed from Admiral Cevera's feet, and
the termination of the war upon the
seas.
tI recommend that, following our
national precedents, especially that in
the case of Admiral Dewey and the
Asiatic squadron, the thanks of con-
gress be given to Rear Admiral Will
liam T. Sampson, o. 8. N, and to the
officers and men under his command,
for highly distinguished conduct in
conflict with the enemy and in carry
ing on the blockade and naval cam
paign ON the Cuban coast, resulting
il the destruction of the Spanish feet
at Santiago de Cuba July 8, 1898.
civilian MCKINLEY.
The nominations in part were a.
follows:
Rear admirals to be advanced in
rank from the 18th day of February,
1895: William T. Sampson, five num-
5ere, to take rank next after Rear Ad-
lniral John A. Howell; Winfield Scott
Schley, three numbers, to take rank
rext after Rear Admiral Sampson.
when advanced.
Captains to be advanced in rank
from February II, 1901:
Robley D. Evans. FIVE members, and
to be a rear admiral; Henry C. Taylor,
five, and to be rear admiral; Francis
A. Cook, five Numbers; Charles E.
Clark, six; Charles D. Sigsbee, three;
French E. Chadwick, FIVE; John J.
Hunker, two.
After these came list of command
ers, lieutenant commanders and lieu
tenants. In the lattor Richard P.
Hobson and Victor Blue were included.
Hobson was advanced ten numbers
and Blue five.
OLD CONTROVERSY RENEWED.
The Sampson-Schley controversy
was renewed as the result of the
presidential nominations, and num-
Der of senators announced their oppo-
sition to the nominations. During
the afternoon number of them re-
ceived telegram from General Felix
Agnus, Of Baltimore, protesting
against the preferment of Admiral
Sampson. This telegram was as fol-
lows:
ST ask in the name of truth and JUS
tice that you will not allow history to
be perverted by making the advance
ment of Admiral Sampson over Ad-
miral Schley, for victory in which be
had not part. not even firing single
shot. Had Sampson, in announcing
the American victory, told the truth
and said that while he was unaroidably
absent at the time of the action, be it
said for the glory of the flag that
Schley was on the spot, America would
still be ringing with his plaudits.
This he did not do, as you we'll know.
Instead he started the controversy
which has just eliminated in the nom
nations sent to the senate. If they
are confirmed history will have been
falsified and a monstrous injustice
done brave American officer. May
ask you to prevent these confrma-
tions at this session."