The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-01

Washington. September 2s.-In the
Schley court OF inquiry today Captain
McCalla, of the Marblehead. concluded
his testimony which was begun yester-
day. and the court heard the testimony
of Lieutenant Commander w. III. II.
Switzerland who commanded the Eagle
during the Spanish war and also thar
of Lieutenant Cassius 3. Barnes.
Mr.. Stayton did not press his request
10 be allowed to appear as counsel for
Admiral Sampson. as he had announced
that he would do. He wrote a second
letter to the court renewing his appfica-
ton, and recounting the times that the
admirars name had been brought into
the case, but he left the city later In
the day, requesting the court to hold up
the matter for the present.
On the opening of court Mr.. Hanna
expressed his regret that he should
have used the term accused" in referr-
ing TO Admiral Schley.
CAPTAIN MCALLA CONTINUES.
When Captain McCalla took the wit
ness stand: Mr.. Hanna asked him
Were any ships assigned to the duty
of engaging the batteries on the MORN
ing of May 81, 1885, or during that day
or to the duty of enfilading the batter
ies?"
The reply was: None that know
Of"
Mr. Hanna then asked: Were there
any shoals or other obstacles of any
approaching the mouth OF the harbor
of Santiago sufficiently close to have
been within easy range Of the Colon?"
Captain Parker objected to the ques-
ton, but the court refused to sustain
the objection and the question was re-
peated.
Captain McCalla replied: None that
was the shoal on the west side OF the
channel opposite the morro."
Did the battleships go within range
OF the Colon?"
Not from my observation"
Were you so situated as to observe
the fall of shots from the fieet?"
Il was"
Where did they faIl?"
II think 1 saw every shot fired. They
all fell short that / saw. One very
nearly reached the Colon"
The witness described conferences
of commanding officers on the Brook
fyn on May 29th. He said: THE COM.
manding officers were ordered on board
the Brooklyn on May 18th. 1t was with
only remember one specific thing which
took place at the close. and that was
that Captain Evans asked Cornmodore
Schley if the Spanish ships came out
if he was going in for them. He said.
certainly and then arranged for a suo-
division Of fire from the ships unde-
his command on the Spanish ships
should they come out
Mr.. Hanna: Prior to that confer
ence on May 18th had you at any time
received definite instructions respecting
the order Of battle or the mode OF pro-
cedure which the feet should follow In
case the Spanish vessels should sud-
denly appear?"
II do not remember"
NOT ALL THE GLORY FOR sAMP-
SON.
Did you have any further CONVERSE
ton with Commodore Schley?o
II had conversation with him In his
cabin after the battle of Santiago.
about July 5th. in Guantanamo bay. I
wen. on board. making an official eall
to pay my respects. and during the yis-
it Commodore Schley read to me what
understood to be part Of his Official
report Of the battle. After he had nm
ished 1 said: Commodore, you remem-
Der that after the battle OF Lake Erfe
there was an unfortunate controversy
and hope that there viii be none az
ter the battle Of Santiago. because thera.
vas glory enough for everybody"
moRE TESTIMONY AS TO INNEH
BLOCKADE LINE.
i.elating the particulars Of the block
ade OF Santiago before June 1st. Can
tain AcCalla said the MarbIehead ana
the Vixen had at night occupied posi-
tions inside the large ships about two.
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