The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1902-02-27
REAL. "HER0" FOUND
Roosevelt Renders His Decision
In Schley Appeal Case.
SAYS WAINWRIGHT WAS lit"
According to President Neither Schley
or Sampson Deserves Any spe-
caI Credit for the Battle
of Santiago.

The decision Of President Roosevelt
on the appeal of Rear Admiral Schiey
was given to the press "Wednesday
night. The salient features of the de
cision are as follows:
All the accusations against Schley
based on his conduct prior to the bat
tie off Santiago, are thrown out. The
president holds that If Admiral Schley
erred during that period his offensef
were condoned by his retention as sec
ond in command.
On the question of command the
president says:
Technically Sampson commanded
the fleet, and Schley, as usual, the
western division. The actual fact IS
that after the battle was joined not g
helm was shifted, not gun was fired
not q pound of steam was put on In the
engine room aboard any ship actively
engaged in obedience to the order Of
either Sampson or Schley, save on
their own two vessels. 1t was cap
tain's fight"
Sampson was hardly more than
technically in the fight. His only claim
for credit rests upon his work as com
mander in chief in planning to meet
the Spanish ships when they should
come out.
Schley is entitled, as is Captain
Cook, 10 the credit for what the
Brooklyn did in the fight. On the
whole, the president finds that the
Brooklyn did we'll, though he consid
ers the vessels loop" the "one grave
mistake" made by any American ship
during the battle.
The president considers that the
most striking act Of. the battle was
that of the Gloucester, whose com
nander, Wainwright, pushed Into the
fight through a hail of project!les In
order that he might do his part in de.
Stroying the two torpedo boats. For
this conduct Wainwright was entitled
20 receive more than any other com.
nander with the possible exception OF
Clark, of the Oregon.
1t was just to Admiral Sampson that
he should receive a greater advance
in numbers than Admiral Schley.
There was nothing done in the battle
that warranted any unusual reward
for. either.
There is no excuse whatever from
either side for any further agitation
Ct this unhappy controversy. To keep
it alive would merely do damage to the
navy and to the country.
In the first paragraph Of the decis.
ion the president says: have receiv.
ed the appeal Of Admiral Schley and
the answer thereto from the navy de-
partment. have examined both with
the utmost care, as we'll as the preced-
ing appeal to the secretary Of the
navy. l have read through all the tes-
timcny taken before the court and the
statements Of the counsel for Admi~
rails Sampson and Schley; have exam
ined all the official reports of every
kind in reference to .he Santiago ma
val campaign, copies Of the log books
and signal books, and the testimony
before the court Of claims. and have
also personally had before me the four
surviving captains Of the five ships,
aside from those Of the two admirals,
which were actively engaged at San
tiago.
The closing paragraph is as follows:
Both Admiral Sampson and Admi-
raj Schley are now on the retired list.
In concluding their report the mem
bers of the court of inquiry, Admirals
Dewey, Benham and Ramsay, unite in
stating that they recommend that no
further action be had in the matter.
With this recommendation l most
heartily concur There IS no excuse
whatever from either side for any fur
ther agitation Of this unhappy contro-
vcrsy. To keep 1t alive would merely
do damage to the navy and to the
country.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"