The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-11-06

Washington, Oct. 31.-In the Schley
court Of inquiry today a number OF
witnesses were introduced by Judge
Advocate Lemly to testify in rebuttal
of the evidence given in Admiral
Schley's behalf. The court decided
early in the day that no witnesses
could be introduced at this stage of
the proceedings to give testimony on
immaterial points. This announce
ment was made in connection with an
effort to prove conversation on board
the Massachusetts, in which Lieut..
Sears, who was Admiral Schley's flag
lieutenant, was represented to have
said, For Gods sake don't discour-
age him. (meaning Commodore
Schley. It is all that we have been
able to do to work him up to this.
It had the effect Of relieving Lieut..
Commander Grant, Lieut.. Comman-
der Potts and other officers of the
Massachusetts,. who had been called to
testify concerning this conversation
with Mr.. Sears, which is said to have
occurred On the Massachusetts, just
before the reconnaissance Of May 81.
On the other hand the court held
that it was not bound by the ordinary
proceedings in civil courts as to the
time when testimony can be taken and
that witnesses might be called or re-
called any time for the purpose OF
making additions to former state
ments but that none of them could
reiterate testimony previously given.
This decision was rendered upon an
objection raised by Mr.. Raynor to al
lowing Capt. Sigsbee to give new testi-
mony when called as a witness IN re-
buttal.
Capt. Chadwick in his statement
today said that the precautionary dis
patches from the navy department. in
regard to attacking the Spanish shore
batteries had not been communicated
to Commodore Schley. This state
ment is regarded as of great import
ance by Admiral Schley's opponents
as it distinctly contradicts the ad-
miral's own statements.
Capt. T. S. Borden. junior marine
officer on the Brooklyn, gave testl-
monv corroborative of that given by
other officers of the Brooklyn. He had
seen the Brooklyn's loop, of which he
said: ..In the course of the turn l
fred guns on either side, starboard
and port. Smoke was very thick at
that time, and during the turn | saw
no vessels at all, although [ had a
plain view of the stern ports. | Judge
l could see about 500 yards distinct
ly."
In reply to questions from Mr.. Ray
nor be said he had seen Commodore
Schley three times during the battle,
and that bis bearing was everything
that the officers and crew could have
The witness said he fred at three
ships inside of three minutes by a
slight change in turn.
As Capt. Borden left the stand Mr..
q MAY it please the court we have
This statement was made at Ii. Is a.
m. in such quiet tones that 1t IS
doubtful whether its purport was IN
derstood by half of those present.
Capt. Parker put in evidence a
number Of documents, including the
report cf the battle from Montevldo
June l3, 1900.
This report has never been printed.
Following is an exact summary:
..In nv Judgment from an obstruct-
cd view Of the entire field of action
during the combat the Viscaya was
not more than 1000 yards distant.
My flag lieutenant, standing at my
elbow, reminded me that the distance
between the leaders of the Spanish
squadron and ourselves was approach
ing our tactical diameter The stadl, ado
mer me- at this instant indicated 900
yards. The Brooklyn then swung to
starboard to meet what proved to be
the last of the attempts to ram the
Brooklyn, for the Viscaya then turned
square to starboard and followed the
Maria Teresa until the latter's destruc-
ton. These facts admit of no con
tradiction, for they are based on the
independent Judgment and observation on
of two or more persons, and upon the
hands of nerSOQ