The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-14
NAVY MAKES SECOND
ATTACKON FORTRESS
Especial to The Times-pispatch.)

Especial to Thc Times Dispatch.)
FORT MONROE. juno 1875 P. MA
second attack on Fort Monroe took place
to-day shortly after 10 o'clock. and
again resulted in a decided victory for
the army, although it is only fair to
say the odds were overwhelmingly in
favor OF the coast defense.
The battleship "Texas,'' closely fol-
lowed by the Hornet" steamed in and
attempted to run the mine field. They
each struck torpedoes twice, and as far
as the engagement was concerned, are
both supposed to DO now resting in the
quiet briny depths Of Hampton Roads.
Artillery officers are iubilant for the
!. question of the mine field protection was
one of the most Interesting features Of
the "exerclses.
The Attack.
1t was close upon midday when far out
beyond Bug Light a great white ship
was discovered stcaming rapidly towards
the fort. In her wake could be seen a
smaller companion of the same color.
Straight towards the great guns Of the
batteries they raced Until tho range
finders indicated 1900 yards as the dis
tance. The fort literally swarmed with
men In kahki, while through glasses it
was clearly seen that the decks, bridge
and fighting tops of the Texas were alive
with men Of tho navy. Like phantom
ships they came through the mist. Not
"a shot was fired by the wnrshps. and
Fl except for one terrific boom" Of the
mortar battery the fort. too. was silent.
Tho mortars. so artillery officers say,
would have proved fatal to both the
Texas and the Hornet, but the problem
was whether or not they would run tho
gauntlet of the mine field, and that was
the game being played. AS the battle
ship sped along suddenly bell sounded,
and then followed another. 1t was all
over, for the signal bell told that n con-
tact mine had been struck and that
twice over the Texas was like McGinty,
"at the bottom of the sea- The Hornet
Jared no better. and she. like the flag
ship dipped her tplors and ran in behind
the Rip Paps
Slowly the ships turned about and
slowly steamed back to the capes to
find the old Hartford and the other yes
sells of the fleet,
There was nothing SPECTACULAR about
to- days engagement II lacked the mag
nificent efforts of light and sound of the
previous early. morning attack. but still
the sight was a..N'aid one and probably
seemed tame, following as it did. the
roar OF cannon and the flash OF search
lights that literally shook tho hotel and
awakened every one for miles
General Wade Arrives.
General Wade, commander of the division
of the Atlantic, arrived with his staff
this morning, and opened his headquar-
tiers at the Chamberlln Hotel. General
Wade, although tho ranking officer here,
has no intention of assuming command,
but will simply "observer while Colonel
Ramsay Douglass Potts will remain battle
commander. Hc did this, 1t Is said be-
cause of the extraordinary ability Coll
onel Potts has. displayed in preparing
Fort Monroe and the Chesapeake Dis
tr!ct for the attack of the fleet.
General Story, chief of artillery, also
reached the post this morning on tho
Washington boat. He will stop within
the post, which he once commanded,
during the progress of the innnocuvcrs.
All morning official calls were being
paid, and officers in the fullest Of full
dress made the post and reservation alive
with bright colors One weary officer
observed that he had changed his uniform
four times within two hours and that he
preferred actual war to Official death.
Attack Expected.
1t is expected that either tonight or
tomorrow night the combined fleet will
attack the fort with the intention Of dis
covering the effectiveness of tho flotnla
Of torpedo boats under Commander John.
ron.
This phase OF the exercises will he of
the most intense interest to the artillery