The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-10-29

A IL.
flag is an order of battle. How often
has the signal follow the flag been
given? The only signal Nelson ever gave
at Trafalgar was that England expects
every man to do his duty. "
Captain Lemly asked Mr.. Rayner if he
was combining himself to July Srd, in re-
gard to the plan of battle.
What order? ' asked Mr.. Rayner.
could Admiral Schley have given be-
tween une 1st and July 3rd?''
HE was going out to meet the enemy
said Captain Lemly, and we contend that
under these circumstances he should
have had a prescribed alternative order
of battle. This whole matter has gone
right through the entire proceedings, as
to whether he had a prescribed order or
battle in writing and distributed to the
fleet under his command, and it belongs
to that clause of the precept, Conduct
during the Santiago campaign"
The court retired for consultation.
Upon returning Admiral Dewey stated
their decision as follows:
The court decides that all questions
to be asked o fthe applicant shall be
confined to between May 10 and June 1st
relating to the organization, manage
ment and control of that squadron when
he was actually commander chief"
The Judge Advocate then asked the wit
ness whether, between the dates to
which the court had restricted the ex-
animation, he had, according to Article
I'll of the Regulations, furnished each
captain with a plan of battle.
Verbally, yes
but not in writing?"
Il did not think the Regulations re-
uuired it,
did you communicate to your captains
your confidential instructions from Ad-
miral Sampson not to expose your ships
to land batteries before the destruction
of the Spanish f1eet?"
Il did not because l regarded them as
confidential"
I'm your report you say that the Iowa
arrived off Cienfuegos May %. Although
she started day later did she not arrive
only about five hours after the squad
ron?'
Although we did not go in during the
night, / considered that we arrived off
Cienfuegos May 81
Captain Lemly asked the witness to
look at the signal book of the Brooklyn
for May %, and to read signal which
had been made at 535 a. m, by the Texas
to the flag ship. This he did, reading
as follows: please tell me what we
have to do today"
$40, flagship to Texas: when we get
close to the port we will blockade it and
unite but will keep under way ready for
anything
In answer to a question from Captain
Lemly, regarding the orders, Clear ship
for action Admiral Schley explained
that the ships were practically cleared
for action all the time, but that there
was always a certain amount of parapher-
MALTA aboard the ships to prevent persons
falling overheard, or awnings which had
to be removed, and that was what he
had in mind when he signalled to Clear
ship for action"
(which was the closer blockade, at
Cienfuegos, or Santiago?"
Il think at Cienfuegos. There we we're
from three to four miles off; at Santiago
we were from three and half to FIVE
and a half miles; closer at both places
at night"
''At Cienfuegos did you issue any plan
of battle in case the Spanish fleet should
attempt to enter or come out?''
mo. l should have replied upon sig
mall"
you stated in one of your reports that
while lying off lCienfuegos, you feigned
disorder in the squadron in the hope that
the Spanish feet would come out. Did you
inform the captains of the squadron of
this ruse?''
mo, / think not. l talked with some
of those aboard the Brooklyn about it,
After the noon recess the Judge Ad-
vocate closely questioned the witness
about the time of the receipt of the
Dear Schley'' letter which the Admiral
declared was received May 22nd, accord
ing TO his best recollection.
But in your letter to the Senate you
said that this letter came to you on the
23rd and confused The situation
THAT is fact"
But if it came on the 22nd?"
,'As / have stated before | wrote the
communication to the Senate from mem
ory The point was that at that time l
had not received order Number g..
Captain Lemly then began line of
inquiry to develop the facts concerning
alleged delays en- route from Key West
to 'Jienfuegos. Mr.. Rayner suggested the
precept did not cover this matter but
the court decided that the inquiry might
be made. Captain Lemly asked why the
Iowa had gained fourteen hours on the
squadron.
1.-THE only reason l can gqive,' said
the witness, lis that she stood directly
across from Key West to Havana: also
that in shore the current would not be as
srong as il was off shore. Then prob
ably she may have steamed out of the
current after she got around"
Capt Lemly asked: why did you
not make an eoffrt to ascertain whether
the Spanish fleet was in Cienfuegos?"
81 made a distinct effort on May 20,
by GLOWING the Adula to go i'm
'You regard that as the best effort
that could have been made?"
81 do, inasmuch as she was to come
out the day following"
The witness was then questioned as to