The age-herald., 1901-10-24
For First Time Admiral Dewey Has to Use His
 .GaVeI SCHLEY TAXES STAND TODAY Boatswain Hill Tells In Graphic Man. ner of the Fieht-Heads Were Ducking, But Not the
 Admral's.

Washington, october 2s.-Admiral Schley is expected to take the witness stand in the naval court of inquiry which is Investigating his conduct in the Span ish war, some time tomorrow. This an- nouncement is justified by the progress made today In the examination of wit nesses called to testify in the admiral s behalf. Eight witnesses were heard to- day and there are only three more names on the list preceding the name of the ad- miral himself Of these three only Cap tain Clark of the Oregon is expected to testify at any length. It is not proba- ble that the admiral will be called before the afternoon session. He will be the last of the witnesses to be heard in SUD- port of his side and will probably be on the stand for two or three days
 Probably few witnesses will be called in rebuttal Judge Advocate Lemly and MT. Hanna win call as Q rebutting wit ness, if he can be found, Sylvester Scovel, whose testimony Is desired In connection with the incident of the meeting of the press boat, Somers M. Smith, by the scout boat St. Paul while the latter was off Santiago in May, 1898. The first of to- days new witnesses James Hare, pho  Captain Sigsbee of the St. Paul had told the correspondents aboard the Smith on May 26 or 27 that Cervera's fleet was not inside the harbor at Santiago MT. Sco- vel was among the correspondents on the Smith. 1t Is also probale that an effort will be made to rebut other portions of the testimony given in Admiral Schley's be- half including Lieutenant Sears denial of conversation concerning Admiral Schley, which the lieutenant Is alleged to have taken part In on board the Massa- chusetts on May 31.
 While Boatswain Hill was giving his testimony today, which was very com plimentary to Admiral Schley, there were two outbursts of ap1iapse which were suppressed by Admiral Dewey.
 Met the St. Paul.
 MT. James H. Hare was the first new witness today. He was press pho tographer during the Santiago campaign. He stated that he was on the press boat Somers N. Smith on May 26 or 27, and that they had met the St. Paul.
 we asked the St. Paul If there was any tidings of Cervera's fleet" said the witness. Captain Sigsbee told us there was not; that Ceryera's fleet was not in- side and that Schley had gone west On Sigsbee's assurance that the fleet was not in the harbor we went back to Key West lO COdt iiiSttdo Ol lile llibt news we got there was that Cervera' s fleet was bottled up in the harbor.''
 MT. Hare was succeeded by Chief Boat swain William l.. Hill, who was a boat swain on the Brooklyn during the sum mer of 1898. Concerning the weather on the cruise between Cienfuegos and San tiago, Hill said:
 "The weather was rough. It was worse than that. I should say it was blowing
 
 the seas were breaking completely over the Massachusetts. I made an entry to that effect
 Describes the Battle.
 In tho course of hia description of the battle of July 3, the witness said q heard Commodore Schley say, port and the ship started to swing to starboard. The helm was put over hard sport, and she swung around on her helm The fire from our batteries never ceased from the time We started to turn until the end of the battle, when the Colon went ashore The Texas was on our starboard hand and she was fully a third of a mile from us. There was never any question in my mind about striking her. We did not cross her bow. We were slightly ahead of her and turned Tn that way entirely clear of her. After swinging around we lined up parallel with the 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. At this time there was not d 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 or fifteen Of us standing together.'
 "The commodore asked in a matter of fact tone, What is the range? Ellis raised the stadimeter 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 1t overboard.' The commo- dore said, No, don't throw that body overheard. He died like a brave man. and I am going to bury him like one. {. He directed me to look out for the body I had it wrapped in blankets laid in the shade and that evening 1t was gotten ready for burial The Viscaya was put ting up the best fight of any ship there. She fought well and the big shells were going over us and great many tucked. The big shells sounded like a half dozen railway trains under way. As they were heard going through the air down would go a head, but Commodore Schley's head never bent'
 Admiral Dewey Uses Gavel.
 There was a great outburst of applause in the court room as the witness in a dramatic way recited this incident. Ad- miral Dewey, for the first time during the sessions of the court, found it necessary to pound his gavel on the table and ad- monish the audience against such demonstrations.
 Continuing the 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 know this; do they know that this ship has gone ashore and that that ship has gone ashore His whole idea seemed to be that he wanted the people below to know as much about 1t as us on deck.
 Continuing his account of the battle Mir. Hill said that before the vizcaya went ashore she had made turn to ram the Brooklyn. He was proceeding to say that he knew this to be the case because an officer of the Spanish ship had told him so, but this testimony was ruled out. The witness then said that he himself knew that to be her purpose.