The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1901-10-17
THE CUBAN CAMPAIGN
REVIEWED BEFORE THE SCHIEY
COURT BY LIEUTENANT CON-
WANDER SEARS.
SCHLEY'S FLAG OFFICER

DCHLEY' IS FLAG OFFICER
Gives Detailed Account of the Ret
rograde Movement in Search of Coal
and the Battle of July 3-captain
Cock Recalled and Gives Additional
Testimony Regarding the Commo-
dore's Conduct.
Washington, Oct. 1G.-Only one new
witness was heard in detail by the
Schley court Of inquiry during the
day. This was Lieutenant Comman-
der James H. Sears. who was Admiral
Schley's flag lieutenant during the
Spanish war. He gave a detailed ac-
count of the entire Cuban campaign,
including the brief siege of Cienfue-
COS, the retrograde movement of the
Hylng squadron in search OF coal, the
blockade Of Santiago, the reconnais-
sance Of the Santiago shore batteries
and the bOmbardment of the Cristobal
Colon May 81, and the battle off San
tiago July 8, when Ceryera's fleet was
destroyed. He placed the distance
out Of the blockading line at Cienfue-
COS at from one to four miles and at
Santiago at from three to six miles.
He expressed the opinion that in the
battle of July 3 it had been the Viz
caya's intention to ram the Brooklyn.
Mr.. Rayner sought to secure the
introduction Of a brief report of the
battle of July 8, which Commodore
Schley prepared for transmission to
the secretary of the navy. It was
stated that Commander Sears had
taken this dispatch ashore to be
cabled to the secretary, but that it
never had reached that official. The
dispatch was ruled out on the ground
that as it was not received it was not
an official communication.
Captain Cook was recalled during
the day and in response to a question
by Captain Lemly made an additional
statement concerning the retrograde
movement of the flying squadron May
D5 to IS. He also said in answer to
& question by the court, that Com
modore Schley during the battle of
july 3 was "cool, brave and enthusi-
astlc. | cannot imagine any conduct
IN the battle more admirable.''
Commander Sears 7estifics.
il After Pilot Nunez had made a cor
rection in his former testimony Lieu
tenant Commander Sears took the
to
Rayncr Mr.. Sears said that he knew
nothing Of a secret code of signals for
communicating with the insurgents
when the squadron arrived off Glen
fuegos. The witness gave a detailed
account of the encounter with the
British steamer Adula Describing
the cruise from Cienfuegos to Santi-
ago Mr.. Sears said the weather was
boistcrous with a heavy sea and coal
ing would have been unsafe before
May 27. The squadron was also de.
laycA by the small boats. The wit
ness said the distance maintained in
the blockade was from three to six
miles, according to the weather, being
closer in during thick weather and at
night. He also described the recon
Nuisance Of May 81. the purpose of
which Commodore Schley informed
him, was to ascertain what the shore
batteries were. Witness also described
the engagement Of July g. The reason
for the loop was that the Brooklyn
was within 900 yards Of the Viscaya
which was her tactical diameter, the
helm was then ordered hard aport."
After the turn was made the Brooklyn
was abreast the leading Spanish ship
The course of the Brooklyn was very
straight as the navigator was trying
to keep the guns to bear at the best
range. Just before the Viscaya went
in shore she made what looked like an
attempt to ram the Brooklyn and this
was met by the flagship. The witness
also described the signals used by the
Brooklyn during the battle
Recall! Captain Cook.
After Judge Advocate Lemly had
crOss-eXamined Mr.. Sears without any
new facts being developed Captain
CoON OF the Brooklyn was recalled to
correct his testimony. While he was
Oil the stand Captain Lemly took oc~
caSiOn TO ask & number Of questions,
especially concerning the retrograde
movement CT May 26. He said he had
had a conversation with Commodore
Schley concerning that movement.
The comm cjOre had said he must
have coal, and would start in the
direction Of Key West and go toward
that base until the weather moderated
SO he could coal from Golfers. Sew
cral questions also were asked by the
court. One of these related specific
ally in regard to the conduct Of Com
modore Schley in the battle of July 8.
He replied:
Il cannot imagine any conduct more
admirable. He was cool, brave and
enthusiastic from the beginning to the
end Of that action
He said in reply to question from
Mr.. Rayner that on the occasion of
that engagement the commodore's po-
sition had been one of as great danger
as had been that of any other person.
Before leaving the stand Captain
Cook was asked by Mr.. Rayner:
What damage or injury was done
to the Brooklyn on the day of the bat
tie by the Spanish ships?''
My recollection is that she was