Evening star., 1901-10-23

the Colon went ashore. The guns were con-
stantly being fired The Texas was on our
starboard hand and she was fully a third
of a mile from There was never any
question in my mind about striking her.
We did not come anywhere near her. We
did not cross her bow. We were slightly
ahead of herand turned in that way entirely
clear of her. After swinging around We
lined up parallel with Spanish fleet. In a
few minutes the Teresa went ashore on fire.
Soon after the Oquendo followed and then
We sided up with the Viscaya and kept
with her for ten or twelve miles,
Big Shells Coming BrOOkIyn's Way.
AT this time there was no ship to be seen
astern except the Oregon, which was about
a half mile from US. On this run with the
Viscaya Ellis was killed. There were
fourteen OF fifteen of US standing together.
The commodore asked, in a matter-of-fact
tone. What is the ranger Ellis raised the
standimeter to his eye, and as he did so a
shell took his head off. AS he fell to the
deck. dead, young McCauley said, Let's
throw it overheard The commodore said,
No don't throw that body overheard. He
died like brave man and 1 am going to
bury him like one He directed me to look
out for the body l had it wrapped in
blankets, laid in the shade. and that even
ing 1t was gotten ready for burial The
Niscaya was putting up the best fight of
any ship there She fought well. and the
big shells Were going over us and a great
many of US ducked Those shells sounded
like half dozen railroad trains under way.
As they were heard going through the air
down would go head. but Commodore
SchleyS head never bent
An Outburst of Applause.
There was great outburst of applause
in the court room as in a dramatic way the
witness recited this incident. Admiral
Dewey, for the first time during the ses-
sions of the court, found it necessary to
pound his gavel on the table and admonish
the audience against such demonstrations.
Continuing his story, the witness said:
He was as calm, cool and collected as he
is at this moment His only thought was
for his men, He called constantly as the
different events occurred, saying, Do the
bullieS below know this; do they know
that; that this ship has gone ashore and
that ship has gone ashore?' His whole idea
seemed to be that he wanted the people be-
low to know as much about it those of
us on deck
Continuing his account of the battle, Mr.
Hill said that before the Viscaya went
ashore she had made a turn to ram the
Brooklyn. He was proceeding to say that
he knew this to be the case because an Off
Ger of the Spanish ship had told MIN so
but this testimony was ruled out. The wit
ness then said that he himself knew that to
be her purpose.
Speaking of the Oregon. he said that dur
ing the chase of the Spanish vessels that
vessel could always be seen, and was the
only American vessel that could be. She
was, he said. from one-quarter to half a
mile inshore.- He also said that at the time
the Viscaya turned in the Colon was 6 600
yards ahead.
Later in the chase of the Colon he said
that Captain Cook had put his head out
of the coming tower and asked the COM
mOdore: Don't you think we'd better close
in a lttle?"
And" said the witness parenthetically
Il thought so myself But" he went on,
the commodore replied: No. Don't you
see that point ahead2 Just soon as that
fellow starts to come out I'm going to head
him Off I'E get him yet. D-n him, I'll
follow him to Spain IL have tor"
Dewey Cheeks the Demonstration.
This testimony was given in clear and
distinct tones and was heard distinctly
throughout the large court room. Like a
previous statement. it was received with a
burst of applause, but the demonstration
was quickly suppressed by Admiral Dewey,
whose words of reprobation to the audi
ence were followed by a word Of admoni-
ton from Mr.. Rayner TO the witness The
admiral rose and raised his hands In depre-
cation of the demonstration. his face was
husned. and ne said: Stop! stop! Let's
have none of that"
Give US the facts. simply" said Mr..
Rayner.
These are the facts replied the wit
ness
Taking the witness, Capt Lemly cross
examined him about all the points covered
by his testimony. In response to one of his
questions Mr. Hill said that he had not
heard any conversation between Commo-
dore Schley and Lieut.. Commander Hods-
son about the Brooklyn's helm or the Texas
during the engagement of July g.
The court asked three questions which
with their answers. are as follows:
How did you know that the Texas asked
permission to go to Guantanamo to coal
because she could not coal In the omen
scar .~ H
From general talk. I know personally
that she did go to Guantanamo
DID the Texas stop and back during the
Brooklyns turn?'
No. sir; saw the Texas distinctly when
the turn began. and during the turn and
she did not make any back water and she
did not STOP"
Did you hear any conversation between
tommodore Schley and any other officer
during the early part of the engagement OF
July 3?'' "
II heard none before or during the turn
Tnere was no officer with the commodor,
on my side Of the ship"
Lieut.. AckePman on the stand.
Witness Hill was then excused and Lieut.
A A. Ackerrnan called
Lieut. Ackerman was In command of the
altar 13-inch turret and the after S-inch
turrets OF the Oregon on the day of the
battle on. Santiago. and in response to q
request from Mr.. Rayner gave q running
account OF that engagement. Describing
the beginning of the action, he said:
We closed mp the matches and laid out