The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1901-10-26
The Victor,s Battle stnrr-

The day viii be long remembered in
our navy when the Victor OF Santiago.
modest. calm, and lucid, faced his pros
ecurors and 10 a Court composed Of
three old comrades graphically unfold
ed the history Of the great sea battle
which he had won. to the eternal glory
Of the American flag and people.
His story completely cleared UP
all doubt concerning particular in
cidents Of the engagement, that
might have remained when he took the
stand No one can study his testimony
without being deeply impressed with
the loyalty, ability, and bravery Of the
man who commanded in the action. He
tells US how. on the evening Of July
2, 1898, he saw the unusual commOtion
in Santiago Harbor, and columns Of
smoke ascending, and how it seemed to
him that the Spanish squadron must
be getting in line for a sOrtie. On pro
fessional grounds. he had thought such
movement probable and the only
thing for Admiral Cervera 70 do in the
circumstances As soon as possible he
notified Admiral Sampson Of the facts.
and an order came from that officers
flagship 10 move inshOre, which was
executed by the fleet. This would seem
10 indicate that, although he might
have forgotten he incident next morn
ing it's Importance had occurred to him
the night before.
But when the morning Of July 3 broke
clear and bright. Admiral Sampson.
who had despatch boats in plenty at his
service, signaled the fleet to disregard
the movements Of the cOmmander-in-
chief and took the powerful New York
away from the blOckading force. Pres
emily the Spanish ships began 10 come
out Of the harbOr. True to his principle
Of loyalty To a superior officer. Commo-
oore S'hley swept the horizon with his
glasses in an effort 70 locate Admiral
Sampson; but that alert officer had
made such good speed with his flagship
that e was neither within signaling
distance nor anywhere visible. Not
unit! he was satisfied Of that fact did
Commodore Schlcy. who had become
commandments Of the feet by rea-
son OF Admiral SIMPSONS absence and
signal before leaving, proceed TO take
active command.
II appears from his own and the cyi-
dence Of other officers that the battle
was fought upon the plan which Com
mOd0re Schley had prepared and com
muniCated 10 the commanders Of the
Flying Squadron long before the arri-
Val Of Admiral Sampson off Santiago
on June l. The tactical arrangement
proposed by the commodore was a de-
Walton from former practice. and
consisted I'm a formation and move
ment5 calculated 10 head Off and en-
gage the foremost vessel Of the enemy's
squadron. Thus. the Brooklyn. after
eGecting the loop, was headed for the
leading ship If Cervera's column, and
made such time in the chase that she
was IN action alone against three Of the
Spaniards, until the Oregon came up.
one after another the enemy ships be
came crippled by the terrible and ac-
Curate fire Of the American fleet. and
made for shore and surrendered. To
whom Certainly not 10 Admiral Samp-
son. because he did not arrive until an
hour and fifteen or twenty minutes af-
ter the Colon, the last 10 haul down her
nag, had surrendered 90 Commodore
ScLley Admiral Cervera has since
said that he knew nothing Of Admiral
Sampson and had not met him. since
that gentleman was not present on the
occasion Of the Spanish defeat
To this matter we find no allusion in