The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1901-09-28
ADMIRAL COTTON TEsrrF1Es,
He Was Commander Of the Harvard
seat Formerly Oeeapied BY Jndge
Wilson Was vaeant--Attoraey
Raynor Is Now sehIey's senior
Coua.el-Charss In Court.

Washington, Sept. S6,---N hen the, Schley
court Of inquiry convened at the navy
yard there were general comments upon
the fact that the seat which had been oc-
cupied from the beginning Of the sitting
by Judge Wilson was vacant. He had
endeared himself not only to the members
of the court, but to all persons about
court, and sorrow was shown on every
countenance.
In answer to a question by the Asso-
eiated Press, Admiral Sehley stated that
since the death of Judge Wilson, Attor-
ney Isadore Raynor would be the lead
ing counsel in his ease, and that he would
be assisted by Captain James Parker of
New Jersey, and by Nj. \, league of
Baltimore Is an expert assistant The
business OF the court was promptly re-
samed at the usual hour.
The wall back of the court was adorn-
ell with a large chart showing the
groundsite Of the battle OF Santiago on
July ). The southern coast Of Cuba in
the vicinity OF Santiago was plainly
marked, and the points at which the
spanish ships went to the bottom or to
the shore were all indicated in plain let.
tering There were also a number OF
large transparent charts, sitting about in
the rear of the room, and which were in
tended to illustrate various phases of the
Santiago campaign. All these had been
prepared with view OF exPediting the
work OF the court
The first witness called was \. B. Clax-
ton, the maehinist on board the Texas,
who had begun his testimony when the
sitting OF the court was so abruptly ter
minated by the death OF Judge Wilson.
Before MIR. Glaxtor took the stand
Commander Heilner was called to make
a few minor corrections in the official
copy of his testimony.
Rear Admiral Cotton, now comma ndant
of the Norfolk navy yard, who COM
manded the auxiliary cruiser Harvard
during the Spanish war, was the next
witness. He told of meeting the flying
squadron under Commodore Sehley of
santiago on May p, 1895, and said that
on that date he had delivered dispatches
to the commodore from Admiral SAmp-
son and the navy department. He had,
he said, boarded the Brooklyn about
1880 o'clock. The weather was then
moderate, and he had had no difficulty
in going aboard the Brooklyn from his
boat. He had worn his sword
In response to further questions Admi-
raj Cotton said that he had the original
traushtions of the cipher dispatches ad-
dressed to the Harvard. The dispatch OF
May p was then read to him as follows:
Washington, May 5, 1898. Hair
ward. st. Nicholas Mole, Hayti: Pro
coed at once and inform Sehley ami also
the senior officer present of SIntilgo as
follows;
All department information indicates
Spanish division Is still at Santiago. The
department looks to you to ascertain the
facts, and that the enemy, if there, does
not leave without decisive action. Cubans
familiar with Santiago say that there are
landing places five or six nautical miles
west from the mouth of the hIrbOr, and
there insurgents probably will be found
anu Hot llc : pdAASA- EIuH lte suIIOuHu-
ing heights can see every vessel in port.
As soon as ascertained notify the de
partment whether the enemy is there
Could not squadron and also the Harvard
coal from Merrimae leeward of Cape
Cruze, Gonllves channel or Mole, H4yti?
The department will send coal immedi-
ltely to Mole. Report without delay the
situation at Santiago, Cuba. LONG"
Mr.. Raynor called attention to the fact
that there were some material changes
in the dispatches as printed in the official
reports by the navy department.
Admiral Sehley's reply to these dis
patches, dated May %, in which he said
he could not obey the orders of the de-
partment, was then read, and Mr.. kaynOr
pointed out various changes in the Ian
guage OF the dispatch as printed in the
official report. He addressed the court
briefly concerning these changes.