The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-10-06

teries and rife trenches were silenced,
several gunboats, armed pontoons and
three transports were sunk or de-
stroyed. This battle was the only ma
val engagement during the entire war
in which our forces were engaged
against superior force. The Hist was
hit eleven times by heavy guns. more
wounds than any other vessel received
during the period Of the war.
This little squadron subsequently
engaged the encnrys batteries and land
forces at Santa Cruz, Jucaro, Trini-
dad, Casilda, and other important
places inside the keys on the south
corner Of Cuba from Cape Cruz to
Cienfuegos. It destroyed all the enemy's
hileograph stations, and July 14th To-
Gated and cut the cable, the only tele-
graphic communication between San
tiago and Havana, and by which Gen
eral Leneres was enabled to communi-
cate direct with Madrid the celebrated
dispatch that gave him the necessary
authority to capitulate the forces I'M
der his command in the province of
Santiago. The Hist also took an i'm
portant part in the battle Of Santiago.
For his services in the battle of
ManZanillo and inside the keys he was
personally complimented by the COM
mander in chief and the chief Of staff,
and for services during the war, he
was awarded by the department the
highest medal with four bars attached,
and advanced in numbers for extraor-
binary heroism in battle, the second
time that he was advanced for extra
ordinary heroism, an honor shared by
no other officer on the active list. He
is the only officer on the active list
who has commanded a squadron Of
vessels in a fight, or who fought
against odds.
commandant at Havana.
When the Hist was placed out of
commission at the Pensacola navy
yard, he was ordered back to Cuba,
and for four years was commandant Of
the naval station and captain of the
port of Havana and in charge Of the
entire marine Jurisdiction Of the Island
of Cuba, for which duty he received a
commendatory letter from the govern
or general and personal co gratula-
tons from the president Of the United
States.
For his personal heroic acts in
saving life and property at the risk of
his own life during the great flood In
the vicinity Of Havana, he was highly
commended by letters from the mayor
and city council of Havana.
On being detached from duty IN
Cuba, he was assigned as a member Of
the naval examining board at Wash
ington, and on March 5, 1902, he as
sumed charge Of the ninth lighthouse
district with headquarters at Chicago.
He was ordered to and assumed COM
mand of the U. S. s. Montgomery, At
lantic fleet. March 5. 1904. and for sew
eral months was in charge of the naval
forces on the Isthmus of Panama.
The Bennington Accident.
The Montgomery was placed out Of
commission at the League Island navy
yard and he was transferred to the
command of the U. S. S. Bennington,
Pacific squadron. He was in command
of that vessel at the time Of the serious
accident in the harbc~ of San Diego
Cal, in 1905, and IL was due to his
GOODNESS and skillful seGmanship that
the magazines were flooded just in
time and that the vessel was beached
on a mud fiat, by which many lives
and much property were saved. The
Bennington was placed out Of commits
sion at the Mare Island navy yard, and
he was ordered to court martial and
board duty at that yard. His last duty
was that of captain Of the yard, presi-
dent of the permanent general court
martial examining and retiring and la
Dor boards, navy yard.
He was present at the great earth
quake and fire at San Francisco. and
in recognition of his services in saving
life and property on that occasion, was
highly commended by letter from the
secretary Of the navy. Was relieved
from all duty at Mare Island Deem
Der Is, 1909. and ordered home on
waiting orders.
On Feb. Is, 1910. he was ordered to
take charge of the Pensacola navy
yard and he has since served as COM
mandant Of that yard. On Sept. 80,
1911, he received orders to take COM
mand Of the Key West naval station
just as soon as he could close UP his
affairs at the Pensacola yard, which
will be about Oct. rs.
Was promoted to the grade OF
lieutenant commander March 3, 1899.
commander March 5, 1902 captain
June 80, 1906, and to rear admiral
March II, 1910. He Will reach the
statutory age for retirement IN 1914.