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diff --git a/30684.txt b/30684.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2aab653 --- /dev/null +++ b/30684.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11678 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Boys of '98 by James Otis + + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no +restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under +the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or +online at http://www.gutenberg.org/license + + + +Title: The Boys of '98 + +Author: James Otis + +Release Date: December 15, 2009 [Ebook #30684] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: US-ASCII + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOYS OF '98*** + + + + + + THE BOYS OF '98 + + + + + + *STORIES of* + *AMERICAN HISTORY* + + *By James Otis* + + 1. When We Destroyed the Gaspee + 2. Boston Boys of 1775 + 3. When Dewey Came to Manila + 4. Off Santiago with Sampson + 5. When Israel Putnam Served the King + 6. The Signal Boys of '75 + (A Tale of the Siege of Boston) + 7. Under the Liberty Tree + (A Story of the Boston Massacre) + 8. The Boys of 1745 + (The Capture of Louisburg) + 9. An Island Refuge + (Casco Bay in 1676) + 10. Neal the Miller + (A Son of Liberty) + 11. Ezra Jordan's Escape + (The Massacre at Fort Loyall) + + *DANA ESTES & COMPANY* + *Publishers* + *Estes Press, Summer St., Boston* + + + + + + [Illustration: THE CHARGE AT EL CANEY.] + + + + + + THE BOYS OF '98 + + + BY + JAMES OTIS + AUTHOR OF + "TOBY TYLER," "JENNY WREN'S BOARDING HOUSE," + "THE BOYS OF FORT SCHUYLER," ETC. + + +_Illustrated by_ +J. STEEPLE DAVIS +FRANK T. MERRILL +_And with Reproductions of Photographs_ + +_ELEVENTH THOUSAND_ + + +BOSTON +DANA ESTES & COMPANY +PUBLISHERS + + + + + + _Copyright, 1898_ + BY DANA ESTES & COMPANY + + + + + + CONTENTS. + + + CHAPTER PAGE + I. THE BATTLE-SHIP MAINE 1 + II. THE PRELIMINARIES 19 + III. A DECLARATION OF WAR 38 + IV. THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY 64 + V. NEWS OF THE DAY 92 + VI. CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN 117 + VII. FROM ALL QUARTERS 130 + VIII. HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC 149 + IX. BY WIRE 171 + X. SANTIAGO DE CUBA 194 + XI. EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS 224 + XII. THE SPANISH FLEET 254 + XIII. THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO 290 + XIV. MINOR EVENTS 302 + XV. THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN 320 + XVI. THE FALL OF MANILA 335 + XVII. PEACE 345 + APPENDIX A--THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS 355 + APPENDIX B--WAR-SHIPS AND SIGNALS 370 + APPENDIX C--SANTIAGO DE CUBA 379 + APPENDIX D--PORTO RICO 383 + APPENDIX E--THE BAY OF GUANTANAMO 386 + + + + + + ILLUSTRATIONS. + + + PAGE + THE CHARGE AT EL CANEY _Frontispiece_ + U. S. S. MAINE 7 + CAPTAIN C. D. SIGSBEE 12 + EX-MINISTER DE LOME 20 + U. S. S. MONTGOMERY 24 + MAJOR-GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE 30 + U. S. S. COLUMBIA 38 + CAPTAIN-GENERAL BLANCO 44 + PREMIER SAGASTA 49 + PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY 55 + U. S. S. PURITAN 58 + ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY 64 + U. S. S. OLYMPIA 69 + U. S. S. BALTIMORE 72 + BATTLE OF MANILA BAY 75 + U. S. S. BOSTON 77 + U. S. S. CONCORD 82 + U. S. S. TERROR 99 + JOHN D. LONG, SECRETARY OF NAVY 107 + U. S. S. CHICAGO 117 + THE TRAGEDY OF THE WINSLOW 119 + U. S. S. AMPHITRITE 123 + THE BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO 127 + U. S. S. MIANTONOMAH 130 + ADMIRAL SCHLEY 135 + U. S. S. MONTEREY 144 + U. S. S. MASSACHUSETTS 151 + LIEUTENANT HOBSON 156 + U. S. S. NEW YORK 161 + HOBSON AND HIS MEN ON THE RAFT 166 + ADMIRAL CERVERA 169 + QUEEN REGENT, MARIA CHRISTINA OF SPAIN 171 + GENERAL GARCIA 181 + ADMIRAL CAMARA 186 + GENERAL AUGUSTI 192 + U. S. S. MARBLEHEAD 201 + U. S. S. VESUVIUS 207 + U. S. S. TEXAS 215 + COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT 218 + MAJOR-GENERAL SHAFTER 224 + THE ATTACK ON SAN JUAN HILL 229 + VICE-PRESIDENT HOBART 234 + U. S. S. NEWARK 239 + ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON 243 + GENERAL WEYLER 254 + CAPTAIN R. D. EVANS 256 + U. S. S. IOWA 262 + THE DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA'S FLEET 266 + U. S. S. INDIANA 269 + U. S. S. OREGON 275 + U. S. S. BROOKLYN 282 + MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER 292 + KING ALPHONSO XIII. OF SPAIN 300 + GENERAL GOMEZ 311 + U. S. S. NEW ORLEANS 314 + U. S. S. SAN FRANCISCO 318 + MAJOR-GENERAL MILES 320 + MAJOR-GENERAL BROOKE 327 + GENERAL BROOKE RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE 333 + PROTOCOL + GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER, SECRETARY OF WAR 334 + MAJOR-GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT 344 + DON CARLOS 349 + + + + + + + THE BOYS OF '98. + + + + + + CHAPTER I. + + + THE BATTLE-SHIP MAINE. + + +At or about eleven o'clock on the morning of January 25th the United +States battle-ship _Maine_ steamed through the narrow channel which gives +entrance to the inner harbour of Havana, and came to anchor at Buoy No. 4, +in obedience to orders from the captain of the port, in from five and +one-half to six fathoms of water. She swung at her cables within five +hundred yards of the arsenal, and about two hundred yards distant from the +floating dock. + +Very shortly afterward the rapid-firing guns on her bow roared out a +salute as the Spanish colours were run up to the mizzenmast-head, and this +thunderous announcement of friendliness was first answered by Morro +Castle, followed a few moments later by the Spanish cruiser _Alphonso +XII._ and a German school-ship. + +The reverberations had hardly ceased before the captain of the port and an +officer from the Spanish war-vessel, each in his gaily decked launch, came +alongside the battle-ship in accordance with the rules of naval etiquette. + +Lieut. John J. Blandin, officer of the deck, received the visitors at the +head of the gangway and escorted them to the captain's cabin. A few +moments later came an officer from the German ship, and the courtesies of +welcoming the Americans were at an end. + +The _Maine_ was an armoured, twin-screw battle-ship of the second class, +318 feet in length, 57 feet in breadth, with a draught of 21 feet, 6 +inches; of 6,648 tons displacement, with engines of 9,293 indicated +horse-power, giving her a speed of 17.75 knots. She was built in the +Brooklyn navy yard, according to act of Congress, August 3, 1886. Work on +her was commenced October 11, 1888; she was launched November 18, 1890, +and put into commission September 17, 1895. She was built after the +designs of chief constructor T. D. Wilson. The delay in going into +commission is said to have been due to the difficulty in getting +satisfactory armour. The side armour was twelve inches thick; the two +steel barbettes were each of the same thickness, and the walls of the +turrets were eight inches thick. + +In her main battery were four 10-inch and six 6-inch breech-loading +rifles; in the secondary battery seven 6-pounder and eight 1-pounder +rapid-fire guns and four Gatlings. Her crew was made up of 370 men, and +the following officers: Capt. C. D. Sigsbee, Lieut.-Commander R. +Wainwright, Lieut. G. F. W. Holman, Lieut. J. Hood, Lieut. C. W. Jungen, +Lieut. G. P. Blow, Lieut. F. W. Jenkins, Lieut. J. J. Blandin, Surgeon S. +G. Heneberger, Paymaster C. M. Ray, Chief Engineer C. P. Howell, Chaplain +J. P. Chidwick, Passed Assistant Engineer F. C. Bowers, Lieutenant of +Marines A. Catlin, Assistant Engineer J. R. Morris, Assistant Engineer +Darwin R. Merritt, Naval Cadet J. H. Holden, Naval Cadet W. T. Cluverius, +Naval Cadet R. Bronson, Naval Cadet P. Washington, Naval Cadet A. +Crenshaw, Naval Cadet J. T. Boyd, Boatswain F. E. Larkin, Gunner J. Hill, +Carpenter J. Helm, Paymaster's Clerk B. McCarthy. + +Why had the _Maine_ been sent to this port? + +The official reason given by the Secretary of the Navy when he notified +the Spanish minister, Senor Dupuy de Lome, was that the visit of the +_Maine_ was simply intended as a friendly call, according to the +recognised custom of nations. + +The United States minister at Madrid, General Woodford, also announced the +same in substance to the Spanish Minister of State. + +It having been repeatedly declared by the government at Madrid that a +state of war did not exist in Cuba, and that the relations between the +United States and Spain were of the most friendly character, nothing less +could be done than accept the official construction put upon the visit. + +The Spanish public, however, were not disposed to view the matter in the +same light, as may be seen by the following extracts from newspapers: + +"If the government of the United States sends one war-ship to Cuba, a +thing it is no longer likely to do, Spain would act with energy and +without vacillation."--_El Heraldo, January 16th._ + +"We see now the eagerness of the Yankees to seize Cuba."--_The Imparcial, +January 23d._ + +The same paper, on the 27th, declared: + +"If Havana people, exasperated at American impudence in sending the +_Maine_, do some rash, disagreeable thing, the civilised world will know +too well who is responsible. The American government must know that the +road it has taken leads to war between both nations." + +On January 25th Madrid newspapers made general comment upon the official +explanation of the _Maine's_ visit to Havana, and agreed in expressing the +opinion that her visit is "inopportune and calculated to encourage the +insurgents." It was announced that, "following Washington's example," the +Spanish government will "instruct Spanish war-ships to visit a few +American ports." + +The _Imparcial_ expresses fear that the despatch of the _Maine_ to Havana +will provoke a conflict, and adds: + +"Europe cannot doubt America's attitude towards Spain. But the Spanish +people, if necessary, will do their duty with honour." + +The _Epocha_ asks if the despatch of the _Maine_ to Havana is "intended as +a sop to the Jingoes," and adds: + +"We cannot suppose the American government so naive or badly informed as +to imagine that the presence of American war-vessels at Havana will be a +cause of satisfaction to Spain or an indication of friendship." + +The people of the United States generally believed that the battle-ship +had been sent to Cuba because of the disturbances existing in the city of +Havana, which seemingly threatened the safety of Americans there. + +On the morning of January 12th what is termed the "anti-liberal outbreak" +occurred in the city of Havana. + +Officers of the regular and volunteer forces headed the ultra-Spanish +element in an attack upon the leading liberal newspaper offices, because, +as alleged, of Captain-General Blanco's refusal to authorise the +suppression of the liberal press. It was evidently a riotous protest +against Spain's policy of granting autonomy to the Cubans. + +The mob, gathered in such numbers as to be for the time being most +formidable, indulged in open threats against Americans, and it was +believed by the public generally that American interests, and the safety +of citizens of the United States in Havana, demanded the protection of a +war-vessel. + +The people of Havana received the big fighting ship impassively. Soldiers, +sailors, and civilians gathered at the water-front as spectators, but no +word, either of threat or friendly greeting, was heard. + +In the city the American residents experienced a certain sense of relief +because now a safe refuge was provided in case of more serious rioting. + +That the officers and crew of the _Maine_ were apprehensive regarding +their situation there can be little doubt. During the first week after the +arrival of the battle-ship several of the sailors wrote to friends or +relatives expressing fears as to what might be the result of the visit, +and on the tenth of February one of the lieutenants is reported as having +stated: + +"If we don't get away from here soon there will be trouble." + +The customary ceremonial visits on shore were made by the commander of the +ship and his staff, and, so far as concerned the officials of the city, +the Americans were seemingly welcome visitors. + +The more radical of the citizens were not so apparently content with +seeing the _Maine_ in their harbour. Within a week after the arrival of +the ship incendiary circulars were distributed in the streets, on the +railway cars, and in many other public places, calling upon all Spaniards +to avenge the "insult" of the battle-ship's visit. + +A translation of one such circular serves as a specimen of all: + +"Spaniards: Long live Spain and honour. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. MAINE.] + +"What are ye doing that ye allow yourselves to be insulted in this way? + +"Do you not see what they have done to us in withdrawing our brave and +beloved Weyler, who at this very time would have finished with this +unworthy rebellious rabble, who are trampling on our flag and our honour? + +"Autonomy is imposed on us so as to thrust us to one side and to give +posts of honour and authority to those who initiated this rebellion, these +ill-born autonomists, ungrateful sons of our beloved country. + +"And, finally, these Yankee hogs who meddle in our affairs humiliate us to +the last degree, and for still greater taunt order to us one of the ships +of war of their rotten squadron, after insulting us in their newspapers +and driving us from our homes. + +"Spaniards, the moment of action has arrived. Sleep not. Let us show these +vile traitors that we have not yet lost shame and that we know how to +protect ourselves with energy befitting a nation worthy and strong as our +Spain is and always will be. + +"Death to Americans. Death to autonomy. + +"Long live Spain! + +"Long live Weyler!" + + + +At eight o'clock on the evening of February 15th all the magazines aboard +the battle-ship were closed, and the keys delivered to her commander +according to the rules of the service. + +An hour and a half later Lieut. John J. Blandin was on watch as officer of +the deck; Captain Sigsbee sat in his cabin writing letters; on the +starboard side of the ship, made fast to the boom, was the steam cutter, +with her crew on board waiting to make the regular ten o'clock trip to the +shore to bring off such of the officers or crew as were on leave of +absence. + +The night was unusually dark; great banks of thick clouds hung over the +city and harbour; the ripple of the waves against the hulls of the vessels +at anchor, and the subdued hum of voices, alone broke the silence. The +lights here and there, together with the dark tracery of spar and cordage +against the sky, was all that betokened the presence of war-ship or +peaceful merchantman. + +Suddenly, and when the silence was most profound, the watch on board the +steamer _City of Washington_, and some sailors ashore, saw what appeared +to be a sheet of fire flash up in the water directly beneath the _Maine_, +and even as the blinding glare was in their eyes came a mighty, confused +rumble as of grinding and rending, followed an instant later by a roar as +if a volcano had sprung into activity beneath the waves of the harbour. + +Then was flung high in the air what might be likened to a shaft of fire +filled with fragments of iron, wood, and human flesh, rising higher and +higher until its force was spent, when it fell outwardly as falls a column +of water broken by the wind. + +The earth literally trembled; the air suddenly became heavy with stifling +smoke. Electric lights on shore were extinguished; the tinkling of +breaking glass could be heard everywhere in that portion of the city +nearest the harbour. + +When the shower of fragments and of fire ceased to fall a dense blackness +enshrouded the harbour, from the midst of which could be heard cries of +agony, appeals for help, and the shouts of those who, even while +struggling to save their own lives, would cheer their comrades. + +After this, and no man could have said how many seconds passed while the +confusing, bewildering blackness lay heavy over that scene of death and +destruction, long tongues of flame burst up from the torn and splintered +decks of the doomed battle-ship, a signal of distress, as well as a beacon +for those who would succour the dying. + +Captain Sigsbee, recovering in the briefest space of time from the +bewilderment of the shock, ran out of the cabin toward the deck, groping +his way as best he might in the darkness through the long passage until he +came upon the marine orderly, William Anthony, who was at his post of duty +near the captain's quarters. + +It was a moment full of horror all the more intense because unknown, but +the soldier, mindful even then of his duty, saluting, said in the tone of +one who makes an ordinary report: + +"Sir, I have to inform you that the ship has been blown up, and is +sinking." + +"Follow me," the captain replied, acknowledging his subordinate's salute, +and the two pressed forward through the blackness and suffocating vapour. + +Lieutenant Blandin, officer of the deck, was sitting on the starboard side +of the quarter-deck when the terrible upheaval began, and was knocked down +by a piece of cement hurled from the lowermost portion of the ship's +frame, perhaps; but, leaping quickly to his feet, he ran to the poop that +he might be at his proper station when the supreme moment came. + +Lieut. Friend W. Jenkins was in the junior officers' mess-room when the +first of a battle-ship's death-throes was felt, and as soon as possible +made his way toward the deck, encouraging some of the bewildered marines +to make a brave fight for life; but he never joined his comrades. + +Assistant Engineer Darwin R. Merritt and Naval Cadet Boyd together ran +toward the hatch, but only to find the ladder gone. Boyd climbed through, +and then did his best to aid Merritt; but his efforts were vain, and the +engineer went down with his ship. + +It seemed as if only the merest fraction of time elapsed before the +uninjured survivors were gathered on the poop-deck. Forward of them, where +a moment previous had been the main-deck, was a huge mass looming up in +the darkness like some threatening promontory. + +On the starboard quarter hung the gig, and opposite her, on the port side, +was the barge. + +During the first two or three seconds only muffled, gurgling, choking +exclamations were heard indistinctly; and then, when the terrible +vibrations of the air ceased, cries for help went up from every quarter. + +Lieutenant Blandin says, in describing those few but terrible moments: + +"Captain Sigsbee ordered that the gig and the launch be lowered, and the +officers and men, who by this time had assembled, got the boats out and +rescued a number in the water. + +"Captain Sigsbee ordered Lieut.-Commander Wainwright forward to see the +extent of the damage, and if anything could be done to rescue those +forward, or to extinguish the flames which followed close upon the +explosion and burned fiercely as long as there were any combustibles above +water to feed them. + +"Lieut.-Commander Wainwright on his return reported the total and awful +character of the calamity, and Captain Sigsbee gave the last sad order, +'Abandon ship,' to men overwhelmed with grief indeed, but calm and +apparently unexcited." + +The quiet, yet at the same time sharp, words of command from the captain +aroused his officers from the stupefaction of horror which had begun to +creep over them, and this handful of men, who even then were standing face +to face with death, set about aiding their less fortunate companions. + +As soon as they could be manned, boats put off from the vessels in the +harbour, and the work of rescue was continued until all the torn and +mangled bodies in which life yet remained had been taken from the water. + +Capt. H. H. Woods, of the British steamer _Thurston_, was among the first +in this labour of mercy, and concerning it he says: + +"My vessel was within half a mile of the _Maine_, and my small boat was +the first to gain the wreck. It is beyond my power to describe the +explosion. It was awful. It paralysed the intellect for a few moments. The +cries that came over the water awakened us to a realisation that some +great tragedy had occurred. + +"I made all haste to the wreck. There were very few men in the water. All +told, I do not believe there were thirty. We picked up some of them and +passed them on to other vessels, and then continued our work of rescue. + +"The sight was appalling. Dismembered legs and trunks of bodies were +floating about, together with pieces of clothing, boxes of meats, and all +sorts of wreckage. Now and then the agonised cry of some poor suffering +fellow could be heard above the tumult. + +"One grand figure stood out in all the terrible scene. That was Captain +Sigsbee. Every American has reason to be proud of that officer. He seemed +to have realised in an instant all that happened. Not for a moment did he +show evidence of excitement. He alone was cool. Discipline? Why, man, the +discipline was there as strong as ever, despite the fact that all around +was death and disaster." + + [Illustration: CAPTAIN SIGSBEE.] + +The commander of the _Maine_ was the last to leave the wreck, and then all +that was left of the mighty ship was beginning to settle in the slime and +putrefaction which covers the bottom of Havana harbour. + +Calmly, with the same observance of etiquette as if they had been +assisting at some social function, the officers took their respective +places in the boats, and, amid a silence born of deepest grief, rowed a +short distance from the rent and riven mass so lately their post of duty. + +A gentleman from Chicago, a guest at the Grand Hotel, was seated in front +of the building when the explosion occurred. + +"It was followed by another and a much louder one," he said. "We thought +the whole city had been blown to pieces. Some said the insurgents were +entering Havana. Others cried out that Morro Castle was blown up. + +"On the Prado is a large cab-stand. One minute after the explosion was +heard the cabmen cracked their whips and went rattling over the +cobblestones like crazy men. The fire department turned out, and bodies of +cavalry and infantry rushed through the streets. There was no sleep in +Havana that night." + + + +Soon after the disaster Admiral Manterola and General Solano put off to +the wreck, and offered their services to Captain Sigsbee. + +There were many wonderful escapes from death. One of the ward-room cooks +was thrown outboard into the water. + +A Japanese sailor was blown into the air, and, falling in the sea, was +picked up alive. + +One seaman was sleeping in a yawl hanging at the davits. The boat was +crushed like an egg-shell; but the sailor fell overboard and was picked up +unhurt. + +Three men were doing punishment watch on the port quarter-deck, and thus +probably escaped death. + +One sailor swam about until help came, although both his legs were broken. +Another had the bones of his ankle crushed, and yet managed to keep +afloat. + +Two hours or more passed before the unsubmerged, wooden portion of the +wreck had been consumed by the flames, and at 11.30 P. M. the smoke-stacks +of the ill-fated ship fell. + +On board the steamer _City of Washington_, two boats were literally +riddled by fragments of the _Maine_ which fell after the explosion, and +among them was an iron truss which, crashing through the pantry, +demolished the tableware. + +When morning came the wreck was the central figure of an otherwise bright +picture, sad as it was terrible. The huge mass of flame-charred debris +forward looked as if it had been thrown up from a subterranean storehouse +of fused cement, steel, wood, and iron. + +Further aft, one military mast protruded at a slight angle from the +perpendicular, while the poop afforded a resting-place for the workmen or +divers. + +Of the predominant white which distinguishes our war-vessels in time of +peace, not a vestige remained. In its place was the blackness of +desolating death, marking the spot where two hundred and sixty-six brave +men had gone over into the Beyond. + +The total loss to the government as a result of the disaster was +officially pronounced to be $4,689,261.31. This embraced the cost of hull, +machinery, equipment, armour, gun protection and armament, both in main +and secondary batteries. It included the cost of ammunition, shells, +current supplies, coal, and, in short, the entire outfit. + +The pet of the _Maine's_ crew, a big cat, was found next morning, perched +on a fragment of a truss which yet remained above the water, and near her, +as if seeking companionship, was the captain's dog, Peggy. + +Consul-General Lee cabled from Havana on the afternoon of the sixteenth: + + + + + + +"Profound sorrow is expressed by the government and municipal authorities, +consuls of foreign nations, organised bodies of all sorts, and citizens +generally. + +"Flags are at half-mast on the governor-general's palace, on shipping in +the harbour, and in the city. + +"Business is suspended, and the theatres are closed." + + + + + + +On the afternoon of the seventeenth the bodies which had been found up to +that time were buried in Havana with military honours, two companies of +Spanish sailors from the cruiser _Alphonso XII._ acting as escort. + +A board of inquiry, composed of Capt. W. T. Sampson of the U. S. S. _Iowa_ +as presiding officer, Commander Adolph Marix as judge advocate, Capt. F. +E. Chadwick, and Commander W. P. Potter, all of the _New York_, was +convened, and on March 28th President McKinley sent a message to Congress, +the conclusion of which was as follows: + +"The appalling calamity fell upon the people of our country with crushing +force, and for a brief time an intense excitement prevailed, which in a +community less just and self-controlled than ours might have led to hasty +acts of blind resentment. + +"This spirit, however, soon gave way to calmer processes of reason, and to +the resolve to investigate the facts and await material proof before +forming a judgment as to the cause, the responsibility, and, if the facts +warranted, the remedy due. This course necessarily recommended itself from +the outset to the executive, for only in the light of a dispassionately +ascertained certainty will it determine the nature and measure of its full +duty in the matter. + +"The usual procedure was followed, as in all cases of casualty or disaster +to national vessels of any maritime state. + +"A naval court of inquiry was at once organised, composed of officers well +qualified by rank and practical experience to discharge the onerous duty +imposed upon them. + +"Aided by a strong force of wreckers and divers, the court proceeded to +make a thorough investigation on the spot, employing every available means +for impartial and exact determination of the causes of the explosion. Its +operations have been conducted with the utmost deliberation and judgment, +and, while independently pursued, no source of information was neglected, +and the fullest opportunity was allowed for a simultaneous investigation +by the Spanish authorities. + +"The finding of the court of inquiry was reached, after twenty-three days +of continuous labour, on the twenty-first of March instant, and, having +been approved on the twenty-second by the commander-in-chief of the United +States naval force in the North Atlantic station, was transmitted to the +executive. + +"It is herewith laid before the Congress, together with the voluminous +testimony taken before the court. + +"The conclusions of the court are: That the loss of the _Maine_ was not in +any respect due to fault or negligence on the part of any of the officers +or members of her crew. + +"That the ship was destroyed by the explosion of a submarine mine, which +caused the partial explosion of two or more of her forward magazines; and +that no evidence has been obtainable fixing the responsibility for the +destruction of the _Maine_ upon any person or persons. + +"I have directed that the finding of the court of inquiry and the views of +this government thereon be communicated to the government of her majesty, +the queen regent, and I do not permit myself to doubt that the sense of +justice of the Spanish nation will dictate a course of action suggested by +honour and the friendly relations of the two governments. + +"It will be the duty of the executive to advise the Congress of the +result, and in the meantime deliberate consideration is invoked." + + + +It was the preface to a mustering of the boys of '61 who had worn the blue +or the gray, this tragedy in the harbour of Havana, and, when the +government gave permission, the boys of '98 came forward many and many a +thousand strong to emulate the deeds of their fathers--the boys of '61--who, +although the hand of Time had been laid heavily upon them, panted to +participate in the punishment of those who were responsible for the +slaughter of American sailors within the shadow of Morro Castle. + + + + + + CHAPTER II. + + + THE PRELIMINARIES. + + +War between two nations does not begin suddenly. The respective +governments are exceedingly ceremonious before opening the "game of +death," and it is not to be supposed that the United States commenced +hostilities immediately after the disaster to the _Maine_ in the harbour +of Havana. + +To tell the story of the war which ensued, without first giving in regular +order the series of events which marked the preparations for hostilities, +would be much like relating an adventure without explaining why the hero +was brought into the situation. + +It is admitted that, as a rule, details, and especially those of a +political nature, are dry reading; but once take into consideration the +fact that they all aid in giving a clearer idea of how one nation begins +hostilities with another, and much of the tediousness may be forgiven. + +Just previous to the disaster to the _Maine_, during the last days of +January or the first of February, Senor Enrique Dupuy de Lome, the Spanish +minister at Washington, wrote a private letter to the editor of the Madrid +_Herald_, Senor Canalejas, who was his intimate friend, in which he made +some uncomplimentary remarks regarding the President of the United States, +and intimated that Spain was not sincere in certain commercial +negotiations which were then being carried on between the two countries. + +By some means, not yet fully explained, certain Cubans got possession of +this letter, and caused it to be published in the newspapers. Senor de +Lome did not deny having written the objectionable matter; but claimed +that, since it was a private communication, it should not affect him +officially. The Secretary of State instructed General Woodford, our +minister at Madrid, to demand that the Spanish government immediately +recall Minister de Lome, and to state that, if he was not relieved from +duty within twenty-four hours, the President would issue to him his +passports, which is but another way of ordering a foreign minister out of +the country. + +_February 9._ Senor de Lome made all haste to resign, and the resignation +was accepted by his government before--so it was claimed by the Spanish +authorities--President McKinley's demand for the recall was received. + +_February 15._ The de Lome incident was a political matter which caused +considerable diplomatic correspondence; but it was overshadowed when the +battle-ship _Maine_ was blown up in the harbour of Havana. + + [Illustration: EX-MINISTER DE LOME.] + +As has already been said, the United States government at once ordered a +court of inquiry to ascertain the cause of the disaster, and this, +together with the search for the bodies of the drowned crew, was +prosecuted with utmost vigour. + +Very many of the people in the United States believed that Spanish +officials were chargeable with the terrible crime, while those who were +not disposed to make such exceedingly serious accusation insisted that the +Spanish government was responsible for the safety of the vessel,--that she +had been destroyed by outside agencies in a friendly harbour. In the +newspapers, on the streets, in all public places, the American people +spoke of the possibility of war, and the officials of the government set +to work as if, so it would seem, they also were confident there would be +an open rupture between the two nations. + +_February 28._ In Congress, Representative Gibson of Tennessee introduced +a bill appropriating twenty million dollars "for the maintenance of +national honour and defence." Representative Bromwell, of Ohio, introduced +a similar resolution, appropriating a like amount of money "to place the +naval strength of the country upon a proper footing for immediate +hostilities with any foreign power." On the same day orders were issued to +the commandant at Fort Barrancas, Florida, directing him to send men to +man the guns at Santa Rosa Island, opposite Pensacola. + +_February 28._ Senor Louis Polo y Bernabe, appointed minister in the place +of Senor de Lome, who resigned, sailed from Gibraltar. + +By the end of February the work of preparing the vessels at the different +navy yards for sea was being pushed forward with the utmost rapidity, and +munitions of war were distributed hurriedly among the forts and +fortifications, as if the officials of the War Department believed that +hostilities might be begun at any moment. + +Nor was it only within the borders of this country that such preparations +were making. A despatch from Shanghai to London reported that the United +States squadron, which included the cruisers _Olympia_, _Boston_, +_Raleigh_, _Concord_, and _Petrel_, were concentrating at Hongkong, with a +view of active operations against Manila, in the Philippine Islands, in +event of war. + +At about the same time came news from Spain telling that the Spanish were +making ready for hostilities. An exceptionally large number of artisans +were at work preparing for sea battle-ships, cruisers, and torpedo-boat +destroyers. The cruisers _Oquendo_ and _Vizcaya_, with the torpedo-boat +destroyers _Furor_ and _Terror_, were already on their way to Cuba, where +were stationed the _Alphonso XII._, the _Infanta Isabel_, and the _Nueva +Espana_, together with twelve gunboats of about three hundred tons each, +and eighteen vessels of two hundred and fifty tons each. + +The United States naval authorities decided that heavy batteries should be +placed on all the revenue cutters built within the previous twelve months, +and large quantities of high explosives were shipped in every direction. + +During the early days of March, Senor Gullon, Spanish Minister of Foreign +Affairs, intimated to Minister Woodford that the Spanish government +desired the recall from Havana of Consul-General Lee. + +Spain also intimated that the American war-ships, which had been +designated to convey supplies to Cuba for the relief of the sufferers +there, should be replaced by merchant vessels, in order to deprive the +assistance sent to the reconcentrados of an official character. + +Minister Woodford cabled such requests to the government at Washington, to +which it replied by refusing to recall General Lee under the present +circumstances, or to countermand the orders for the despatch of +war-vessels, making the representation that relief vessels are not +fighting ships. + +_March 5._ Secretary Long closed a contract for the delivery at Key West, +within forty days, of four hundred thousand tons of coal. Work was begun +upon the old monitors, which for years had been lying at League Island +navy yard, Philadelphia. Orders were sent to the Norfolk navy yard to +concentrate all the energies and fidelities of the yard on the cruiser +_Newark_, to the end that she might be ready for service within sixty +days. + +_March 6._ The President made a public statement that under no +circumstances would Consul-General Fitzhugh Lee be recalled at the request +of Spain. He had borne himself, so it was stated from the White House, +throughout the crisis with judgment, fidelity, and courage, to the +President's entire satisfaction. As to supplies for the relief of the +Cuban people, all arrangements had been made to carry consignments at once +from Key West by one of the naval vessels, whichever might be best adapted +and most available for the purpose, to Matanzas and Sagua. + +_March 6._ Chairman Cannon of the House appropriations committee +introduced a resolution that fifty millions of dollars be appropriated for +the national defence. It was passed almost immediately, without a single +negative vote. + +Significant was the news of the day. The cruiser _Montgomery_ had been +ordered to Havana. Brigadier-General Wilson, chief of the engineers of the +army, arrived at Key West from Tampa with his corps of men, who were in +charge of locating and firing submarine mines. + +_March 10._ The newly appointed Spanish minister arrived at Washington. + +_March 11._ The House committee on naval affairs authorised the immediate +construction of three battle-ships, one to be named the _Maine_, and +provided for an increase of 473 men in the marine force. + +The despatch-boat _Fern_ sailed for Matanzas with supplies for the relief +of starving Cubans. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. MONTGOMERY.] + +News by cable was received from the Philippine Islands to the effect that +the rebellion there had broken out once more; the whole of the northern +province had revolted; the inhabitants refused to pay taxes, and the +insurgents appeared to be well supplied with arms and ammunition. + +_March 12._ Senor Bernabe was presented to President McKinley, and laid +great stress upon the love which Spain bore for the United States. + +_March 14._ The Spanish flying squadron, composed of three torpedo-boats, +set sail from Cadiz, bound for Porto Rico. Although this would seem to be +good proof that the Spanish government anticipated war with the United +States, Senor Bernabe made two demands upon this government on the day +following the receipt of such news. The first was that the United States +fleet at Key West and Tortugas be withdrawn, and the second, that an +explanation be given as to why two war-ships had been purchased abroad. + +_March 17._ A bill was submitted to both houses of Congress reorganising +the army, and placing it on a war footing of one hundred and four thousand +men. Senator Proctor made a significant speech in the Senate, on the +condition of affairs in Cuba. He announced himself as being opposed to +annexation, and declared that the Cubans were "suffering under the worst +misgovernment in the world." The public generally accepted his remarks as +having been sanctioned by the President, and understood them as indicating +that this country should recognise the independence of Cuba on the ground +that the people are capable of self-government, and that under no other +conditions could peace or prosperity be restored in the island. + +_March 17._ The more important telegraphic news from Spain was to the +effect that the Minister of Marine had cabled the commander of the torpedo +flotilla at the Canaries not to proceed to Havana; that the government +arsenal was being run night and day in the manufacture of small arms, and +that infantry and cavalry rifles were being purchased in Germany. + +The United States revenue cutter cruiser _McCulloch_ was ordered to +proceed from Aden, in the Red Sea, to Hongkong, in order that she might be +attached to the Asiatic squadron, if necessary. + +_March 18._ The cruiser _Amazonas_, purchased from the Brazilian +government, was formally transferred to the United States at Gravesend, +England, to be known in the future as the _New Orleans_. + +_March 19._ The _Maine_ court of inquiry concluded its work. The general +sentiments of the people, as voiced by the newspapers, were that war with +Spain was near at hand, and this belief was strengthened March 24th, when +authority was given by the Navy Department for unlimited enlistment in all +grades of the service, when the revenue service was transferred from the +Treasury to the Naval Department, and arrangements made for the quick +employment of the National Guards of the States and Territories. + +_March 24._ The report of the _Maine_ court of inquiry arrived at +Washington. + +_March 27._ Madrid correspondents of Berlin newspapers declared that war +with the United States was next to certain. The United States cruisers +_San Francisco_ and _New Orleans_ sailed from England for New York, and +the active work of mining the harbours of the United States coast was +begun. + +_March 28._ The President sent to Congress, with a message, the report of +the _Maine_ court of inquiry, as has been stated in a previous chapter. + +_March 29._ Resolutions declaring war on Spain, and recognising the +independence of Cuba, were introduced in both houses of Congress. + +With the beginning of April it was to the public generally as if the war +had already begun. + +In every city, town, or hamlet throughout the country the newspapers were +scanned eagerly for notes of warlike preparation, and from Washington, +sent by those who were in position to know what steps were being taken by +the government, came information which dashed the hopes of those who had +been praying that peace might not be broken. + +There had been a conference between the President, the Secretary of the +Treasury, and the chairman of the committee on ways and means, regarding +the best methods of raising funds for the carrying on of a war. A joint +board of the army and navy had met to formulate plans of defence, and a +speedy report was made to Secretary Long. + +Instructions were sent by the State Department to all United States +consuls in Cuba to be prepared to leave the island at any moment, and to +hold themselves in readiness to proceed to Havana in order to embark for +the United States. + +_April 2._ A gentleman in touch with public affairs wrote from Washington +as follows: + +"To-day's developments show that there is only the very faintest hope of +peace. Unless Spain yields war must come. The administration realises that +as fully as do members of Congress. + +"The orders sent by the State Department to all our consuls in Cuba, +especially those in the interior, to hold themselves in readiness to leave +their positions and proceed to Havana, show that the department looks upon +war as a certainty, and has taken all proper precautions for the safety of +its agents. + +"Such an order, it is unnecessary to say, would not have been issued +unless a crisis was imminent, and the State Department, as well as other +branches of the government, has now become convinced that peace cannot +much longer be maintained, and that the safety of the consular agents is a +first consideration. + +"General Lee has also been advised that he should be ready to leave as +soon as notified, and that the American newspaper correspondents now in +Havana must prepare themselves to receive the notification of instant +departure. + +"The Secretary of the Navy has instructed the Boston Towboat Company, +which corporation had charge of the wrecking operations on the U. S. S. +_Maine_, to suspend work at once. The Secretary of War has authorised an +allotment of one million dollars from the emergency fund for the office of +the chief of engineers, and this amount will be expended in purchasing +material for the torpedo defences connected with the seacoast +fortifications. The United States naval attache at London has purchased a +cruiser of eighteen hundred tons displacement, capable of a speed of +sixteen knots, and the vessel will put to sea immediately. The Spanish +torpedo flotilla is reported as having arrived at the Cape Verde Islands." + +_April 4._ Senators Perkins, Mantle, and Rawlins spoke in the Senate, +charging Spain with the murder of the sailors of the _Maine_, claiming +that it was properly an act of war, and insisting that the United States +should declare for the independence of Cuba and armed intervention. + +_April 5._ Senator Chandler announced as his belief that the United States +was justified in beginning hostilities, and Senators Kenny, Turpie, and +Turner made powerful speeches in the same line, fiercely denouncing Spain. +General Woodford was instructed by cable to be prepared to ask of the +Madrid government his passports at any moment. + +Marine underwriters, believing that war was inevitable, doubled their +rates. The merchants and manufacturers' board of trade of New York +notified Congress and the President that it believed Spain was responsible +for the blowing up of the _Maine_; that the independence of Cuba should be +recognised, and that it should be brought about by force of arms, if +necessary. + +_April 7._ The representatives of six great powers met at the White House +in the hope of being able to influence the President for peace. In closing +his address to the diplomats, Mr. McKinley said: + +"The government of the United States appreciates the humanitarian and +disinterested character of the communication now made in behalf of the +powers named, and for its part is confident that equal appreciation will +be shown for its own earnest and unselfish endeavours to fulfil a duty to +humanity by ending a situation, the indefinite prolongation of which has +become insufferable." + + + +Americans made haste to leave Cuba, after learning that Consul-General Lee +had received orders to set sail from Havana on or before the ninth. The +American consul at Santiago de Cuba closed the consulate in that city. + +Solomon Berlin, appointed consul at the Canary Islands, was, by the State +Department, ordered not to proceed to his post, and he remained at New +York. + + [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE.] + +The Spanish consul at Tampa, Florida, left that town for Washington, by +order of his government. + +The following cablegram gives a good idea of the temper of the Spanish +people: + + + + + + +"London, April 7.--A special dispatch from Madrid says that the ambassadors +of France, Germany, Russia, and Italy waited together this evening upon +Senor Gullon, the Foreign Minister, and presented a joint note in the +interests of peace. + +"Senor Gullon, replying, declared that the members of the Spanish Cabinet +were unanimous in considering that Spain had reached the limit of +international policy in the direction of conceding the demands and +allowing the pretensions of the United States." + + + + + + +_April 9._ Guards about the United States legation in Madrid were trebled. +General Blanco, captain-general of Cuba, issued a draft order calling on +every able-bodied man, between the ages of nineteen and forty, to register +for immediate military duty. At ten o'clock in the morning, Consul-General +Lee, accompanied by British Consul Gollan, called on General Blanco to bid +him good-bye. The captain-general was too busy to receive visitors. +General Lee left the island at six o'clock in the evening. + +_April 11._ The President sent a message, together with Consul Lee's +report, to the Congress, and Senator Chandler thus analysed it: + +_First_: A graphic and powerful description of the horrible condition of +affairs in Cuba. + +_Second_: An assertion that the independence of the revolutionists should +not be recognised until Cuba has achieved its own independence beyond the +possibility of overthrow. + +_Third_: An argument against the recognition of the Cuban republic. + +_Fourth_: As to intervention in the interest of humanity, that is well +enough, and also on account of the injury to commerce and peril to our +citizens, and the generally uncomfortable conditions all around. + +_Fifth_: Illustrative of these uncomfortable conditions is the destruction +of the _Maine_. It helps make the existing situation intolerable. But +Spain proposes an arbitration, to which proposition the President has no +reply. + +_Sixth_: On the whole, as the war goes on and Spain cannot end it, +mediation or intervention must take place. President Cleveland said +"intervention would finally be necessary." The enforced pacification of +Cuba must come. The war must stop. Therefore, the President should be +authorised to terminate hostilities, secure peace, and establish a stable +government, and to use the military and naval forces of the United States +to accomplish these results, and food supplies should also be furnished by +the United States. + +_April 12._ Consul-General Lee was summoned before the Senate committee on +foreign relations. It was announced that the Republican members of the +ways and means committee had agreed upon a plan for raising revenue in +case of need to carry on war with Spain. The plan was intended to raise +more than $100,000,000 additional revenue annually, and was thus +distributed: + +An additional tax on beer of one dollar per barrel, estimated to yield +$35,000,000; a bank stamp tax on the lines of the law of 1866, estimated +to yield $30,000,000; a duty of three cents per pound on coffee, and ten +cents per pound on tea on hand in the United States, estimated to yield +$28,000,000; additional tax on tobacco, expected to yield $15,000,000. + +The committee also agreed to authorise the issuing of $500,000,000 bonds. +These bonds to be offered for sale at all post-offices in the United +States in amounts of fifty dollars each, making a great popular loan to be +absorbed by the people. + +To tide over emergencies, the Secretary of the Treasury to be authorised +to issue treasury certificates. + +These certificates or debentures to be used to pay running expenses when +the revenues do not meet the expenditures. + + + +These preparations were distinctly war measures, and would be put in +operation only should war occur. + +_April 13._ The House of Representatives passed the following resolutions: + +_Whereas_, the government of Spain for three years past has been waging +war on the island of Cuba against a revolution by the inhabitants thereof, +without making any substantial progress toward the suppression of said +revolution, and has conducted the warfare in a manner contrary to the laws +of nations by methods inhuman and uncivilised, causing the death by +starvation of more than two hundred thousand innocent non-combatants, the +victims being for the most part helpless women and children, inflicting +intolerable injury to the commercial interests of the United States, +involving the destruction of the lives and property of many of our +citizens, entailing the expenditure of millions of money in patrolling our +coasts and policing the high seas in order to maintain our neutrality; +and, + +_Whereas_, this long series of losses, injuries, and burdens for which +Spain is responsible has culminated in the destruction of the United +States battle-ship _Maine_ in the harbour of Havana, and the death of two +hundred and sixty-six of our seamen,-- + +_Resolved_, That the President is hereby authorised and directed to +intervene at once to stop the war in Cuba, to the end and with the purpose +of securing permanent peace and order there, and establishing by the free +action of the people there of a stable and independent government of their +own in the island of Cuba; and the President is hereby authorised and +empowered to use the land and naval forces of the United States to execute +the purpose of this resolution. + +In the Senate the majority resolution reported: + +_Whereas_, the abhorrent conditions which have existed for more than three +years in the island of Cuba, so near our own borders, have been a disgrace +to Christian civilisation, culminating as they have in the destruction of +a United States battle-ship with two hundred and sixty-six of its officers +and crew, while on a friendly visit in the harbour of Havana, and cannot +longer be endured, as has been set forth by the President of the United +States in his message to Congress on April 11, 1898, upon which the action +of Congress was invited; therefore, + +_Resolved_, First, that the people of the island of Cuba are, and of right +ought to be, free and independent. + +_Second_, That it is the duty of the United States to demand, and the +government of the United States does hereby demand, that the government of +Spain at once relinquish its authority and government in the island of +Cuba, and withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters. + +_Third_, That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, +directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the +United States, and to call into the actual service of the United States +the militia of the several States to such extent as may be necessary, to +carry these resolutions into effect. + + + +_April 14._ The Spanish minister at Washington sealed his archives and +placed them in the charge of the French ambassador, M. Cambon. The queen +regent of Spain, at a Cabinet meeting, signed a call for the Cortes to +meet on the twentieth of the month, and a decree opening a national +subscription for increasing the navy and other war services. + +_April 15._ The United States consulate at Malaga, Spain, was attacked by +a mob, and the shield torn down and trampled upon. + +_April 17._ The Spanish committee of inquiry into the destruction of the +_Maine_ reported that the explosion could not have been caused by a +torpedo or a mine of any kind, because no trace of anything was found to +justify such a conclusion. It gave the testimony of two eye-witnesses to +the catastrophe, who swore that there was absolutely no disturbance on the +surface of the harbour around the _Maine_. The committee gave great stress +to the fact that the explosion did no damage to the quays, and none to the +vessels moored close to the _Maine_, whose officers and crews noticed +nothing that could lead them to suppose that the disaster was caused +otherwise than by an accident inside the American vessel. + +_April 18._ Congress passed the Senate resolution, as given above, with an +additional clause as follows: + +_Fourth_, That the United States hereby disclaim any disposition or +intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction or control over said +island, except for the pacification thereof; and asserts its +determination, when that is accomplished, to leave the government and +control of the island to its people. + + + + + + CHAPTER III. + + + A DECLARATION OF WAR. + + +All that had been done by the governments of the United States and of +Spain was indicative of war,--it was virtually a declaration that an appeal +would be made to arms. + +_April 20._ Preparations were making in each country for actual +hostilities, and the American people were prepared to receive the +statement made by a gentleman in close touch with high officials, when he +wrote: + +"The United States has thrown down the gage of battle and Spain has picked +it up. + +"The signing by the President of the joint resolutions instructing him to +intervene in Cuba was no sooner communicated to the Spanish minister than +he immediately asked the State Department to furnish him with his +passports. + +"It was defiance, prompt and direct. + +"It was the shortest and quickest manner for Spain to answer our +ultimatum. + +"Nominally Spain has three days in which to make her reply. Actually that +reply has already been delivered. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. COLUMBIA.] + +"When a nation withdraws her minister from the territory of another it is +an open announcement to the world that all friendly relations have +terminated. + +"Answers to ultimatums have before this been returned at the cannon's +mouth. First the minister is withdrawn, then comes the firing. Spain is +ready to speak through shotted guns. + +"And the United States is ready to answer, gun for gun. + +"The queen regent opened the Cortes in Madrid yesterday, saying, in her +speech from the throne: 'I have summoned the Cortes to defend our rights, +whatever sacrifice they may entail, trusting to the Spanish people to +gather behind my son's throne. With our glorious army, navy, and nation +united before foreign aggression, we trust in God that we shall overcome, +without stain on our honour, the baseless and unjust attacks made on us.' + +"Orders were sent last night to Captain Sampson at Key West to have all +the vessels of his fleet under full steam, ready to move immediately upon +orders." + +The Spanish minister, accompanied by six members of his staff, departed +from Washington during the evening, after having made a hurried call at +the French embassy and the Austrian legation, where Spanish interests were +left in charge, having announced that he would spend several days in +Toronto, Canada. + +_April 21._ The ultimatum of the United States was received at Madrid +early in the morning, and the government immediately broke off diplomatic +relations by sending the following communication to Minister Woodford, +before he could present any note from Washington: + + + + + + +"_Dear Sir_:--In compliance with a painful duty, I have the honour to +inform you that there has been sanctioned by the President of the republic +a resolution of both chambers of the United States, which denies the +legitimate sovereignty of Spain and threatens armed intervention in Cuba, +which is equivalent to a declaration of war. + +"The government of her majesty have ordered her minister to return without +loss of time from North American territory, together with all the +personnel of the legation. + +"By this act the diplomatic relations hitherto existing between the two +countries, and all official communication between their respective +representatives, cease. + +"I am obliged thus to inform you, so that you may make such arrangements +as you think fit. I beg your excellency to acknowledge receipt of this +note at such time as you deem proper, taking this opportunity to reiterate +to you the assurances of my distinguished consideration. + + (Signed) "H. GULLON." + + + + + + +Relative to the ultimatum and its reception, the government of this +country gave out the following information: + +"On yesterday, April 20, 1898, about one o'clock P. M., the Department of +State served notice of the purposes of this government by delivering to +Minister Polo a copy of an instruction to Minister Woodford, and also a +copy of the resolutions passed by the Congress of the United States on the +nineteenth instant. After the receipt of this notice the Spanish minister +forwarded to the State Department a request for his passports, which were +furnished him on yesterday afternoon. + +"Copies of the instructions to Woodford are herewith appended. The United +States minister at Madrid was at the same time instructed to make a like +communication to the Spanish government. + +"This morning the Department received from General Woodford a telegram, a +copy of which is hereunto attached, showing that the Spanish government +had broken off diplomatic relations with this government. + +"This course renders unnecessary any further diplomatic action on the part +of the United States. + + + + + + + "'April 20, 1898. + +"'_Woodford, Minister, Madrid_:--You have been furnished with the text of a +joint resolution, voted by the Congress of the United States on the +nineteenth instant, approved to-day, in relation to the pacification of +the island of Cuba. In obedience to that act, the President directs you to +immediately communicate to the government of Spain said resolution, with +the formal demand of the government of the United States, that the +government of Spain at once relinquish her authority and government in the +island of Cuba, and withdraw her land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban +waters. + +"'In taking this step, the United States disclaims any disposition or +intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over said +island, except for the pacification thereof, and asserts its determination +when that is accomplished to leave the government and control of the +island to its people under such free and independent government as they +may establish. + +"'If, by the hour of noon on Saturday next, the twenty-third day of April, +there be not communicated to this government by that of Spain a full and +satisfactory response to this demand and resolutions, whereby the ends of +peace in Cuba shall be assured, the President will proceed without further +notice to use the power and authority enjoined and conferred upon him by +the said joint resolution to such an extent as may be necessary to carry +the same into effect. + + "'SHERMAN.' + + + + + + +"This is Woodford's telegram of this morning: + + + + + + + "'MADRID, April 21. (Received at 9.02 A. M.) + +"'_To Sherman, Washington_:--Early this morning (Tuesday), immediately +after the receipt of your telegram, and before I communicated the same to +the Spanish government, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs notified +me that diplomatic relations are broken between the two countries, and +that all official communication between the respective representatives has +ceased. I accordingly asked for my passports. Have turned the legation +over to the British embassy, and leave for Paris this afternoon. Have +notified consuls. + + "'WOODFORD.'" + + + + + + +The Spanish newspapers applauded the "energy" of their government, and +printed the paragraph inserted below as a semi-official statement from the +throne: + +"The Spanish government having received the ultimatum of the President of +the United States, considers that the document constitutes a declaration +of war against Spain, and that the proper form to be adopted is not to +make any further reply, but to await the expiration of the time mentioned +in the ultimatum before opening hostilities. In the meantime the Spanish +authorities have placed their possessions in a state of defence, and their +fleet is already on its way to meet that of the United States." + +_April 21._ General Woodford left Madrid late in the afternoon, and +although an enormous throng of citizens were gathered at the railway +station to witness his departure, no indignities were attempted. The +people of Madrid professed the greatest enthusiasm for war, and the +general opinion among the masses was that Spain would speedily vanquish +the United States. + +In Havana, in response to the manifesto from the palace, the citizens +began early to decorate the public buildings and many private residences, +balconies, and windows with the national colours. A general illumination +followed, as on the occasion of a great national festivity. Early in the +evening no less than eight thousand demonstrators filled the square +opposite the palace, a committee entering and tendering to the +captain-general, in the name of all, their estates, property, and lives in +aid of the government, and pledging their readiness to fight the invader. + +General Blanco thanked them in the name of the king, the queen regent and +the imperial and colonial governments, assuring them that he would do +everything in his power to prevent the invaders from setting foot in Cuba. +"Otherwise I shall not live," he said, in conclusion. "Do you swear to +follow me to the fight?" + +"Yes, yes, we do!" the crowd answered. + +"Do you swear to give the last drop of blood in your veins before letting +a foreigner step his foot on the land we discovered, and place his yoke +upon the people we civilised?" + +"Yes, yes, we do!" + +"The enemy's fleet is almost at Morro Castle, almost at the doors of +Havana," General Blanco added. "They have money; but we have blood to +shed, and we are ready to shed it. We will throw them into the sea!" + + [Illustration: CAPTAIN-GENERAL BLANCO.] + +The people interrupted him with cries of applause, and he finished his +speech by shouting "_Viva Espana!_" "_Viva el Rey!_" "Long live the army, +the navy, and the volunteers!" + + + +The Congress of the United States passed a joint resolution authorising +the President, in his discretion, to prohibit the exportation of coal and +other war material. The measure was of great importance, because through +it was prevented the shipment of coal to ports in the West Indies where it +might be used by Spain. + +_April 22._ At half past five o'clock in the morning the vessels composing +the North Atlantic Squadron put to sea from Key West. The flag-ship _New +York_ led the way. Close behind her steamed the _Iowa_ and the _Indiana_. +Following the war-ships came the gunboat _Machias_, and then the +_Newport_. The _Amphitrite_, the first of the fleet, lying close to shore, +steamed out after the _Machias_, and then followed in order the +_Nashville_, the _Wilmington_, the _Castine_, the _Cincinnati_, and the +other boats of the fleet, save the monitors _Terror_ and _Puritan_, which +were coaling, the cruiser _Marblehead_, the despatch-boat _Dolphin_, and +the gunboat _Helena_. + +After getting out of sight of land the flag of a rear-admiral was hoisted +over the _New York_, indicating to the fleet that Captain Sampson was +acting as a rear-admiral. When in the open sea the fleet was divided into +three divisions. The _New York_, _Iowa_, and _Indiana_ had the position of +honour. Stretching out to the right were the _Montgomery_, _Wilmington_, +_Newport_, and smaller craft; to the left was the _Nashville_ in the lead, +followed by the _Cincinnati_, _Castine_, _Machias_, _Mayflower_, and some +of the torpedo-boats. + +At seven o'clock in the morning the first gun of the war was fired. The +_Nashville_, which had been sailing at about six knots an hour, in +obedience to orders, suddenly swung out of line. Clouds of black smoke +poured from her long, slim stacks, her speed was gradually increased until +the water ascended in fine spray on each side of the bow, and behind her +trailed out a long, creamy streak on the quiet waters. + +She was headed for a Spanish merchantman, which was then about half a mile +away, apparently paying no heed to the monsters of war. + +A shot from one of the 4-pounders was sent across the stranger's bow, and +then, no attention having been paid to it, a 6-inch gun was discharged. +This last shot struck the water and bounded along the surface a mile or +more, sending up great clouds of spray. + +The Spaniard wisely concluded to heave to, and within five minutes a boat +was lowered from the _Nashville_ to put on board the first prize a crew of +six men, under command of Ensign Magruder. + +The captured vessel was the _Buena Ventura_, of 1,741 tons burthen; laden +with lumber, valued at eleven thousand dollars, and carrying a deck-load +of cattle. + +The record of this first day of hostilities was not to end with one +capture. + +Late in the afternoon, almost within gunshot of the Cuban shore, while the +United States fleet was standing toward Havana, with the _Mayflower_ a +mile or more in advance of the flag-ship _New York_, the merchant +steamship _Pedro_ hove in sight. The _Mayflower_ suddenly swung sharply to +the westward, and a moment later a string of butterfly flags went +fluttering to her masthead. + +The _New York_ flung her answering pennant to the breeze, and, making +another signal to the fleet, which probably meant "Stay where you are +until I get back," swung her bow to the westward and went racing for the +game that the _Mayflower_ had sighted. The big cruiser dashed forward, +smoke trailing in dense masses from each of her three big funnels, a hill +of foam around her bow, and in her wake a swell like a tidal wave. It was +a winning pace, and a magnificent sight she presented as she dashed +through the choppy seas with never an undulation of her long, graceful +hull. + +When she was well inshore a puff of smoke came from the bow of the +cruiser, followed by a dull report, then another and another, until four +shots had been sent from one of the small, rapid-fire guns. The Spanish +steamer, probably believing the pursuing craft carried no heavier guns, +was trying to keep at a safe distance until the friendly darkness of night +should hide her from view. During sixty seconds or more the big cruiser +held her course in silence, and then her entire bow was hidden from the +spectators in a swirl of white smoke as a main battery gun roared out its +demand. + +The whizzing shell spoke plainly to the Spanish craft, and had hardly more +than flung up a column of water a hundred yards or less in front of the +merchantman before she was hastily rounded to with her engines reversed. + +A prize crew under Ensign Marble was thrown on board, and the steamer +_Pedro_, twenty-eight hundred tons burthen, suddenly had a change of +commanders. + +_April 22._ The President issued a proclamation announcing a blockade of +Cuban ports, and also signed the bill providing for the utilising of +volunteer forces in times of war. + +The foreign news of immediate interest to the people of the United States +was, first, from Havana, that Captain-General Blanco had published a +decree confirming his previous decree, and declaring the island to be in a +state of war. + +He also annulled his former similar decrees granting pardon to insurgents, +and placed under martial law all those who were guilty of treason, +espionage, crimes against peace or against the independence of the nation, +seditious revolts, attacks against the form of government or against the +authorities, and against those who disturb public order, though only by +means of printed matter. + +From Madrid came the information that during the evening a throng of no +less than six thousand people, carrying flags and shouting "_Viva +Espana!_" "We want war!" and "Down with the Yankees!" burned the stars and +stripes in front of the residence of Senor Sagasta, the premier, who was +accorded an ovation. The mob then went to the residence of M. Patenotre, +the French ambassador, and insisted that he should make his appearance, +but the French ambassador was not at home. + + [Illustration: PREMIER SAGASTA.] + +Correspondents at Hongkong announced that Admiral Dewey had ordered the +commanders of the vessels composing his squadron to be in readiness for an +immediate movement against the Philippine Islands. + +_April 23._ The President issued a proclamation calling for one hundred +and twenty-five thousand volunteer soldiers. + +In the new war tariff bill a loan of $500,000,000 was provided for in the +form of three per cent. 10-20 bonds. + +The third capture of a Spanish vessel was made early in the morning by the +torpedo-boat _Ericsson_. The fishing-boat _Perdito_ was sighted making for +Havana harbour, and overhauled only when she was directly under the guns +of Morro Castle, where a single shot from the fortification might have +sunk either craft. After a prize-crew had been put on board Rear-Admiral +Sampson decided to turn her loose, and so she was permitted to return to +Havana to spread the news of the blockade. + +During the afternoon the rum-laden schooner _Mathilde_ was taken, after a +lively chase, by the torpedo-boat _Porter_. Between five and six o'clock +in the evening the torpedo-boat _Foote_, Lieut. W. L. Rodgers commanding, +received the first Spanish fire. + +She was taking soundings in the harbour of Matanzas, and had approached +within two or three hundred yards of the shore, when suddenly a masked +battery on the east side of the harbour, and not far distant from the +_Foote_, fired three shots at the torpedo-boat. The missiles went wide of +the mark, and the _Foote_ leisurely returned to the _Cincinnati_ to report +the result of her work. + +At Hongkong the United States consul notified Governor Blake of the +British colony that the American fleet would leave the harbour in +forty-eight hours, and that no warlike stores, or more coal than would be +necessary to carry the vessels to the nearest home port, would be shipped. + +The United States demanded of Portugal, the owner of the Cape Verde +Islands, that, in accordance with international law, she send the Spanish +war-ships away from St. Vincent, or require them to remain in that port +during the war. + +_April 24._ The following decree was gazetted in Madrid: + +"Diplomatic relations are broken off between Spain and the United States, +and a state of war being begun between the two countries, numerous +questions of international law arise, which must be precisely defined +chiefly because the injustice and provocation came from our adversaries, +and it is they who by their detestable conduct have caused this great +conflict." + +The royal decree then states that Spain maintains her right to have +recourse to privateering, and announces that for the present only +auxiliary cruisers will be fitted out. All treaties with the United States +are annulled; thirty days are given to American ships to leave Spanish +ports, and the rules Spain will observe during the war are outlined in +five clauses, covering neutral flags and goods contraband of war; what +will be considered a blockade; the right of search, and what constitutes +contraband of war, ending with saying that foreign privateers will be +regarded as pirates. + +Continuing, the decree declared: "We have observed with the strictest +fidelity the principles of international law, and have shown the most +scrupulous respect for morality and the right of government. + +"There is an opinion that the fact that we have not adhered to the +declaration of Paris does not exempt us from the duty of respecting the +principles therein enunciated. The principle Spain unquestionably refused +to admit then was the abolition of privateering. + +"The government now considers it most indispensable to make absolute +reserve on this point, in order to maintain our liberty of action and +uncontested right to have recourse to privateering when we consider it +expedient, first, by organising immediately a force of cruisers, auxiliary +to the navy, which will be composed of vessels of our mercantile marine, +and with equal distinction in the work of our navy. + +"_Clause 1_: The state of war existing between Spain and the United States +annuls the treaty of peace and amity of October 27, 1795, and the protocol +of January 12, 1877, and all other agreements, treaties, or conventions in +force between the two countries. + +"_Clause 2_: From the publication of these presents, thirty days are +granted to all ships of the United States anchored in our harbours to take +their departure free of hindrance. + +"_Clause 3_: Notwithstanding that Spain has not adhered to the declaration +of Paris, the government, respecting the principles of the law of nations, +proposes to observe, and hereby orders to be observed, the following +regulations of maritime laws: + +"_One_: Neutral flags cover the enemy's merchandise, except contraband of +war. + +"_Two_: Neutral merchandise, except contraband of war, is not seizable +under the enemy's flag. + +"_Three_: A blockade, to be obligatory, must be effective; viz., it must +be maintained with sufficient force to prevent access to the enemy's +littoral. + +"_Four_: The Spanish government, upholding its rights to grant letters of +marque, will at present confine itself to organising, with the vessels of +the mercantile marine, a force of auxiliary cruisers which will cooeperate +with the navy, according to the needs of the campaign, and will be under +naval control. + +"_Five_: In order to capture the enemy's ships, and confiscate the enemy's +merchandise and contraband of war under whatever form, the auxiliary +cruisers will exercise the right of search on the high seas, and in the +waters under the enemy's jurisdiction, in accordance with international +law and the regulations which will be published. + +"_Six_: Defines what is included in contraband of war, naming weapons, +ammunition, equipments, engines, and, in general, all the appliances used +in war. + +"_Seven_: To be regarded and judged as pirates, with all the rigour of the +law, are captains, masters, officers, and two-thirds of the crew of +vessels, which, not being American, shall commit acts of war against +Spain, even if provided with letters of marque by the United States." + +_April 24._ The U. S. S. _Helena_ captured the steamer _Miguel Jover_. The +U. S. S. _Detroit_ captured the steamer _Catalania_; the _Wilmington_ took +the schooner _Candidor_; the _Winona_ made a prize of the steamer +_Saturnia_, and the _Terror_ brought in the schooners _Saco_ and _Tres +Hermanes_. + +_April 25._ Early in the day the President sent the following message to +Congress: + + + + + + +"I transmit to the Congress, for its consideration and appropriate action, +copies of correspondence recently had with the representatives of Spain +and the United States, with the United States minister at Madrid, through +the latter with government of Spain, showing the action taken under the +joint resolution approved April 20, 1898, 'For the recognition of the +independence of the people of Cuba, demanding that the government of Spain +relinquish its authority and government in the island of Cuba, and +withdraw its land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and +directing the President of the United States to carry these resolutions +into effect.' + +"Upon communicating with the Spanish minister in Washington the demand, +which it became the duty of the executive to address to the government of +Spain in obedience with said resolution, the minister asked for his +passports and withdrew. The United States minister at Madrid was in turn +notified by the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, that the withdrawal +of the Spanish representative from the United States had terminated +diplomatic relations between the two countries, and that all official +communications between their respective representatives ceased therewith. + +"I commend to your especial attention the note addressed to the United +States minister at Madrid by the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs on +the twenty-first instant, whereby the foregoing notification was conveyed. +It will be perceived therefrom, that the government of Spain, having +cognisance of the joint resolution of the United States Congress, and, in +view of the things which the President is thereby required and authorised +to do, responds by treating the reasonable demands of this government as +measures of hostility, following with that instant and complete severance +of relations by its action, which by the usage of nations accompanied an +existing state of war between sovereign powers. + +"The position of Spain being thus made known, and the demands of the +United States being denied, with a complete rupture of intercourse by the +act of Spain, I have been constrained, in exercise of the power and +authority conferred upon me by the joint resolution aforesaid, to proclaim +under date of April 22, 1898, a blockade of certain ports of the north +coast of Cuba, lying between Cardenas and Bahia Honda, and of the port of +Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba, and further in exercise of my +constitutional powers, and using the authority conferred upon me by act of +Congress, approved April 22, 1898, to issue my proclamation, dated April +23, 1898, calling for volunteers in order to carry into effect the said +resolution of April 20, 1898. Copies of these proclamations are hereto +appended. + + [Illustration: PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.] + +"In view of the measures so taken, and other measures as may be necessary +to enable me to carry out the express will of the Congress of the United +States in the premises, I now recommend to your honourable body the +adoption of a joint resolution declaring that a state of war exists +between the United States of America and the kingdom of Spain, and I urge +speedy action thereon to the end that the definition of the international +status of the United States as a belligerent power may be made known, and +the assertion of all its rights and the maintenance of all its duties in +the conduct of a public war may be assured. + + (Signed) "WILLIAM MCKINLEY. +"_Executive Mansion, Washington, April 25, 1898._" + + + + + + +The war bill was passed without delay, and immediately after it had been +signed the following notice was sent to the representatives of the foreign +nations: + +"A joint resolution of Congress, approved April 20th, directed +intervention for the pacification and independence of the island of Cuba. +The Spanish government on April 21st informed our minister at Madrid that +it considered this resolution equivalent to a declaration of war, and that +it had accordingly withdrawn its minister from Washington and terminated +all diplomatic relations. + +"Congress has therefore, by an act approved to-day, declared that a state +of war exists between the two countries since and including April 21st. + +"You will inform the government to which you are accredited, so that its +neutrality may be assured in the existing war." + + + +Before the close of the day John Sherman, Secretary of State, had +resigned; Assistant Secretary William R. Day was appointed the head of the +department, with John B. Moore as his successor. + +The United States squadron sailed from Hongkong, under orders to +rendezvous at Mirs Bay, and public attention was turned towards Manila, it +being believed that there the first action would take place. + +During the evening the tiny steamer _Mangrove_, a lighthouse tender, +captured the richest prize of the war thus far, when she hove to the +_Panama_, a big transatlantic liner, and an auxiliary cruiser of the +Spanish navy, which had been plying between New York and Havana. + +The _Mangrove_, Lieut.-Commander William H. Everett commanding, was +cruising along the Cuban coast about twenty miles from Havana when she +sighted the big steamer, which was armed with two 12-pounders. As the +latter came within range the _Mangrove_ sent a shot across her bow; but +the Spaniard gave no heed; another missile followed without result, and +the third whistled in the air when the two vessels were hardly more than a +hundred yards apart, Commander Everett shouting, as the report of the gun +died away, that unless the steamer surrendered she would be sunk +forthwith. + +The only other ship of the fleet in sight was the battle-ship _Indiana_, +three miles to the rear. The _Mangrove's_ officers admit that they +expected the enemy's 12-pounders to open on them in response to the +threat, but the Spaniard promptly came to. Ensign Dayton boarded the +prize. + +The _Indiana_ had seen the capture, and meanwhile drew up to the +_Mangrove_, giving her a lusty cheer. Lieutenant-Commander Everett +reported to Captain Taylor of the battle-ship, and the latter put a +prize-crew on board the captive, consisting of Cadet Falconer and fifteen +marines. + +_April 26._ The President issued a proclamation respecting the rights of +Spanish vessels then in, or bound to, ports in the United States, and also +with regard to the right of search. + +The United States gunboat _Newport_ carried into Key West the Spanish +schooner _Piereno_ and the sloop _Paquette_, which she captured off +Havana, while the monitor _Terror_ took to the same port the coasting +steamer _Ambrosia Bolivar_. This last prize had on board silver specie to +the amount of seventy thousand dollars, three hundred casks of wine, and a +cargo of bananas. + +_April 27._ The steamers _New York_, _Puritan_, and _Cincinnati_ bombarded +the forts at the mouth of Matanzas Harbour. The engagement commenced at +12.57, and ceased at 1.15 P. M. The object of the attack was to prevent +the completion of the earthworks at Punta Gorda. + +A battery on the eastward arm of the bay opened fire on the flag-ship, and +this was also shelled. Twelve 8-inch shells were fired from the eastern +forts, but all fell short. About five or six light shells were fired from +the half completed batteries. Two of these whizzed over the _New York_, +and one fell short. + +The ships left the bay for the open sea, the object of discovering the +whereabouts of the batteries having been accomplished. In the +neighbourhood of three hundred shots were put on land from the three ships +at a range of from four thousand to seven thousand yards. No casualties on +the American side. + +The little monitor _Terror_ captured her third prize, and the story of the +chase is thus told by an eye-witness: + + [Illustration: U. S. S. PURITAN.] + +"The Spanish steamer _Guido_, Captain Armarechia, was bound for Havana. +There was Spanish urgency that she should reach that port. Aboard was a +large cargo, provisions for the beleaguered city, money for the Spanish +troops--or officers. The steamer had left Liverpool on April 2d, and +Corunna on April 9th. + +"Ten miles off Cardenas, in the early morning, the _Guido_, setting her +fastest pace, made for Havana and the guardian guns of Morro. Ten miles +off Cardenas plodded the heavy monitor. The half light betrayed the +fugitive, and the pursuit was begun. + +"Slowly, very slowly, the monitor gained. It would be a long chase. Men in +the engine-room toiled like galley-slaves under the whip. There was +prize-money to be gained. The _Guido_ fled fast. Every light aboard her +was hid. + +"Reluctantly the pursuer aimed a 6-pounder. It was prize aim, and the shot +found more than a billet in the _Guido's_ pilot-house. It tore a part +away; the splinters flew. + +"Another 6-pounder, and another. It was profitable shooting. The +pilot-house, a fair mark, was piece by piece nearly destroyed. Jagged bits +of wood floated in the steamer's wake. + +"The gunboat _Machias_, which was some distance away, heard the sound of +the firing, came up, and brought her 4-inch rifle into play, firing one +shot, which failed to hit the Spaniard. This, however, brought her to, and +Lieutenant Qualto and a prize-crew were put on board." + +A cablegram from Hongkong announced the capture of the American bark +_Saranac_ off Manila, by the Spanish gunboat _El Correo_. + +By a conference of both branches of Congress a naval bill of $49,277,558 +was agreed upon. It stands as the heaviest naval outlay since the civil +war, providing for the construction of three battle-ships, four monitors, +sixteen torpedo-boat destroyers, and twelve torpedo-boats. + +The U. S. S. _Newport_ captured the Spanish sloop _Engracia_, and the +U. S. S. _Dolphin_ made a prize of the Spanish schooner _Lola_. + +_April 29._ The flag-ship _New York_ was lying about two miles off the +harbour of Cabanas, having just completed a cruise of inspection. With her +were the torpedo-boats _Porter_ and _Ericsson_. On the shore could be seen +the white ruins of what may have been the dwelling of a plantation. No +signs of life were visible. It was as if war's alarms had never been heard +on this portion of the island. + +Suddenly a volley of musketry rang out, repeated again and again, at +regular intervals, and the tiny jets of water which were sent up by the +bullets told that, concealed near about the ruins of the hacienda, a troop +of Spanish soldiers were making what possibly they may have believed to be +an attack upon the big war-ship. It was much as if a swarm of gnats had +set about endeavouring to worry an elephant, and likely to have as little +effect; yet Rear-Admiral Sampson believed it was necessary to teach the +enemy that any playing at war, however harmless, was dangerous to +themselves, and he ordered that the port battery be manned. + +Half a dozen shots from the 4-inch guns were considered sufficient, +although there was no evidence any execution had been done, and the big +vessel's bow was turned eastward just as a troop of Spanish cavalry rode +rapidly away from the ruin. The horsemen served as a target for a 4-inch +gun in the starboard battery, and the troop dispersed in hot haste. + +While this mimic warfare was being carried on off Cabanas, a most +important capture was made. The _Nashville_, _Marblehead_, and the _Eagle_ +left the station on the north coast, April 25th, to blockade Cienfuegos, +arriving at the latter place on the twenty-eighth. + +They spent the day reconnoitring, and, next morning, in order to get +better information, steamed close to the mouth of the harbour of +Cienfuegos. The _Eagle_ was to the eastward, and in the van. The +_Marblehead_ was slightly in the rear, and the _Nashville_ to the +westward. + +All were cleared for action. Suddenly smoke was seen rising on the western +horizon, and the _Nashville_, because of her position, put on all steam in +that direction. Twenty minutes later she fired two shots across the bow of +the coming steamer, which promptly hove to. She was the _Argonauta_. +Ensign Keunzli was sent with a prize-crew of nine to take possession of +her. + +Learning that Spanish soldiers were on board, word was given to send them +to the _Nashville_ immediately as prisoners of war, and when this had been +done arrangements were made to transfer the passengers and non-combatants +to the shore. The women and children were placed in the first boat, and +under cover of a flag of truce were soon bound toward the entrance to +Cienfuegos. A second crew took the other passengers and landed them about +noon. + +The _Argonauta_ had on board Colonel Corijo of the Third Spanish Cavalry, +his first lieutenant, sergeant-major, seven other lieutenants, and ten +privates and non-commissioned officers. The steamer also carried a large +cargo of arms and Mauser ammunition. She was bound from Satabanao, Spain, +for Cienfuegos, stopping at Port Louis, Trinidad, and Manzanillo. + +Half an hour later the _Eagle_ hoisted a signal conveying the intelligence +that she had been fired upon by Spanish boats coming out of the river. She +immediately returned the fire with the 6-pounders, and held her ground +until the _Marblehead_ came up. Both vessels then fired broadside after +broadside up the entrance to the river. + +The boats coming down were two torpedo-boats and one torpedo-boat +destroyer. After twenty minutes of firing by the _Eagle_, during the last +five of which the _Marblehead_ participated, the Spanish vessels ceased +firing. + +_April 29._ A cablegram from St. Vincent, Cape Verde, reported the +departure from that port of the Spanish squadron, consisting of the +first-class cruisers _Vizcaya_, _Almirante Oquendo_, _Infanta Maria +Teresa_, and _Cristobal Colon_, and the three torpedo-boat destroyers +_Furor_, _Terror_, and _Pluton_, bound westward, probably for Porto Rico. + +_April 30._ The American schooner _Ann Louisa Lockwood_ was taken by the +Spaniards off Mole St. Nicolas. + +The capture of a small Spanish schooner, the _Mascota_, near Havana, by +the torpedo-boat _Foote_, closed the record of the month of April. + +Anxiously awaiting some word from Manila were the people of the United +States, and it was as if everything else was relegated to the background +until information could be had regarding that American fleet which sailed +from Mirs Bay, in the China Sea, on the afternoon of April 27th. + + + + + + CHAPTER IV. + + + THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. + + + + + + +_May 1._ "Manila, May 1.--The squadron arrived at Manila at daybreak this +morning. Immediately engaged the enemy, and destroyed the following +Spanish vessels: _Isla de Cuba_, _Isla de Luzon_, _Reina Christina_, +_Castilla_, _Don Antonio d'Ulloa_, _Don Juan d'Austria_, _Velasco_, +_General Lezo_, _El Correo_, _Marques del Duero_, _Isla de Mindanao_, and +the water-battery at Cavite. The squadron is uninjured. Few men were +slightly injured. The only means of telegraphing is to American consulate, +Hongkong. I shall communicate with him. + + "DEWEY." + + + + + + +All the world loves a hero, but idolises him when he performs his deeds of +valour without too many preliminaries, and, therefore, when on the seventh +of May the telegram quoted above was flashed over the wires to an +anxiously expectant people, it was as if all the country remembered but +one name,--that of Dewey. + +_April 25._ It was known to the public that the Asiatic Squadron had +sailed from Hongkong on the 25th of April to avoid possible complications +such as might arise in a neutral port, and had rendezvoused in Mirs Bay, +there to await orders from the government at Washington. + + [Illustration: ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY.] + +_April 26._ So also was it known that on the next day Commodore Dewey +received the following cablegram. + + + + + + + "WASHINGTON, April 26th. + +"_Dewey, Asiatic Squadron_:--Commence operations at once, particularly +against Spanish fleet. You must capture or destroy them. + + "MCKINLEY." + + + + + + +_April 27._ On the twenty-seventh came information from Hongkong that the +squadron had put to sea, and from that day until the seventh of May no +word regarding the commodore's movements had been received, save through +Spanish sources. + +Then came a cablegram containing the bare facts concerning the most +complete naval victory the world had ever known. It was the first +engagement of the war, and a crushing defeat for the enemy. It is not +strange that the people, literally overwhelmed with joy, gave little heed +to the movements of our forces elsewhere until the details of this +marvellous fight could be sent under the oceans and across the countries, +thousands of leagues in distance, describing the deeds of the heroes who +had made their names famous so long as history shall exist. + +During such time of waiting all were eager to familiarise themselves with +the theatre of this scene of action, and every source of information was +applied to until the bay of Manila had become as well known as the nearest +home waters. + +For a better understanding of the battle a rough diagram of the bay, from +the entrance as far as the city of Manila, may not come amiss.(1) + +Twenty-six miles from the entrance to the bay is situated the city of +Manila, through which the river Pasig runs, dividing what is known as the +old city from the new, and forming several small islands. + +Sixteen miles from the sea is the town and arsenal of Cavite, which, +projecting as it does from the mainland, forms a most commodious and safe +harbour. Cavite was well fortified, and directly opposite its fort, on the +mainland, was a heavy mortar battery. Between the arsenal and the city was +a Krupp battery, at what was known as the Luneta Fort, while further +toward the sea, extending from Cavite to the outermost portion of Limbones +Point, were shore-batteries,--formidable forts, so it had been given out by +the Spanish government, such as would render the city of Manila +impregnable. + +Between Limbones and Talago Point are two islands, Corregidor and Caballo, +which divide the entrance of the bay into three channels. On each of these +islands is a lighthouse, and it was said that both were strongly fortified +with modern guns. North of Corregidor, nearly opposite, but on the inner +shore, is the point of San Jose, where was another water-battery mounting +formidable guns. That channel between Corregidor and San Jose Point is +known as the Boca Grande, and is nearly two miles wide. The middle +channel, or the one situated between the two islands, is shallow, and but +little used. The third, which separates Caballo Island from Limbones +Point, is nearly three miles in width, at least twenty fathoms deep, and +known as the Boca Chica. + +All of these channels, as well as the waters of the bay, were said to have +been thickly mined, and the enemy had caused it to be reported that no +ship could safely enter without the aid of a government pilot. + +In addition to the vessels of the American fleet, as set down at the +conclusion of this chapter, were two transports, the steamers _Nanshan_ +and _Zafiro_, which had come into the port of Hongkong laden with coal +shortly before Commodore Dewey's departure, and had been purchased by him, +together with their cargoes, in anticipation of the declaration of war. + +And now, the details having been set down in order that what follows may +be the better understood, we will come to that sultry Sunday morning, +shortly after midnight, when the American fleet steamed along the coast +toward the entrance to Manila Bay, the flag-ship _Olympia_ leading, with +the _Baltimore_, the _Raleigh_, the _Petrel_, the _Concord_, and the +_Boston_ following in the order named. In the rear of these came the two +transports, the _Nanshan_ and _Zafiro_, convoyed by the despatch steamer +_McCulloch_. + +The commodore had decided to enter by the Boca Grande channel, and the +fleet kept well out from Talago Point until the great light of Corregidor +came into view. + +Then the crews of the war-vessels were summoned on deck, the men ordered +to wash, and afterwards served with a cup of coffee. All lights were +extinguished except one on the stern of each ship, and that was hooded. +All hands were at quarters; all guns loaded, with extra charges ready at +hand; every eye was strained, and every ear on the alert to catch the +slightest sound. + +Perhaps there was not a man from commodore to seaman, who believed it +would be possible for the war-vessels to enter the bay without giving an +alarm, and yet the big ships continued on and were nearly past Corregidor +Island before a gun was fired. + +The flag-ship was well into the bay, steaming at a four-knot speed, when +from the smoke-stack of the little _McCulloch_ a column of sparks shot up +high into the air. In the run her fires had fallen low, and it became +necessary to replenish them. The firemen, perhaps fearing lest they should +not be in at the death, were more energetic than prudent, and thus a +signal was given to the sleepy garrison of Corregidor. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. OLYMPIA.] + +"Perhaps they will see us now," the commodore remarked, quietly, as his +attention was called to this indiscretion. + +A flash of light burst from the fort; there was a dull report, and in the +air could be heard that peculiar singing and sighing of a flying +projectile as a heavy missile passed over the _Olympia_ and the _Raleigh_. + +The garrison on Corregidor was awakened, but not until after the last +vessel in that ominous procession had steamed past. + +It was the first gun in the battle of Manila Bay, and it neither worked +harm nor caused alarm. + +Again and again in rapid succession came these flashes of light, dull +reports, and sinister hummings in the air, before the American fleet gave +heed that this signal to heave to had been heard. + +Then a 4-inch shell was sent from the _Concord_ directly inside of the +fortification, where it exploded. + +The _Raleigh_ and the _Boston_ each threw a shell by way of salute, and +then all was silent. + +The channel, which had been thickly mined, according to the Spanish +reports, was passed in safety, and the fleet, looking so unsubstantial in +the darkness, had yet to meet the mines in the bay, as well as the Spanish +fleet, which all knew was lying somewhere near about the city. + +On the forward bridge of the _Olympia_ stood Commodore Dewey, his chief of +staff, Commander Lamberton, Lieutenant Rees, Lieutenant Calkins, and an +insurgent Filippino, who had volunteered as pilot. + +In the conning-tower was Captain Gridley, who, much against his will, was +forced to take up his position in that partially sheltered place because +the commander of the fleet was not willing to take the chances that all +the chief officers of the ship should be exposed to death on the bridge. + +The word was given to "slow down," and the speed of the big ships +decreased until they had barely steerageway. + +The men were allowed to sleep beside their guns. + +The moon had set, the darkness and the silence was almost profound, until +suddenly day broke, as it does in the tropics, like unto a flash of light, +and all that bay, with its fighting-machines in readiness for the first +signal, was disclosed to view. + +From the masthead of the American vessels rose tiny balls of bunting, and +then were broken out, disclosing the broad folds of the stars and stripes. + +Cavite was hardly more than five miles ahead, and beyond, the city of +Manila. + +The _Reina Christina_, flying the Spanish rear-admiral's flag, lay off the +arsenal. Astern of her was moored the _Castilla_, her port battery ready +for action. Slightly to seaward were the _Don Juan de Austria_, the _Don +Antonio de Ulloa_, the _Isla de Cuba_ and _Isla de __Luzon_, the _El +Correo_, the _Marques del Duero_, and the _General Lezo_. + +They were under steam and slowly moving about, apparently ready to receive +the fire of the advancing squadron. The flag-ship _Reina Christina_ also +was under way. + +"Prepare for general action! Steam at eight-knot speed!" were the signals +which floated from the _Olympia_ as she led the fleet in, keeping well +toward the shore opposite the city. + +The American fleet was yet five miles distant, when from the arsenal came +a flame and report; but the missile was not to be seen. Another shot from +Cavite, and then was strung aloft on the _Olympia_ a line of tiny flags, +telling by the code what was to be the American battle-cry: "Remember the +_Maine_," and from the throat of every man on the incoming ships went up a +shout of defiance and exultation that the moment was near at hand when the +dastardly deed done in the harbour of Havana might be avenged. + +Steaming steadily onward were the huge vessels, dropping astern and beyond +range the transports as they passed opposite Cavite Point, until, having +gained such a distance above the city as permitted of an evolution, the +fleet swung swiftly around until it held a course parallel with the +westernmost shore, and distant from it mayhap six thousand yards. + +Every nerve was strained to its utmost tension; each man took a mental +grip upon himself, believing that he stood face to face with death; but no +cheek paled; no hand trembled save it might have been from excitement. + +The ships were coming down on their fighting course when a shell from one +of the shore-batteries burst over the _Olympia_; the guns from the fort +and from the water-batteries vomited jets of flame and screaming missiles +with thunderous reports; every man on the American fleet save one believed +the moment had come when they should act their part in the battle which +had been begun by the enemy; but up went the signal: + +"Hold your fire until close in." + +Had the American fleet opened fire then, the city of Manila would have +been laid in ashes and thousands of non-combatants slain. + +The _Olympia_ was yet two miles from Cavite when, directly in front of the +_Baltimore_, a huge shaft of water shot high into the air, and with a +heavy booming that drowned the reports of the Spanish guns. + +"The torpedoes!" some one on the _Olympia_ said, in a low tone, with an +indrawing of the breath; but it was as if Dewey did not hear. With +Farragut in Mobile Bay he had seen the effects of such engines of +destruction, and, like Farragut, he gave little heed to that which might +in a single instant send his vessel to the bottom, even as the _Maine_ had +been sent. + +Then, so near the _Raleigh_ as to send a flood across her decks, another +spouting of water, another dull roar, and the much vaunted mines of the +Spaniards in Manila Bay had been exploded. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. BALTIMORE.] + +The roar and crackle of the enemy's guns still continued, yet Dewey +withheld the order which every man was now most eager to hear. + +The Spanish gunners were getting the range; the shells which had passed +over our fleet now fell close about them; the tension among officers and +men was terrible. They wondered how much longer the commodore would +restrain them from firing. The heat was rapidly becoming intense. The +guns' crews began to throw off their clothes. Soon they wore nothing but +their trousers, and perspiration fairly ran from their bodies. + +Still the word was not given to fire, though the ships steadily steamed on +and drew nearer the fort. Orders were given by the officers in low voices, +but they were perfectly audible, so great was the silence which was broken +only by the throbbing of the engines. The men hugged their posts ready to +open fire at the word. + +A huge shell from Cavite hissed through the air and came directly for the +_Olympia_. High over the smoke-stack it burst with a mighty snap. +Commodore Dewey did not raise his eyes. He simply turned, made a motion to +a boatswain's mate who stood near the after 5-inch gun. With a voice of +thunder the man bellowed an order along the decks. + +"Remember the _Maine_!" yelled a chorus of five hundred gallant sailors. +Below decks in the engine-rooms the cry was taken up, a cry of defiance +and revenge. Up in the turrets resounded the words, and the threatening +notes were swept across the bay to the other ships. + +"Remember the _Maine_!" + +In that strange cry was loosed the pent-up wrath of hundreds of American +sailors who resented the cowardly death of their comrades. It bespoke the +terrible vengeance that was about to be dealt out to the defenders of a +detestable flag. + +"You may fire when you are ready, Gridley," was Commodore Dewey's quiet +remark to the captain of the _Olympia_, who was still in the +conning-tower. + +The _Olympia's_ 8-inch gun in the forward turret belched forth, and an +instant later was run up the signal to the ships astern: + +"Fire as convenient." + +The other vessels in the squadron followed the example set by the +_Olympia_. The big 8-inch guns of the _Baltimore_ and the _Boston_ hurled +their two hundred and fifty pound shells at the Spanish flag-ship and at +the _Castilla_. + +The Spanish fleet fired fast and furiously. The guns on Cavite hurled +their shells at the swiftly moving vessels; the water-batteries added +their din to the horrible confusion of noises; the air was sulphurous with +the odour of burning powder, and great clouds of smoke hung here and +there, obscuring this vessel or that from view. It was the game of death +with all its horrible accompaniments. + +One big shell came toward the _Olympia_ straight for the bridge. When a +hundred feet away it suddenly burst, its fragments continuing onward. One +piece struck the rigging directly over the head of Commander Lamberton. He +did not wince. + + [Illustration: THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY.] + +The _Olympia_ continued on. It was evident Commodore Dewey was making +straight for the centre of the enemy's line, which was the big cruiser +_Reina Christina_. + +Being the nearest ship, the _Olympia_ received more attention from the +Spaniards than any of the other vessels. + +The water was now getting shallow. Commodore Dewey did not wish to run +aground. He altered his course when about four thousand yards from the +Spanish vessels, and swung around to give them his broadside. + +A small torpedo-boat was seen to emerge from the shore near the arsenal, +making for the coal-laden steamers at a high rate of speed. The secondary +batteries on the ships nearest were brought to bear upon her; it was a +veritable shower of shot and shell which fell ahead, astern, and either +side of her. To continue on would have been certain destruction, and, +turning in the midst of that deadly hail which had half disabled her, the +craft was run high and dry on the beach, where she was at once abandoned, +her crew doubtless fearing lest the magazines would explode. + +"Open with all guns," came the signal as the course of the American +vessels was changed, and soon all the port guns were at work. + +The American fleet was steaming back and forth off Cavite Bay as if bent +on leaving such a wake as would form a figure eight, delivering broadside +after broadside with splendid results. + +All this time the enemy's vessels were keeping up a steady fire, the +smaller ships retreating inside the mole several times during the action. +The forts were not idle, but kept thundering forth their tribute with no +noticeable effect. The enemy's fire seemed to be concentrated on the +_Baltimore_, and she was hit several times. + +A 4.7-inch armour-piercing shell punctured her side on the main-deck line, +tore up the wooden deck, and, striking the steel deck under this, glanced +upward, went through the after engine-room hatch, and, emerging, struck +the cylinder of the port 6-inch gun on the quarter-deck, temporarily +rendering the gun unfit for use. + +In its flight it also struck a box of 3-pounder ammunition, exploding one +shell, which in turn slightly wounded one of No. 4 gun's crew. + +One shell pierced her starboard side forward of No. 2 sponson, and lodged +in a clothes-locker on the berth-deck; another struck her port beam a +little above the water-line, and a few feet forward of, and above this, +another shell came crashing across the berth-deck, striking a steam-pipe +and exploding behind the starboard blower-engine, but with no serious +results. A fragment of a shell went through one of the ventilators, and +the colours of the mainmast were shot through. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. BOSTON.] + +The concussion from the 8-inch guns on the poop shattered the whaleboats, +and they had to be cut adrift. A fragment of a shell that burst over the +quarter-deck cut the signal halliards which Lieutenant Brumby held in his +hand. + +On the _Boston_ a shell came through a port-hole in Ensign Doddridge's +stateroom, and wrecked it badly. The explosion set a fire which was +quickly put out. Another shell struck the port hammock netting, where it +burst, setting fire to the hammocks. This was also soon extinguished. +Still another shell struck the _Boston's_ foremast, cutting a great gash +in it. It came within twenty feet of Captain Wildes on the bridge. + +The _Raleigh_ was forced inshore by the strong current, and carried +directly upon the bows of two Spanish cruisers. By all the rules of +warfare she should have been sunk; but instead, her commander delivered +two raking broadsides as she steamed back into place. + +Three times the American ships passed back and forth, opening first with +one broadside and then with another as the ship swung around, and then the +_Reina Christina_, black smoke pouring from her stacks, and a vapour as of +wool coming from the steam-pipes, gallantly sallied out to meet the +_Olympia_. + +Between the two flag-ships ensued a duel, in which the Spaniard was +speedily worsted to such a degree that she was literally forced to turn +and make for the shore. As she swung around, with her stern directly +toward the _Olympia_, an 8-inch shell struck her squarely, and the +explosive must have travelled directly through the ill-fated craft until +it reached the after boiler, where it exploded, ripping up the decks, and +vomiting forth showers of iron fragments and portions of dismembered human +bodies. + +A gunboat came out from behind the Cavite pier, and made directly for the +_Olympia_. In less than five minutes she was in a sinking condition; as +she turned, a shell struck her just inside the stern railing, and she +disappeared beneath the waves as if crushed by some titanic force. + +Navigator Calkins of the _Olympia_ had soundings taken, and told Commodore +Dewey that he could take the ship farther in toward the Spanish fleet. + +"Take her in, then," the commodore replied. + +The ship moved up to within two thousand yards of the Spanish fleet. This +brought the smaller guns into effective play. + +The rain of shell upon the doomed Spaniards was terrific. + +The _Castilla_ was in flames from stem to stern. Black smoke poured up +from the decks of the _Isla de Cuba_, and on the flag-ship fire was +completing the work of destruction begun by the American shells. + +It was 7.35 A. M. when the battle, which began at 5.41, came to a +temporary close. The first round was concluded. + +There was yet ample time in which to finish the work so well begun, and +from the flag-ship _Olympia_ went up the signal: + +"Cease firing and follow." + +The fleet was headed for the opposite shore, and, once partially beyond +range, "mess-gear" was sounded. + +The only casualty worthy of mention which had occurred was the death of +Chief Engineer Frank B. Randall, of the steamer _McCulloch_, who died from +heart disease, probably superinduced by excitement, while the fleet was +passing Corregidor. + +There were handshakings and congratulations on every hand as +smoke-begrimed friends, parted during the battle, met again, and loud were +the cheers that went up from the various ships in passing. + +After breakfast had been served and the ships made ready for the second +round, or, in other words, at 10.15 in the forenoon, the Spanish flag-ship +_Reina Christina_ hauled down her colours, and the admiral's flag was +transferred to the _Isla de Cuba_. + +At 10.45 a signal was made from the _Olympia_: + +"Get under way with men at quarters." + +Again the fleet stood in toward Cavite, the _Baltimore_ in the lead, but +the latter vessel's course was quickly changed as a strange steamer was +observed entering the bay. + +Not many moments were spent in reconnoitring; the signal flags soon told +that the stranger was flying the English ensign. + +Then came the order for the _Baltimore_ to stand in and destroy the +enemy's fortifications, and ten minutes later the battle was on once more. + +Now the fire was slow and deliberate, the gunners taking careful aim, bent +on expending the least amount of ammunition with the greatest possible +execution. + +The _Baltimore_ suffered most at the beginning of this second round, +because all the enemy's fire was concentrated upon her. + +Soon after this second half of the engagement had begun a Spanish shell +exploded on the _Baltimore's_ deck, wounding five of the crew, and another +partially disabled three. It was as if every square yard of surface in +that portion of the bay was covered by a missile from the enemy's guns, +and yet no further damage to the American fleet was done. + +When the _Baltimore_ was within twenty-five hundred-yard range she poured +a broadside into the _Reina Christina_ which literally blew that craft +into fragments, and the smoke from the guns yet hung like a cloud above +the deck when the ill-fated flag-ship sank beneath the waters of the bay. + +The _Don Juan de Austria_ was the next of the enemy's fleet to be sunk, +and then a like fate overtook the _El Correo_. + +The _General Lezo_ was run on shore and abandoned to the flames. + +The cruiser _Castilla_ was scuttled by her crew lest the fire which was +raging fiercely should explode her magazine. + +The _Velasco_ went down before all her men could escape to the boats. The +guns of the _Don Antonio de Ulloa_ were fought with most desperate +bravery, and even as she sank beneath the surface were the pieces +discharged by the brave Spaniards who stood at their posts of duty until +death overtook them. + +The _Concord_ started after the _Mindanao_ lying close inshore, and was +soon joined by the _Olympia_, who poured 8-inch shells into the transport +until she was set on fire in a dozen places. + +The entire Spanish fleet had been destroyed; not a vessel remained afloat, +and Commodore Dewey turned his attention to the Cavite battery. + +It was 12.45 P. M. when the magazine in the arsenal was exploded by a +shell from the _Olympia_, or the _Petrel_, it is impossible to say which, +and the battle of Manila had been fought and won. + + + +Not until the thirteenth of May was Commodore Dewey's official report +received at the Navy Department, and then it was given to the public +without loss of time. It is copied below: + + + + + + + "FLAGSHIP OLYMPIA, CAVITE, May 4, 1898. + +"The squadron left Mirs Bay on April 27th. Arrived off Bolinao on the +morning of April 30th, and finding no vessels there proceeded down the +coast and arrived off the entrance to Manila Bay on the same afternoon. +The _Boston_ and _Concord_ were sent to reconnoitre Point Subic.... A +thorough search of the port was made by the _Boston_ and the _Concord_, +but the Spanish fleet was not found.... + +"Entered the south channel at 11.30 P. M., steaming in column at eight +knots. After half the squadron had passed, a battery on the south side of +the channel opened fire, none of the shots taking effect. The _Boston_ and +_McCulloch_ returned the fire. + +"The squadron proceeded across the bay at slow speed, and arrived off +Manila at daybreak, and was fired upon at 5.15 A. M. by three batteries at +Manila and two near Cavite, and by the Spanish fleet anchored in an +approximately east and west line across the mouth of Baker Bay, with their +left in shoal water in Canacoa Bay. + +"The squadron then proceeded to the attack, the flag-ship _Olympia_, under +my personal direction, leading, followed at distance by the _Baltimore_, +_Raleigh_, _Petrel_, _Concord_, and _Boston_, in the order named, which +formation was maintained throughout the action. The squadron opened fire +at 5.41 A. M. + +"While advancing to the attack two mines were exploded ahead of the +flag-ship, too far to be effective. The squadron maintained a continuous +and precise fire at ranges varying from five thousand to two thousand +yards, countermarching in a line approximately parallel to that of the +Spanish fleet. The enemy's fire was vigorous, but generally ineffective. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. CONCORD.] + +"Early in the engagement two launches put out toward the _Olympia_, with +the apparent intention of using torpedoes. One was sunk and the other +disabled by our fire, and beached before an opportunity occurred to fire +torpedoes. + +"At seven A. M. the Spanish flag-ship, _Reina Christina_, made a desperate +attempt to leave the line and come out to engage at short range, but was +received with such a volley of fire, the entire battery of the _Olympia_ +being concentrated upon her, that she was barely able to return to the +shelter of the point. The fires started in her by our shell at this time +were not extinguished until she sank. + +"The three batteries at Manila had kept up a continuous report from the +beginning of the engagement, which fire was not returned by this squadron. + +"The first of these batteries was situated on the South Mole head, at the +entrance to the Pasig River, the second on the south bastion of the walled +city of Manila, and the third at Malate, about one-half mile farther +south. At this point I sent a message to the governor-general, in effect +that if the batteries did not cease firing the city would be shelled. This +had the effect of silencing them. + +"At 7.35 A. M. I ceased firing and withdrew the squadron for breakfast. + +"At 11.16 A. M. returned to the attack. By this time the Spanish flag-ship +and almost the entire Spanish fleet were in flames. At 12.30 P. M. the +squadron ceased firing, the batteries being silenced, and the ships sunk, +burned, and destroyed. + +"At 12.40 P. M. the squadron returned and anchored off Manila, the +_Petrel_ being left behind to complete the destruction of the smaller +gunboats, which were behind the point of Cavite. This duty was performed +by Commander E. P. Wood in the most expeditious and complete manner +possible. + +"The Spanish lost the following vessels: + +"Sunk: _Reina Christina_, _Castilla_, _Don Antonio de Ulloa_. + +"Burned: _Don Juan de Austria_, _Isla de Luzon_, _Isla de Cuba_, _General +Lezo_, _Marques del Duero_, _El Correo_, _Velasco_, and _Isla de +Mindanao_, transport. + +"Captured: _Rapido_ and _Hercules_, tugs, and several small launches. + +"I am unable to obtain complete accounts of the enemy's killed and +wounded, but believe their losses to be very heavy. + +"The _Reina Christina_ alone had 150 killed, including the captain, and +ninety wounded. + +"I am happy to report that the damage done to the squadron under my +command was inconsiderable. There were none killed, and only seven men in +the squadron were slightly wounded. + +"Several of the vessels were struck, and two penetrated, but the damage +was of the slightest, and the squadron is in as good condition now as +before the battle. + +"I beg to state to the department that I doubt if any commander-in-chief +was ever served by more loyal, efficient, and gallant captains than those +of the squadron now under my command. + +"Capt. Frank Wildes, commanding the _Boston_, volunteered to remain in +command of his vessel, although his relief arrived before leaving +Hongkong. Assistant Surgeon Kindleberger of the _Olympia_ and Gunner J. C. +Evans of the _Boston_ also volunteered to remain after orders detaching +them had arrived. + +"The conduct of my personal staff was excellent. Commander B. P. +Lamberton, chief of staff, was a volunteer for that position, and gave me +most efficient aid. Lieutenant Brumby, flag lieutenant, and Ensign W. P. +Scott, aid, performed their duties as signal officers in a highly +creditable manner. + +"The _Olympia_ being short of officers for the battery, Ensign H. H. +Caldwell, flag secretary, volunteered for and was assigned to a +subdivision of 5-inch battery. Mr. J. L. Stickney, formerly an officer in +the United States navy, and now correspondent of the _New York Herald_, +volunteered for duty as my aid, and did valuable service. + +"I desire specially to mention the coolness of Lieut. C. G. Calkins, the +navigator of the _Olympia_, who came under my personal observation, being +on the bridge with me throughout the entire action, and giving the ranges +to the guns with an accuracy that was proved by the excellence of the +firing. + +"On May 2d, the day following the engagement, the squadron again went to +Cavite, where it remained. + +"On the 3d, the military forces evacuated the Cavite arsenal, which was +taken possession of by a landing party. On the same day the _Raleigh_ and +_Baltimore_ secured the surrender of the batteries on Corregidor Island, +paroling the garrison and destroying the guns. + +"On the morning of May 4th the transport _Manila_, which had been aground +in Baker Bay, was towed off and made a prize." + + + + + + +List of the two fleets engaged at the battle of Manila Bay, together with +the officers of the American fleet:(2) + + AMERICAN FLEET. + +The U. S. S. _Olympia_, protected cruiser, 5,870 tons, speed, 21.6 knots. +Battery: four 8-inch rifles, ten 5-inch rapid-fire guns, fourteen +6-pounder rapid-fire guns, six 1-pounder rapid-fire cannon, four Gatlings, +with six torpedo tubes, and eight automobile torpedoes. + +The U. S. S. _Baltimore_, protected cruiser, 4,600 tons, speed, 20.09 +knots. Battery: four 8-inch, six 6-inch rifles, four 6-pounder, two +3-pounder rapid-fire guns, two 1-pounder rapid-fire cannon, four +37-millimetre Hotchkiss cannon, and two Gatlings. + +The U. S. S. _Boston_, protected cruiser, 3,189 tons, speed, 15.6 knots. +Battery: two 8-inch, six 6-inch rifles, two 6-pounder, two 3-pounder +rapid-fire guns, two 1-pounder rapid-fire cannon, two 47-millimetre +Hotchkiss cannon, and two Gatlings. + +The U. S. S. _Raleigh_, protected cruiser, 3,213 tons, speed, nineteen +knots. Battery: one 6-inch, ten 5-inch rapid-fire guns, eight 6-pounder +rapid-fire guns, four 1-pounder rapid-fire cannon, and two Gatlings. + +The U. S. S. _Concord_, gunboat, 1,710 tons, speed, 16.8 knots. Battery: +six 6-inch rifles, two 6-pounder, two 3-pounder rapid-fire guns, two +37-millimetre Hotchkiss cannon, and two Gatlings. + +The U. S. S. _Petrel_, gunboat, 892 tons, speed, 11.7 knots. Battery: four +6-inch rifles, one 1-pounder rapid-fire gun, two 37-millimetre Hotchkiss +cannon, and two Gatlings. + +The U. S. S. _McCulloch_, revenue cutter, 1,500 tons, speed, fourteen +knots. Battery: four 4-inch guns. + +The _Nanshan_ and _Zafiro_, supply ships. + + SPANISH FLEET. + +The _Reina Maria Christina_, 3,520 tons, speed, seventeen knots. Battery: +six 6.2-inch hontoria guns, two 2.7-inch and three 2.2-inch rapid-fire +rifles, six 1.4-inch, and two machine guns. + +The _Castilla_, 3,342 tons. Battery: four 5.9-inch Krupp rifles, two +4.7-inch, two 3.3-inch, four 2.5-inch rapid-fire, and two machine guns. + +The _Velasco_, 1,152 tons. Battery: three 5.9-inch Armstrong rifles, two +2.7-inch hontorias, and two machine guns. + +The _Don Antonio de Ulloa_ and _Don Juan de Austria_, each 1,130 tons, +speed, fourteen knots. Battery: four 4.7-inch hontorias, three 3.2-inch +rapid-fire, two 1.5-inch, and two machine guns. + +The _General Lezo_, and _El Correo_, gun vessels, 524 tons, speed, 11.5 +knots. The _General Lezo_ had two hontoria rifles of 4.7-inch calibre, one +3.5-inch, two small rapid-fire, and one machine gun; the _El Correo_ had +three 4.7-inch guns, two small rapid-fire, and two machine guns. + +The _Marques del Duero_, despatch-boat, 500 tons. Battery: one smooth +bore, six 6.2-inch calibre, two 4.7-inch and one machine gun. + +The _Isla de Cuba_ and the _Isla de Luzon_ were both small gunboats, 1,030 +tons. Battery: four 4.7-inch hontorias, two small guns, and two machine +guns. + +The _Isla de Mindanao_, auxiliary cruiser, 4,195 tons, speed, 13.5 knots. + +Two torpedo-boats and two transports. + +Officers of the U. S. Asiatic Squadron: Acting Rear Admiral George Dewey, +commander-in-chief; Commander B. P. Lamberton, chief of staff; Lieut. T. +M. Brumby, flag lieutenant; Ensign H. H. Caldwell, secretary. + +U. S. S. _Olympia_, flag-ship: Captain, Charles V. Gridley; +Lieutenant-Commander, S. C. Paine; Lieutenants, C. G. Calkins, V. S. +Nelson, G. S. Morgan, W. C. Miller, S. M. S. Strite; Ensigns, M. M. +Taylor, F. B. Upham, W. P. Scott, A. G. Kavagnah; Medical Inspector, A. S. +Price; Passed Assistant Surgeon, J. E. Page; Assistant Surgeon, C. P. +Kindleberger; Pay Inspector, D. A. Smith; Chief Engineer, J. Entwistle; +Assistant Engineers, E. H. Delaney, J. F. Marshall, Jr.; Chaplain, J. B. +Frasier; Captain of Marines, W. P. Biddle; Gunner, L. J. G. Kuhlwein; +Carpenter, W. McDonald; Acting Boatswain, E. J. Norcott. + +U. S. S. _Raleigh_: Captain, J. B. Coghlan; Lieutenant-Commander, F. +Singer; Lieutenants, W. Winder, B. Tappan, H. Rodman, C. B. Morgan; +Ensigns, F. L. Chidwick, P. Babbit; Surgeon, E. H. Marsteller; Assistant +Surgeon, D. N. Carpenter; Passed Assistant Paymaster, S. R. Heap; Chief +Engineer, F. H. Bailey; Passed Assistant Engineer, A. S. Halstead; +Assistant Engineer, J. R. Brady; First Lieutenant of Marines, T. C. +Treadwell; Acting Gunner, G. D. Johnstone; Acting Carpenter, T. E. Kiley. + +U. S. S. _Boston_: Captain, F. Wildes; Lieutenant-Commander, J. A. Norris; +Lieutenants, J. Gibson, W. L. Howard; Ensigns, S. S. Robinson, L. H. +Everhart, J. S. Doddridge; Surgeon, M. H. Crawford; Assistant Surgeon, R. +S. Balkeman; Paymaster, J. R. Martin; Chief Engineer, G. B. Ransom; +Assistant Engineer, L. K. James; First Lieutenant of Marines, R. McM. +Dutton; Gunner, J. C. Evans; Carpenter, I. H. Hilton. + +U. S. S. _Baltimore_: Captain, N. M. Dyer; Lieutenant-Commander, G. +Blocklinger; Lieutenants, W. Braunersreuther, A. G. Winterhalter, F. W. +Kellogg, J. M. Ellicott, C. S. Stanworth; Ensigns, J. H. Hayward, M. D. +McCormick; Naval Cadets, D. W. Wurtsburgh, I. Z. Wettenzoll, C. M. Tozer, +T. A. Karney; Passed Assistant Surgeon, F. A. Heiseler; Assistant Surgeon, +R. K. Smith; Pay Inspector, R. E. Bellows; Chief Engineer, A. Kirby; +Assistant Engineers, H. B. Price, H. I. Cone; Naval Cadet, C. P. Burt; +Chaplain, T. S. K. Freeman; First Lieutenant of Marines, D. Williams; +Acting Boatswain, H. R. Brayton; Acting Gunner, L. J. Waller; Carpenter, +O. Bath. + +U. S. S. _Concord_: Commander, A. S. Walker; Lieutenant-Commander, G. P. +Colvocoresses; Lieutenants, T. B. Howard, P. W. Horrigan; Ensigns, L. A. +Kiser, W. C. Davidson, O. S. Knepper; Passed Assistant Surgeon, R. G. +Broderick; Passed Assistant Paymaster, E. D. Ryan; Chief Engineer, Richard +Inch; Passed Assistant Engineer, H. W. Jones; Assistant Engineer, E. H. +Dunn. + +U. S. S. _Petrel_: Commander, E. P. Wood; Lieutenants, E. M. Hughes, B. A. +Fiske, A. N. Wood, C. P. Plunkett; Ensigns, G. L. Fermier, W. S. +Montgomery; Passed Assistant Surgeon, C. D. Brownell; Assistant Paymaster, +G. G. Seibles; Passed Assistant Engineer, R. T. Hall. + +Revenue Cutter _McCulloch_: Captain, D. B. Hodgdon. + +American loss: Two officers and six men wounded. + +Spanish loss: About three hundred killed, and six hundred wounded. + + + + + + CHAPTER V. + + + NEWS OF THE DAY. + + +_May 2._ In Manila Bay, on Monday, the second of May, there was much to be +done in order to complete the work so thoroughly begun the day previous. + +Early in the morning an officer came from Corregidor, under flag of truce, +to Commodore Dewey, with a proposal of surrender from the commandant of +the fortifications. The _Baltimore_ was sent to attend to the business; +but when she arrived at the island no one save the commanding officer was +found. All his men had deserted him after overthrowing the guns. + +The _Baltimore_ had but just steamed away, when Commander Lamberton was +ordered to go on board the _Petrel_ and run over to Cavite arsenal in +order that he might take possession, for on the previous day a white flag +had been hoisted there as a signal of surrender. + +To the surprise of Lamberton he found, on landing, that the troops were +under arms, and Captain Sostoa, of the Spanish navy, was in anything +rather than a surrendering mood. On being asked as to the meaning of +affairs, Sostoa replied that the flag had been hoisted for a truce, not as +a token of capitulation. He was given until noon to decide as to his +course of action, and the Americans withdrew. At 10.45 the white flag was +again hoisted, and when Lamberton went on shore once more he found that +the Spaniard had marched his men away, taking with them all their arms. + +This was the moment when the insurgents, who had gathered near the town, +believed their opportunity had come, and, rushing into Cavite, they began +an indiscriminate plunder which was not brought to an end until the +American marines were landed. + +The navy yard was seized; six batteries near about the entrance of Manila +Bay were destroyed; the cable from Manila to Hongkong was cut, and +Commodore Dewey began a blockade of the port. + +Congress appropriated $35,720,945 for the emergency war appropriation +bill. + +Eleven regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and ten light batteries of +artillery were concentrated at Tampa and Port Tampa. General Shafter +assumed command on this date. + +The _Newport_ captured the Spanish schooner _Pace_. + +By cablegram from London, under date of May 2d, news regarding the +condition of affairs in Madrid was received. The Spanish public was +greatly excited by information from the Philippines, and the authorities +found it necessary to proclaim martial law, the document being couched in +warlike language beginning: + +"_Whereas_, as Spain finds herself at war with the United States, the +power of civil authorities in Spain is suspended. + +"_Whereas_, it is necessary to prevent an impairment of the patriotic +efforts which are being made by the nation with manly energy and veritable +enthusiasm; + +"_Article 1._ A state of siege in Madrid is hereby proclaimed. + +"_Article 2._ As a consequence of article one, all offences against public +order, those of the press included, will be tried by the military +tribunals. + +"_Article 3._ In article two are included offences committed by those who, +without special authorisation, shall publish news relative to any +operations of war whatsoever." + +Then follow the articles which prohibit meetings and public +demonstrations. + +Commenting upon the defeat, the _El Nacional_, of Madrid, published the +following article: + +"Yesterday, when the first intelligence arrived, nothing better occurred +to Admiral Bermejo (Minister of Marine) than to send to all newspapers +comparative statistics of the contending squadrons. By this comparison he +sought to direct public attention to the immense superiority over a +squadron of wooden vessels dried up by the heat in those latitudes. + +"But in this document Spain can see nothing kind. Spain undoubtedly sees +therein the heroism of our marines; but she sees also and above all the +nefarious crime of the government. + +"It is unfair to blame the enemy for possessing forces superior to ours; +but what is worthy of being blamed with all possible vehemence is this +infamous government, which allowed our inferiority without neutralising it +by means of preparations. This is the truth. Our sailors have been basely +delivered over to the grape-shot of the Yankees, a fate nobler and more +worthy of respect than those baneful ministers, who brought about the +first victory and its victims." + +_El Heraldo de Madrid_ said: "It was no caprice of the fortunes of war. +From the very first cannon-shot our fragile ships were at the mercy of the +formidable hostile squadron. They were condemned to fall one after another +under the fire of the American batteries, powerless to strike, and were +defended only by the valour in the breasts of their sailors. + +"What has been gained by the illusion that Manila was fortified? What has +been gained by the intimation that the broad and beautiful bay on whose +bosom the Spanish fleet perished yesterday had been rendered inaccessible? +What use was made of the famous island of Corregidor? What was done with +its guns? Where were the torpedoes? Where were those defensive +preparations concerning which we were requested to keep silence?" + +_May 2._ Late in the afternoon the _Wilmington_ destroyed a Spanish fort +on the island of Cuba, near Cojimar. + +The government tug _Leyden_ left Key West, towing a Cuban expedition under +government auspices to establish communication with the Cuban forces in +Havana province. The expedition was accompanied by Lieutenant-Colonel +Acosta. Under him were five other Cubans. Colonel Acosta formerly +commanded a cavalry troop in Havana province. + +_May 4._ A telegram from Key West gave the following information: + +"Acting Rear-Admiral Sampson sailed this morning with all the big vessels +of his blockading squadron on some mysterious mission. + +"In the fleet were the flag-ship _New York_, the battle-ships _Iowa_ and +_Indiana_, the cruisers _Detroit_, _Marblehead_, and _Cincinnati_, the +monitor _Puritan_, and the torpedo-gunboat _Mayflower_. + +"The war-ships are coaled to the full capacity of their bunkers, and all +available places on the decks are piled high with coal." + +On the same day the Norwegian steamer _Condor_ arrived with twelve +American refugees and their immediate relatives from Cienfuegos, Cuba. + +Dr. Herman Mazarredo, a dentist, who had been practising his profession in +Cienfuegos for eight months, after six years' study in the United States, +was one of the passengers. He gave the following account of himself: + +"Because the Spaniards hated me as intensely as if I had been born in +America, I was obliged to flee for my life. I left my mother, six sisters, +and five brothers in Cienfuegos. I consider that their lives are in +danger. May heaven protect them! What was I to do? + +"There are now about two hundred Americans at Cienfuegos clamouring to get +away. They are sending to Boston and New York for steamers, but without +avail. Owen McGarr, the American consul, told me on his departure that the +Spanish law would protect me. Other Americans would have come on the +_Condor_, but Captain Miller would not take them. There was not room for +them. The Spanish soldiers have not yet become personally insulting on the +streets, but a mob of Spanish residents marched through the city four days +before the _Condor_ left, shouting, 'We want to kill all Americans.' + +"There are between four thousand and six thousand Spanish troops +concentrating at Cienfuegos under command of Major-General Aguirre. They +have thrown up some very poor breastworks. Three ground-batteries look +toward the open sea." + +Bread riots broke out in Spain. In Gijon, on the Bay of Biscay, the +rioters made a stand and were fired upon by the troops. Fourteen were +killed or wounded, yet the infuriated populace held their ground, nor were +they driven back until the artillery was ordered out. Then a portion of +the soldiers joined the mob; a cannon with ammunition was seized, and +directed against the fortification. A state of siege was declared, and an +order issued that all the bread be baked in the government bakeries, +because the mob had looted the shops. + +At Talavera de la Reina, thirty-six miles from Toledo, a mob attacked the +railroad station, entirely destroying it, setting fire to the cars, and +starting the engines wild upon the track. They burned several houses owned +by officials, and sacked a monastery, forcing the priests to flee for +their lives. Procuring wine from the inns, they grew more bold, and made +an attack upon the prison, hoping to release those confined there; but at +this point they were held in check by the guard. + +The miners of Oviedo inaugurated a strike, commencing by inciting riots. +At Caceres several people were killed. At Malaga a mob rode down the +guards and looted the shops. The British steam yacht _Lady of Clonmel_, +owned by Mr. James Wilkinson, of London, was attacked as she lay at the +pier. Stones smashed her skylights, and a bomb was thrown aboard, but did +not explode. The yacht put hurriedly to sea, and from Gibraltar reported +the outrage to London. + +_May 5._ The government tug _Leyden_, which on the second day of May left +Key West with a Cuban expedition, returned to port, giving the following +account of her voyage: + +She proceeded to a certain point near Mariel, and landed five men, with +four boxes of ammunition and two horses. + +General Acosta penetrated to the interior, where he communicated with the +forces of the insurgents. + +The _Leyden_ lay to outside the harbour until five o'clock in the morning, +when, observing a troop of Spanish infantry approaching, she put to sea +and got safely away. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. TERROR.] + +She proceeded to Matanzas, and on the afternoon of the third landed +another small party near there. + +Fearing attack by the Spaniards, she looked for the monitors _Terror_ and +_Amphitrite_, which were on the blockade in that vicinity, but being +unable to locate them the _Leyden_ returned to the original landing-place, +reaching there early on the morning of the fourth. + +There she was met by Acosta and about two hundred Cubans, half of whom +were armed with rifles. They united with the men on the tug, and an +attempt was made to land the remaining arms and men, when two hundred of +the Villa Viscosa cavalry swooped down on them, and an engagement of a +half hour's duration followed. + +The Cubans finally repulsed the enemy, driving them into the woods. The +Spanish carried with them many wounded and left sixteen dead on the field. + +During the engagement the bullets went through the _Leyden's_ smoke-stack, +but no one was injured. + +The little tug then went in search of the flag-ship, found her lying near +Havana, and reported the facts. + +Rear-Admiral Sampson sent the gunboat _Wilmington_ back with the _Leyden_. + +The two vessels reached the scene of the landing on the afternoon of the +fourth, and found the Spanish cavalry in waiting to welcome another +attempted invasion. + +The _Wilmington_ promptly opened fire on a number of small houses marking +the entrance to the place. + +The gunboat fired four shots, which drove back the Spaniards, and Captain +Dorst, with the ammunition, landed safely, the _Leyden_ returning to Key +West. + +_May 6._ Orders were given from Washington to release the French mail +steamer, _Lafayette_, and to send her to Havana under escort. The capture +of the Frenchman by the gunboat _Annapolis_ was an unfortunate incident, +resulting from a mistake, but no protest was made by the representatives +of the French government in the United States. It appeared that, before +the _Lafayette_ sailed for Havana, the French legation in Washington was +instructed to communicate with the State Department. This was done and +permission was granted to the steamer to enter and discharge her +passengers and cargo, with the understanding that she would take on +nothing there. Instructions for the fulfilment of such agreement were sent +from Washington to Admiral Sampson's squadron, and it was only learned +after the capture was made that they were never delivered. + +The War Department issued an order organising the regular and volunteer +forces into seven army corps. + +The following letter needs no explanation: + + + + + + + "597 FIFTH AVENUE, NEW YORK. + +"TREASURER OF THE UNITED STATES, + Washington, D. C. + +"_Dear Sir_:--Some days ago I wrote President McKinley offering the +government the sum of $100,000 for use in the present difficulty with +Spain. He writes me that he has no official authority to receive moneys in +behalf of the United States, and he suggests that my purpose can best be +served by making a deposit with the assistant treasurer at New York to the +credit of the treasurer of the United States, or by remitting my check +direct to you at Washington. I, therefore, enclose my check for the above +amount, drawn payable to your order on the Lincoln National Bank. Will you +kindly acknowledge the receipt of the same? + + "Very truly, + "HELEN MILLER GOULD. +"_May 6, 1898._" + + + + + + +It was replied to twenty-four hours later: + + + + + + + "Treasury Department of the United States. + "Office of the Treasury. + "WASHINGTON, D. C., May 7, 1898. + +"MISS HELEN MILLER GOULD, + 597 Fifth Avenue, New York, N. Y. + +"_Madam_:--It gives me especial pleasure to acknowledge the receipt of your +letter under date of May 6, 1898, enclosing your check for $100,000, +according to your previous offer to President McKinley, for the +government. This sum has been placed in the general fund of the treasury +of the United States as a donation from you, for use in the present +difficulty with Spain. Permit me to recognise the superb patriotism which +prompts you to make this magnificent gift to the government. Certificates +of deposit will follow in due course. Respectfully yours, + + "ELLIS H. ROBERTS, + "_Treasurer of the United States._" + + + + + + +_May 6._ The torpedo-boats _Dupont_ and _Hornet_ shelled the blockhouse +near the lighthouse at Point Maya, at the mouth of the harbour of +Matanzas, and Fort Garcia, which is an old hacienda used as a blockhouse, +lying three and one-half miles to the east. + +As the _Dupont_ was leaving her position off the lighthouse point, a big +shell was fired from the middle embrasure of a battery on the other side +of the harbour, called Gorda. The line was perfect, but the elevation was +bad, and the range too long. The shell fell a thousand yards short. The +_Hornet_ was ordered to use her 6-pounders on the blockhouse. The first +shell failed of its purpose; but the second hit the target fairly, and the +Spanish soldiers hurriedly left it for shelter among the neighbouring +trees. + +The _Hornet_ fired twelve shells, six of which struck the mark. The +_Dupont_, after ascertaining that Point Maya was being made too warm for +Spanish occupation, steamed down to a blockhouse opposite, called Garcia +Red, and a prominent landmark to the eastward, and turned loose her +1-pounders. + +Here, as in the other place, the infantry had urgent business behind the +forest woods and hills. After making certain they had gone to stay, the +_Dupont_ resumed patrol duty. Cavalry afterward appeared at Fortina, but +remained there only long enough to see the torpedo-boat's menacing +attitude. + +_May 6._ The cruiser _Montgomery_, Captain Converse, was the first ship of +the American squadron to acquire the distinction of capturing two prizes +in one day, which she did on the sixth. The captives were the _Frasquito_ +and the _Lorenzo_, both small vessels of no great value as compared with +the big steamers taken during the first days of the war. + +The _Montgomery_ was cruising about fifty miles off Havana when the +_Frasquito_, a two-master, came bowling along toward the Cuban capital. +When the yellow flag of the enemy was sighted the helm was swung in her +direction, and a blank shot was put across her bow. The Spaniard hove to +and the customary prize-crew was put on board. It was found that the +_Frasquito_ was bound from Montevideo to Havana with a cargo of jerked +beef. She was of about 140 tons register and hailed from Barcelona. The +prize-crew took her to Havana waters, and the _Annapolis_ assigned the +cutter _Hamilton_ to carry her into Key West. + +A few minutes afterwards the _Montgomery_ encountered the _Lorenzo_, a +Spanish bark, bound from Barcelona to Havana with a cargo of dried beef. +She was taken just as easily, and Ensign Osborn, with several "Jackies," +sailed her into port. + +_May 7._ Quite a sharp little affair occurred off Havana, in which the +_Vicksburg_ and the cutter _Morrill_ were very nearly enticed to +destruction. + +A small schooner was sent out from Havana harbour shortly before daylight +to draw some of the Americans into an ambuscade. + +She ran off to the eastward, hugging the shore with the wind on her +starboard quarter. About three miles east of the entrance of the harbour +she came over on the port tack. + +A light haze fringed the horizon, and she was not discovered until three +miles off shore, when the _Mayflower_ made her out and signalled the +_Vicksburg_ and _Morrill_. Captain Smith of the _Vicksburg_ immediately +clapped on all steam and started in pursuit. + +The schooner instantly put about and ran for Morro Castle before the wind. +On doing so, she would, according to the plot, lead the two American +war-ships directly under the guns of the Santa Clara batteries. + +These works are a short mile west of Morro, and are a part of the defences +of the harbour. There were two batteries, one at the shore, which had been +recently thrown up, of sand and mortar, with wide embrasures for 8-inch +guns, and the other on the crest of the rocky eminence which juts out into +the waters of the gulf at the point. The upper battery mounted modern 10 +and 12-inch Krupp guns, behind a six-foot stone parapet, in front of which +were twenty feet of earthwork and belting of railroad iron. + +The American vessels were about six miles from the schooner when the chase +began. They steamed after her at full speed, the _Morrill_ leading, until +within a mile and a half of the Santa Clara batteries. + +Commander Smith of the _Vicksburg_ was the first to realise the danger +into which the reckless pursuit had led them. He concluded it was time to +haul off, and sent a shot across the bow of the schooner. + +The Spanish skipper instantly brought his vessel about, but while she was +still rolling in the trough of the sea with her sails flapping, an 8-inch +shrapnel shell came hurtling through the air from the water-battery, a +mile and a half away. + +It passed over the _Morrill_, between the pilot-house and the smoke-stack, +and exploded less than fifty feet away on the port quarter. + +Two more shots followed in quick succession, both shrapnel. One burst +close under the starboard quarter, filling the engine-room with the smoke +of the exploding shell, and the other, like the first, passed over and +exploded just beyond. + +The Spanish gunners had the range, and their time fuses were accurately +set. + +The crews of both ships were at their guns. Lieutenant Craig, who was in +charge of the bow 4-inch rapid-fire gun of the _Morrill_, asked for and +obtained permission to return the fire. + +At the first shot the _Vicksburg_, which was in the wake of the _Morrill_, +slightly inshore, sheered off and passed to windward under the _Morrill's_ +stern. In the meantime Captain Smith also put his helm to port, and was +none too soon, for as the _Morrill_ stood off a solid 8-inch shot grazed +her starboard quarter and kicked up tons of water as it struck a wave one +hundred yards beyond. + +All the guns of the water-battery were now at work. One of them cut the +Jacob's-ladder of the _Vicksburg_ adrift, and another carried away a +portion of the rigging. + +As the vessels steamed away their aft guns were used, but only a few shots +were fired. + +The _Morrill's_ 6-inch gun was elevated for four thousand yards, and +struck the earthwork repeatedly. The _Vicksburg_ discharged only three +shots from her 6-pounder. + +The Spaniards continued to fire shot and shell for twenty minutes, but +none of the latter shots came within one hundred yards. + +Later in the day the _Morrill_ captured the Spanish schooner _Espana_, +bound for Havana, and towed the prize to Key West. + + [Illustration: JOHN D. LONG, SECRETARY OF NAVY.] + +The _Newport_ added to the list of captures by bringing in the Spanish +schooner _Padre de Dios_. + +_May 7._ The United States despatch-boat _McCulloch_ arrived at Hongkong +from Manila, with details of Commodore Dewey's victory. + +Secretary Long, after the cablegram forwarded from Hongkong had been +received, sent the following despatch: + +"The President, in the name of the American people, thanks you and your +officers and men for your splendid achievement and overwhelming victory. +In recognition he has appointed you acting admiral, and will recommend a +vote of thanks to you by Congress as a foundation for further promotion." + +_May 8._ A brilliant, although unimportant, affair was that in which the +torpedo-boat _Winslow_ engaged off Cardenas Bay. + +The _Winslow_ and gunboat _Machias_ were on the blockade off Cardenas. + +In the harbour, defended by thickly strewn mines and torpedoes, three +small gunboats had been bottled up since the beginning of the war. +Occasionally they stole out toward the sea, but never venturing beyond the +inner harbour, running like rabbits at sight of the American torpedo +boats. + +Finally a buoy was moored by Spaniards inside the entrance of the bay to +mark the position for the entrance of the gunboats. The signal-station on +the shore opposite was instructed to notify the gunboats inside when the +torpedo-boats were within the limit distance marked by the buoy. + +The scheme was that the gunboats could run out, open fire at a one-mile +range thus marked off for them, and retreat without the chance of being +cut off. The men of the _Winslow_ eyed this buoy and guessed its purpose, +but did not attempt to remove it. + +On the afternoon of the eighth the _Machias_ stood away to the eastward +for a jaunt, and the _Winslow_ was left alone to maintain the blockade. + +In a short time she steamed toward Cardenas Harbour. There was great +excitement at the signal-station, and flags fluttered hysterically. The +three gunboats slipped their cables and went bravely out to their safety +limit. + +Three bow 6-pounders were trained at two thousand yards. In a few minutes +the shore signals told them that the torpedo-boat was just in range. Every +Spaniard aboard prepared to see the Americans blown out of the water. + +Three 6-pounders crackled, and three shells threw waterspouts around the +_Winslow_, but she was not struck. Instead of running away, she upset +calculations by driving straight ahead, attacking the boats, and +Lieutenant Bernado no sooner saw the first white smoke puffs from the +Spanish guns than he gave the word to the men already stationed at the two +forward 1-pounders, which barked viciously and dropped shot in the middle +of the flotilla. + +On plunged the _Winslow_ to within fifteen hundred yards of the gunboats, +while the row raised by the rapid-fire 1-pounders was like a rattling +tattoo. + +The Spaniards were apparently staggered at this fierce onslaught, +single-handed, and fired wildly. The _Winslow_ swung around broadside to, +to bring her two after guns to bear as the Spanish boats scattered and +lost formation. + +The _Winslow_ soon manoeuvred so that she was peppering at all three +gunboats at once. The sea was very heavy, and the knife-like torpedo-boat +rolled so wildly that it was impossible to do good gun practice, but +despite this big handicap, the rapidity of her fire and the remarkable +effectiveness of her guns demoralised all three opponents, which, after +the _Winslow_ had fired about fifty shells, began to gradually work back +toward the shelter of the harbour. + +They were still hammering away with their 6-pounders, but were wild. +Several shells passed over the _Winslow_. One exploded a hundred feet +astern, but the others fell short. + +At last a 1-pounder from the _Winslow_ went fair and true, and struck the +hull of the _Lopez_ a little aft of amidships, apparently exploding on the +inside. + +The _Winslow_ men yelled. The _Lopez_ stopped, evidently disabled, while +one of her comrades went to her assistance. By this time the Spanish boats +had retreated nearly inside, where they could not be followed because of +the mines. The _Lopez_ got under way slowly and limped homeward with the +help of a towline from her consort. + +During this episode the _Machias_ had returned, and when within a two-mile +range let fly two 4-inch shells from her starboard battery, which +accelerated the Spanish flight. But the flotilla managed to creep back +into Cardenas Harbour in safety, and under the guns of the shore-battery. + +The Spanish gunboats that lured the _Winslow_ into the death-trap were the +_Antonio Lopez_, _Lealtad_, and _Ligera_. During the fight the two former +retreated behind the wharves, and the _Ligera_ behind the key. It was the +_Antonio Lopez_ that opened fire on the _Winslow_ and decoyed her into the +channel. The Spanish troops formed on the public square, not daring to go +to the wharves. All the Spanish flags were lowered, as they furnished +targets, and the women and children fled to Jovellanos. + +Off Havana during the afternoon the fishing-smack _Santiago Apostal_ was +captured by the U. S. S. _Newport_. + +The U. S. S. _Yale_ captured the Spanish steamer _Rita_ on the eighth, but +did not succeed in getting the prize into port until the thirteenth. The +_Rita_ was loaded with coal, from Liverpool to Porto Rico. + +The bread riots in Spain continued throughout the day. At Linates a crowd +of women stormed the town hall and the civil guard fired upon them, +killing twelve. _El Pais_, the popular republican newspaper in Madrid, was +suppressed; martial law was declared at Badajos and Alicante. + +_May 9._ Congress passed a joint resolution of thanks to Commodore Dewey; +the House passed a bill increasing the number of rear-admirals from six to +seven, and the Senate passed a bill to give Dewey a sword, and a bronze +memorative medal to each officer and man of his command. + +The record of the navy for the day was summed up in the capture of the +fishing-smack _Fernandito_ by the U. S. S. _Vicksburg_, and the capture of +the Spanish schooner _Severito_ by the U. S. S. _Dolphin_. + +The rioting in Spain was not abated; martial law was proclaimed in +Catalonia. + +_May 10._ The steamer _Gussie_ sailed from Tampa, Florida, with two +companies of the First Infantry, and munitions and supplies for Cuban +insurgents. + +Rioting in Spain was the report by cable; in Alicante the mob sacked and +burned a bonded warehouse. + +_May 11._ Running from Cienfuegos, Cuba, at daybreak on the morning of May +11th, were three telegraph cables. The fleet in the neighbourhood +consisted of the cruiser _Marblehead_, which had been on the station three +weeks, the gunboat _Nashville_, which had been there two weeks, and the +converted revenue cutter _Windom_, which had arrived two days before. The +station had been a quiet one, except for a few brushes with some Spanish +gunboats, which occasionally ventured a very little way out of Cienfuegos +Harbour. They had last appeared on the tenth, but had retreated, as usual, +when fired on. + +Commander McCalla of the _Marblehead_, ranking officer, instructed +Lieutenant Anderson to call for volunteers to cut the cable early on the +morning of the eleventh. Anderson issued the call on both the cruiser and +the gunboat, and three times the desired number of men offered to serve. +No one relented, even after repeated warnings that the service was +especially dangerous. + +"I want you men to understand," Anderson said, "that you are not ordered +to do this work, and are not obliged to." + +The men nearly tumbled over one another in their eagerness to be selected. +In the end, the officer had simply the choice of the entire crew of the +two ships. + +A cutter containing twelve men, and a steam launch containing six, were +manned from each ship, and a guard of marines and men to man the 1-pounder +guns of the launches, were put on board. In the meantime the _Marblehead_ +had taken a position one thousand yards offshore opposite the Colorado +Point lighthouse, which is on the east side of the narrow entrance to +Cienfuegos Harbour, just east of the cable landing, and, with the +_Nashville_ a little farther to the west, had begun shelling the beach. + +The shore there is low, and covered with a dense growth of high grass and +reeds. The lighthouse stood on an elevation, behind which, as well as +hidden in the long grass, were known to be a large number of rifle-pits, +some masked machine guns, and 1-pounders. These the Spaniards deserted as +fast as the ships' fire reached them. As the enemy's fire slackened and +died out, the boats were ordered inshore. + +They advanced in double column. The launches, under Lieutenant Anderson +and Ensign McGruder of the _Nashville_, went ahead with their +sharpshooters and gunners, looking eagerly for targets, while the cutters +were behind with the grappling-irons out, and the men peering into the +green water for a sight of the cables. At a distance of two hundred feet +from shore the launches stopped, and the cutters were sent ahead. + +The first cable was picked up about ninety feet offshore. No sooner had +the work of cutting it been begun than the Spanish fire recommenced, the +soldiers skulking back to their deserted rifle-pits and rapid-fire guns +through the high grass. The launches replied and the fire from the ships +quickened, but although the Spanish volleys slackened momentarily, every +now and then they grew stronger. + +The men in the boats cut a long piece out of the first cable, stowed it +away for safety, and then grappled for the next. Meantime the Spaniards +were firing low in an evident endeavour to sink the cutters, but many of +their shots fell short. The second cable was finally found, and the men +with the pipe-cutters went to work on it. + +Several sailors were kept at the oars to hold the cutters in position, and +the first man wounded was one of these. No one else in the boat knew it, +however, till he fainted in his seat from loss of blood. Others took the +cue from this, and there was not a groan or a complaint from the two +boats, as the bullets, that were coming thicker and faster every minute, +began to bite flesh. + +The men simply possessed themselves with heroic patience, and went on with +the work. They did not even have the satisfaction of returning the Spanish +fire, but the marines in the stern of the boat shot hard enough for all. + +The second cable was finally cut, and the third, a smaller one, was +grappled and hoisted to the surface. The fire of the Spanish had reached +its maximum. It was estimated that one thousand rifles and guns were +speaking, and the men who handled them grew incautious, and exposed +themselves in groups here and there. + +"Use shrapnel," came the signal, and can after can exploded over the +Spaniards, causing them to break and run to cover. + +This cover was a sort of fortification behind the lighthouse, and to this +place they dragged a number of their machine guns, and again opened fire +on the cutter. The shots from behind the lighthouse could not be answered +so well from the launches, and the encouraged Spaniards fired all the +oftener. + +Man after man in the boats was hit, but none let a sound escape him. Like +silent machines they worked, grimly hacking and tearing at the third +cable. During half an hour they laboured, but the fire from behind the +lighthouse was too deadly, and, reluctantly, at Lieutenant Anderson's +signal, the cable was dropped and the boats retreated. + +The work had lasted two hours and a half. + +The _Windom_, which had laid out of range with a collier, was now ordered +in, and the surgeon called to attend the wounded. The _Windom_ was +signalled to shell the lighthouse, which had not been fired on before, +according to the usages of international law. It had been used as a +shelter by the Spaniards. The revenue cutter's rapid-fire guns riddled the +structure in short order, and soon a shell from the 4-inch gun, which was +in charge of Lieut. R. O. Crisp, struck it fair, exploded, and toppled it +over. + +With the collapse of their protection the Spaniards broke and ran again, +the screaming shrapnel bursting all around them. + +At the fall of the lighthouse the _Marblehead_ signalled, "Well done," and +then a moment later, "Cease firing." + +The only man killed instantly was a marine named Eagan. A sailor from one +of the boats died of his wounds on the same day. Commander Maynard of the +_Nashville_ was grazed across the chest, and Lieutenant Winslow was +wounded in the hand. + +The list of casualties resulting from this display of heroism was two +killed, two fatally and four badly wounded. The Spanish loss could not be +ascertained, but it must necessarily have been heavy. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. CHICAGO.] + + + + + + CHAPTER VI. + + + CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. + + +_May 11._ The Spanish batteries in Cardenas Harbour were silenced on May +11th, and at the same time there was a display of heroism, on the part of +American sailors, such as has never been surpassed. + +A plan of action having been decided upon, the _Wilmington_ arrived at the +blockading station from Key West on the morning of the eleventh. She found +there, off Piedras Bay, the cruiser _Machias_, the torpedo-boat _Winslow_, +and the revenue cutter _Hudson_, which last carried two 6-pounders. +Shortly after noon the _Wilmington_, _Winslow_, and _Hudson_ moved into +the inner harbour of Cardenas, and prepared to draw the fire of the +Spanish batteries on the water-front. The _Wilmington_ took a range of +about twenty-five hundred yards. + +The Cardenas land defences consisted of a battery in a stone fortification +on the mole or quay, a battery of field-pieces, and of infantry armed with +long-range rifles. The gunboats were equipped with rapid-fire guns. + +Firing commenced at one o'clock, and when the Cardenas batteries were +silenced at two in the afternoon, the _Wilmington_ had sent 376 shells +into them and the town. Her 4-inch guns had been fired 144 times. She had +aimed 122 shots from her 6-pounders, and 110 from her 1-pounders, over six +shots a minute. + +When the _Wilmington_ ceased firing she had moved up to within one +thousand yards range of the Spanish guns, and there were only six inches +of water under her keel. The _Wilmington_ draws nine feet of water forward +and ten and a half feet aft. When the soundings showed that she was almost +touching, her guns were in full play, and the Spaniards had missed a +beautiful opportunity. The Spanish gunners must have miscalculated her +distance and misjudged her draught, else they would have done more +effective work at a range of two thousand yards. + +During the engagement, when the commander of the _Winslow_ found that he +could not approach close enough to the Spanish gunboats to use his +torpedo-tubes to any advantage, he remained under fire. At that time he +could have got out of harm's way by taking shelter to the leeward of the +_Wilmington_. + +Captain Todd, from his post of duty in the conning-tower of the +_Wilmington_, saw a Spanish shell, aimed for the torpedo-boat, do its +deadly work. The shell struck the water, took an up-shoot, and exploded on +the deck of the _Winslow_. There is little room for men anywhere on a +torpedo boat, and if a shot strikes at all it is almost sure to hit a +group. Such was the case in the _Winslow_. The exploding shell cost the +lives of Ensign Bagley and four seamen; it also crippled the craft by +wrecking her steam-steering gear. Later her captain and one of his crew +were wounded by separate shots. + + [Illustration: THE TRAGEDY OF THE WINSLOW.] + +Ensign Bagley was killed outright, two of the group of five died on the +deck of the disabled torpedo-boat, and the other two died while being +removed to the _Wilmington_. + +The signal, "Many wounded," went up from the staff of the _Winslow_, and +Passed Assistant Surgeon Cook of the _Wilmington_ boarded the +torpedo-boat. + +The _Hudson_ tied up to the _Winslow_ and towed her out of danger, +escaping unscathed. The wounded men were tenderly cared for on the +cruiser, and that night the revenue cutter steamed out of Cardenas Bay, +bearing the dead and wounded to Key West. + +William O'Hearn, of Brooklyn, N. Y., one of the _Winslow's_ crew, thus +tells his story of the battle to a newspaper correspondent: + +"From the very beginning," he said, "I think every man on the boat +believed that we could not escape being sunk, and that is what would have +happened had it not been for the bravery of the boys on the _Hudson_, who +worked for over an hour under the most terrific fire to get us out of +range." + +"Were you ordered to go in there?" he was asked. + +"Yes; just before we were fired upon the order was given from the +_Wilmington_." + +"Was it a signal order?" + +"No; we were near enough to the _Wilmington_ so that they shouted it to us +from the deck, through the megaphone." + +"Do you remember the words of the commander who gave them?" + +"I don't know who shouted the order; but the words as I remember them +were, 'Mr. Bagley, go in and see what gunboats there are.' We started at +once towards the Cardenas dock, and the firing began soon after. + +"The first thing I saw," continued O'Hearn, "was a shot fired from a +window or door in the second story of the storehouse just back of the dock +where the Spanish gunboats were lying. A shell then went hissing over our +heads. Then the firing began from the gunboat at the wharf, and from the +shore. The effect of shell and heavy shot the first time a man is under +fire is something terrible. + +"First you hear that awful buzzing or whizzing, and then something seems +to strike you in the face and head. I noticed that at first the boys threw +their hands to their heads every time a shell went over; but they soon +came so fast and so close that it was a roaring, shrieking, crashing hell. + +"I am the water-tender, and my place is below, but everybody went on deck +when the battle began. John Varvares, the oiler, John Denif and John Meek, +the firemen, were on watch with me, and had they remained below they would +not have been killed. + +"After the firing began I went below again to attend to the boiler, and a +few minutes later a solid shot came crashing through the side of the boat +and into the boiler, where it exploded and destroyed seventy of the tubes. + +"At first it stunned me. When the shell burst in the boiler it threw both +the furnace doors open, and the fuse from the shell struck my feet. It was +a terrible crash, and the boiler-room was filled with dust and steam. For +several seconds I was partially stunned, and my ears rang so I could hear +nothing. I went up on the deck to report to Captain Bernadou. + +"I saw him near the forecastle gun, limping about with a towel wound +around his left leg. He was shouting, and the noise of all the guns was +like continuous thunder. 'Captain,' I cried, 'the forward boiler is +disabled. A shell has gone through it.' + +"'Get out the hose,' he said, and turned to the gun again. I made my way +to the boiler-room, in a few minutes went up on the deck again, and the +fighting had grown hotter than ever. Several of the men were missing, and +I looked around. + +"Lying all in a heap on the after-deck in the starboard quarter, near the +after conning-tower, I saw five of our men where they had wilted down +after the shell struck them. In other places were men lying groaning, or +dragging themselves about, wounded and covered with blood. There were big +red spots on the deck, which was strewn with fragments and splinters. + +"I went to where the five men were lying, and saw that all were not dead. +John Meek could speak and move one hand slightly. I put my face down close +to his. + +"'Can I do anything for you, John?' I asked, and he replied, 'No, Jack, I +am dying; good-bye,' and he asked me to grasp his hand. 'Go help the +rest,' he whispered, gazing with fixed eyes toward where Captain Bernadou +was still firing the forward gun. The next minute he was dead. + +"Ensign Bagley was lying on the deck nearly torn to pieces, and the bodies +of the other three were on top of him. The coloured cook was a little +apart from the others, mangled, and in a cramped position. We supposed he +was dead, and covered him up the same as the others. Nearly half an hour +after that we heard him calling, and saw that he was making a slight +movement under the clothes. I went up to him, and he said: + +"'Oh, boys, for God's sake move me. I am lying over the boiler and burning +up.' + +"The deck was very hot, and his flesh had been almost roasted. He +complained that his neck was cramped, but did not seem to feel his +terrible wound. We moved him into an easier position, and gave him some +water. + +"'Thank you, sir,' he said, and in five seconds he was dead." + +Ensign Bagley had been fearfully wounded by a shot, which practically tore +through his body. He sank over the rail, and was grasped by one of the +enlisted men, named Reagan, who lifted him up and placed him on the deck. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. AMPHITRITE.] + +The young officer, realising that the wound was fatal, and that he had +only a short time to live, allowed no murmur of complaint or cry of pain +to escape him, but opened his eyes, stared at the sailor, and simply said: + +"Thank you, Reagan." + +These were the last words he spoke. + +_May 12._ The forts of San Juan, the capital of Porto Rico, were bombarded +by a portion of Rear-Admiral Sampson's fleet on Thursday morning, May +12th. The vessels taking part in the action were the battle-ships _New +York_, _Iowa_, _Indiana_, the cruisers _Detroit_ and _Montgomery_, and the +monitors _Terror_ and _Amphitrite_. + +The engagement began at 5.15 and ended at 8.15 A. M., resulting in a loss +to the Americans of one killed and seven wounded, and the death of one +from prostration by heat. The Spanish loss, as reported by cable to +Madrid, was five killed and forty-three wounded. + +Admiral Sampson's orders were to refrain from making any land attack so +long as the batteries on shore did not attempt to molest his ships; but in +case the Spaniards fired on his vessels, to destroy the offending +fortifications. + +These orders were not issued until the Spanish fire at different Cuban +ports became so irritating to the American bluejackets that discipline +was, in a measure, threatened; but as soon as the men learned that they +were no longer to remain passive targets for the Spaniards, but were to +return any shots against them, all grumbling against inaction ceased. + +It was not Admiral Sampson's original intention to attack San Juan. He was +looking for bigger game than the poorly defended Porto Rican capital. His +orders from the Navy Department were to find and capture or destroy the +Spanish squadron that was en route from the Cape Verde Islands, and it was +this business that took him into the neighbourhood of San Juan, he being +desirous of learning if the Spanish squadron were there. + +The fleet arrived off San Juan before daybreak on Thursday. The tug +_Wampatuck_ was ordered to take soundings in the channel, and at once +proceeded to do so. She was fully half a mile ahead of the fleet when she +entered the channel, and those aboard of her kept the lead going at a +lively rate. + +It is supposed that Admiral Sampson had no intention at that time of +entering the harbour itself, his object, when he found that the Spanish +squadron was not at San Juan, being to learn for future use exactly how +much water there was in the channel, and if any attempt had been made to +block the way. + +At all events, while the _Wampatuck_ was engaged in this work she was seen +by the sentries at the Morro, and a few minutes later was fired on. + +Then, and not until then, did Admiral Sampson determine to teach the +Spaniards a lesson regarding the danger of firing on the American flag. + +"Quarters!" rang out aboard the war-ships almost before the report of the +Morro gun had died away, the flag-ship having signalled for action. + +The _Iowa_ opened the bombardment with her big 12-inch gun, the missile +striking Morro Castle squarely, and knocking a great hole in the masonry. + +Then the _Indiana_ sent a 13-inch projectile from the forward turret, and +one after the other, with but little loss of time, the remaining vessels +of the fleet aided in the work of destruction. + +The French war-ship _Admiral Rigault de Genoailly_ was at anchor in the +harbour, and a shell exploded within a few hundred feet of where she lay, +but worked no injury. + +The French officers thus reported the action: + +"The American gunners were generally accurate in their firing, while the +marksmanship of the Spaniards was inferior. Some of the American shells, +however, passed over the fortifications into the city, where they did +terrible damage, crashing straight through rows of buildings before +exploding, and there killing many citizens. + +"The fortifications were irreparably injured. Repeatedly masses of masonry +were blown skyward by the shells from the American guns. Fragments from +one shell struck the commandante's residence, which was situated near the +fortifications, damaging it terrifically." + +Morro Castle was speedily silenced, and then the guns of the fleet were +turned on the land-batteries and the fortifications near the government +buildings. + +The inhabitants fled in terror from the city; the volunteers, +panic-stricken, ran frantically in every direction, discharging their +weapons at random, until they were a menace to all within possible range. +The crashing of the falling buildings, the roar of the heavy guns, the +shrieks of the terrified and groans of the wounded, formed a horrible +accompaniment to the work of destruction. + +Three times the line of American ships passed from the entrance of the +harbour to the extreme eastward battery, sending shot and shell into the +crumbling forts. Clouds of dust showed where the missiles struck, but the +smoke hung over everything. The shells screeching overhead and dropping +around were the only signs that the Spaniards still stuck to their guns. + +At 7.45 A. M. Admiral Sampson signalled, "Cease firing." + +"Retire" was sounded on the _Iowa_, and she headed from the shore. + +The _Terror_ was the last ship in the line, and, failing to see the +signal, banged away alone for about half an hour, the concert of shore +guns roaring at her and the water flying high around her from the +exploding shells. But she possessed a charmed life, and reluctantly +retired at 8.15. + + [Illustration: THE BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN, PORTO RICO.] + +_May 13._ In the Spanish Cortes, Senor Molinas, deputy for Porto Rico, +protested against the bombardment of San Juan without notice, as an +infringement of international usage. + +To this General Correa, Minister of War, replied that the conduct of the +Americans was "vandalism," and that the government "will bring their +outrageous action under the notice of the powers." He echoed Senor +Molinas's eulogy of the bravery of the Spanish troops and marines, and +promised that the government would send its thanks. + +An authority on international law thus comments upon the bombardment, in +the columns of the New York _Sun_: + +"There is nothing in the laws of war which requires notice of bombardment +to be given to a fortified place, during the progress of war. When the +Germans threatened to bombard Port au Prince, a few months ago, they gave +a notice of a few hours, but in that case no state of war existed. Again, +when Spain bombarded Valparaiso, in 1865, an hour's interval was allowed +between the blank charge that gave the notice, and the actual bombardment. +But that interval was intended to allow Chili an opportunity to do the +specific thing demanded, namely, to salute the Spanish flag, in atonement +for a grievance. Besides, Valparaiso was wholly unfortified, and the guns +were directed, not at military works, but at public buildings. + +"The case of San Juan was far different. Hostilities had been going on in +Gulf waters for weeks, while, as Doctor Snow, the well-known authority on +international law, says, 'In case of war, the very fact of a place being +fortified is evidence that at any time it is liable to attack, and the +non-combatants residing within its limits must be prepared for a +contingency of this kind.' This is true, also, of the investment of +fortified places by armies, where 'if the assault is made, no notice is +given, as surprise is essential to success.' In the same spirit Halleck +says that 'every besieged place is for a time a military garrison; its +inhabitants are converted into soldiers by the necessities of +self-defence.' + +"Turning to the official report of Admiral Sampson, we find him saying +that, as soon as it was light enough, he began 'an attack upon the +batteries defending the city. This attack lasted about three hours, and +resulted in much damage to the batteries, and incidentally to a portion of +the city adjacent to the batteries.' It is, therefore, clear that this +latter damage was simply the result of the proximity of the defensive +works to some of the dwellings. The same thing would occur in bombarding +Havana. Can any one imagine that the Spaniards, if they suddenly appeared +in New York Bay, would be obliged to give notice before opening fire on +Fort Hamilton and Fort Wadsworth, for the reason that adjacent settlements +would suffer from the fire? The advantage of suddenness in the attack upon +a place, not only fortified, but forewarned by current events, cannot be +renounced. Civilians dwelling near defensive works know what they risk in +war. + +"In the Franco-German war of 1870 there were repeated instances, according +to the authority already quoted, of deliberately firing on inhabited towns +instead of on their fortifications, and 'there were cases, like that of +Peronne, where the town was partially destroyed while the ramparts were +nearly intact.' The ground taken was that which a military writer, General +Le Blois, had advocated five years before, namely, that the pressure for +surrender exercised by the people becomes greater on subjecting them to +the loss of life and property. 'The governor is made responsible for all +the disasters that occur; the people rise against him, and his own troops +seek to compel him to an immediate capitulation.' At San Juan there was no +attempt of this sort, the fire being concentrated upon the batteries, with +the single view of destroying them. The likelihood that adjacent buildings +and streets would suffer did not require previous notice of the +bombardment, and, in fact, when the Germans opened fire on Paris without +notification, and a protest was made on behalf of neutrals, Bismarck +simply replied that no such notification was required by the laws of war." + + + + + + CHAPTER VII. + + + FROM ALL QUARTERS. + + +_May 11._ A state of siege proclaimed throughout Spain. In a dozen cities +or more continued rioting and sacking of warehouses. The seacoast between +Cadiz and Malaga no longer lighted. The second division of the Spanish +navy, consisting of the battle-ship _Pelayo_, the armoured cruiser _Carlos +V._, the protected cruiser _Alphonso XIII._, the converted cruisers +_Rapido_ and _Patria_, and several torpedo-boats, remain in Cadiz Harbour. + +_May 12._ The story of an attempt to land American troops in Cuba is thus +told by one of the officers of the steamer _Gussie_, which vessel left +Tampa on the tenth. + +"In an effort to land Companies E and G of the first U. S. Infantry on the +shore of Pinar del Rio this afternoon, with five hundred rifles, sixty +thousand rounds of ammunition, and some food supplies for the insurgents, +the first land fight of the war took place. Each side may claim a victory, +for if the Spaniards frustrated the effort to connect with the insurgents, +the Americans got decidedly the better of the battle, killing twelve or +more of the enemy, and on their own part suffering not a wound. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. MIANTONOMAH.] + +"After dark last evening the old-fashioned sidewheel steamer _Gussie_ of +the Morgan line, with troops and cargo mentioned, was near the Cuban +coast. At sunrise she fell in with the gunboat _Vicksburg_ on the blockade +off Havana. Other blockading vessels came up also. The converted revenue +cutter _Manning_, Captain Munger, was detailed to convoy the _Gussie_, +and, three abreast, the steamers moved along the coast. + +"The Cuban guides on the _Gussie_ took their machetes to a grindstone on +the hurricane-deck. Our soldiers gathered around to see them sharpen their +long knives, but only one could be induced to test the edge of these +barbarous instruments with his thumb. + +"By the ruined walls of an old stone house Spanish troops were gathered. +Several shots were fired by the gunboat _Manning_, and presently no troops +were visible. It had been decided to land near here, but the depth of +water was not favourable. + +"Just west of Port Cabanas Harbour the _Gussie_ anchored, the _Manning_ +covering the landing-place with her guns, and the torpedo-boat _Wasp_ came +up eager to assist. The first American soldier to step on the Cuban shore +from this expedition was Lieutenant Crofton, Captain O'Connor with the +first boatload having gone a longer route. A reef near the beach threw the +men out, and they stumbled through the water up to their breasts. When +they reached dry land they immediately went into the bush to form a +picket-line. Two horses had been forced to swim ashore, when suddenly a +rifle-shot, followed by continuous sharp firing, warned the men that the +enemy had been in waiting. + +"The captain of the transport signalled the war-ships, and the _Manning_ +fired into the woods beyond our picket-line. Shrapnel hissed through the +air like hot iron plunged in water. The _Wasp_ opened with her small guns. +The cannonade began at 3.15 and lasted a quarter of an hour; then our +pickets appeared, the ships circled around, and, being told by Captain +O'Connor, who had come from shore with the clothing torn from one leg, +where the Spaniards were, a hundred shots more were fired in that +direction. + +"'Anybody hurt, captain?' some one asked. + +"'None of our men, but we shot twelve Spaniards,' he shouted back. + +"The soldiers on board the _Gussie_ heard the news without a word, but +learning where the enemy were situated, gathered aft on the upper deck, +and sent volleys toward the spot. + +"The pickets returned to the bush. Several crept along the beach, but the +Spaniards had drawn back. It was decided that the soldiers should reembark +on the _Gussie_, and that the guides take the horses, seek the insurgents, +and make a new appointment. They rode off to the westward, and disappeared +around a point. + +"'Say,' shouted a man from Company G after them, 'you forgot your +grindstone.'" + +_May 12._ On Thursday morning, May 12th, the gunboat _Wilmington_ stood in +close to the coast, off the town of Cardenas, with her crew at quarters. + +She had come for a specific purpose, which was to avenge the _Winslow_, +and not until she was within range of the gunboats that had decoyed the +_Winslow_ did she slacken speed. Then the masked battery, which had opened +on the American boat with such deadly effect, was covered by the +_Wilmington's_ guns. + +There were no preliminaries. The war-vessel was there to teach the +Spaniards of Cardenas a lesson, and set about the task without delay. + +The town is three miles distant from the gulf entrance to the harbour, +therefore no time need be wasted in warning non-combatants, for they were +in little or no danger. + +During two weeks troops had been gathering near about Cardenas to protect +it against American invasion; masked batteries were being planted, +earthworks thrown up, and blockhouses erected. There was no lack of +targets. + +Carefully, precisely, as if at practice, the _Wilmington_ opened fire from +her 4-inch guns, throwing shells here, there, everywhere; but more +particularly in the direction of that masked battery which had trained its +guns on the _Winslow_, and as the Spaniards, panic-stricken, hearing a +death-knell in the sighing, whistling missiles, fled in mad terror, the +gunboats' machine guns were called into play. + +It is safe to assert that the one especial object of the American sailors' +vengeance was completely destroyed. Not a gun remained mounted, not a man +was alive, save those whose wounds were mortal. The punishment was +terrible, but complete. + +Until this moment the Spaniards at Cardenas had believed they might with +impunity open fire on any craft flying the American flag; but now they +began to understand that such sport was in the highest degree dangerous. + +During a full hour--and in that time nearly three hundred shells had been +sent on errands of destruction--the _Wilmington_ continued her bombardment +of the defences. + +When the work was completed two gunboats had been sunk so quickly that +their crews had no more than sufficient time to escape. Two schooners were +converted into wrecks at their moorings. One blockhouse was consumed by +flames, and signal-stations, masked batteries, and forts were in ruins. + +While this lesson was in progress the Spaniards did their best to bring it +to a close; but despite all efforts the _Wilmington_ was unharmed. There +was absolutely no evidence of conflict about her when she finally steamed +away, save such as might have been read on the smoke-begrimed faces of the +hard-worked but triumphant and satisfied crew. + + [Illustration: ADMIRAL SCHLEY.] + +_May 13._ An English correspondent, cabling from Hongkong regarding the +Spaniards in the Philippine Islands, made the following statement: + +"They are in a position to give the Americans a deal of trouble. There are +twenty-five thousand Spanish soldiers in the garrison at Manila, and one +hundred thousand volunteers enrolled. Scores of coasting steamers are +imprisoned on the river Pasig, which is blocked at the mouth by some +sunken schooners. + +"Mr. Wildman, the American consul here, tells me that, according to his +despatches, a flag of truce is flying over Manila, and the people are +allowed to proceed freely to and from the ships in the harbour. + +"The Americans are on duty night and day on the lookout for boats which +endeavour to run the blockade with food supplies. The hospital is +supported by the Americans. The Spaniards are boasting that their big +battle-ship _Pelayo_ is coming, and will demolish the Americans in ten +minutes." + +On the afternoon of May 13th the flying squadron, Commodore W. S. Schley +commanding, set sail from Old Point Comfort, heading southeast. The +following vessels comprised the fleet. The cruiser _Brooklyn_, the +flag-ship, the battle-ships _Massachusetts_ and _Texas_, and the +torpedo-boat destroyer _Scorpion_. The _Sterling_, with 4,000 tons of +coal, was the collier of the squadron. At eight o'clock in the evening the +_Minneapolis_ followed, and Captain Sigsbee of the _St. Paul_ received +orders to get under way at midnight. + +_May 14._ Eleven steamers, chartered by the government as troop-ships, +sailed from New York for Key West. At San Francisco, the cruiser +_Charleston_, with supplies and reinforcements for Admiral Dewey's fleet +at Manila, had been made ready for sea. + +At Havana General Blanco had shown great energy in preparing for the +expected siege by American forces. The city and forts were reported as +being provisioned sufficiently for three or four months, and Havana was +surrounded by entrenchments for a distance of thirty miles. The troops in +the garrison numbered seventy thousand, and a like number were in the +interior fighting the insurgents. + +The condition of the reconcentrados in Havana had grown steadily worse. +The mortality increased among this wretched class, who had taken to +begging morsels of food. + +Nobody in Havana except a few higher officers knew that the Spanish fleet +was annihilated at Manila, and the story was believed that the Americans +were beaten there. + +At Madrid in the Chamber of Deputies Senor Bores asked the government to +inform the house of the condition of the Philippines. After the +pacification of the islands, he said, outbreaks had occurred at Pansy and +Cebu and even in Manila. Was this a new rebellion, he asked, or a +continuation of the old one? If it was a continuation of the old +rebellion, then General Prima de Rivera's pacification of the islands had +been a perfect fraud. General Correa, Minister of War, replied that the +old insurrection was absolutely over. The present one, he said, arose from +the incitements of the Americans. + +Senor Bores retorted that he had received a private letter from the +Philippines, dated April 10th, prior to the arising of any fear of war +with the United States, giving pessimistic accounts of the risings there, +and passengers arriving by the steamer _Leon III._ had told similar +stories. Now, he declared, the Spanish troops in the Philippines were in a +terrible condition, being between two fires, the natives and the +Americans. Senor Bores's remarks created a profound sensation. + +The cruiser _Charleston_ was reported as being ready to sail from San +Francisco for Manila. Three hundred sailors and marines to reinforce +Admiral Dewey's fleet were to be sent on the cruiser. + +The U. S. S. _Oregon_, _Marietta_, and _Nictheroy_ arrived at Bahia, +Brazil. + +The Spanish torpedo-boat _Terror_, of the Cape Verde fleet, reported as +yet remaining at Port de France, Martinique. + +A press correspondent gives the following spirited account, under the date +of May 14th, of a second attempt to entice the American blockading +squadron within range of the Santa Clara battery guns: + +"Captain-General Blanco, two hours before sunset to-night, attempted to +execute a ruse, which, if successful, would have cleared the front of +Havana of six ships on that blockading station. + +"Unable to come out to do battle, he adopted the tactics of the spider, +and cunningly planned to draw the prey into his net, but, though a clever +and pretty scheme as an original proposition, it was practically a +repetition of the trick by which the gunboat _Vicksburg_ and the little +converted revenue cutter _Morrill_ were last week decoyed by a +fishing-smack under the big Krupp guns of Santa Clara batteries. + +"Thanks to bad gunnery, both ships on that occasion managed to get out of +range without being sunk, though some of the shells burst close aboard, +and the _Vicksburg's_ Jacob's-ladder was cut adrift. + +"Late this afternoon the ships on the Havana station were dumfounded to +see two vessels steam out of Havana Harbour and head east. Dense smoke was +streaming like black ribbons from their stacks, and a glance showed that +they were under full head of steam. + +"By aid of glasses Commander Lilly of the _Mayflower_, which was flying +the pennant, made out the larger vessel of the two, which was two hundred +feet long and about forty-five hundred tons displacement, to be the +cruiser _Alphonso XII._, and the small one to be the gunboat _Legaspi_, +both of which were known to be bottled up in Havana Harbour. + +"At first he supposed that they were taking advantage of the absence of +the heavy fighting-ships, and were making a bona-fide run for the open +sea. + +"As superior officer, he immediately signalled the other war-ships on the +station, the _Vicksburg_, _Annapolis_, _Wasp_, _Tecumseh_, and _Osceola_. +The little squadron gave chase to the flying Spaniards, keeping up a +running fire as they advanced. The _Alphonso_ and her consort circled +inshore about five miles below Havana, and headed back for Morro Castle. + +"Our gunboats and the vessels of the mosquito fleet did not follow them +in. Commander Lilly saw that the wily Spanish ruse was to draw them in +under the guns of the heavy batteries, where Spanish artillery officers +could plot out the exact range with their telemeters. So the return was +made in line ahead, parallel with the shore. + +"Commander Lilly had not been mistaken. As his ships came abreast of Santa +Clara battery the big guns opened, and fired thirteen shells at a distance +of about five miles. The range was badly judged, as more than half the +missiles overshot the mark, and others fell short, some as much as a mile. + +"The big _Alphonso_ and her convoy steamed swiftly from the dark shadow of +the harbour's mouth, and, turning sharply east, ran along the coast as +though to slip through the cordon of blockade. + +"It was a bold trick and not at first transparent, although the folly of +it created a suspicion. + +"The Spanish boats crowded on steam and stood along the coast as long as +they dared, to give zest to the chase. The _Mayflower_ signalled her +consorts, 'Close in and charge.' + +"Seeing that the bait had apparently taken, the Spaniards veered about, +and, bringing their stern-chasers to bear on the Americans, doubled back +for Morro. + +"Two of the shells from the _Vicksburg_ burst in the rigging of the +_Alphonso_, and some of it came down, but it was, of course, impossible to +know whether any fatalities occurred. The American fire was much more +accurate than the Spanish, as every shell of the latter fell short of +their pursuers. + +"The Spaniards were a mile off Morro, and our ships fully four miles out, +when flame leaped from the batteries of the Santa Clara forts, and clouds +of white smoke drifted up the coast. Half a minute later a dull, heavy +roar of a great gun came like a deep diapason of an organ on high treble +of smaller guns. It was from one of the 12-inch Krupp guns mounted there, +and an 85-pound projectile plunged into the water half a mile inside of +the American line, throwing up a tower of white spray. It ricochetted and +struck again half a mile outside. + +"The mask was now off. Maddened by the failure of their plot, the +Spaniards continued to fire at intervals of about ten minutes. In all, +thirteen shots were fired, but not one struck within two hundred yards of +our ships. + +"As soon as the battery opened, Commander Lilly signalled, and his fleet +stood offshore. Captain McKensie, on the bridge of the _Vicksburg_, +watched the fall of the shells, but he considered it useless to waste +ammunition at that distance. He appeased the desire of the men at the +guns, however, by letting go a final broadside at the Spanish ships, in +the chance hope of making them pay for their daring before they gained the +harbour, but they steamed under Morro's guns untouched, and, as they +disappeared, discharged several guns. + +"Half a dozen shots were sent after them at that moment by the +_Annapolis_, which dropped inside the harbour, probably creating +consternation among scores of boats on the water-front." + +_May 15._ The Spanish cruisers _Maria Teresa_, _Vizcaya_, _Almirante +Oquendo_, and _Cristobal Colon_, and torpedo-boat destroyers, which +arrived off the port of Curacoa, sailed at sunset on the 15th, after +having purchased coal and provisions. + +The flying squadron under command of Commodore Schley arrived off +Charleston, S. C. + +Admiral Sampson's squadron passed Cape Haytien. + +All the members of the Spanish Cabinet have resigned. + +A report from Ponce, Porto Rico, under date of May 15th, describes the +inhabitants of the island as living in constant fear of a renewal of the +bombardment of San Juan by Admiral's Sampson's fleet. There are no +submarine mines in the harbour of Ponce, and the generally unprotected +condition of the place is a cause of much anxiety. + +_May 16._ Freeman Halstead, an American newspaper correspondent, arrested +at San Juan de Porto Rico, while in the act of making photographs of the +fortifications. He was sentenced by a military tribunal to nine years' +imprisonment. + +In a general order issued at the War Department, the assignments to the +different corps and other important commands were announced. The order is +as follows: + +"The following assignments of general officers to command is hereby made +by the President: + +"Maj.-Gen. Wesley Merritt, U. S. A., the Department of the Pacific. + +"Maj.-Gen. John R. Brooke, U. S. A., the first corps and the Department of +the Gulf. + +"Maj.-Gen. W. M. Graham, U. S. Volunteers, the second corps, with +headquarters at Falls Church, Va. + +"Maj.-Gen. James M. Wade, U. S. Volunteers, the third corps, reporting to +Major-General Brooke, Chickamauga. + +"Maj.-Gen. John J. Coppinger, U. S. Volunteers, the fourth corps, Mobile, +Ala. + +"Maj.-Gen. William R. Shafter, U. S. Volunteers, the fifth corps, Tampa, +Fla. + +"Maj.-Gen. Elwell S. Otis, U. S. Volunteers, to report to Major-General +Merritt, U. S. A., for duty with troops in the Department of the Pacific. + +"Maj.-Gen. James H. Wilson, U. S. Volunteers, the sixth corps, +Chickamauga, reporting to Major-General Brooke. + +"Maj.-Gen. Fitzhugh Lee, U. S. Volunteers, the seventh corps, Tampa, Fla. + +"Maj.-Gen. Joseph H. Wheeler, U. S. Volunteers, the cavalry division, +Tampa, Fla." + +Orders were given by Admiral Sampson to Captain Goodrich of the _St. +Louis_, on May 15th, to take the fleet tender in tow and proceed to +Santiago de Cuba to cut the cables at that point. The grappling implements +were secured from the tug _Wampatuck_ on May 16th, and at eleven P. M. the +expedition, in the small boats, left the cruiser for the entrance of +Santiago. It was then perfectly dark and hazy, but the Santiago light was +burning brightly. Moonrise was not until 3.45 A. M. At three A. M. on May +17th the expedition returned with part of one cable, but it had failed to +find a second cable, which is close under the fort, and was protected by +two patrol-boats. Then a start was made to cut the cable on the other side +of the island. At seven A. M. the _St. Louis_ fired her first gun at the +forts protecting the entrance to Santiago Harbour, and after a little time +the fire was returned by what must have been a 2-pounder. + +At eight A. M. the _St. Louis_ was about two miles distant from the fort, +which seemed to be unprovided with modern guns. After three hours +grappling in over five hundred fathoms, the cable had not been found. At +12.15 P. M. the guns of Morro Castle opened fire, followed by the shore +battery on the southerly point, and also the west battery. The _St. +__Louis_ kept up a constant fire from her bow guns, and soon succeeded in +silencing the guns of Morro Castle, the Spaniards running in all +directions. + +Most of the shots from the fort fell short of the ship. Shells from the +mortar battery went over the cruiser and exploded in the water quite close +to the _St. Louis_. The mortar battery ceased at 12.56 P. M., after a +fusilade of forty-one minutes. After firing the cable was grappled, hauled +on board, and cut. + +_May 17._ The Spanish squadron reported as yet remaining at Cadiz. + +The U. S. S. _Wilmington_ had a slight action with a Spanish gunboat off +the Cuban coast, during which the latter was disabled. + +_May 18._ The U. S. cruiser _Charleston_ left San Francisco for the +Philippines with supplies for Commodore Dewey's fleet. + +_May 19._ By cable from Madrid it was learned that the Spanish fleet had +arrived at Santiago de Cuba. + +The cruiser _Charleston_, which sailed for Manila, returned to Mare Island +navy yard with her condensers out of order. + +_May 21._ An order was despatched to San Francisco to prepare the +_Monterey_ for a voyage to Manila, where she would join Commodore Dewey's +fleet. The _Monterey_ is probably the most formidable monitor in the +world; technically described she is a barbed turret, low freeboard monitor +of four thousand tons displacement, 256 feet long, fifty-nine feet beam, +and fourteen feet six inches draught. She carries in two turrets, +surrounded by barbettes, two 12-inch and two 10-inch guns, while on her +superstructure, between the turrets, are mounted six 6-pounders, four +1-pounders, and two Gatlings. The turrets are seven and one-half and eight +inches thick, and the surrounding barbettes are fourteen inches and eleven +and one-half inches of steel. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. MONTEREY.] + +One of the most important prizes captured during the war was taken by the +U. S. S. _Minneapolis_ off the eastern coast of Cuba. The craft was the +Spanish brig _Santa Maria de Lourdes_, loaded with coal, ammunition, arms, +and supplies for Admiral Cervera. + +Nearly four hundred men, with a pack-train and a large quantity of arms +and ammunition, sailed for a point about twenty-five miles east of Havana, +on the steamer _Florida_. These men and their equipment constituted an +expedition able to operate independently, and to defend itself against any +body of Spanish troops which might oppose it. + +The _Florida_ returned to Key West on the thirty-first, after having +successfully landed the ammunition and men. + +_May 22._ The U. S. S. _Charleston_ again left San Francisco, bound for +Manila. + +_May 25._ The U. S. S. _St. Paul_ captured the British steamer +_Restormel_, loaded with coal, off Santiago de Cuba. The prize is a long, +low tramp collier belonging to the Troy company of Cardiff, Wales. She +left there on April 22d, the day before war was declared, with +twenty-eight hundred tons of the finest grade of Cardiff coal consigned to +a Spanish firm in San Juan de Porto Rico, where the Spanish fleet was +supposed to make its first stop. + +"When we reached San Juan," said the captain of the _Restormel_, "the +consignees told me very curtly that the persons for whom the coal was +destined were in Curacoa. At Porto Rico I learned that war had been +declared. I began to suspect that the coal was going to Cervera's fleet, +but my Spanish consignees said it would be all right. They told me not to +ask any questions, but to go to Curacoa as soon as possible. I did so, +placing my cargo under orders. + +"The consignee at Curacoa was a Spanish officer. He said there had been +another change of base, and that the coal was wanted at Santiago de Cuba. +I tried to cable my owners for instructions, but found that the cables had +been cut. Under the circumstances there was nothing for me to do but to go +to Santiago. By this time I was pretty well convinced that the cargo was +for Cervera. I suspected that coal had been made a contraband of war, so I +wasn't a bit surprised when the _St. Paul_ brought us to, with a shot, +three and a half miles from shore." + +In the prize court it was decided to confiscate the coal, and release the +steamer. + +The President issued a proclamation calling for seventy-five thousand men. + +Three troop-ships, laden with soldiers, sailed from San Francisco for +Manila. + +_May 26._ The battle-ship _Oregon_, which left San Francisco March 19th, +arrived at Key West. + +_May 27._ The Spanish torpedo-boat destroyer arrived at San Juan de Porto +Rico. + +_May 28._ From Commodore Dewey the following cablegram was received: + + + + + + + "CAVITE, May 25th, via Hongkong, May 27th. + +"_Secretary Navy, Washington_:--No change in the situation of the blockade. +Is effective. It is impossible for the people of Manila to buy provisions, +except rice. + +"The captain of the _Olympia_, Gridley, condemned by medical survey. Is +ordered home. Leaves by Occidental and Oriental steamship from Hongkong +the twenty-eighth. Commander Lamberton appointed commander of the +_Olympia_." + + + + + + +_May 29._ Maj.-Gen. Wesley Merritt issued an order formally announcing +that he had taken command of the Philippine forces and expeditions. + +_May 31._ United States troops board transports for Cuba. + +The beginning of June saw the opening of the first regular campaign of the +war, and it is eminently proper the operations around and about Santiago +de Cuba be told in a continuous narrative, rather than with any further +attempt at giving the news from the various parts of the world in +chronological order. + +Therefore such events, aside from the Santiago campaign, as are worthy a +place in history, will be set down in regular sequence after certain deeds +of the boys of '98 have been related in such detail as is warranted by the +heroism displayed. + + + + + + CHAPTER VIII. + + + HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. + + +_May 29._ The blockading fleet, under command of Commodore Schley, off +Santiago de Cuba, was composed of the _Brooklyn_, _Iowa_, _Massachusetts_, +_Texas_, _New Orleans_, _Marblehead_, and _Vixen_. + +At about midnight on May 29th the officer of the deck on board the _Texas_ +saw, by aid of his night-glass, two low-lying, swiftly-running steamers +stealing out of Santiago Harbour, and keeping well within the shadows of +the land. + +As soon as might be thereafter the war-vessel's search-lights were turned +full on, and at the same moment the sleeping crew were awakened. + +It was known beyond a question that the Spanish fleet under Admiral +Cervera was hidden within the harbour, not daring to come boldly out while +the blockading squadron was so strong, and the first thought of men as +well as officers, when these stealthily moving vessels were sighted, was +that the Spaniards were making a desperate effort to escape from the trap +they had voluntarily entered. + +The search-lights of the _Texas_ revealed the fact that the two strangers +were torpedo-boats, and a heavy fire was opened upon them instantly. + +With the report of the first gun the call to quarters was sounded on all +the other ships, and a dozen rays of blinding light flashed here and there +across the entrance to the harbour, until the waters were so brilliantly +illumined that the smallest craft in which mariner ever set sail could not +have come out unobserved. + +The same report which aroused the squadron told the Spaniards that their +purpose was no longer a secret, and the two torpedo-boats were headed for +the _Brooklyn_ and the _Texas_, running at full speed in the hope of +discharging their tubes before the fire should become too heavy. + +The enemy had not calculated, however, upon such a warm and immediate +reception. It was as if every gun on board both the _Brooklyn_ and _Texas_ +was in action within sixty seconds after the Spaniards were sighted, and +there remained nothing for the venturesome craft save to seek the shelter +of the harbour again, fortunate indeed if such opportunity was allowed +them. + +_May 31._ The U. S. S. _Marblehead_, cruising inshore to relieve the +monotony of blockading duties, discovered that lying behind the batteries +at the mouth of Santiago Harbour were four Spanish cruisers and two +torpedo-boat destroyers. + +When this fact was reported to the commodore he decided to tempt the +Spanish fleet into a fight, and at the same time discover the location of +the masked batteries. In pursuance of this plan he transferred his flag +from the _Brooklyn_ to the more heavily armed _Massachusetts_. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. MASSACHUSETTS.] + +Two hours after noon the _Massachusetts_, _New Orleans_, and _Iowa_, in +the order named, and not more than a cable length apart, steamed up to the +harbour mouth to within four thousand yards of Morro Castle. + +Two miles out to sea lay the _Brooklyn_, _Texas_, and other ships of the +blockading fleet awaiting the summons which should bring them into the +fight; but none came. + +The _Massachusetts_ opened fire first, taking the Spanish flag-ship for +its target. An 8-inch shell was the missile, and it fell far short of its +mark. Then the big machine tried her 13-inch guns. + +The _Cristobal Colon_ and four batteries--two on the east side, one on the +west, and one on an island in the middle of the channel, replied. Their 10 +and 12-inch Krupps spoke shot for shot with our sixes, eights and +thirteens. It was noisy and spectacular, but not effective on either side. + +The American fleet steamed across before the batteries at full speed; +circled, and passed again. Both sides had found the range by the time of +the second passing, and began to shoot close. Several shots burst directly +over the _Iowa_, three fell dangerously near the _New Orleans_, and one +sprayed the bow of the _Massachusetts_. + +After half an hour both forts on the east and the one on the island were +silenced. Five minutes later our ships ceased firing. The western battery +and the Spanish flag-ship kept up the din fifteen minutes longer, but +their work was ineffective. + +_June 1._ Rear-Admiral Sampson, with the _New York_ as his flag-ship, and +accompanied by the _Oregon_, the _Mayflower_, and the torpedo-boat +_Porter_, joined Commodore Schley's squadron off Santiago on the first of +June. + +A naval officer with the squadron summed up the situation in a +communication to his friend at home: + +"Pending the execution of Admiral Sampson's plan of campaign, our ships +form a cordon about the entrance of Santiago Harbour to prevent the +possible egress of the Spaniards, should Admiral Cervera be foolhardy +enough to attempt to cut his way out." + +The officers of the blockading squadron were well informed as to the +situation ashore. Communication with the Cubans had been established, and +it was known that a line of insurgents had been drawn around Santiago, in +order that they might be of assistance when the big war-vessels had struck +the first blow. + +The defences of the harbour were fairly well-known despite the vigilance +of the enemy, and it was no secret that within the narrow neck of the +channel, which at the entrance is hardly more than three hundred feet +wide, eighteen or twenty mines had been planted. + +A report from one of the newspaper correspondents, under date of June 1st, +was as follows: + +"So far as has been ascertained, there are three new batteries on the west +side of the entrance. These appear to be formed entirely of earthworks. + +"The embrasures for the guns can easily be discerned with the glasses. +Cayo Smith, a small island which lies directly beyond the entrance, is +fortified, and back of Morro, which sits on the rocky eminences at the +right of the entrance, are Estrella battery and St. Carolina fort. Further +up the bay, guarding the last approach to the city of Santiago, is Blanco +battery. + +"The first are of stone, and were constructed in the early sixties. St. +Carolina fort is partially in ruins. The guns in Morro Castle and Estrella +are of old pattern, 18 and 24-pounders, and would not even be considered +were it not for the great height of the fortifications, which would enable +these weapons to deliver a plunging fire. + +"Modern guns are mounted on the batteries to the left of the entrance. On +Cayo Smith and at Blanco battery there are also four modern guns. The +mines in the narrow, tortuous channel, and the elevation of the forts and +batteries, which must increase the effectiveness of the enemy's fire, and +at the same time decrease that of our own, reinforced by the guns of the +Spanish fleet inside, make the harbour, as it now appears, almost +impregnable. Unless the entrance is countermined it would be folly to +attempt to force its passage with our ships. + +"But the Spanish fleet is bottled up, and a plan is being considered to +drive in the cork. If that is done, the next news may be a thrilling story +of closing the harbour. It would release a part of our fleet, and leave +the Spaniards to starve and rot until they were ready to hoist the white +flag." + +"To drive in the cork," was the subject nearest Rear-Admiral Sampson's +heart, and he at once went into consultation with his officers as to how +it could best be done. One plan after another was discussed and rejected, +and then Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond Pearson Hobson proposed that +the big collier _Merrimac_, which then had on board about six hundred tons +of coal, be sunk across the channel in such a manner as to completely +block it. + +The plan was a good one; but yet it seemed certain death for those who +should attempt to carry it out as proposed. Lieutenant Hobson, however, +claimed that, if the scheme was accepted, he should by right be allowed to +take command of the enterprise. + +The end to be attained was so great that Admiral Sampson decided that the +lives of six or seven men could not be allowed to outweigh the advantage +to be gained, and Lieutenant Hobson was notified that his services were +accepted; the big steamer was at his disposal to do with as he saw fit. + +_June 11._ The preliminary work of this desperate undertaking was a strain +upon the officers and men. On Wednesday morning the preparations to +scuttle the _Merrimac_ in the channel were commenced. All day long crews +from the _New York_ and _Brooklyn_ were on board the collier, never +resting in their efforts to prepare her. She lay alongside the +_Massachusetts_, discharging coal, when the work was first begun. + +The news of the intended expedition travelled quickly through the fleet, +and it soon became known that volunteers were needed for a desperate +undertaking. From the _Iowa's_ signal-yard quickly fluttered the +announcement that she had 140 volunteers, and the other ships were not far +behind. On the _New York_ the enthusiasm was intense. Over two hundred +members of the crew volunteered to go into that narrow harbour and face +death. The junior officers literally tumbled over each other in their +eagerness to get their names on the volunteer list. + +When it was learned that only six men and Lieutenant Hobson were to go, +there was much disappointment on all sides. All Wednesday night the crews +worked on board the _Merrimac_; and the other ships, as they passed the +collier, before sundown, cheered her. Lieutenant Hobson paid a brief visit +to the flag-ship shortly before midnight, and then returned to the +_Merrimac_. + +While on board the flag-ship Lieutenant Hobson thus detailed his plan of +action: + +"I shall go right into the harbour until about four hundred yards past the +Estrella battery, which is behind Morro Castle. I do not think they can +sink me before I reach somewhere near that point. The _Merrimac_ has seven +thousand tons buoyancy, and I shall keep her full speed ahead. She can +make about ten knots. When the narrowest part of the channel is reached I +shall put her helm hard aport, stop the engines, drop the anchors, open +the sea connections, touch off the torpedoes, and leave the _Merrimac_ a +wreck, lying athwart the channel, which is not as broad as the _Merrimac_ +is long. There are ten 8-inch improvised torpedoes below the water-line, +on the _Merrimac's_ port-side. They are placed on her side against the +bulk-heads and vital spots, connected with each other by a wire under the +ship's keel. Each torpedo contains eighty-two pounds of gunpowder. Each +torpedo is also connected with the bridge; they should do their work in a +minute, and it will be quick work even if done in a minute and a quarter. + +"On deck there will be four men and myself. In the engine-room there will +be two other men. This is the total crew, and all of us will be in our +underclothing, with revolvers and ammunition in water-tight packing +strapped around our waists. Forward there will be a man on deck, and +around his waist will be a line, the other end of the line being made fast +to the bridge, where I will stand. By that man's side will be an axe. When +I stop the engines I shall jerk this cord, and he will thus get the signal +to cut the lashing which will be holding the forward anchor. He will then +jump overboard and swim to the four-oared dingy, which we shall tow +astern. The dingy is full of life-buoys, and is unsinkable. In it are +rifles. It is to be held by two ropes, one made fast at her bow and one at +her stern. The first man to reach her will haul in the tow-line and pull +the dingy to starboard. The next to leave the ship are the rest of the +crew. The quartermaster at the wheel will not leave until after having put +it hard aport, and lashed it so; he will then jump overboard. + + [Illustration: LIEUTENANT HOBSON.] + +"Down below, the man at the reversing gear will stop the engines, scramble +up on deck, and get over the side as quickly as he is able. The man in the +engine-room will break open the sea connections with a sledge-hammer, and +will follow his leader into the water. This last step ensures the sinking +of the _Merrimac_ whether the torpedoes work or not. By this time I +calculate the six men will be in the dingy and the _Merrimac_ will have +swung athwart the channel, to the full length of her three hundred yards +of cable, which will have been paid out before the anchors are cut loose. +Then, all that is left for me is to touch the button. I shall stand on the +starboard side of the bridge. The explosion will throw the _Merrimac_ on +her starboard side. Nothing on this side of New York City will be able to +raise her after that." + +In reply to frequent questions, Hobson said: + +"I suppose the Estrella battery will fire down on us a bit, but the ships +will throw their search-lights in the gunners' faces, and they won't see +much of us. If we are torpedoed we should even then be able to make the +desired position in the channel. It won't be easy to hit us, and I think +the men should be able to swim to the dingy. I may jump before I am blown +up. But I don't see that it makes much difference what I do. I have a fair +chance of life either way. If our dingy gets shot to pieces we shall then +try to swim for the beach right under Morro Castle. We shall keep together +at all hazards. Then we may be able to make our way alongside, and perhaps +get back to the ship. We shall fight the sentries or a squad until the +last, and shall only surrender to overwhelming numbers, and our surrender +will only take place as a last and almost uncontemplated emergency." + +The volunteers accepted for this most hazardous enterprise were, after +Lieutenant Hobson: George F. Phillips, machinist on the _Merrimac_; +Francis Kelly, water tender on the _Merrimac_; Randolph Clausen, coxswain +on the _New York_; George Charette, first-class gunner's mate on the _New +York_; Daniel Montague, first-class machinist on the _New York_; Osburn +Deignan, coxswain on the _Merrimac_; J. C. Murphy, coxswain on the _Iowa_. + +_June 21._ At three o'clock in the morning the admiral and Flag Lieutenant +Staunton got into the launch to make an inspection of the _Merrimac_. The +working gangs were still on board of her, and the officers of the +flag-ship stood with their glasses focused on the big black hull that was +to form an impassable obstacle for Spain's best ships. + +The minutes slipped by, the crews had not completed their work on the +_Merrimac_, but at last a boatload of men, black and tired out, came over +to the flag-ship. Last of all, at 4.30, came the admiral. He had been +delayed by a breakdown of the steam launch. + +Dawn was breaking over Santiago de Cuba, and nearly everybody thought it +was too late for the attempt to be made that morning. Then somebody cried: + +"She is going in." + +Surely enough, the seemingly deserted collier was seen heading straight +for Morro Castle. A few moments later, however, she was recalled by +Admiral Sampson, who thought it sure death for Hobson to venture in at +that hour. The _Merrimac_ did not return at once. Word came back: + +"Lieutenant Hobson asks permission to continue on his course. He thinks he +can make it." + +The admiral sent Hobson a message to the effect that the _Merrimac_ must +return at once, and in due course of time the doomed collier slowly +steamed back, her commander evidently disappointed with the order. All day +Thursday the collier lay near the flag-ship, and more elaborate +preparations were made to carry out the mission of the _Merrimac_ +successfully. During these preparations Hobson was cool and confident, +supervising personally every little detail. + +When, finally, he went on board the _Merrimac_ Thursday night, he had been +without sleep since Wednesday morning. His uniform was begrimed, his hands +were black, and he looked like a man who had been hard at work in and +about an engine-room for a long time. As he said good-bye, the lieutenant +remarked that his only regret was that all of the _New York's_ volunteers +could not go with him. + +_June 3._ The hazardous voyage was begun at three o'clock Friday morning. +The _Merrimac_ was lying to the westward. Under cover of the clouds over +the moon, she stole in toward the coast and made her way to the eastward, +followed by a steam launch from the _New York_, with the following crew on +board: Naval Cadet J. W. Powell, of Oswego, N. Y.; P. K. Peterson, +coxswain; H. Handford, apprentice of the first class; J. Mullings, coal +passer; G. L. Russell, machinist of the second class. In the launch were +bandages and appliances for the wounded. + +From the crowded decks of the _New York_ nothing could be seen of the +_Merrimac_ after she got under the shadow of the hills. For half an hour +officers and men strained their eyes peering into the gloom, when, +suddenly, the flash of a gun streamed out from Morro Castle, and then all +on board the _New York_ knew the _Merrimac_ was nearing her end. + +The guns from the Spanish battery opposite Morro Castle answered quickly +with more flashes, and for about twenty minutes tongues of fire seemed to +leap across the harbour entrance. The flag-ship was too far away to hear +the reports, and when the firing ceased it was judged that Hobson had +blown up the _Merrimac_. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. NEW YORK.] + +During an hour the anxious watchers waited for daylight. Rear-Admiral +Sampson and Captain Chadwick were on the bridge of the _New York_ during +the entire time. At five o'clock thin streams of smoke were seen against +the western shore, quite close to the Spanish batteries, and strong +glasses made out the launch of the _New York_ returning to the flag-ship. + +Scarcely had the small craft been sighted before a puff of smoke issued +from a battery on the western arm of the harbour, and a shot plunged far +over the launch. Then for fifteen minutes the big guns ashore kept up an +irregular fire on the little craft. As the shells fell without hitting the +object for which they were intended, the men on board the _New York_ +jeered at the Spanish marksmanship, and cheered their shipmates. + +At 6.15 the launch came alongside the flag-ship, but she did not have on +board any of the _Merrimac's_ crew. Cadet Powell reported that he had been +unable to see any of the men. It was learned that the cadet had gone +directly under the batteries, and only returned when he found his efforts +were useless. + +He also reported that he had clearly seen the _Merrimac's_ masts sticking +up just where Hobson hoped to sink her, north of the Estrella battery, and +well past the guns of Morro Castle. + +Cadet Powell thus related the last interview he had with the officer whom +it seemed certain had voluntarily gone to his death: + +"Lieutenant Hobson took a short sleep for a few hours, which was often +interrupted. At a quarter before two he came on deck and made a final +inspection, giving his last instructions. Then we had a little lunch. +Hobson was as cool as a cucumber. At about half past two I took the men +who were not going on the trip into the launch, and started for the +_Texas_, the nearest ship, but had to go back for one of the assistant +engineers, whom Hobson finally compelled to leave. I shook hands with +Hobson last of all. He said: + +"'Powell, watch the boat's crew when we pull out of the harbour. We will +be cracks, pulling thirty strokes to the minute.' + +"After leaving the _Texas_ I saw the _Merrimac_ steaming slowly in. + +"It was only fairly dark then, and the shore was quite visible. We +followed about three-quarters of a mile astern. The _Merrimac_ stood about +a mile to the westward of the harbour, and seemed a bit mixed, turning +completely around, and finally heading to the east, she ran down and then +turned in. We were then chasing him because I thought Hobson had lost his +bearings. + +"When Hobson was about two hundred yards from the harbour the first gun +was fired, from the eastern bluff. We were then about half a mile +offshore, and nearing the batteries. The firing increased rapidly. We +steamed in slowly, and lost sight of the _Merrimac_ in the smoke which the +wind carried offshore. It hung heavily. Before Hobson could have blown up +the _Merrimac_ the western battery picked us up and commenced firing. They +shot wild, however, and we ran in still farther to the shore until the +gunners lost sight of us. Then we heard the explosion of the torpedoes on +the _Merrimac_. + +"Until daylight we waited just outside the breakers, half a mile to the +westward of Morro, keeping a sharp lookout for the boat or for swimmers, +but saw nothing. Hobson had arranged to meet us at that point, but +thinking that some one might have drifted out, we crossed in front of +Morro and the mouth of the harbour, to the eastward. + +"At about five o'clock we crossed the harbour again, and stood to the +westward. In passing we saw one spar of the _Merrimac_ sticking out of the +water. We hugged the shore just outside of the breakers for a mile, and +then turned toward the _Texas_, when the batteries saw us and opened fire. +It was then broad daylight. The first shot dropped thirty yards astern, +but the others went wild. I drove the launch for all she was worth, +finally making the _New York_. The men behaved splendidly." + +_June 3._ Later in the day a boat with a white flag put out from the +harbour, and Captain Oviedo, chief of staff of Admiral Cervera, boarded +the _New York_, and informed Admiral Sampson that the whole party had been +captured; that only two were injured. Lieutenant Hobson was not hurt. The +Spanish admiral was so impressed with the courage of the _Merrimac's_ crew +that he decided to inform Admiral Sampson of the fact that they had not +lost their lives, but were prisoners of war and could be exchanged. + +To a newspaper correspondent Commodore Schley said, as he stood on his +flag-ship pointing towards Morro Castle: + +"History does not record an act of finer heroism than that of the gallant +men who are prisoners over there. I watched the _Merrimac_ as she made her +way to the entrance of the harbour, and my heart sank as I saw the perfect +hell of fire that fell upon those devoted men. I did not think it possible +one of them could have gone through it alive. + +"They went into the jaws of death. It was Balaklava over again without the +means of defence which the Light Brigade had. Hobson led a forlorn hope +without the power to cut his way out; but fortune once more favoured the +brave, and I hope he will have the recognition and promotion he deserves. +His name will live as long as the heroes of the world are remembered." + +Admiral Sampson made the following report to the Navy Department: + + + + + + +"Permit me to call your especial attention to Assistant Naval Constructor +Hobson. + +"As stated in a special telegram, before coming here I decided to make the +harbour entrance secure against the possibility of egress by Spanish +ships, by obstructing the narrow part of the entrance by sinking a collier +at that point. + +"Upon calling upon Mr. Hobson for his professional opinion as to a sure +method of sinking the ship, he manifested the most lively interest in the +problem. After several days' consideration, he presented a solution which +he considered would ensure the immediate sinking of the ship when she +reached the desired point in the channel. This plan we prepared for +execution when we reached Santiago. + +"The plan contemplated a crew of only seven men and Mr. Hobson, who begged +that it might be entrusted to him. The anchor chains were arranged on deck +for both the anchors, forward and aft, the plan including the anchoring of +the ship automatically. As soon as I reached Santiago, and I had the +collier to work upon, the details were completed and diligently +prosecuted, hoping to complete them in one day, as the moon and tide +served best the first night after our arrival. + +"Notwithstanding every effort the hour of four o'clock arrived, and the +preparation was scarcely completed. After a careful inspection of the +final preparations, I was forced to relinquish the plan for that morning, +as dawn was breaking. Mr. Hobson begged to try it at all hazards. + +"This morning proved more propitious, as a prompt start could be made. +Nothing could have been more gallantly executed. + +"We waited impatiently after the firing by the Spaniards had ceased. When +they did not reappear from the harbour at six o'clock, I feared that they +had all perished. A steam launch, which had been sent in charge of Naval +Cadet Powell to rescue the men, appeared at this time, coming out under a +persistent fire of the batteries, but brought none of the crew. + +"A careful inspection of the harbour from this ship showed that the vessel +_Merrimac_ had been sunk in the channel. + +"This afternoon the chief of staff of Admiral Cervera came out under a +flag of truce, with a letter from the admiral, extolling the bravery of +the crew in an unusual manner. + +"I cannot myself too earnestly express my appreciation of the conduct of +Mr. Hobson and his gallant crew. I venture to say that a more brave or +daring thing has not been done since Cushing blew up the _Albemarle_. + +"Referring to the inspiring letter which you addressed to the officers at +the beginning of the war, I am sure you will offer a suitable professional +reward to Mr. Hobson and his companions. I must add that Commander J. M. +Miller relinquished his command with the very greatest reluctance, +believing he should retain his command under all circumstances. + + [Illustration: HOBSON AND HIS MEN ON THE RAFT.] + +"He was, however, finally convinced that the attempt of another person to +carry out the multitude of details which had been in preparation by Mr. +Hobson might endanger its proper execution. I therefore took the liberty +to relieve him, for this reason only. + +"There were hundreds of volunteers who were anxious to participate. There +were a hundred and fifty men from the _Iowa_, nearly as many from this +ship, and large numbers from all the other ships, officers and men alike. + + "W. T. SAMPSON." + + + + + + +Not until the sixth of July were Hobson and his brave comrades exchanged, +and then to his messmates the gallant lieutenant told the story of his +perilous voyage on that morning of June 4th: + +"I did not miss the entrance to the harbour," he said, "as Cadet Powell in +the launch supposed. I headed east until I got my bearings, and then made +for it straight in. Then came the firing. It was grand, flashing out first +from one side of the harbour and then from the other, from those big guns +on the hill, the _Vizcaya_, lying inside the harbour, joining in. + +"Troops from Santiago had rushed down when the news of the _Merrimac's_ +coming was telegraphed, and soldiers lined the foot of the cliffs, firing +wildly across, and killing each other with the cross-fire. + +"The _Merrimac's_ steering-gear broke as she got to Estrella Point. Only +three of the torpedoes on her side exploded when I touched the button. A +huge submarine mine caught her full amidships, hurling the water high in +the air, and tearing a great rent in her side. + +"Her stern ran upon Estrella Point. Chiefly owing to the work done by the +mine, she began to sink slowly. At that time she was across the channel, +but before she settled the tide drifted her around. We were all aft, lying +on the deck. Shells and bullets whistled around. Six-inch shells from the +_Vizcaya_ came tearing into the _Merrimac_, crashing into wood and iron, +and passing clear through, while the plunging shots from the forts broke +through her deck. + +"'Not a man must move,' I said, and it was only owing to the splendid +discipline of the men that we all were not killed, as the shells rained +over us, and the minutes became hours of suspense. The men's mouths became +parched, but we must lie there till daylight, I told them. Now and again, +one or the other of the men, lying with his face glued to the deck and +wondering whether the next shell might not come our way, would say, +'Hadn't we better drop off now, sir?' But I said, 'Wait till daylight.' + +"It would have been impossible to get the catamaran anywhere but on to the +shore, where the soldiers stood shooting, and I hoped that by daylight we +might be recognised and saved. + +"The grand old _Merrimac_ kept sinking. I wanted to go forward and see the +damage done there, where nearly all the fire was directed. One man said +that if I rose it would draw all the fire on the rest. So I lay +motionless. It was splendid the way these men behaved. + + [Illustration: ADMIRAL CERVERA.] + +"The fire of the soldiers, the batteries and the _Vizcaya_ was awful. When +the water came up on the _Merrimac's_ deck the catamaran floated amid the +wreckage, but she was still made fast to the boom, and we caught hold of +the edges and clung on, our heads only being above water. + +"One man thought we were safer right there; it was quite light, the firing +had ceased, except that on the _New York's_ launch, and I feared Cadet +Powell and his men had been killed. + +"A Spanish launch came toward the _Merrimac_. We agreed to capture her and +run. Just as she came close the Spaniards saw us, and half a dozen marines +jumped up and pointed their rifles at our heads sticking out of the water. + +"'Is there any officer in that boat to receive a surrender of prisoners of +war?' I shouted. + +"An old man leaned out under the awning and waved his hand. It was Admiral +Cervera. The marines lowered their rifles and we were helped into the +launch. + +"Then we were put in cells in Morro Castle. It was a grand sight a few +days later to see the bombardment, the shells striking and bursting around +El Morro. Then we were taken into Santiago. I had the court martial room +in the barracks. My men were kept prisoners in the hospital. + +"From my window I could see the army moving, and it was terrible to watch +those poor lads coming across the opening and being shot down by the +Spaniards in the rifle-pits in front of me. + +"Yesterday the Spaniards became as polite as could be. I knew something +was coming, and then I was exchanged." + + [Illustration: QUEEN REGENT, MARIA CHRISTINA OF SPAIN.] + + + + + + CHAPTER IX. + + + BY WIRE. + + +_May 30._ The auxiliary cruisers _Leyden_ and _Uncas_ made an attack on +one of the outlying blockhouses at Cardenas, plying their 3-pounders until +the Spaniards deserted their batteries. + +_June 1._ The government of Paraguay represented to the American consul at +Asuncion that the Spanish torpedo-boat _Temerario_ was disabled, and had +been granted permission to remain at that port until the war between the +United States and Spain had come to an end. + +In Spain there are many differences of opinion regarding the conduct of +the war, as evinced by a newspaper article to which was signed the name of +Emilio Castelar, the distinguished republican statesman. + +Senor Castelar attacked the queen regent, reproaching her with being a +foreigner and unpopular, and with interfering unjustifiably in political +affairs. He compared her position with that of Queen Marie Antoinette on +the eve of the French revolution. + +The matter came before the Senate; Duke de Roca demanded the prosecution +of Castelar, and other Senators expressed in violent terms their +indignation at Senor Castelar's conduct. + +_June 2._ The British steamer _Restormel_, captured by the auxiliary +cruiser _St. Paul_ off Santiago de Cuba, was released by the government. +It was shown that the _Restormel_ sailed previous to the declaration of +war, there being no evidence that the steamer's owners were wilfully and +knowingly guilty of aiding the enemy's fleet, and she was ordered +released. The cargo was condemned. + +The names of the captains and commanders of the ships in Admiral Dewey's +squadron were sent to the Senate, by the President, for advancement +because of their conspicuous conduct. + +The House of Representatives passed an urgency appropriation of nearly +eighteen million dollars for war purposes. + +From Captain Clark's report, the Navy Department made public the following +extract relative to the extraordinary voyage of the _Oregon_: + +"It is gratifying to call the department's attention to the spirit aboard +this ship in both officers and men. This best can be described by +referring to instances such as that of the engineer officers in +voluntarily doubling their watches when high speed was to be made, to the +attempt of men to return to the fire-room after being carried out of it +insensible, and to the fact that most of the whole crew, who were working +by watches by day and night at Sandy Point, preferred to leave their +hammocks in the nettings until they could get the ship coaled and ready to +sail from Sandy Point." + +_June 3._ The collier _Merrimac_ was sunk in the channel of Santiago +Harbour, as has already been told. + +_June 4._ Captain Charles Vernon Gridley, commander of the cruiser +_Olympia_, and commanding her during the battle of Manila Bay, died at +Kobe, Japan. + +_June 5._ An account of personal heroism which should be set down in every +history, that future generations may know of what metal the boys of '98 +were made, was telegraphed from Tampa, Florida. + +Lieutenant Parker, who was in charge of the old clubhouse on Lafayette +Street, near the brigade headquarters, and which was being used by the +government as a storehouse, and Thomas McGee, a veteran of the civil war, +prevented what might have been a calamity. + +While a force of soldiers was engaged in carrying boxes of ammunition from +the warehouse and loading them to waiting army wagons, smoke was seen +issuing from a box of ammunition. In an instant the cry of fire went up, +and soldiers and negro roustabouts piled over each other in their scramble +for safety. McGee, however, rushed toward the box, picked it up, and was +staggering in the direction of the river, some distance away, when +Lieutenant Parker, who had heard the warning cry, came to his assistance. +Together they carried the smoking box until it was possible to throw it +into the water. + +How the fire originated is a mystery. In the storehouse were piled +hundreds of boxes of ammunition, each containing one thousand cartridges. +Had the cartridges in the burning box exploded, a great loss of life might +have resulted, as there were at least a score of soldiers working in and +around the building. + +At Madrid the Spanish Minister of Marine issued orders that every one +connected with the admiralty must abstain from giving information of any +kind regarding naval affairs. + +General Blanco in Havana published an order prohibiting foreign newspaper +correspondents from remaining in Cuba, under the penalty of being treated +as spies. + +_June 6._ As is told in that chapter relating to Santiago de Cuba, +American troops were landed a few miles east of the city, at a place known +as Aguadores; the forts at the entrance of Santiago Harbour were +bombarded. + +The Navy Department made public a cablegram from Admiral Dewey: + +"The insurgents are acting energetically in the province of Cavite. During +the past week they have won several victories, and have taken prisoners +about eighteen hundred men and fifty officers of the Spanish troops, not +natives. The arsenal of Cavite is being prepared for occupation by United +States troops on the arrival of the transports." + +Cablegrams from Hongkong announced that the insurgents had cut the railway +lines and were closing in on Manila. Frequent actions between Aguinaldo's +forces and the Spaniards had taken place, and the foreign residents were +making all haste to leave the city. A proclamation issued by the insurgent +chief points to a desire to set up a native administration in the +Philippines under an American protectorate. Aguinaldo, with an advisory +council, would hold the dictatorship until the conquest of the islands, +and would then establish a republican assembly. + +_June 7._ The monitor _Monterey_ and the collier _Brutus_ sailed from San +Francisco for Manila. The double-turreted monitor _Monadnock_ has been +ordered to set out for the same port within ten days. + +_June 9._ The Spanish bark _Maria Dolores_, laden with coal and patent +fuel, was captured by the cruiser _Minneapolis_ twelve miles off San Juan +de Porto Rico. + +_June 10._ A battalion of marines was landed in the harbour of Guantanamo, +forty miles east of Santiago.(3) + +A blockhouse at Daiquiri shelled by the transport steamer _Panther_.(4) + +_June 11-12._ Attack upon American marines in Guantanamo Bay by Spanish +regulars and guerillas.(5) + +_June 11._ The British steamer _Twickenham_, laden with coal for Admiral +Cervera's fleet, was captured off San Juan de Porto Rico by the U. S. S. +_St. Louis_. + +_June 12._ Major-General Merritt issued orders to the officers assigned to +the second Philippine expedition, to the effect that they must be ready to +embark their troops not later than the fifteenth instant. + +The following cablegram was made public by the Navy Department: + + + + + + +"Cavite, June 12.--The insurgents continue hostilities, and have +practically surrounded Manila. They have taken twenty-five hundred Spanish +prisoners, whom they treat most humanely. They do not intend to attack the +city at the present time. + +"Twelve merchant vessels are anchored in the bay, with refugees on board, +under guard of neutral men-of-war; this with my permission. Health of the +squadron continues excellent. German commander-in-chief arrived to-day. +Three Germans, two British, one French, one Japanese man-of-war in port. +Another German man-of-war expected. + +"The following is a corrected list of vessels captured or destroyed: Two +protected cruisers, five unprotected cruisers, one transport, one +surveying vessel, both armed. The following are captured: Transport +_Manila_, gunboat _Callao_. + + "DEWEY." + + + + + + +Advices from Honolulu report that on June 1st H. Renjes, vice-consul for +Spain, at Honolulu, sent the following letter to H. E. Cooper, Hawaiian +Minister of Foreign Affairs, relative to the entertainment of the American +troops at Honolulu: + + + + + + +"_Sir_:--In my capacity as vice-consul for Spain, I have the honour to-day +to enter formal protest with the Hawaiian government against the constant +violation of neutrality in this harbour, while actual war exists between +Spain and the United States of America." + + + + + + +_June 6._ On June 6th Minister Cooper replied as follows: + + + + + + +"_Sir_:--In reply to your note of the first instant, I have the honour to +say that, owing to the intimate relations now existing between this +country and the United States, this government has not proclaimed a +proclamation of neutrality having reference to the present conflict +between the United States and Spain, but, on the contrary, has tendered to +the United States privileges and assistance, for which reason your protest +can receive no further consideration than to acknowledge its receipt." + + + + + + +_June 13._ American troops sailed from Tampa and Key West for Santiago. + +The Spaniards again attacked the American marines at Guantanamo Bay, and +were repulsed after seven hours' hard fighting.(6) + +President McKinley signed the war revenue bill. + +Secretary Gage issued a circular inviting subscriptions to the popular +loan. + +The dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_ joined Admiral Sampson's fleet.(7) + +While the U. S. S. _Yankee_ was off Cienfuegos on this day, a Spanish +gunboat steamed out of the harbour, evidently mistaking the character of +the newcomer; but on learning that the _Yankee_ was ready for business, +put back in hot haste. Both vessels opened fire, and after the gunboat had +gained the security of the harbour the _Yankee_ engaged the eastern and +western batteries. During the brief action a shell burst over the American +ship, its fragments wounding one man. + +_June 14._ The American marines at Guantanamo Bay again attacked by the +Spaniards.(8) + +The heroes of Santiago Bay, who sank the _Merrimac_, rewarded by the Navy +Department.(9) + +First trial of the dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_.(10) + +The war tax on beer, ale, tobacco, cigars, and cigarettes went into effect +on this date. + +_June 14._ From Manila on June 14th much of interest was received. A +severe engagement occurred, when one thousand insurgents attacked twice +that number of Spaniards, inflicting heavy losses. The insurgents had +drawn their lines closely around the landward side of the city, and +Captain-General Augusti published a decree ordering all the male +population under arms. Mr. E. W. Harden, correspondent of the New York +_World_, thus summed up the situation: + +"Terrific fighting has been going on for six days between the Philippine +insurgents and the Spaniards. The rebels, under Aguinaldo, more than held +their ground, while the Spaniards lost heavily. The insurgents now hold +three thousand prisoners, mostly Spanish soldiers. + +"I have been in the field with the rebels, and I was present at the taking +of the garrisoned church at Old Cavite, June 7th, where three hundred +insurgents captured a superior force of Spaniards after an eight days' +bombardment. The rebels are competent, courageous fighters. They have +captured the entire provinces of Cavite and Bataan, and parts of the +provinces of Pampagna, Bulucan, and Manila. + +"Aguinaldo's troops, in three divisions, have now surrounded Manila. They +have the Spaniards hemmed in, and could capture the city if they wanted +to, but will await the arrival of the American troops before doing so. + +"The rebels have captured Gov. Leopoldo Garcia Penas, of Cavite province, +and Gov. Antonio Cardola, of Bataan province. Cardola tried to commit +suicide before surrendering. He shot himself three times in the head, but +will recover. The insurgents behaved gallantly in the fight for the +possession of the stone convent in Old Cavite, June 1st. General Augusti +sent two thousand Spanish regulars of the Manila force to attack +Aguinaldo's forces at Cavite. The fight lasted all day. The Spaniards were +repulsed, and the officers led in retreat. They took refuge in the old +convent, a substantial building, with walls five feet thick, built for all +time. + +"Aguinaldo surrounded the convent, and his first plan was to starve out +the beleaguered ones, but he found, June 6th, that provisions were being +smuggled in to them, and so he attacked the building, beginning by opening +fire with his mountain guns. Meantime, General Augusti, hearing of his +soldiers' plight, sent four thousand regulars to relieve them. + +"Aguinaldo led the attack on these four thousand. But after the first +brush he adopted another method. He sent detachments of three hundred or +four hundred men, armed with machetes, on the flanks of the Spaniards, who +constantly harassed them. In the first attack of these detachments one +hundred and fifty Spanish soldiers and a lieutenant-colonel were killed. +In the second onslaught four officers and sixty men were killed. + +"Again and again these attacks were repeated until nine hundred Spaniards +had been killed, the insurgents report. The convent, too, became +untenable. The Spaniards retreated along the road to Manila, but made a +stand at Bacoor. + +"Aguinaldo and his men fought them fiercely there, and the Spanish fled +again. The rebels pursued the enemy to within sight of Manila. Returning, +Aguinaldo stormed the old convent, and of the Spaniards who remained there +he killed ninety and captured 250." + + [Illustration: GENERAL GARCIA.] + +_June 15._ The second fleet of transports, comprised of the steamers +_China_, _Colon_, _Senator_, and _Zealandia_, carrying 3,465 men, left San +Francisco for Manila. + +The war loan of two hundred million dollars subscribed for twice over. + +Bombardment of the fortifications in Guantanamo Bay.(11) + +The House of Representatives passed the Hawaiian annexation resolution. + +_June 16._ Third bombardment of the batteries near Santiago.(12) + +The Spanish forces in and near Cardenas had repaired the damages inflicted +by the American vessels when they bombarded the works, and on June 16th +another lesson was given those who killed Ensign Bagley and his brave +comrades. Five blockhouses were completely demolished, the enemy beating a +hasty retreat without having fired a shot. + +_June 17._ Fortifications in Guantanamo Bay shelled by American naval +force.(13) + +Capture of the Spanish sloop _Chato_ in Guantanamo Bay.(14) + +_June 18._ Bombardment of blockhouse in Guantanamo Bay.(15) + +Battery at Cabanas shelled by the U. S. S. _Texas_.(16) + +_June 19._ First American troops landed on Cuban soil.(17) + +_June 20._ General Shafter and Admiral Sampson visit General Garcia in his +camp.(18) + +_June 21._ Landing of General Shafter's army begun.(19) + +Bombardment of all the fortifications near about Santiago.(20) + +Captain-General Augusti cabled the Madrid government that he, having been +forced to take refuge in the walled city,(21) would be unable to continue +communication. + +_June 22._ By a decision of the Attorney-General, the United States +government will surrender to the ambassadors of France and Germany, as the +diplomatic representatives of Spain, the non-combatants and crews of the +prize merchant vessels captured by ships of the American navy since the +declaration of war. + +Boats' crews from the U. S. S. _Marblehead_ and _Dolphin_ remove the mines +from Guantanamo Bay.(22) + +Bombardment of the Socapa battery near Santiago.(23) + +Spaniards set fire to the town of Aguadores.(24) + +The U. S. S. _Texas_ engages the west battery of Cabanas.(25) + +Captain Sigsbee of the U. S. S. _St. Paul_, in reporting his cruise of +twenty-three days, gave the following account of a meeting with the enemy +off San Juan de Porto Rico on the 22d of June: + +_June 22._ "We came off the port on the twenty-second. The weather was +fair, the trade wind blowing fresh from the eastward and raising somewhat +of a sea. At about 12.40 the third-class cruiser _Isabel III._ came out, +and, steaming under the Morro until she was abreast of the batteries, +commenced edging out toward us, firing at such a long range that her shots +were ineffective. + +"As her purpose evidently was to put us within fire of the batteries, we +took but little notice of her, lying still and occasionally sending in our +largest shell at her to try the range. + +"Soon afterward she dropped to the westward, and the torpedo-boat +destroyer _Terror_, or it may have been her sister ship, the _Furor_, was +sighted steaming along shore under the batteries. + +"We watched her for awhile, and worked along with her, in order to +separate her from the cruiser and keep her in trough if she came for us. +She then circled to get up speed, and headed for us, firing straight as +far as direction went, but her shots fell short. + +"When within range of our guns, the signal 'commence firing' was made, and +for several minutes we let fly our starboard battery at her at from +fifty-five hundred to six thousand yards, the shells striking all around +her. + +"This stopped her. She turned her broadside to us and her fire soon +ceased. She then headed inshore, to the southward and westward, going +slow, and it was evident to all on board that she was crippled. Off the +Morro she flashed some signals to the shore, and afterward a tug came out +and towed her into the harbour. + +"All this time the cruiser was firing at us, and some of her shots and +those of the _Terror_ fell pretty close. The cruiser followed the _Terror_ +back toward the port and soon afterward was joined by a gunboat, and the +two steamed under the batteries to the eastward; but when the _St. Paul_, +making an inshore turn, seemed to be going for them, they returned to the +harbour, and we saw no more of them." + +_June 23._ The U. S. monitor _Monadnock_ left San Francisco for Manila. + +The U. S. dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_ again shells the Santiago +fortifications.(26) + +_June 24._ The Spanish Cortes suspended by royal decree. The Chamber of +Deputies adjourned without the customary cheers for the throne. + +Major-General Lawton advancing on Santiago.(27) + +Action near Juragua.(28) + +_June 25._ Skirmish near Sevilla. + +The American government protested a draft drawn by its consul at St. +Thomas, D. W. I., under circumstances calculated to make an extremely +dangerous precedent. The draft was made by Consul Van Horne for the +purchase of twenty-seven hundred tons of coal, which arrived in St. Thomas +in the _Ardenrose_ about the twenty-eighth of May. The consul bought it +for ten dollars a ton when the Spanish consul had offered twenty dollars a +ton for it. Van Horne apparently did the proper thing and did not exceed +instructions. + +_June 26._ General Garcia with three thousand Cuban insurgents landed at +Juragua by American transports.(29) + +The troops comprising the third expedition to Manila embarked at San +Francisco. + +The sloop _Isabel_ arrived at Key West flying the Cuban flag. On her were +Capt. Rafael Mora, Lieut. Felix de los Rios and four others of the Cuban +army, carrying sealed dispatches from the Cuban government to Senor T. +Estrada Palma, of the New York junta. + +The U. S. dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_ shelled the fortifications at the +entrance to Santiago harbour.(30) + +The water-supply of Santiago cut off by the American forces.(31) + +A Spanish fleet entered the harbour of Port Said, Egypt, at the head of +the Suez Canal, on the twenty-sixth. It was composed of: + +Battle-ship _Pelayo_, Admiral Camara's flag-ship. + +Armoured cruiser _Emperador Carlos V._ + +Auxiliary cruiser _Patriota_, equipped with twelve guns, and carrying +troops and marines. + +Auxiliary cruiser _Buenos Ayres_, equipped with ten guns, and carrying +stores and a few troops. + +Torpedo destroyer _Audaz_. + +Armed merchantman _Isla de Pany_, equipped with two guns, and carrying +stores and a few troops. + +Auxiliary cruiser _Rapido_, equipped with twelve guns. + +Steamship _Colon_, unarmed and with no troops. + +Torpedo destroyer _Proserpina_. + +Torpedo-boat destroyer _Osada_. + +Transport _Covadonga_, carrying no guns. + +Collier _San Francisco_. + +_June 27._ The United States government, determined to delay, if possible, +the progress of the fleet toward the Philippines, instructed its consul to +protest to the English government against the coaling of the fleet at Port +Said. In response to such protest the Egyptian government refused Admiral +Camara's request to buy coal, and also refused to allow him to hire a +hundred and fifty native stokers. + +The U. S. transport _Yale_, laden with troops, arrived at Daiquiri.(32) + +The President sent to Congress the following messages: + + + + + + +"_To the Congress of the United States_:--On the morning of the third of +June, 1898, Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson, U. S. N., with +a volunteer crew of seven men, in charge of the partially dismantled +collier _Merrimac_, entered the fortified harbour of Santiago, Cuba, for +the purpose of sinking the collier in the narrowest portion of the channel +and thus interposing a serious obstacle to the egress of the Spanish +fleet, which had recently entered that harbour. + +"This enterprise, demanding coolness, judgment and bravery amounting to +heroism, was carried into successful execution in the face of a persistent +fire from the hostile fleet as well as from the fortifications on shore. +Rear-Admiral Sampson, commander-in-chief of our naval force in Cuban +waters, in an official report addressed to the Secretary of the Navy, +referring to Mr. Hobson's gallant exploit, says: + + [Illustration: ADMIRAL CAMARA.] + +"'I decided to make the harbour entrance secure against the possibility of +egress of the Spanish ships by obstructing the narrow part of the +entrance, by sinking a collier at that point. + +"'Mr. Hobson, after several days consideration, presented a solution which +he considered would ensure the immediate sinking of the ship when she had +reached the desired point in the channel. The plan contemplated a crew of +only seven men, and Mr. Hobson begged that it might be entrusted to him. + +"'I cannot myself too earnestly express my appreciation of the conduct of +Mr. Hobson and his gallant crew. I venture to say that a more brave and +daring thing has not been done since Cushing blew up the _Albemarle_.' + +"The members of the crew who were with Mr. Hobson on the memorable +occasion have already been rewarded for their services by advancement, +which, under the provisions of law and regulation, the Secretary of the +Navy was authorised to make; and the nomination to the Senate of Naval +Cadet Powell, who, in a steam launch, followed the _Merrimac_ on her +perilous trip, for the purpose of rescuing her force after the sinking of +that vessel, to be advanced in rank to the grade of ensign, has been +prepared and will be submitted. + +"Cushing, with whose gallant act in blowing up the _Albemarle_, during the +civil war, Admiral Sampson compares Mr. Hobson's sinking of the +_Merrimac_, received the thanks of Congress upon recommendation of the +President, by name, and was in consequence, under the provisions of +Section 1,508 of the Revised Statutes, advanced one grade, such +advancement embracing fifty-six numbers. The section cited applies, +however, to line officers only, and Mr. Hobson, being a member of the +staff of the navy, could not, under the provisions, be so advanced. + +"In considering the question of suitably rewarding Assistant Naval +Constructor Hobson for his valiant conduct on the occasion referred to, I +have deemed it proper to address this message to you with the +recommendation that he receive the thanks of Congress, and further that he +be transferred to the line of the navy and promoted to such position +therein as the President, by and with the advice and consent of the +Senate, may determine. + +"Mr. Hobson's transfer from the construction corps to the line is fully +warranted, he having received the necessary technical training as a +graduate of the naval academy, where he stood number one in his class, and +such action is recommended partly in deference to what is understood to be +his own desire, although, he being a prisoner now in the hands of the +enemy, no direct communication on the subject has been received from him, +and partly for the reason that the abilities displayed by him at Santiago +are of such a character as to indicate especial fitness for the duties of +the line. + + "WILLIAM MCKINLEY. +"_Executive Mansion, June 27._" + + + + + + +The second message was as follows: + + + + + + +"_To the Congress of the United States_:--On the eleventh day of May, 1898, +there occurred a conflict in the bay of Cardenas, Cuba, in which the naval +torpedo-boat _Winslow_ was disabled, her commander wounded, and one of her +officers and a part of her crew killed by the enemy's fire. + +"In the face of a most galling fire from the enemy's guns the revenue +cutter _Hudson_, commanded by First Lieut. Frank H. Newcomb, U. S. Revenue +Cutter Service, rescued the disabled _Winslow_ and her wounded crew. The +commander of the _Hudson_ kept his vessel in the very hottest fire of the +action, although in constant danger of going ashore on account of the +shallow water, until he finally got a line made fast to the _Winslow_, and +towed that vessel out of range of the enemy's guns, a deed of special +gallantry. + +"I recommend that, in recognition of the signal act of heroism of First +Lieut. Frank H. Newcomb, U. S. Revenue Cutter Service, above set forth, +the thanks of Congress be extended to him and to his officers and men of +the _Hudson_, and that a gold medal of honour be presented to Lieutenant +Newcomb, a silver medal of honour to each of his officers, and a bronze +medal of honour to each member of his crew who served with him at +Cardenas. + + (Signed) "WILLIAM MCKINLEY." + + + + + + +The President also sent the following special nomination to Congress: + + + + + + + "EXECUTIVE MANSION, WASHINGTON, June 27, 1898. + +"_To the Senate of the United States_:--I nominate Naval Cadet Joseph W. +Powell to be advanced two numbers under the provisions of section 1,506 of +the Revised Statutes, and to be an ensign in the navy, for extraordinary +heroism while in charge of the steam launch which accompanied the collier +_Merrimac_, for the purpose of rescuing her gallant force when that vessel +was, under the command of Naval Constructor Hobson, run into the mouth of +the harbour of Santiago, Cuba, on the third instant, and dexterously sunk +in the channel. + + (Signed) "WILLIAM MCKINLEY." + + + + + + +_June 27._ The third fleet of vessels, laden with soldiers, sailed from +San Francisco for the Philippines. + +From London the following news was received from the Canary Islands: + +Most of the new forts have guns mounted, but are still quite exposed to +view. The earthworks are not nearly completed. It is reported that ten +thousand more soldiers are on the way from Spain. Of these five thousand +are for the Grand Canary, and the others are for Teneriffe. The Spanish +government is determined to hold the islands at any cost. + +Nearly all business is absolutely at a standstill, and many of the sugar +mills are closed. If this state of uncertainty continues much longer it +will mean starvation to the working classes. All lights that can be seen +from the sea are ordered extinguished at night, though the lighthouse on +Isletta is still lighted. + +The U. S. S. _Yankee_, off the Isle of Pines, captured and destroyed the +Spanish sloops _Nemesia_, of Batabano, _Amistad_ and _Manuelita_, of +Coloma, and the pilot-boats _Luz_ and _Jacinto_. + +_June 28._ The President issued a proclamation extending the blockade of +Cuba to the southern coast, from Cape Frances to Cape Cruz, inclusive, and +also blockading San Juan, Porto Rico. + +The proclamation was as follows: + +"_Whereas_, for the reasons set forth in my proclamation of April 22, +1898, a blockade of ports on the northern coast of Cuba, from Cardenas to +Bahia Honda, inclusive, and of the port of Cienfuegos, on the south coast +of Cuba, was declared to have been instituted, and + +"_Whereas_, it has become desirable to extend the blockade to other +southern ports, + +"Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, do +hereby declare and proclaim that, in addition to the blockade of the ports +specified in my proclamation of April 22, 1898, the United States of +America has instituted and will maintain an effective blockade of all of +the ports on the south coast of Cuba, from Cape Frances to Cape Cruz, +inclusive, and also of the port of San Juan in the island of Porto Rico. + +"Neutral vessels lying in any of the ports to which the blockade is by the +present proclamation extended, will be allowed thirty days to issue +therefrom with cargo." + +The Spanish cruiser _Antonio Lopez_, while trying to enter the river San +Juan, near San Juan de Porto Rico, secretly, with a cargo of provisions +and war material, was detected by two American war-ships, but escaped by +swiftly changing her course. Her captain, determined to land his cargo, +headed for the shore at Salinas. The shock of grounding exploded the +boiler. The Spanish gunboats _Concha_ and _Isabella_ issued to the +assistance of the _Antonio Lopez_, whereupon the Americans withdrew, and +the _Antonio Lopez_ landed her cargo. + +Captain-General Augusti sent the following by cable from Manila to the +government at Madrid: + +"The situation is still as grave. I continue to maintain my position +inside the line of blockhouses, but the enemy is increasing in numbers, as +the rebels occupy the provinces, which are surrendering. Torrential rains +are inundating the entrenchments, rendering the work of defence difficult. +The number of sick among the troops is increasing, making the situation +very distressing, and causing increased desertions of the native soldiers. + + [Illustration: GENERAL AUGUSTI.] + +"It is estimated that the insurgents number thirty thousand armed with +rifles, and one hundred thousand armed with swords, etc. + +"Aguinaldo has summoned me to surrender, but I have treated his proposals +with disdain, for I am resolved to maintain the sovereignty of Spain and +the honour of the flag to the last extremity. + +"I have more than one thousand sick and two hundred wounded. The citadel +has been invaded by the suburban inhabitants, who have abandoned their +homes, owing to the barbarity of the rebels. These inhabitants constitute +an embarrassment, aggravating the situation, in view of a bombardment, +which, however, is not seriously apprehended for the moment." + +The captain-general's family was made prisoners by the insurgents several +days prior to the sending of this despatch, and all efforts to effect +their release had thus far been in vain. + +From all parts of the world the Spanish people, during the last days of +June, looked toward Santiago de Cuba, in whose harbour was imprisoned +Cervera's fleet, for there only could they hope to resist the American +arms. + + + + + + CHAPTER X. + + + SANTIAGO DE CUBA. + + +The campaign of Santiago, during which the Spanish fleet under Admiral +Cervera was entirely destroyed, and which ended with the capture of the +city, can best be told as a continuous story. The record of other events +will be found elsewhere in regular order. + +Even though a repetition, it should be set down that the North Atlantic +fleet, Rear-Admiral W. T. Sampson commanding, with Commodores J. C. Watson +and W. S. Schley of the first and second squadrons respectively, which +blockaded the port of Santiago, consisted of the battle-ships +_Massachusetts_, _Iowa_, _Texas_, _Indiana_, _Oregon_; armoured cruisers +_New York_, Admiral Sampson's flag-ship, _Brooklyn_, Commodore Schley's +flag-ship; protected cruisers _New Orleans_, _Newark_, Commodore Watson's +flag-ship; converted yachts _Vixen_, _Gloucester_.(33) + +Inside the harbour, caught like rats in a trap of their own making, lay +the Spanish fleet under command of Admiral Pasquale Cervera, consisting of +the armoured cruisers _Cristobal Colon_, _Vizcaya_, _Almirante Oquendo_, +_Maria Teresa_, Admiral Cervera's flag-ship; torpedo-boat destroyers +_Furor_ and _Pluton_. + +The Americans were on the alert, lest by some inadvertence their prey +should escape, and it may well be supposed that the Spaniards, knowing +full well they were not in sufficient strength to give battle, awaited a +favourable opportunity to slip through the blockading squadron. + +_June 2._ The first detachment of troops, including heavy and light +artillery and the engineer corps, embarked for Santiago on the second of +June. Four days later this force was landed at Aguadores, a few miles east +of Santiago, under the cover of Admiral Sampson's guns. + +_June 6._ The American fleet began the bombardment of the batteries +guarding the entrance to the harbour at six o'clock in the morning, having +steamed in to within three thousand yards of the shore, the _Brooklyn_ in +advance of the first column, with the _Marblehead_, the _Texas_, and the +_Massachusetts_ in line. The second column was led by the _New York_, with +the _New Orleans_, _Yankee_, _Iowa_, and _Oregon_ in the order named. On +the left flank were the _Vixen_ and the _Suwanee_, and on the right the +_Dolphin_ and the _Porter_ kept watchful eyes upon the riflemen ashore. +The first column took station opposite the Estrella and Catalina +batteries,(34) while the second was stationed off the new earthworks near +Morro Castle. Orders had been given that no shots should be thrown into El +Morro, because of the fact that Lieutenant Hobson and his crew were +imprisoned there. + +The fleet continued the bombardment without moving from the stations +originally taken. It was the _Iowa_ which opened the action with a 12-inch +shell, and the skill of the gunners was shown by the shower of stone which +spouted up from the base of the Estrella battery. As if this shot was the +signal agreed upon, the other vessels of the fleet opened fire, the enemy +answering promptly but ineffectively. + +Very quickly were the shore-batteries silenced by the _Brooklyn_ and the +_Texas_. Estrella Fort was soon on fire; the Catalina battery gave up the +struggle in less than an hour, and the _Vixen_ and _Suwanee_ engaged with +some light inshore works, speedily reducing them to ruins. Until nine +o'clock the bombardment continued without interruption, and then the +American fire ceased until the ships could be turned, in order that their +port batteries might be brought into play. + +One hour more, that is to say, until ten o'clock, this terrible rain of +iron was sent from the fleet to the shore, and then on the flag-ship was +hoisted the signal: "Cease firing." + +The American fleet withdrew absolutely uninjured,--not a ship had been hit +by the Spaniards nor a man wounded. + +On board the Spanish ship _Reina Mercedes_, a lieutenant and five seamen +had been killed, and seventeen wounded; the vessel was set on fire no less +than three times, and otherwise seriously damaged by the missiles. Near +about Morro Castle, although none of the American guns were aimed at that +structure, two were killed and four wounded, while on Smith Cay great +havoc was wrought. + +Admiral Cervera made the following report to his government: + +"Six American vessels have bombarded the fortifications at Santiago and +along the adjacent coast. + +"Six were killed and seventeen were wounded on board the _Reina Mercedes_; +three officers were killed and an officer and seventeen men were wounded +among the troops. + +"The Americans fired fifteen hundred shells of different calibres. The +damage inflicted upon the batteries of La Socapa and Morro Castle were +unimportant. The barracks at Morro Castle suffered damage. + +"The enemy had noticeable losses." + +_June 8._ Nearly, if not quite, twenty-seven thousand men were embarked at +Tampa for Santiago on the eighth of June, under the command of Maj.-Gen. +William R. Shafter. + +Fire was opened by the _Marblehead_ and the _Yankee_ of the blockading +squadron upon the fortifications of Camianera, a port on Cumberland +Harbour fifteen miles distant from Guantanamo. The enemy was forced to +retire to the town, but no great injury was inflicted. + +The _Vixen_ entered Santiago Harbour under a flag of truce from Admiral +Sampson, to arrange for an exchange of Lieutenant Hobson and his men. +Admiral Cervera said in reply that the matter had been referred to General +Blanco. + +The _Suwanee_ landed weapons, ammunition, and provisions for the +insurgents at a point fifteen miles west of Santiago. + +In Santiago were about twenty thousand Spanish soldiers, mostly infantry; +but with cavalry and artillery that may be drawn from the surrounding +country. On the mountains five thousand insurgents, many unarmed, watched +for a favourable opportunity to make a descent upon the city. + +Orders were sent by the Navy Department to Admiral Sampson to notify +Admiral Cervera that, if the latter destroyed his four armoured cruisers +and two torpedo-boat destroyers to prevent their capture, Spain, at the +end of the war, would be made to pay an additional indemnity at least +equivalent to the value of these vessels. + +_June 10._ The American troops made a landing on the eastern side of +Guantanamo Harbour, forty miles east of Santiago, at two P. M. on the +tenth of June. The debarkation was effected under the cover of the guns of +the _Oregon_, _Marblehead_, _Dolphin_, and _Vixen_. + +The war-vessels prepared the way by opening fire on the earthworks which +lined the shore, a blockhouse, and a cable station which was occupied by +Spanish soldiers. The defence was feeble; the enemy retreated in hot haste +after firing a few shots. A small gunboat came down from Guantanamo, four +miles away, at the beginning of the bombardment, but she put back with all +speed after having approached within range. + +Soon after the enemy had been driven away, the steamer _Panther_ arrived +with a battalion of marines under command of Lieutenant-Colonel +Huntington. She reported having shelled a blockhouse at Daiquiri, ten +miles east of Santiago, but without provoking any reply. + +Colonel Huntington's force took possession of the heights overlooking the +bay, where was a fortified camp which had been abandoned by the Spaniards. +There was nothing to betoken the presence of the enemy in strong numbers, +and the men soon settled down to ordinary camp duties, believing their +first serious work would be begun by an attack on Guantanamo. + +_June 11._ It was three o'clock on Saturday afternoon; Colonel +Huntington's marines were disposed about the camp according to duty or +fancy; some were bathing, and a detail was engaged in the work of carrying +water. Suddenly the sharp report of a musket was heard, followed by +another and another until the rattle of firearms told that a skirmish of +considerable importance was in progress on the picket-line. + +The principal portion of the enemy's fire appeared to come from a small +island about a thousand yards away, and a squad of men was detailed with a +3-inch field-gun to look out for the enemy in this direction, while the +main force defended the camp. + +After perhaps an hour had passed, during which time the boys of '98 were +virtually firing at random, the men on the picket-line fell back on the +camp. Two of their number were missing. The battalion was formed on three +sides of a hollow square, and stood ready to resist an attack which was +not to be made until considerably later. + +The firing ceased as abruptly as it had begun. Skirmishers were sent out +and failed to find anything save a broad trail, marked here and there by +blood, which came to an end at the water's edge. + +There were no longer detonations to be heard from the island. The 3-inch +gun had been well served. + +The skirmishers which had been sent out returned, bearing the bodies of +two boys in blue who had been killed by the first shots, and, after death, +mutilated by blows from Spanish machetes. + +Night came; heavy clouds hung low in the sky; the force of the wind had +increased almost to a gale; below in the bay the war-ships were anchored, +their search-lights streaming out here and there like ribbons of gold on a +pall of black velvet. + +No signs of the enemy on land or sea, and, save for those two cold, +lifeless forms on the heights, one might have believed the previous rattle +of musketry had been heard only by the imagination. + +Until nine o'clock in the evening the occupants of the camp kept careful +watch, and then without warning, as before, the crack of repeating rifles +broke the almost painful stillness. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. MARBLEHEAD.] + +The enemy was making his presence known once more, and this time it became +evident he was in larger force. + +Another 3-inch gun was brought into play; a launch from the _Marblehead_, +with a Colt machine gun in her bow, steamed swiftly shoreward and opened +fire; skirmish lines were thrown out through the tangle of foliage, and +only when a dark form was seen, which might have been that of a Spaniard, +or only the swaying branches of the trees, did the boys in blue have a +target. + +It was guerrilla warfare, and well-calculated to test the nerves of the +young soldiers who were receiving their "baptism of blood." + +Until midnight this random firing continued, and then a large body of +Spanish troops charged up the hill until they were face to face with the +defenders of the camp, when they retreated, being lost to view almost +immediately in the blackness of the night. + +_June 12._ Again and again the firing was renewed from this quarter or +that, but the enemy did not show himself until the morning came like a +flash of light, as it does in the tropics, disclosing scurrying bands of +Spanish soldiers as they sought shelter in the thicket. + +Now more guns were brought into play at the camp; the war-ships began +shelling the shore, and the action was speedily brought to an end. Four +Americans had been killed, and among them one of the surgeons. + +At intervals during the day the crack of a rifle would tell that Spanish +sharpshooters were hovering around the camp; but not until eight o'clock +in the evening did the enemy approach in any great numbers. + +Then the battle was on once more; again did the little band of bluejackets +stand to their posts, fighting against an unseen foe. Again the war-ships +flashed their search-lights and sent shell after shell into the thicket, +and all the while the Spanish fire was continued with deadly effect. + +Lieutenants Neville and Shaw, each with a squad of ten men, were sent out +to dislodge the advance line of the enemy, and as the boys in blue swung +around into the thicket with a steady, swinging stride, the Spaniards gave +way, firing rapidly while so doing. + +The Americans, heeding not the danger, pursued, following the foe nearly +to a small stone house near the coast, which had been used as a fort. They +were well up to this structure when the bullets rained upon them in every +direction from out the darkness. Sergeant Goode fell fatally wounded, and +the Spaniards charged, forcing the Americans to the very edge of a cliff, +over which one man fell and was killed; another fell, but with no further +injury than a broken leg. A third was shot through the arm, after which he +and the man with the broken limb joined forces, fighting on their own +account. One more was wounded, and then the Americans made a desperate +charge, forcing the enemy back into the stone house, and then out again, +after fifteen had been killed. + +Meanwhile severe fighting was going on in the vicinity of the camp; but +six field-pieces were brought up, and the second battle was ended after +two Americans had been killed and seven wounded. + +_June 13._ The camp was moved to a less exposed position, while the +war-ships poured shell and shrapnel into the woods, and then the marines +filed solemnly out to a portion of the hill overlooking the bay where were +six newly made graves. + +All the marines could not attend the funeral, many having to continue the +work of moving camp, or to rest on their guns, keeping a constant watch +for the lurking Spaniards; but all who could do so followed the stumbling +bearers of the dead over the loose gravel, and grouped themselves about +the graves. + +The stretcher bearing the bodies had just been lifted to its place, and +Chaplain Jones of the _Texas_ was about to begin the reading of the burial +service, when the Spaniards began shooting at the party from the western +chaparral. + +"Fall in, Company A, Company B, Company C, fall in!" + +"Fall in!" was the word from one end of the camp to the other. The graves +were deserted by all save the chaplain and escort, who still stood +unmoved. + +The men sprang to arms, and then placed themselves behind the rolled +tents, their knapsacks, the bushes in the hollows, boxes and piles of +stones, their rifles ready, their eyes strained into the brush. + +Howitzers roared, blue smoke arose where the shells struck and burst in +the chaparral, and rifles sounded angrily. + +The _Texas_ fired seven shots at the place from which the shooting came, +and the Spaniards, as usual, fled out of sight. + +The funeral services had hardly been resumed when there was another +attack; but this time the pits near the old blockhouse got the range of +the malignant marksmen and shattered them with a few shots. The _Texas_ +and _Panther_ shelled the brush to the eastward, but the chaplain kept +right on with the service, and from that time until night there was little +shooting from the cover. + +On this day the dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_ joined Admiral Sampson's +fleet, and the weary marines, holding their posts on shore against +overwhelming odds, hoped that her arrival betokened the speedy coming of +the soldiers who were so sadly needed. + +_June 14._ Substantial recognition was given by the Navy Department to the +members of the gallant crew who took the _Merrimac_ into the entrance of +Santiago Harbour and sunk her across the channel under the very muzzles of +the Spanish guns. + +The orders sent to Admiral Sampson directed the promotion of the men as +follows: + +Daniel Montague, master-at-arms, to be a boatswain, from fifty dollars a +month to thirteen hundred dollars a year. + +George Charette, gunner's mate, to be a gunner, from fifty dollars a month +to thirteen hundred dollars a year. + +Rudolph Clausen, Osborne Deignan, and ---- Murphy, coxswains, to be chief +boatswain's mates, an increase of twenty dollars a month. + +George F. Phillips, machinist, from forty dollars a month to seventy +dollars a month. + +Francis Kelly, water tender, to be chief machinist, from thirty-seven +dollars a month to seventy dollars a month. + +Lieutenant Hobson's reward would come through Congress. + +While a grateful people were discussing the manner in which their heroes +should be crowned, that little band of marines on the shore of Guantanamo +Bay, worn almost to exhaustion by the harassing fire of the enemy during +seventy-two hours, was once more battling against a vastly superior force +in point of numbers. + +From the afternoon of the eleventh of June until this morning of the +fourteenth, the Americans had remained on the defensive,--seven hundred +against two thousand or more. Now, however, different tactics were to be +used. Colonel Huntington had decided that it was time to turn the tables, +and before the night was come the occupants of the graves on the crest of +the hill had been avenged. + +A scouting party, made up of nine officers, two hundred and eighty +marines, and forty-one Cubans, was divided into four divisions, the first +of which had orders to destroy a water-tank from which the enemy drew +supplies. The second was to attack the Spanish camp beyond the first range +of hills. The third had for its objective point a signal-station from +which information as to the movements of the American fleet had been +flashed into Santiago. The fourth division was to act as the reserve. + +In half an hour from the time of leaving camp the signal-station was in +the hands of the Americans, and the heliograph outfit lost to the enemy. +The boys of '98 had suffered no loss, while eight Spaniards lay with faces +upturned to the rays of the burning sun. + +At noon the Spanish camp had been taken, with a loss of two Cubans killed, +one American and four Cubans wounded. Twenty-three Spaniards were dead. + +The water-tank was destroyed, and the enemy, panic-stricken, was fleeing +here and there, yet further harassed by a heavy fire from the _Dolphin_, +who sent her shells among the fugitives whenever they came in view. + +When the day drew near its close, and the weary but triumphant marines +returned to camp, a hundred of the enemy lay out on the hills dead; more +than twice that number must have been wounded, and eighteen were being +brought in as prisoners. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. VESUVIUS.] + +On this night of June 14th, at the entrance to Santiago Harbour, the +dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_--that experimental engine of destruction--was +given a test in actual warfare, and the result is thus graphically +pictured by a correspondent of the New York _Herald_: + +"Three shells, each containing two hundred pounds of guncotton, were fired +last night from the dynamite guns of the _Vesuvius_ at the hill at the +western entrance to Santiago Harbour, on which there is a fort. + +"The frightful execution done by those three shots will be historic. + +"Guns in that fort had not been silenced when the fleet drew off after the +attack that followed the discovery of the presence of the Spanish fleet in +the harbour. + +"In the intense darkness of last night the _Vesuvius_ steamed into close +range and let go one of her mysterious missiles. + +"There was no flash, no smoke. There was no noise at first. The pneumatic +guns on the little cruiser did their work silently. It was only when they +felt the shock that the men on the other war-ships knew the _Vesuvius_ was +in action. + +"A few seconds after the gun was fired there was a frightful convulsion on +the land. On the hill, where the Spanish guns had withstood the missiles +of the ordinary ships of war, tons of rock and soil leaped in air. The +land was smitten as by an earthquake. + +"Terrible echoes rolled around through the shaken hills and mountains. +Sampson's ships, far out at sea, trembled with the awful shock. Dust rose +to the clouds and hid the scene of destruction. + +"Then came a long silence; next another frightful upheaval, and following +it a third, so quickly that the results of the work of the two mingled in +mid-air. + +"Another still, and then two shots from a Spanish battery, that, after the +noise of the dynamite, sounded like the crackle of firecrackers. + +"The _Vesuvius_ had tested herself. She was found perfect as a destroyer. +She proved that no fortification can withstand her terrible missiles. + +"Just what damage she did I could not tell from the sea. Whatever was +within hundreds of feet of the point of impact must have gone to +destruction." + +_June 16._ On the fifteenth of June the marines at Guantanamo Bay were +given an opportunity to rest, for the lesson the Spaniards received on the +fourteenth had been a severe one, and the fleet off Santiago remained +inactive. It was but the lull before the storm of iron which was rained +upon the Spanish on the sixteenth. + +The prelude to this third bombardment of Santiago was a second trial of +the _Vesuvius_ at midnight on the fifteenth, when she sent three more +250-pound charges of guncotton into the fortifications. This done, the +fleet remained like spectres, each vessel at its respective station, until +half-past three o'clock on the morning of the sixteenth, when the +bluejackets were aroused and served with coffee. + +Immediately the first gray light of dawn appeared, the ships steamed in +toward the fortifications of Santiago until within three thousand yards, +and there, lying broadside on, three cables'-lengths apart, they waited +for the day to break. + +It was 5.25 when the _New York_ opened with a broadside from her main +battery, and the bombardment was begun. + +All along the crescent-shaped line the big guns roared and the smaller +ones crackled and snapped, each piece throughout the entire squadron being +worked with such energy that it was like one mighty, continuous wave of +crashing thunder, and from out this convulsion came projectiles of +enormous weight, until it seemed as if all that line of shore must be rent +and riven. + +Not a gun was directed at El Morro, for there it was believed the brave +Hobson and his gallant comrades were held prisoners. + +When the signal was given for the fleet to retire, not a man had been +wounded, nor a vessel struck by the fire from the shore. + +The governor of Santiago sent the following message to Madrid relative to +the bombardment: + +"The Americans fired one thousand shots. Several Spanish shells hit the +enemy's vessels. Our losses are three killed and twenty wounded, including +two officers. The Spanish squadron was not damaged." + +While the Americans were making their presence felt at Santiago, those who +held Guantanamo Bay were not idle. The _Texas_, _Marblehead_, and the +_Suwanee_ bombarded the brick fort and earthworks at Caimanera, at the +terminus of the railroad leading to the city of Guantanamo, demolishing +them entirely after an hour and a half of firing. When the Spaniards fled +from the fortifications, the _St. Paul_ shelled them until they were +hidden in the surrounding forest. + +An hour or more after the bombardment ceased the _Marblehead's_ steam +launch began dragging the harbour near the fort for mines. One was found +and taken up, and while it was being towed to the war-ship a party of +Spaniards on shore opened fire. The launch headed toward shore and began +banging away, but the bow gun finally kicked overboard, carrying the +gunner with it. At this moment the enemy beat a prompt retreat; the gunner +was pulled inboard, and the bluejackets continued their interrupted work. + +_June 17._ Next day the batteries on Hicacal Point and Hospital Cay were +shelled, the _Marblehead_ and the _St. Paul_ attending to the first, and +the _Suwanee_ caring for the latter, while the _Dolphin_ and even the +collier _Scindia_ fired a few shots for diversion. The task was concluded +in less than half an hour, and had no more than come to an end when a +small sloop was sighted off the entrance to the bay. + +The _Marblehead's_ steam launch was sent in pursuit, and an hour later +returned with the prize, which proved to be the _Chato_. Her crew of five +were taken on board the _Marblehead_ as prisoners. + +_June 18._ The active little steam launch made another capture next day +while cruising outside the bay; a nameless sloop, on which were four men +who claimed to have been sent from the lighthouse at Cape Maysi to +Guantanamo City for oil. There were strong reasons for believing this +party had come to spy out the position of the American ships, and all were +transferred to the _Marblehead_. + +The crew of the _Oregon_ had gun practice again on this day when they +shelled and destroyed a blockhouse three miles up the bay, killing, so it +was reported, no less than twenty of the enemy. + +The first vessel of a long-expected fleet of transports, carrying the +second detachment of General Shafter's army, hove in sight of Admiral +Sampson's squadron on the evening of June 18th, and next morning at +daylight the launches of the _New York_ and _Massachusetts_ reconnoitred +the shore between Cabanas, two miles off the entrance to Santiago Harbour, +and Guayaganaco, two miles farther west, in search of a landing-place. + +Lieutenant Harlow, in command of the expedition, made the following +report: + +"The expedition consisted of a steam launch from the _Massachusetts_, in +charge of Cadet Hart, and a launch from the _New York_, in charge of Cadet +Powell. I took passage on the _Massachusetts'_ launch, leading the way. +Soundings were taken on entering the bay close under the old fort, and we +were preparing to circumnavigate the bay at full speed when fire was +opened from the fort and rocks on the shore. The _Massachusetts'_ launch +was some distance ahead and about forty yards off the fort. There was no +room to turn, and our 1-pounder could not be brought to bear. We backed +and turned under a heavy fire. + +"Cadet Hart operated the gun as soon as it could be brought to bear, +sitting exposed in the bow, and working the gun as coolly and carefully as +at target practice. + +"Cadet Powell had been firing since the Spaniards opened. He was also +perfectly cool. Both launches ran out under a heavy fire of from six to +eight minutes. I estimate that there were twenty-five Spaniards on the +parapet of the old fort. The number along shore was larger, but +indefinite. The launches, as soon as it was practicable, sheered to give +the _Vixen_ the range of the fort. The _Vixen_ and the _Texas_ silenced +the shore fire promptly. + +"I strongly commend Cadet Hart and Cadet Powell for the cool management of +the launches. One launch was struck seven times. Nobody in either was +hurt. A bullet struck a shell at Cadet Hart's feet between the projectile +and the powder, but failed to explode the latter. + +"Coxswain O'Donnell and Seaman Bloom are commended, as is also the +coolness with which the marines and sailors worked under the Spanish fire. + +"Nothing was learned at Cabanas Bay, but at Guayaganaco it is evident a +landing is practicable for ships' boats. The same is true of Rancho Cruz, +a small bay to the eastward. Both would be valuable with Cabanas, but +useless without it. + +"I am informed that to the north and westward of Cabanas Bay there is a +large clearing, with plenty of grass and water. + +"I think a simultaneous landing at the three places named would be +practicable if the ships shelled the adjacent wood. A junction would +naturally follow at the clearing." + +Cuban scouts reported to Colonel Huntington on Guantanamo Bay that the +streets of Caimanera have been covered with straw saturated in oil, in +order that the city may be destroyed when the Americans evince any +disposition to take possession. The Spanish gunboat _Sandoval_, lying at +one of the piers, has been loaded with inflammables, and will be burned +with the city, her commander declaring that she shall never become an +American prize. + +During this Sunday night the _Vesuvius_ again discharged her dynamite +guns, with the western battery as a target, and because of the frightful +report which followed the second shot, it was believed a magazine had been +exploded. + +_June 20._ The fleet of transports arrived off Santiago at noon on the +twentieth, and hove to outside the cordon of war-vessels. General Shafter +immediately went on board the flag-ship, and returned to his own ship an +hour later in company with Admiral Sampson, when the two officers sailed +for Asserradero, seventeen miles from Santiago, where General Calixto +Garcia was encamped with his army of four thousand Cubans. Here a long +conference was held with the insurgent general, after which the two +commanders returned to the fleet. + +_June 21._ The despatch quoted below was sent by Admiral Sampson to the +Navy Department, and gives in full the work of the day: + +"Landing of the army is progressing favorably at Daiquiri. There is very +little, if any, resistance. The _New Orleans_, _Detroit_, _Castine_, +_Wasp_, and _Suwanee_ shelled the vicinity before the landing. We made a +demonstration at Cabanas to engage the attention of the enemy. The _Texas_ +engaged the west battery for some hours. She had one man killed. Ten +submarine mines have been recovered from the channel of Guantanamo. +Communication by telegraph has been established at Guantanamo." + +Daiquiri was chosen as the point of debarkation by General Shafter, and +its only fortifications were a blockhouse on a high cliff to the right of +an iron pier, together with a small fort and earthworks in the rear. From +this town extends a good road to Santiago, and in the immediate vicinity +of the port the water-supply is plentiful. + +_June 22._ Bombarding the coast as a cover for the troops which were being +disembarked, was the principal work of the war-ships on the twenty-second +of June, except in Guantanamo Harbour, where volunteers were called for +from the _Marblehead_ and the _Dolphin_ to grapple for and remove the +contact mines in the harbour. It was an undertaking as perilous as +anything that had yet been accomplished, but the bluejackets showed no +fear. Four times the designated number came forward in response to the +call, and before nightfall seven mines had been removed. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. TEXAS.] + +The battle-ship _Texas_ was assigned to duty off Matamoras, the works of +which were to be bombarded as a portion of the general programme for this +day while the troops were being landed. The men of the _Texas_ performed +their part well; the Socapa battery was quickly silenced; but not quite +soon enough to save the life of one brave bluejacket. The last shell fired +by the retreating Spaniards struck the battle-ship twenty feet abaft the +stem on the port side. It passed through the hull about three feet below +the main-deck line, and failed to explode until striking an iron stanchion +at the centre line of the berth-deck. Here were two guns' crews, and among +them the fragments of the shell flew in a deadly shower, killing one and +wounding eight. Later in the day the _Texas_ steamed out to sea to bury +the dead, and, this sad duty performed, returned before nightfall to her +station on the blockade. + +_June 23._ General Shafter thus reported to the War Department: + + + + + + +"Daiquiri, June 23.--Had very fine voyage; lost less than fifty animals, +six or eight to-day; lost more putting them through the surf to land, than +on transports. + +"Command as healthy as when we left; eighty men sick; only deaths, two men +drowned in landing; landings difficult; coast quite similar to that in +vicinity of San Francisco, and covered with dense growth of bushes. +Landing at Daiquiri unopposed; all points occupied by Spanish troops +heavily bombarded by navy to clear them out. + +"Sent troops toward Santiago, and occupied Juragua, a naturally strong +place, this morning. Spanish troops retreating as soon as our advance was +known. Had no mounted troops, or could have captured them, about six +hundred all told. + +"Railroad from there in. Have cars and engine in possession. + +"With assistance of navy disembarked six thousand men yesterday, and as +many more to-day. + +"Will get all troops off to-morrow, including light artillery and greater +portion of pack-train, probably all of it, with some of the wagons; +animals have to be jumped to the water and towed ashore. + +"Had consultation with Generals Garcia, Rader and Castillo, on afternoon +of twentieth, twenty miles west of Santiago. These officers were +unanimously of the opinion that the landing should be made east of +Santiago. I had come to the same conclusion. + +"General Garcia promises to join me at Juragua to-morrow with between +three thousand and four thousand men, who will be brought from west of +Santiago by ships of the navy to Juragua, and there disembarked. + +"This will give me between four thousand and five thousand Cubans, and +leave one thousand under General Rabi to threaten Santiago from the west. + +"General Kent's division is being disembarked this afternoon at Juragua, +and this will be continued during the night. The assistance of the navy +has been of the greatest benefit and enthusiastically given; without them +I could not have landed in ten days, and perhaps not at all, as I believe +I should have lost so many boats in the surf. + +"At present want nothing; weather has been good, no rain on land, and +prospects of fair weather. + + "SHAFTER, + "_Major-General U. S. Commanding._" + + + + + + +The boys of '98 occupied the town of Aguadores before nightfall on the +twenty-third of June, the Spaniards having applied the torch to many +buildings before they fled. The enemy was driven back on to Santiago, +General Linares commanding in person, and close to his heels hung General +Lawton and the advance of the American forces. + +_June 24._ It was evident that the Spanish intended to make a stand at +Sevilla, six miles from Juragua, and five miles from Santiago. The +Americans were pressing them hotly to prevent General Linares from gaining +time to make preparations for an encounter, when the Rough Riders, as +Colonel Wood's regiment was termed, and the First and Tenth Cavalry fell +into an ambuscade. Then what will probably be known as the battle of La +Quasina was fought. + +It is thus described by a correspondent of the Associated Press: + +That the Spaniards were thoroughly posted as to the route to be taken by +the Americans in their movement toward Sevilla was evident, as shown by +the careful preparations they had made. + +The main body of the Spaniards was posted on a hill, on the heavily wooded +slopes of which had been erected two blockhouses flanked by irregular +intrenchments of stone and fallen trees. At the bottom of these hills run +two roads, along which Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt's men, and eight +troops of the First and Tenth Cavalry, with a battery of four howitzers, +advanced. These roads are but little more than gullies, rough and narrow, +and at places almost impassable. + +In these trails the fight occurred. Nearly half a mile separated +Roosevelt's men from the regulars, and between, and on both sides of the +road in the thick underbrush, was concealed a force of Spaniards that must +have been large, judging from the terrific and constant fire they poured +in on the Americans. + +The fight was opened by the First and Tenth Cavalry, under General Young. +A force of Spaniards was known to be in the vicinity of La Quasina, and +early in the morning Lieutenant-Colonel Roosevelt's men started off up the +precipitous bluff, back of Siboney, to attack the enemy on his right +flank. General Young at the same time took the road at the foot of the +hill. + + [Illustration: COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT.] + +About two and one-half miles out from Siboney some Cubans, breathless and +excited, rushed into camp with the announcement that the Spaniards were +but a little way in front, and were strongly entrenched. Quickly the +Hotchkiss guns in the front were brought to the rear, while a strong +scouting line was thrown out. + +Then cautiously and in silence the troops moved forward until a bend in +the road disclosed a hill where the Spaniards were located. The guns were +again brought to the front and placed in position, while the men crouched +down in the road, waiting impatiently to give Roosevelt's men, who were +toiling over the little trail along the crest of the hill, time to get up. + +At 7.30 A. M. General Young gave the command to the men at the Hotchkiss +guns to open fire. That command was the signal for a fight that for +stubbornness has seldom been equalled. The instant the Hotchkiss guns were +fired, from the hillside commanding the road came volley after volley from +the Mausers of the Spaniards. + +"Don't shoot until you see something to shoot at," yelled General Young, +and the men, with set jaws and gleaming eyes, obeyed the order. Crawling +along the edge of the road, they protected themselves as much as possible +from the fearful fire of the Spaniards, the troopers, some of them +stripped to the waist, watching the base of the hill, and when any part of +a Spaniard became visible, they fired. Never for an instant did they +falter. + +One dusky warrior of the Tenth Cavalry, with a ragged wound in his thigh, +coolly knelt behind a rock, loading and firing, and when told by one of +his comrades that he was wounded, laughed and said: + +"Oh, that's all right. That's been there for some time." + +In the meantime, away off to the left could be heard the crack of the +rifles of Colonel Wood's men, and the regular, deeper-toned volley-firing +of the Spaniards. + +Over there the American losses were the greatest. Colonel Wood's men, with +an advance-guard well out in front, and two Cuban guides before them, but +apparently with no flankers, went squarely into the trap set for them by +the Spaniards, and only the unfaltering courage of the men in the face of +a fire that would even make a veteran quail, prevented what might easily +have been a disaster. As it was, Troop L, the advance-guard under the +unfortunate Captain Capron, was almost surrounded, and but for the +reinforcement hurriedly sent forward every man would probably have been +killed or wounded. + +When the reserves came up there was no hesitation. Colonel Wood, with the +right wing, charged straight at a blockhouse eight hundred yards away, and +Colonel Roosevelt, on the left, charged at the same time. Up the men went, +yelling like fiends, and never stopping to return the fire of the +Spaniards, but keeping on with a grim determination to capture that +blockhouse. + +That charge was the end. When within five hundred yards of the coveted +point, the Spaniards broke and ran, and for the first time the boys of '98 +had the pleasure which the Spaniards had been experiencing all through the +engagement, of shooting with the enemy in sight. + +The losses among the Rough Riders were reported as thirteen killed and +forty wounded; while the First Cavalry lost sixteen wounded. Edward +Marshall, a newspaper correspondent, was seriously wounded. + + + +While the land-forces were fighting four miles northwest of Juragua, +Rear-Admiral Sampson learned that the Spaniards were endeavouring to +destroy the railroad leading from Juragua to Santiago de Cuba. + +This road runs west along the seashore, under cover of the guns of the +American fleet, until within three miles of El Morro, and then cuts +through the mountains along the river into Santiago. + +When the attempt of the Spaniards was discovered, the _New York_, +_Scorpion_, and _Wasp_ closed in and cleared the hill and brush of +Spaniards. + +_June 26._ The American lines were advanced to within four miles of +Santiago, and the boys could look into the doomed city. It was possible to +make accurate note of the defences, and most likely officers as well as +men were astonished by the preparations which had been made. + +There were blockhouses on every hill; from the harbour batteries, sweeping +in a semicircle to the eastward of the city, were rifle-pits and +intrenchments skilfully arranged. Earthworks, in a regular line, +completely shut off approach to the city, and in front of the +entrenchments and rifle-pits were barbed-wire fences, or trochas. + +Three more charges of guncotton did the dynamite cruiser _Vesuvius_ throw +into the batteries at the mouth of Santiago Harbour on the night of June +26th, and next morning the evidences of her work could be seen on the +western battery, a portion of which was in ruins. The water-mains which +supplied the city of Santiago were cut on the same night, and the doomed +city thus brought so much nearer to capitulation. + +_July 1._ Knowing that with the close of June the American army was in +readiness for a decisive action, the people waited anxiously, tearfully, +for the first terrible word which should be received telling of slaughter +and woeful suffering, and it came on the evening of July 1st, when the +cablegram given below was flashed over the wires to the War Department: + + + + + + + "PLAYA DEL ESTE, July 1, 1898. + +"_A. G. O., U. S. Army, Washington_: + +"Siboney, July 1. Had a very heavy engagement to-day, which lasted from +eight A. M. till sundown. + +"We have carried their outer works and are now in possession of them. + +"There is now about three-quarters of a mile of open country between my +lines and city; by morning troops will be entrenched and considerable +augmentation of forces will be there. + +"General Lawton's division and General Bates's brigade, which had been +engaged all day in carrying El Caney, which was accomplished at four +P. M., will be in line and in front of Santiago during the night. + +"I regret to say that our casualties will be above four hundred; of these +not many are killed. + + (Signed) "W. R. SHAFTER, _Major-General_." + + + + + + + CHAPTER XI. + + + EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. + + +General W. R. Shafter, in his official report of the operations around +Santiago, says: + +"On June 30th I reconnoitred the country about Santiago and made my plan +of attack. From a high hill, from which the city was in plain view, I +could see the San Juan Hill and the country about El Caney. The roads were +very poor and, indeed, little better than bridle-paths until the San Juan +River and El Caney were reached. The position of El Caney, to the +northeast of Santiago, was of great importance to the enemy, as holding +the Guantanamo road, as well as furnishing shelter for a strong outpost +that might be used to assail the right flank of any force operating +against San Juan Hill. In view of this, I decided to begin the attack next +day at El Caney with one division, while sending two divisions on the +direct road to Santiago, passing by the El Pozo house, and as a diversion +to direct a small force against Aguadores, from Siboney along the railroad +by the sea, with a view of attracting the attention of the Spaniards in +the latter direction, and of preventing them from attacking our left +flank.... But we were in a sickly climate; our supplies had to be brought +forward by a narrow wagon-road which the rain might at any time render +impassable; fear was entertained that a storm might drive the vessels +containing our stores to sea, thus separating us from our base of +supplies, and, lastly, it was reported that General Pando, with eight +thousand reinforcements for the enemy, was en route for Manzanillo, and +might be expected in a few days. Under these conditions I determined to +give battle without delay. + + [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL SHAFTER.] + +"Early on the morning of July 1st Lawton was in position around El Caney, +Chaffee's brigade on the right across the Guantanamo road, Miles's brigade +in the centre and Ludlow's on the left. The duty of cutting off the +enemy's retreat along the Santiago road was assigned to the latter +brigade. The artillery opened on the town at 6.15 A. M. The battle here +soon became general, and was hotly contested. The enemy's position was +naturally strong, and was rendered more so by blockhouses, a stone fort +and entrenchments cut in solid rock, and the loopholing of a solidly built +stone church. The opposition offered by the enemy was greater than had +been anticipated, and prevented Lawton from joining the right of the main +line during the day, as had been intended. After the battle had continued +for some time, Bates's brigade of two regiments reached my headquarters +from Siboney. I directed him to move near El Caney, to give assistance if +necessary. He did so, and was put in position between Miles and Chaffee. +The battle continued with varying intensity during most of the day and +until the place was carried by assault about 4.30 P. M. As the Spaniards +endeavoured to retreat along the Santiago road, Ludlow's position enabled +him to do very effective work, and practically to cut off all retreat in +that direction. + +"After the battle at El Caney was well opened, and the sound of the +small-arms fire caused us to believe that Lawton was driving the enemy +before him, I directed Grimes's battery to open fire from the heights of +El Pozo on the San Juan blockhouse, situated in the enemy's entrenchments, +extending along the crest of San Juan Hill. This fire was effective, and +the enemy could be seen running away from the vicinity of the blockhouse. +The artillery fire from El Pozo was soon returned by the enemy's +artillery. They evidently had the range of this hill, and their first +shells killed and wounded several men. As the Spaniards used smokeless +powder, it was very difficult to locate the position of their pieces, +while, on the contrary, the smoke caused by our black powder plainly +indicated the position of our battery. + +"At this time the cavalry division, under General Sumner, which was lying +concealed in the general vicinity of the El Pozo house, was ordered +forward with directions to cross the San Juan River and deploy to the +right on the Santiago side, while Kent's division was to follow closely in +its rear and deploy to the left. These troops moved forward in compliance +with orders, but the road was so narrow as to render it impracticable to +retain the column of fours formation at all points, while the undergrowth +on both sides was so dense as to preclude the possibility of deploying +skirmishers. It naturally resulted that the progress made was slow, and +the long-range rifles of the enemy's infantry killed and wounded a number +of our men while marching along this road, and before there was any +opportunity to return this fire. At this time Generals Kent and Sumner +were ordered to push forward with all possible haste, and place their +troops in position to engage the enemy. General Kent, with this end in +view, forced the head of his column alongside the cavalry column as far as +the narrow trail permitted, and thus hurried his arrival at the San Juan, +and the formation beyond that stream. A few hundred yards before reaching +the San Juan, the road forks, a fact that was discovered by +Lieutenant-Colonel Derby of my staff, who had approached well to the front +in a war balloon. This information he furnished to the troops, resulting +in Sumner moving on the right-hand road while Kent was enabled to utilise +the road to the left. General Wheeler, the permanent commander of the +cavalry division, who had been ill, came forward during the morning, and +later returned to duty and rendered most gallant and efficient service +during the remainder of the day. After crossing the stream the cavalry +moved to the right, with a view to connecting with Lawton's left when he +would come up, with their left resting near the Santiago road. + +"In the meantime, Kent's division, with the exception of two regiments of +Hawkins's brigade, being thus uncovered, moved rapidly to the front from +the forks previously mentioned in the road, utilising both trails, but +more especially the one to the left, and, crossing the creek, formed for +attack in the front of San Juan Hill. During this formation the Third +Brigade suffered severely. While personally superintending this movement +its gallant commander, Colonel Wikoff, was killed. The command of the +brigade then devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Worth, Thirteenth Infantry, +who was soon severely wounded, and next upon Lieutenant-Colonel Liscum, +Twenty-fourth Infantry, who, five minutes later, also fell under the +terrible fire of the enemy, and the command of the brigade then devolved +upon Lieutenant-Colonel Ewers of the Ninth Infantry. + +"While the formation just described was taking place, General Kent took +measures to hurry forward his rear brigade. The Tenth and Second Infantry +were ordered to follow Wikoff's brigade, while the Twenty-first was sent +on the right-hand road to support the First Brigade under General Hawkins, +who had crossed the stream and formed on the right of the division. The +Second and Tenth Infantry, Colonel E. P. Pearson commanding, moved forward +in good order on the left of the division, passing over a green knoll, and +drove the enemy back toward his trenches. + + [Illustration: THE ATTACK ON SAN JUAN HILL.] + +"After completing their formation under a destructive fire, advancing a +short distance, both divisions found in their front a wide bottom, in +which had been placed a barbed-wire entanglement, and beyond which there +was a high hill, along the crest of which the enemy was strongly posted. +Nothing daunted, these gallant men pushed on to drive the enemy from his +chosen position, both divisions losing heavily. In this assault Colonel +Hamilton, Lieutenants Smith and Shipp were killed, and Colonel Carroll, +Lieutenants Thayer and Myer, all in the cavalry, were wounded. Great +credit is due to Brigadier-General H. S. Hawkins, who, placing himself +between his regiments, urged them on by voice and bugle-call to the attack +so brilliantly executed. + +"In this fierce encounter words fail to do justice to the gallant +regimental commanders and their heroic men, for, while the generals +indicated the formation and the points of attack, it was, after all, the +intrepid bravery of the subordinate officers and men that planted our +colours on the crest of San Juan Hill and drove the enemy from his +trenches and blockhouses, thus gaining a position which sealed the fate of +Santiago. + +"In the action on this part of the field, most efficient service was +rendered by Lieutenant J. H. Parker, Thirteenth Infantry, and the Gatling +gun detachment under his command. + +"The fighting continued at intervals until nightfall, but our men held +resolutely to the position gained at the cost of so much blood and toil. + +"On the night of July 1st I ordered General Duffield, at Siboney, to send +forward the Thirty-fourth Michigan and the Ninth Massachusetts, both of +which had just arrived from the United States. + +"All day on the second the battle raged with more or less fury, but such +of our troops as were in position at daylight held their ground, and +Lawton gained a strong and commanding position on the right. About ten +P. M. the enemy made a vigorous assault to break through my lines, but he +was repulsed at all points. + +"On the morning of the third the battle was renewed, but the enemy seemed +to have expended his energy in the assault of the previous night, and the +firing along the line was desultory." + + + +Such is the official report of the battle before Santiago, where were +killed of the American forces twenty-three officers, and 208 men; wounded +eighty officers, and 1,203 men; missing, eighty-one; total, 1,595. + +An account of any engagement is made more vivid by a recital of those who +participated in the bloody work, since the commanding officer views the +action as a whole, and purely from a military standpoint, while the +private, who may know little or nothing regarding the general outcome, +understands full well what took place immediately around him. Mr. W. K. +Hearst, the proprietor of the New York _Journal_, told the following +graphic story in the columns of his paper: + +"I set out before daybreak this morning on horseback with Honore Laine, +who is a colonel in the Cuban army. We rode over eight miles of difficult +country which intervenes between the army base, on the coast, and the +fighting line, which is being driven forward toward Santiago. + +"Pozo, as a position for our battery, was ill chosen. The Spaniards had +formerly occupied it as a fort, and they knew precisely the distance to it +from their guns, and so began their fight with the advantage of a perfect +knowledge of the range. + +"Their first shell spattered shrapnel in a very unpleasant way all over +the tiled roof of the white house at the back of the ridge. It was the +doors of this house which we were approaching for shelter, and later, when +we came to take our luncheon, we found that a shrapnel ball had passed +clean through one of our cans of pressed beef which our pack-mule was +carrying. + +"We turned here to the right toward our battery on the ridge. When we were +half-way between the white house and the battery, the second shell which +the Spaniards fired burst above the American battery, not ten feet over +the heads of our men. Six of our fellows were killed, and sixteen wounded. + +"The men in the battery wavered for a minute; then rallied and returned to +their guns, and the firing went on. We passed from there to the right +again, where General Shafter's war balloon was ascending. Six shells fell +in this vicinity, and then our batteries ceased firing. + +"The smoke clouds from our guns were forming altogether too plain a target +for the Spaniards. There was no trace to be seen of the enemy's batteries, +by reason of their use of smokeless powder. + +"Off to the far right of our line of formation, Captain Capron's +artillery, which had come through from Daiquiri without rest, could be +heard banging away at Caney. We had started with a view of getting where +we could observe artillery operations, so we directed our force thither. + +"We found Captain Capron blazing away with four guns, where he should have +had a dozen. He had begun shelling Caney at four o'clock in the morning. +It was now noon, and he was still firing. He was aiming to reduce the +large stone fort which stood on the hill above the town and commanded it. +Captain O'Connell had laid a wager that the first shot of some one of the +four guns would hit the fort, and he had won his bet. Since that time +dozens of shells had struck the fort, but it was not yet reduced. It had +been much weakened, however. + +"Through glasses our infantry could be seen advancing toward this fort. As +the cannon at our side would bang, and the shell would swish through the +air with its querulous, vicious, whining note, we would watch its +explosion, and then turn our attention to the little black specks of +infantry dodging in and out among the groups of trees. Now they would +disappear wholly from sight in the brush, and again would be seen hurrying +along the open spaces, over the grass-covered slopes, or across ploughed +fields. The infantry firing was ceaseless, our men popping away +continuously, as a string of firecrackers pops. + +"The Spaniards fired in volleys against our men. Many times we heard the +volley fire, and saw the brave fellows pitch forward and lie still on the +turf, while the others hurried on to the next protecting clump of bushes. + +"For hours the Spaniards had poured their fire from slits in the stone +fort, from their deep trenches, and from the windows of the town. For +hours our men answered back from trees and brush and gullies. For hours +cannon at our side banged and shells screamed through air and fell upon +fort and town. Always our infantry advanced, drawing nearer and closing up +on the village, till at last they formed under a group of mangrove-trees +at the foot of the very hill on which the stone fort stood. + +"With a rush they swept up the slope and the stone fort was ours. Then you +should have heard the yells that went up from the knoll on which our +battery stood. Gunners, drivers, Cubans, correspondents, swung their hats +and gave a mighty cheer. Immediately our battery stopped firing for fear +we should hurt our own men, and, dashing down into the valley, hurried +across to take up a position near the infantry, who were now firing on +Caney from the blockhouse. The town artillery had not sent half a dozen +shots from its new position before the musketry firing ceased, and the +Spaniards, broken into small bunches, fled from Caney in the direction of +Santiago. + +"Laine and I hurried up to the stone fort and found that James Creelman, a +_Journal_ correspondent with the infantry column, had been seriously +wounded and was lying in the Twelfth Infantry hospital. Our men were still +firing an occasional shot, and from blockhouses and isolated trenches, +from which the Spaniards could not safely retreat, flags of truce were +waving. + +"Guns and side-arms were being taken away from such Spaniards as had +outlived the pitiless fire, and their dead were being dumped without +ceremony into the trenches, after the Spanish fashion. + +"When I left the fort to hunt for Creelman, I found him, bloody and +bandaged, lying on his back on a blanket on the ground, but shown all care +and attention that kindly and skilful surgeons could give him. His first +words to me were that he was afraid he could not write much of a story, as +he was pretty well dazed, but if I would write for him he would dictate +the best he could. I sat down among the wounded, and Creelman told me his +story of the fight. Here it is: + +"'The extraordinary thing in this fight of all the fights I have seen, is +the enormous amount of ammunition fired. There was a continuous roar of +musketry from four o'clock in the morning until four in the afternoon. + + [Illustration: VICE-PRESIDENT HOBART.] + +"'Chaffee's brigade began the fight by moving along the extreme right, +with Ludlow down in the low country to the left of Caney. General +Chaffee's brigade consisted of the Seventeenth, Seventh, and Twelfth +Infantry, and was without artillery. It occupied the extreme right. + +"'The formation was like two sides of an equilateral triangle, Ludlow to +the south, and Chaffee to the east. + +"'Ludlow began firing through the brush, and we could see through the +palm-trees and tangle of bushes the brown and blue figures of our soldiers +in a line a mile long, stealing from tree to tree, bush to bush, firing as +they went. + +"'Up here on the heights General Chaffee, facing Caney, moved his troops +very early in the morning, and the battle opened by Ludlow's artillery +firing on the fort and knocking several holes in it. + +"'The artillery kept up a steady fire on the fort and town, and finally +demolished the fort. Several times the Spaniards were driven from it, but +each time they returned before our infantry could approach it. + +"'Our artillery had but four small guns, and, though they fired with great +accuracy, it was ten hours before they finally reduced the stone fort on +the hill and enabled our infantry to take possession. + +"'The Twelfth Infantry constituted the left of our attack, the Seventeenth +held the right, while the Seventh, made up largely of recruits, occupied +the centre. + +"'The Spanish fired from loopholes in the stone houses of the town, and, +furthermore, were massed in trenches on the east side of the fort. They +fought like devils. + +"'From all the ridges round about the stream of fire was kept up on +Chaffee's men, who were kept wondering how they were being wounded. For a +time they thought General Ludlow's men were on the opposite side of the +fort and were firing over it. + +"'The fact was the fire came from heavy breastworks on the northwest +corner of Caney, where the principal Spanish force lay, with their hats on +sticks to deceive our riflemen. From this position the enemy poured in a +fearful fire. The Seventeenth had to lie down flat under the pounding, but +even then men were killed. + +"'General Chaffee dashed about with his hat on the back of his head like a +magnificent cowboy, urging his men on, crying to them to get in and help +their country win a victory. Smokeless powder makes it impossible to +locate the enemy, and you wonder where the fire comes from. When you stand +up to see you get a bullet. + +"'We finally located the trenches, and could see the officers moving about +urging their men. The enemy was making a turning movement to the right. To +turn the left of the Spanish position it was necessary to get a +blockhouse, which held the right of our line. General Chaffee detailed +Captain Clark to approach and occupy this blockhouse as soon as the +artillery had sufficiently harried its Spanish defenders. + +"'Clark and Captain Haskell started up the slope. I told them I had been +on the ridge and knew the condition of affairs, so I would show them the +way. + +"'We pushed right up to the trench around the fort, and, getting out our +wire-cutters, severed the barbed wire in front of it. I jumped over the +severed strand and got into the trench. + +"'It was a horrible, blood-splashed thing, and an inferno of agony. Many +men lay dead, with gleaming teeth, and hands clutching their throats. +Others were crawling there alive. + +"'I shouted to the survivors to surrender, and they held up their hands. + +"'Then I ran into the fort and found there a Spanish officer and four men +alive, while seven lay dead in one room. The whole floor ran with blood. +Blood splashed all the walls. It was a perfect hog-pen of butchery. + +"'Three poor wretches put their hands together in supplication. One had a +white handkerchief tied on a stick. This he lifted and moved toward me. +The other held up his hands, while the third began to pray and plead. + +"'I took the guns from all three and threw them outside the fort. Then I +called some of our men and put them in charge of the prisoners. + +"'I then got out of the fort, ran around to the other side, and secured +the Spanish flag. I displayed it to our troops, and they cheered lustily. + +"'Just as I turned to speak to Captain Haskell I was struck by a bullet +from the trenches on the Spanish side.'" + + + +Before five o'clock, on the morning of July 2d, the crew of the flag-ship +_New York_ was astir, eating a hurried breakfast. + +At 5.50 general quarters was sounded, and the flag-ship headed in toward +Aguadores, about three miles east of Morro Castle. The other ships +retained their blockading stations. Along the surf-beaten shore the smoke +of an approaching train from Altares was seen. It was composed of open +cars full of General Duffield's troops. + +At a cutting a mile east of Aguadores the train stopped, and the Cuban +scouts proceeded along the railroad track. The troops got out of the cars, +and soon formed in a long, thin line, standing out vividly against the +yellow rocks that rose perpendicularly above, shutting them off from the +main body of the army, which was on the other side of the hill, several +miles north. + +From the quarter of the flag-ship there was a signal, by a vigorously +wigwagged letter, and a few minutes later, from a clump of green at the +water's edge, came an answer from the army. This was the first cooeperation +for offensive purposes between the army and navy. The landing of the army +at Daiquiri and Altares was purely a naval affair. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. NEWARK.] + +With the flag in his hand, the soldier ashore looked like a butterfly. + +"Are you waiting for us to begin?" was the signal made by Rear-Admiral +Sampson to the army. + +"General Duffield is ahead with the scouts," came the answer from the +shore to the flag-ship. + +By this time it was seven A. M. The admiral ran the flag-ship's bow within +three-quarters of a mile of the beach. She remained almost as near during +the forenoon, and the daring way she was handled by Captain Chadwick, +within sound of the breakers, made the Cuban pilot on board stare with +astonishment. + +The _Suwanee_ was in company with the flag-ship, still closer inshore, and +the _Gloucester_ was to the westward, near Morro Castle. From the +southward the _Newark_ came up and took a position to the westward. Her +decks were black with fifteen hundred or more troops. + +She went alongside of the flag-ship, and was told to disembark the troops +at Altares. + +Then Admiral Sampson signalled to General Duffield: + +"When do you want us to commence firing?" + +In a little while a white flag on shore sent back the answer: + +"When the rest of the command arrives; then I will signal you." + +It was a long and tedious wait for the ships before the second fifty +car-loads of troops came puffing along from Altares. + +By 9.30 the last of the soldiers had left the open railroad tracks, +disappearing in the thick brush that covered the eastern side of Aguadores +inlet. + +The water in the sponge tubes under the breeches of the big guns was +growing hot in the burning sun. + +Ashore there was no sign of the Spaniards. They were believed to be on the +western bluff. + +Between the bluffs ran a rocky gully, leading into Santiago City. On the +extremity of the western arm was an old castellated fort, from which the +Spanish flag was flying, and on the parapet on the eastern hill, +commanding the gully, two stretches of red earth could easily be seen +against the brush. These were the rifle-pits. + +At 10.15 a signal-flag ashore wigwagged to Admiral Sampson to commence +firing, and a minute later the _New York's_ guns blazed away at the +rifle-pits and at the old fort. + +The _Suwanee_ and _Gloucester_ joined in the firing. + +Of our troops ashore in the brush nothing could be seen, but the ping, +ping, of the small arms of the army floated out to sea during the +occasional lull in the firing of the big guns, which peppered the +rifle-pits until clouds of red earth rose above them. + +An 8-inch shell from the _Newark_ dropped in the massive old fort, and +clouds of white dust and huge stones filled the air. When the small shells +hit its battlements, almost hidden by green creepers, fragments of masonry +came tumbling down. A shot from the _Suwanee_ hit the eastern parapet, and +it crumbled away. Amid the smoke and debris, the flagstaff was seen to +fall forward. + +"The flag has been shot down!" shouted the ship's crew, but, when the +smoke cleared away, the emblem of Spain was seen to be still flying and +blazing brilliantly in the sun, though the flagstaff was bending toward +the earth. + +A few more shots from the _Suwanee_ levelled the battlements until the old +castle was a pitiful sight. + +When the firing ceased, Lieutenant Delehanty of the _Suwanee_ was anxious +to finish his work, so he signalled to the _New York_, asking permission +to knock down the Spanish flag. + +"Yes," replied Admiral Sampson, "if you can do it in three shots." + +The _Suwanee_ then lay about sixteen hundred yards from the old fort. She +took her time. Lieutenant Blue carefully aimed the 4-inch gun, and the +crews of all the ships watched the incident amid intense excitement. + +When the smoke of the _Suwanee's_ first shot cleared away, only two red +streamers of the flag were left. The shell had gone through the centre of +the bunting. + +A delighted yell broke from the crew of the _Suwanee_. + +Two or three minutes later the _Suwanee_ fired again, and a huge cloud of +debris rose from the base of the flagstaff. + +For a few seconds it was impossible to tell what had been the effect of +the shot. Then it was seen that the shell had only added to the ruin of +the fort. + +The flagstaff seemed to have a charmed existence, and the _Suwanee_ only +had one charge left. It seemed hardly possible for her to achieve her +object with the big gun, such a distance, and such a tiny target. + +There was breathless silence among the watching crews. They crowded on the +ships' decks, and all eyes were on that tattered flag, bending toward the +top of what had once been a grand old castle. But it was only bending, not +yet down. Lieutenant-Commander Delehanty and Lieutenant Blue took their +time. The _Suwanee_ changed her position slightly. + +Then a puff of smoke shot out from her side, up went a shooting cloud of +debris from the parapet, and down fell the banner of Spain. + +Such yells from the flag-ship will probably never be heard again. There +was more excitement than witnessed at the finish of a college boat-race, +or a popular race between first-class thoroughbreds on some big track. + +The _Suwanee's_ last shot had struck right at the base of the flagstaff, +and had blown it clear of the wreckage, which had held it from finishing +its fall. + +"Well done!" signalled Admiral Sampson to Lieutenant-Commander Delehanty. + +At 11.30 General Duffield signalled that his scouts reported that no +damage had been done to the Spanish rifle-pits by the shells from the +ships, and Admiral Sampson told him they had been hit several times, but +that there was no one in the pits. However, the _Suwanee_ was ordered to +fire a few more shots in their direction. + + [Illustration: ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON.] + +At 12.18 P. M. the _New York_ having discontinued fire at Aguadores, +commenced firing 8-inch shells clear over the gully into the city of +Santiago de Cuba. Every five minutes the shells went roaring over the +hillside. What destruction they wrought it was impossible to tell, as the +smoke hid everything. In reply to General Duffield's question: + +"What is the news?" + +Admiral Sampson replied: + +"There is not a Spaniard left in the rifle-pits." + +Later General Duffield signalled that his scouts thought reinforcements +were marching to the battered old fort, and Admiral Sampson wigwagged him: + +"There is no Spaniard left there. If any come the _Gloucester_ will take +care of them." + +A little later the _Oregon_ joined the _New York_ intending 8-inch shells +into the city of Santiago. This was kept up until 1.40 P. M. By that time +General Duffield had sent a message saying that his troops could not cross +the stream, but would return to Altares. + +On the report that some Spanish troops were still in the gully, the _New +York_ and _Gloucester_ shelled it once more, and _Newark_, which had not +fired, signalled: + +"Can I fire for target practice? Have had no previous opportunity." + +Permission for her to do so was signalled, and she blazed away, shooting +well, her 6-inch shells exploding with remarkable force among the rocks. + +At 2.40 P. M. Admiral Sampson hoisted the signal to cease firing, and the +flag-ship returned to the blockading station. + +On the railroad a train-load of troops had already left for Altares. + + + +Mr. A. Maurice Low, of the Boston _Globe_, thus relates his personal +experience: + +"When the fighting ceased on Friday evening, July 1st, every man was +physically spent, and needed food and rest more than anything else. For a +majority of the troops there was a chance to cook bacon and make coffee; +for the men of the hospital corps, the work of the day was commencing. At +convenient points hospitals were established, and men from every company +were sent out to search the battle-ground for the dead and wounded. + +"It is the men of the hospital corps who have the ghastly side of war. +There is never any popular glory for them; there is no passion of +excitement to sustain them. The emotion of battle keeps a man up under +fire. Something in the air makes even a coward brave. But all that is +wanting when the surgeons go into action. + +"Men come staggering into the hospital with blood dripping from their +wounds; squads of four follow one another rapidly, bearing stretchers and +blankets, on which are limp, motionless, groaning forms. + +"To those of us at home who are in the habit of seeing our sick and +injured treated with the utmost consideration and delicacy, who see the +poor and outcast and criminal put into clean beds and surrounded with +luxuries, the way in which the wounded on a battle-field are disposed of +seems barbarous in the extreme. Of course it is unavoidable, but it is +nevertheless horrible. + +"As soon as men were brought in they were at once taken off the litters +and placed on the bare ground. Time was too precious, and there were too +many men needing attention for a soldier to monopolise a stretcher until +the surgeon could reach him. + +"There was no shelter. The men lay on the bare ground with the sun +streaming down on them, many of them suffering the greatest agony, and yet +very few giving utterance to a groan. Where I watched operations for a +time there was only one surgeon, who took every man in his turn, and +necessarily had to make many of them wait a long time. + +"And yet these men were much more fortunate than many others, some of whom +lay on the battle-field for twenty-four hours before they were found. +There was no chloroform; very little of anything to numb pain. Painful +gunshot wounds were dressed hastily, almost roughly, until ambulances +could be sent out to take the men to the divisional hospitals in the rear. + +"It is claimed that the hospital arrangements were inadequate, and that +many regiments went into action without a surgeon. From what I saw I think +the criticism to be justified. Naturally the wounded were taken care of +first,--the last duties to the dead could be performed later. + +"It was ghastly as one moved over the battle-field to come across an +upturned face lying in a pool of blood, to see what was once a man, bent, +and twisted, and doubled. And still more horrible was it as the moonlight +fell over the field, and at unexpected places one ran against this fruit +of war and saw faces in the pallor of death made even more ghostlike by +the light, while the inevitable sea of crimson stood out in more startling +vividness by the contrast. + +"We had won the battle, but our position was a somewhat precarious one. + +"Our line was long and thin, and there was a danger of the Spaniards +breaking through and attacking us in the rear or left flank. To guard +against this possibility, Lawton's division at El Caney was ordered to +move on to El Pozo, and Kent's division was under orders to draw in its +left. The men who had fought at El Caney were hoping to be allowed to +sleep on the battle-field and obtain the rest which they so badly needed, +but after supper they were placed under arms and the march commenced. + +"The Seventh U. S. Infantry led. It was a weird march. Immediately after +leaving El Caney we crossed an open field, a skirmish line was thrown out, +and the men were commanded to maintain absolute silence. We were in the +heart of the enemy's country, and caution was necessary. + +"After crossing this field we came to a deep gully through which ran a +swift stream almost knee-deep. Our way led across this stream, and there +was only one means of getting over. That was to plunge in and splash +through. Tired as we all were, after getting thoroughly wet our feet felt +like lead, and marching was perfect torture. Still there was no let-up. + +"We pressed steadily forward until we came to where the road forked off. +Our directions had not been very explicit, we had no maps, and our +commander took the road which he thought was the right one. It soon led +between high banks of dense growth of chaparral on either side. The moon +had disappeared behind the clouds, and had the Spaniards wanted to +ambuscade us we were at their mercy. + +"I will not say that we were nervous, exactly, but I think we would all +rather have been out of that lane. The fear that your enemy may be +crouching behind bushes, that you know nothing of his presence until he +pours a rifle fire into you, is rather trying on the nerves. + +"The command was frequently halted for the officers to consult, and after +we had gone about a mile they concluded they were on the wrong road, and +went to the right about. When we came out where we had started we found +Brigadier-General Chaffee sitting silent on a big horse and watching a +seemingly never-ending line of men marching past him. We fell into +position and pushed on the road to Santiago. + +"How long we marched that night I cannot tell. It seemed interminable. My +watch had run down and no one around me had the time. Finally we were +ordered to halt, and the men were told to stack arms, take off their +packs, and rest. + +"I dropped my blanket roll, which seemed to me weighed not less than two +hundred pounds, on the muddy road, and sat down to rest. The next thing I +knew some one tapped me on the shoulder. It was three o'clock, and I had +been asleep for some hours. The regiment was again under arms, and was +receiving ammunition from a pack-train which had come up from the rear. We +pressed on until early dawn, when we were well in front of Santiago. +Entrenchments were hastily thrown up, and we were ready for the enemy. The +enemy did not give us much time for rest. They made an assault upon our +position early in the morning, which we repulsed.... + +"While the Spaniards were unable to dislodge us, they succeeded in forcing +our artillery back, which had taken a position that subjected it to a +withering infantry fire. Later in the day this position was recovered and +entrenchments thrown up, which, it was claimed, made the position +impregnable. The guns were so placed they could do tremendous destruction. + +"There was a lull that afternoon, but in the evening the Spaniards opened +up an attack along our entire line, with the intention, evidently, of +taking us by surprise and rushing us out of our entrenchments. But their +purpose was a failure." + + + +General Lawton, in his report after the assault upon and the capture of El +Caney by his division during the first day's fighting, says: + +"It may not be out of place to call attention to this peculiar phase of +the battle. + +"It was fought against an enemy fortified and entrenched within a compact +town of stone and concrete houses, some with walls several feet thick, and +supported by a number of covered solid stone forts, and the enemy +continued to resist until nearly every man was killed or wounded, with a +seemingly desperate resolution." + + + +It was Sergeant McKinnery, of Company B, Ninth Infantry, who shot and +disabled General Linares, the commander of the Spanish forces in Santiago. +The Spanish general was hit about an hour after San Juan Hill was taken, +during the first day's fighting. The American saw a Spaniard, evidently a +general officer, followed by his staff, riding frantically about the +Spanish position, rallying his men. + +Sergeant McKinnery asked Lieutenant Wiser's permission to try a shot at +the officer, and greatly regretted to find the request refused. Major Bole +was consulted. He acquiesced, with the injunction that no one else should +fire. Sergeant McKinnery slipped a shell into his rifle, adjusted the +sights for one thousand yards, and fired. The shell fell short. Then he +put in another, raised the sights for another one thousand yards, took +careful aim, and let her go. The officer on the white horse threw up his +arms and fell forward. + +"That is for Corporal Joyce," said McKinnery as he saw that his ball had +reached the mark. The officer on the white horse was General Linares +himself. It was afterward learned that he was shot in the left shoulder. +He immediately relinquished the command to General Toral. + + + +On the evening of July 3d, General Shafter sent the following cablegram to +the War Department: + + + + + + + "HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, + "NEAR SANTIAGO. + +"To-night my lines completely surrounded the town from beyond the north of +the city to point of San Juan River on the south. The enemy holds from +west bend San Juan River at its mouth up the railroad to the city. General +Pando, I find to-night, is some distance away, and will not get into +Santiago. + + (Signed) "SHAFTER." + + + + + + +July 4th Secretary Alger received the communication given below: + + + + + + + "HEADQUARTERS FIFTH ARMY CORPS, July 3. + +"The following is my demand for the surrender of the city of Santiago: + + + + + + +"'HEADQUARTERS U. S. FORCES, NEAR SAN JUAN RIVER, CUBA, July 3, 1898, 8.30 + A. M. + +"'TO THE COMMANDING GENERAL OF THE SPANISH FORCES, Santiago de Cuba. + +"'_Sir_:--I shall be obliged, unless you surrender, to shell Santiago de +Cuba. Please inform the citizens of foreign countries and all women and +children that they should leave the city before ten o'clock to-morrow +morning. Very respectfully, + + "'Your obedient servant, + "'W. R. SHAFTER, + "'_Major-General, U. S. A._' + + + + + + +"Following is the Spanish reply which Colonel Dorst has returned at 6.30 +P. M.: + + + + + + + "'SANTIAGO DE CUBA, 2 P. M., July 3, 1898. + +"'HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GENERAL COMMANDING FORCES OF UNITED STATES, San Juan +River. + +"'_Sir_:--I have the honour to reply to your communication of to-day, +written at 8.30 A. M. and received at 1 P. M., demanding the surrender of +this city; on the contrary case announcing to me that you will bombard +this city, and that I advise the foreigners, women, and children that they +must leave the city before ten o'clock to-morrow morning. It is my duty to +say to you that this city will not surrender, and that I will inform the +foreign consuls and inhabitants of the contents of your message. + + "'Very respectfully, + "'JOSE TORAL, + "'_Commander-in-chief, Fourth Corps._' + + + + + + +"The British, Portuguese, Chinese, and Norwegian consuls have come to my +line with Colonel Dorst. They ask if non-combatants can occupy the town of +Caney and railroad points, and ask until ten o'clock of fifth instant +before city is fired on. They claim that there are between fifteen +thousand and twenty thousand people, many of them old, who will leave. +They ask if I can supply them with food, which I cannot do for want of +transportation to Caney, which is fifteen miles from my landing. The +following is my reply: + + + + + + +"'THE COMMANDING GENERAL SPANISH FORCES, +"'Santiago de Cuba. + +"'_Sir_:--In consideration of the request of the consuls and officers in +your city for delay in carrying out my intention to fire on the city, and +in the interest of the poor women and children, who will suffer very +greatly by their hasty and enforced departure from the city, I have the +honour to announce that I will delay such action solely in their interest +until noon of the fifth, providing, during the interval, your forces make +no demonstration whatever upon those of my own. I am, with great respect, + + "'Your obedient servant, + "'W. R. SHAFTER, + "'_Major-General U. S. A._' + + + + + + + (Signed) "SHAFTER, + "_Major-General Commanding_." + + + + + + + CHAPTER XII. + + + THE SPANISH FLEET. + + + "_Don't cheer; the poor devils are dying._" + + +It was Sunday morning (July 3d), and the American squadron lay off +Santiago Harbour intent only on blockade duty. No signs of life were +visible about old Morro. Beyond and toward the city all was still. After +two days of fighting the armies of both nations were resting in their +trenches. + +The fleet had drifted three miles or more from the land. The battle-ship +_Massachusetts_, the protected cruiser _New Orleans_, and Commodore +Watson's flag-ship, the cruiser _Newark_, were absent, coaling fifty miles +or more away. + +Shortly before nine o'clock Admiral Sampson, desiring to ascertain the +exact condition of the Spanish coast defences about Aguadores, ordered the +flag-ship to go that way, and after flying the signal, "Disregard the +motions of the commander-in-chief," the _New York_ steamed leisurely off +to the eastward. + +The little _Gloucester_ lay nearest the shore; the _Vixen_ was opposite in +a straight line, and to the eastward of her about five miles. A mile or +less from the _Gloucester_, to the seaward, was the _Indiana_. Nearly as +far from the latter ship, and southeast of her, lay the _Oregon_. The +_Iowa_ was the outermost ship of the fleet, lying four miles from the +harbour entrance; next her, to the eastward, each vessel slightly nearer +inshore, were the _Texas_ and the _Brooklyn_ in the order named. + + [Illustration: GENERAL WEYLER.] + +Shoreward, inside the harbour, could be seen a long line of black smoke. +On board the fleet religious services were being held, but the lookouts of +every ship were at their stations. + +Suddenly, at about half past nine, a dark hull was seen coming out past +the point of the harbour, and instantly all was seemingly confusion on the +big fighting machines. + +"The enemy is escaping," was the signal run up on Commodore Schley's +flag-ship, and within a few seconds the roar of a 6-pounder on the _Iowa_ +broke the stillness of the Sabbath morning. + +It was as if every American vessel was put in motion at the same instant, +and even as the flag-ship's signal appeared, the clouds of dense smoke +from their stacks told that the men in the furnace-rooms had already begun +their portion of the task so unexpectedly set for all the fleet. + +John R. Spear, author of "The History of our Navy," who was with Sampson's +fleet, wrote this complete story of the marvellous naval battle off +Santiago and along the southern shore of Cuba, for the _World_: + +"The enemy was first seen at 9.30, and at 9.32 the men of the American +batteries were standing erect and silent beside their loaded guns, waiting +for the order to commence firing, and watching out of the corners of their +eyes the boys who were still sprinkling the decks with sand that no one's +foot might slip when blood began to flow across the planks. + +"But though silence prevailed among the guns, down in the sealed +stoke-hole the click and ring of the shovels that sprayed the coal over +the glowing grate-bars, the song of the fans that raised the air pressure, +and the throb of pump and engine made music for the whole crew, for the +steam-gauges were climbing, and the engineers were standing by the +wide-open throttles as the ships were driven straight at the enemy. + +"For, as it happened, the _Texas_ had been lying directly off the harbour, +and a little more than two miles away the _Iowa_ was but a few lengths +farther out and to the westward, while Capt. Jack Philip of the one, and +'Fighting Bob' Evans of the other, were both on deck when the cry was +raised announcing the enemy. Hastening to their bridges, they headed away +at once for the Spaniards, while the _Oregon_ and the _Brooklyn_ went +flying to westward to intercept the leader. + +"The mightiest race known to the history of the world, and the most +thrilling, was begun. + +"They were all away in less time than it has taken the reader to get thus +far in the story, and in much less time still,--indeed, before the gongs in +the engine-rooms of the Yankee ships had ceased to vibrate under the +imperative order of 'Ahead, full speed!'--the _Almirante Oquendo_, fugitive +as she was, had opened the battle. With impetuous haste, and while yet +more than two miles away, the Spaniard pointed one of his long 11-inch +hontoria rifles in the direction of the _Texas_ and pulled the lanyard. +The shell came shrieking out to sea, but to sea only. + + [Illustration: CAPTAIN R. D. EVANS.] + +"Instantly the great guns of the Morro, 180 feet above the water, and +those of the Socapa battery, lying higher still, with all the batteries +beneath those two, began to belch and roar as their crews strove with +frantic energy to aid the flying squadron. + +"Now, it was about three minutes from the appearance of the first Spaniard +to the firing of the first American gun. + +"In these three minutes the distance between the squadrons was lessened by +at least a mile,--the range was not more than two thousand yards. + +"But while two thousand yards is the range (about one and one-sixth miles) +selected for great gun target practice, it will never do for an eager +fight, and as the trend of the land still headed the Spanish off to +southward, the battle-ships were able to reduce the range to fifteen +hundred yards before they were obliged to head a course parallel with the +Spaniards. + +"Meantime the _Oregon_ and the _Brooklyn_, as they were stretching away +toward the coast, had opened fire also, and then the last of the big +Spaniards, the _Infanta Maria Teresa_, having rounded the point, the +magnificent spectacle of a squadron battle on the open sea--of a battle +between four of the best modern armed cruisers on the Spanish side, +against three battle-ships and an armoured cruiser on our side--was spread +out to view. + +"And their best was the worst struggle the world ever saw, for it was a +struggle to get out of range while firing with hysterical vehemence their +unaimed guns. + +"The first shot from the American ships fell short, and a second, in like +fashion, dropped into the sea. At that the gunner said things to himself +under his breath (it was in the forward turret of the _Iowa_), and tried +it once more. + +"For a moment after it the cloud of gun smoke shrouded the turret, but as +that thinned away the eager crew saw the 12-inch shell strike into the +hull of the _Infanta Maria Teresa_. Instantly it exploded with tremendous +effect. Flame and smoke belched from the hole the shell had made, and +puffed from port and hatch. And then in the wake of the driven blast +rolled up a volume of flame-streaked smoke that showed the woodwork had +taken fire and was burning fiercely all over the after part of the +stricken ship. + +"The yell that rose from the Yankee throats at that sight swelled to a +roar of triumph a moment later, for as he saw that smoke, the captain of +the _Teresa_ threw her helm over to port, and headed her for the rocky +beach. The one shell had given a mortal wound. + +"And then came Wainwright of the _Maine_,--Lieut.-Commander Richard +Wainwright, who for weeks conducted the weary search for the dead bodies +of shipmates on the wreck in the harbour of Havana. He was captain of the +_Gloucester_, that was once known as the yacht _Corsair_. A swift and +beautiful craft she, but only armed with lean 6-pounders. + +"'Ahead, full speed,' said Wainwright. + +"And fortune once more favoured the brave, for in the wake of the mighty +_Maria Teresa_ came Spain's two big torpedo-boats, called destroyers, +because of their size,--the _Pluton_ and the _Furor_. Either was more than +a match for the _Gloucester_, for one carried two 12-pounders, and the +other two 14-pounders, besides the 6-pounders that both carried. + +"Moreover, both overmatched the speed of the _Gloucester_ by at least ten +knots per hour. But both had thin-plated sides. The shells of the +_Gloucester_ could pierce them, and at them went Wainwright, with the +memory of that night in Havana uppermost in his mind. + +"The two boats--even the whole Spanish fleet--were still within easy range +of the Spanish forts, and to reach his choice of enemies the _Gloucester_ +was obliged to risk not only the land fire, but that of the _Vizcaya_ and +the _Teresa_. Nevertheless, as the torpedo-boats steered toward the +_Brooklyn_, evidently bound to torpedo her, Wainwright headed them off, +and they never got beyond range of the forts. + +"The shots they threw at him outweighed his three to one, but theirs flew +wild, and his struck home. + +"The day of the destroyers was done. As the big _Maria Teresa_ turned +toward the shore, these two destroyers, like stricken wild fowl, fled +fluttering and splashing in the same direction, and they floundered as +they fled. + +"While the _Infanta Maria Teresa_ was on fire, and running for the beach, +her crew was still working their guns, and the big _Vizcaya_ was handily +by to double the storm of projectiles she was hurling at the _Iowa_ and +_Texas_. + +"It was not that the _Vizcaya's_ crew were manfully striving to protect +the _Teresa_; they were making the snarling, clawing fight of a lifetime +to escape the relentless Yankees that were closing upon them. For both the +_Texas_ and the _Iowa_ had the range, and it was only when the smoke of +their own guns blinded them that their fire was withheld, or a shot went +astray. + +"The _Iowa_ and the _Texas_ had headed off both the _Vizcaya_ and the +_Infanta Maria Teresa_, while the _Indiana_ was coming with tremendous +speed to join them. + +"And then came the finishing stroke. A 12-inch shell from the _Texas_ went +crashing into the stoke-hole, and the _Vizcaya_,--the ship whose beauty and +power once thrilled the hearts of New Yorkers with mingled pleasure and +fear--was mortally wounded. Hope was gone, and with helm aport she headed +away for the beach, as her consort had done. + +"The battle had opened on our side at 9.33 o'clock, and at 9.58 two of the +magnificent armoured cruisers of the Spanish navy were quivering, flaming +wrecks on the Cuban beach, with the _Texas_ rounding to less than a +thousand yards away off the stern of the _Vizcaya_. + +"For a moment the _Texas_ tarried there to let the smoke clear, and to see +accurately the condition of the enemy, but while her gunners were taking +aim for a final broadside a half-naked quartermaster on the _Vizcaya_, +with clawing hands on the halliards, hauled down the fever-hued ensign +from her peak and hoisted the white flag instead. + +"'Cease firing!' commanded Captain Jack Philip of the _Texas_. + +"So far as the _Vizcaya_ and the _Infanta Maria Teresa_ were concerned, +the battle--and for that matter the war--was ended. + +"Huge volumes of black smoke, edged with red flame, rolled from every port +and shot hole of the _Vizcaya_, as from the _Teresa_. They were both +furnaces of glowing fire. Though they had come from the harbour to certain +battle, not a wooden bulkhead, nor a partition in the quarters either of +officers or men had been taken out, nor had trunks and chests been sent +ashore. Neither had the wooden decks nor any other wooden fixtures been +prepared to resist fire. Apparently the crew had not even wet down the +decks. + +"But the _Texas_ tarried at this gruesome scene only for a moment. They +wished only to make sure that the two Spaniards were really out of the +fight, and when they saw the _Iowa_ was going to stand by both, away they +went to join the race between the _Brooklyn_ and the _Oregon_ on our side, +and the _Cristobal Colon_ and _Almirante Oquendo_ on the other. + +"In spite of the original superior speed on the part of the Spaniards, and +in spite of the delay on the part of the _Texas_, the Spaniards were not +yet wholly out of range, though the _Cristobal Colon_ was reaching away at +a speed that gave the Spanish shore forces hope. + +"Under battened hatches the Yankee firemen, stripped to their trousers, +plied their shovels and raised the steam-gauges higher. The Yankee ships +were grass-grown and barnacled, but now they were driven as never before +since their trial trips. The Spaniards had called us pigs, but Nemesis had +turned us into spear-armed huntsmen in chase of game that neither tusks +nor legs could save. + +"For while the _Colon_ was showing a speed that was the equal at least of +our own _Brooklyn_, long-headed Commodore Schley saw that she was hugging +the coast, although a point of land loomed in the distance to cut her off +or drive her out to sea. + +"Instead of striving to close in on the Spaniards, Schley headed straight +for that point,--took the shortest cut for it, so to speak,--and in that way +drew steadily ahead of the _Colon_, leaving to the _Oregon_ and _Texas_ +the task of holding the Spaniards from turning out across the _Brooklyn's_ +stern. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. IOWA.] + +"It was a splendid piece of strategy, well worthy of the gallant officer, +and it won. + +"The task of the battle-ships was well within their powers. It is not +without reason that both the _Oregon_ and the _Texas_ are the pride of the +nation as well as of their crews. + +"The _Oregon_ and the _Brooklyn_ had hurled a relentless fire at the +flying Spaniards, and it had told on the _Almirante Oquendo_ with +increasing effect. + +"For the _Oregon_ was fair on the _Oquendo's_ beam, and there was not +enough armour on any Spanish ship to stop the massive 13-inch projectiles +the ship from the Pacific was driving into her with unerring aim. + +"At ten o'clock sharp the _Oquendo_ was apparently still fore and aft, but +within five minutes she wavered and lagged, and a little later, flag-ship +though she was, she put her helm to port, as her consorts had done, and +fled for life to the beach. + +"The _Texas_ was coming with unflagging speed astern, and off to the east +could be seen the flag-ship of Admiral Sampson racing as never before to +get a shot in at the finish. An auxiliary had been sent by Commodore +Schley to call her, and it had met her coming at the call of the guns of +the Spanish fleet. She had overhauled and passed the _Indiana_ long since, +and was well-nigh abreast of the _Texas_. So the _Oregon_, in order to vie +with the _New York_ in the last of the mighty race, abandoned the +_Oquendo_ to her fate and stretched away after the _Cristobal Colon_. + +"Some of the crew who looked back saw the _Texas_ bring to near the +_Oquendo_, and then the sea trembled under the impulse of a tremendous +explosion on board the doomed Spaniard, while a vast volume of smoke +filled with splintered wreck rose in the air. Had they been near enough +they would have heard the crew of the _Texas_ start in to cheer, and have +heard as well the voice of Captain Philip say, as he raised his hand to +check it: + +"'Don't cheer; the poor devils are dying.' + +"Only a man fit to command could have had that thought. + +"The battle was well-nigh over. But one ship of the Spanish squadron +remained, and she was now in the last desperate struggle, the flurry of a +monster of the deep. Her officers peered with frowning brows through +gilded glasses at the _Brooklyn_ forging ahead far off their port bow; at +the _Oregon_ within range off the port quarter; at the _New York_ just +getting the range with her beautiful 8-inch rifles astern. They shivered +in unison with the quivering hulk as shot after shot struck home. They +screamed at their crews and stamped and fumed. At the guns their crews +worked with drunken desperation, but down in the stoke-hole the firemen +plied their shovels with a will and a skill that formed the most +surprising feature of the Spanish side of the battle. Because of them this +was a race worthy of the American mettle, for it put to the full test the +powers of the men of the three ships in chase. + +"In the open sea they might have led the Yankees for an hour or more +beyond, but the strategy of Schley had cut them off, and yet it was not +until 1.15 o'clock--three hours and three-quarters after the first gun of +the _Oquendo_--that the _Colon's_ gallant captain lost all hope, and, from +a race to save the ship, turned to the work of destroying her, so that we +should not be able to float the stars and stripes above her. + +"The _Oregon_ had drawn up abeam of her, and was about a mile away. The +shots from the _New York_ astern were beginning to tell, and those from +the _Brooklyn_ had all along been smiting her in the face. + +"Baffled and beaten she turned to the shore, ran hard aground near +Tarquino Point, fifty miles from Santiago, and then hauled down her flag. + +"The most powerful sea force that ever fought under the American flag had +triumphed; the most remarkable race in the history of the world was +ended." + +On board the flag-ship _New York_ is published a tiny daily newspaper, 4 x +7 inches in size, with the name "Squadron Bulletin" on the title-page. +Following is the account of the destruction of the Spanish fleet as given +in that publication: + +"This is a red-letter day for the American navy, as dating the entire +destruction of Admiral Cervera's formidable fleet; the _Infanta Maria +Teresa_, _Vizcaya_, _Oquendo_, _Cristobal Colon_, and the deep-sea +torpedo-boats _Furor_ and _Pluton_. + +"The flag-ship had started from her station about nine to go to Siboney, +whence the admiral had proposed going for a consultation with General +Shafter; the other ships, with the exception of the _Massachusetts_ and +_Suwanee_, which had, unfortunately, gone this morning to Guantanamo for +coal, were in their usual positions, viz., beginning at the east, the +_Gloucester_, _Indiana_, _Oregon_, _Iowa_, _Texas_, _Brooklyn_, and +_Vixen_. + +"When about two miles off from Altares Bay, and about four miles east of +her usual position, the Spanish fleet was observed coming out and making +westward in the following order: _Infanta Maria Teresa_ (flag), _Vizcaya_, +_Cristobal Colon_, _Almirante Oquendo_, _Furor_, and _Pluton_. + +"They were at once engaged by the ships nearest, and the result was +practically established in a very short time. The heavy and rapid shell +fire was very destructive to both ships and men. The cruisers _Infanta +Maria Teresa_, _Almirante Oquendo_, and _Vizcaya_ were run ashore in the +order named, afire and burning fiercely. The first ship was beached at +Nima, nine and one-half miles west of the port; the second at Juan +Gonzalez, six miles west; the third at Acerraderos, fifteen miles. The +torpedo-boat destroyers were both sunk, one near the beach, the other in +deep water about three miles west of the harbour entrance. + +"The remaining ship, the _Cristobal Colon_, stood on and gave a long chase +of forty-eight miles, in which the _Brooklyn_, _Oregon_, _Texas_, _Vixen_, +and _New York_ took part. The _Colon_ is reputed by her captain to have +been going at times as much as seventeen and a half knots, but they could +not keep this up, chiefly on account of the fatigue of her men, who, many +of them, had been ashore at Santiago the day before, and had been, while +there, long without food; her average speed was actually thirteen and +seven-tenths knots, the ship leaving the harbour at 9.43 A. M., and +reaching Rio Tarquino (forty-eight miles from Santiago entrance) at 1.15. + + [Illustration: THE DESTRUCTION OF CERVERA'S FLEET.] + +"She was gradually forced in toward the shore, and, seeing no chance of an +escape from so overwhelming a force, the heavy shells of the _Oregon_ +already dropping around and beyond her, she ran ashore at Rio Tarquino and +hauled down her flag. + +"She was practically uninjured, but her sea-valves were treacherously +opened, and in spite of all efforts she gradually sank, and now lies near +the beach in water of moderate depth. It is to be hoped that she may be +floated, as she was far the finest ship of the squadron. All her breech +plugs were thrown overboard after the surrender, and the breech-blocks of +her Mauser rifles thrown away. + +"The flag-ship remained at Rio Tarquino until eleven P. M., and then +returned to Santiago. The _Texas_, _Oregon_, and _Vixen_ remained by the +prize. Commodore second in command of fleet, Captain de Navio of the first +class, Don Jose de Paredes y Chacon, Captain de Navio Don Emilio Moreu, +commanding the _Colon_, and Teniente de Navio Don Pablo Marina y Briengas, +aid and secretary to the commodore, were taken on board the _New York_. +The 525 men of the crew of the _Colon_ were placed aboard the _Resolute_, +which came from Santiago to report sighting a Spanish armoured cruiser, +which turned out to be the Austrian _Maria Teresa_. The other officers +were placed aboard the _Resolute_ and _Vixen_. + +"Admiral Cervera and many of his officers were taken off the shore by the +_Gloucester_, and transferred to the _Iowa_, which ship had already taken +off many from the _Vizcaya_; thirty-eight officers and 238 men were on +board the _Iowa_, and seven officers and 203 men were aboard the +_Indiana_. + +"All these were in a perfectly destitute condition, having been saved by +swimming, or having been taken from the water by our boats. Admiral +Cervera was in a like plight. He was received with the usual honours when +he came aboard, and was heartily cheered by the _Iowa's_ crew." + + + +The Independence Day number is very brief. It announces that the prisoners +are to be sent north on the _Harvard_ and _St. Louis_; that they number +1,750; that the dead among the Spanish ships were over six hundred; that +General Pando had reached Santiago with five thousand men; that the +_Brooklyn_ and _Marblehead_ had gone to Guantanamo to overhaul and coal, +and then tells of the _Reina Mercedes's_ skirmish on that day, saying: + + [Illustration: U. S. S. INDIANA.] + +"Just before midnight of this date the _Massachusetts_, which was in front +of the port with her search-light up to the entrance, reported an enemy's +vessel coming out, and she and the _Texas_ fired a number of shots in the +direction of the harbour mouth. The batteries also opened, and a number of +shell fell at various points, the attention paid by the batteries to the +ships being general. The _Indiana_ was struck on the starboard side of the +quarter-deck by a mortar shell, which exploded on reaching the second deck +near the ward-room ladder; it caused a fire which was quickly +extinguished. This was the first accident of the kind to the fleet. The +vessel inside turned out to be the _Reina Mercedes_, which was sunk on the +east edge of the channel just by the Estrella battery. She heads north, +and is canted over to port with her port rail under water. She does not +appear to obstruct the channel." + +The issue of July 5th is of greater interest: + +"Mention of the presence of the torpedo-boat _Ericsson_, on the third +instant, was unfortunately omitted. She was in company with a flag-ship, +and turned at once upon sighting the enemy. As she was drawing away from +the _New York_ she signalled, asking permission to continue in chase, but +she was directed to pick up two men in the water, which she did, and on +reaching the _Vizcaya_ she was directed by the _Iowa_, the flag-ship +having gone ahead, to assist in the rescue of the _Vizcaya's_ crew. She +took off eleven officers and ninety men. The guns of the _Vizcaya_ during +the operation were going off from the heat, and explosions were frequent, +so that the work was trying and perilous for the boats of the two vessels +(_Iowa_ and _Ericsson_) engaged. + +"The former report from the army, which was official, regarding General +Pando's entry into Santiago, was an error. General Shafter thought that he +had been enabled to form a junction, but some few of his men only had been +able to do so; the general himself and his remaining force, it is thought, +will not be able. + +"The day was an uneventful one from a naval standpoint. The flag-ship went +to the wrecks of the _Infanta Maria Teresa_ and the _Almirante_. The +former lies in an easy position on sand, and with almost her normal +draught of water. She is, of course, completely burned out inside above +her protective deck, but the shell of her hull seems very good, and her +machinery is probably not seriously injured. + +"It looks very much as if she were salvable. The _Almirante_ was much +worse off. She had been subjected to a much heavier gun fire, being racked +and torn in every part; she is much more out of water, and the forward +part is much distorted and torn by the explosion of her magazine and +torpedoes. The loss of life was very great. Charred bodies are strewn +everywhere, the vicinity of the port forward torpedo-room, particularly, +was almost covered. The torpedo exploded in the tube; it may be by a shot. +This is a question which it is hoped may be conclusively decided. The fact +of so many bodies being about would seem to bear this out, but two of her +crew, taken off the beach this afternoon, were questioned, and both stated +that it was the result of fire, and that the number of bodies is to be +accounted for by the fact that the operating-room is just below, and that +many wounded came up that far and were suffocated. The two men were +intelligent young fellows, and talked freely. They said that the gun fire +was such that it was impossible to keep the men at the guns. One was a +powder passer, the other at a 57-mm gun. In the forward turret were two +officers and five men, evidently killed by the entry of a 6-pounder shell +between the top of the turret and the gun shield. Altogether the ship was +a most striking instance of what rapid and well-directed gun fire may +accomplish. She was terribly battered about. + +"While the flag-ship was lying near the _Almirante_, and her steam cutter +was alongside, and a small boat from the press tug _Hercules_ lying on the +starboard quarter, a shell exploded in a 15-centimetre gun, and a piece +went through the tug's boat, cutting it in two; the man in the boat was +not hurt. It is somewhat extraordinary that this shell should have waited +so long to act, as the after part of the ship was generally well cooled +off. There was still much heat and some flames about the bow. One +extraordinary fact is the survival, in proper shape, of many powder +grains, baked hard; several of these were picked up about the deck. + +"A board has been ordered by the commander-in-chief to report in detail +upon the stranded ships." + + + +On the fifteenth of July Admiral Sampson made his official report, which +is given in full: + + + + + + + "U. S. FLAGSHIP NEW YORK, FIRST RATE, OFF + SANTIAGO DE CUBA, CUBA, July 15, 1898. + +"_Sir_:--I have the honour to make the following report upon the battle +with and the destruction of the Spanish squadron, commanded by Admiral +Cervera, off Santiago de Cuba, on Sunday, July 3, 1898: + +"2. The enemy's vessels came out of the harbour between 9.35 and 10 A. M., +the head of the column appearing around Cay Smith at 9.31, and emerging +from the channel five or six minutes later. + +"3. The positions of the vessels of my command off Santiago at that moment +were as follows: The flag-ship _New York_ was four miles east of her +blockading station and about seven miles from the harbour entrance. She +had started for Siboney, where I had intended to land, accompanied by +several of my staff, and go to the front to consult with General Shafter. +A discussion of the situation, and a more definite understanding between +us of the operations proposed, had been rendered necessary by the +unexpectedly strong resistance of the Spanish garrison at Santiago. + +"I had sent my chief of staff on shore the day before to arrange an +interview with General Shafter, who had been suffering from heat +prostration. I made arrangements to go to his headquarters, and my +flag-ship was in the position mentioned above when the Spanish squadron +appeared in the channel. + +"The remaining vessels were in or near their usual blockading positions, +distributed in a semicircle about the harbour entrance, counting from the +eastward to the westward in the following order: The _Indiana_, about a +mile and a half from shore, the _Oregon_,--the _New York's_ place between +these two,--the _Iowa_, _Texas_, and _Brooklyn_, the latter two miles from +the shore west of Santiago. + +"The distance of the vessels from the harbour entrance was two and a half +to four miles,--the latter being the limit of day blockading distance. The +length of the arc formed by the ships was about eight miles. + +"The _Massachusetts_ had left at four A. M. for Guantanamo for coal. Her +station was between the _Iowa_ and _Texas_. The auxiliaries, _Gloucester_ +and _Vixen_, lay close to the land and nearer the harbour entrance than +the large vessels, the _Gloucester_ to the eastward and the _Vixen_ to the +westward. + +"The torpedo-boat _Ericsson_ was in company with the flag-ship, and +remained with her during the chase until ordered to discontinue, when she +rendered very efficient service in rescuing prisoners from the burning +_Vizcaya_. I enclose a diagram showing approximately the positions of the +vessels as described above. + +"4. The Spanish vessels came rapidly out of the harbour, at a speed +estimated at from eight to ten knots, and in the following order: _Infanta +Maria Teresa_ (flag-ship), _Vizcaya_, _Cristobal Colon_, and the +_Almirante Oquendo_. + +"The distance between these ships was about eight hundred yards, which +means that, from the time the first one became visible in the upper reach +of the channel until the last one was out of the harbour, an interval of +only about twelve minutes elapsed. + +"Following the _Oquendo_, at a distance of about twelve hundred yards, +came the torpedo-boat destroyer _Pluton_, and after her came the _Furor_. +The armoured cruisers, as rapidly as they could bring their guns to bear, +opened a vigorous fire upon the blockading vessels, and emerged from the +channel shrouded in the smoke from their guns. + +"5. The men of our ships in front of the port were at Sunday 'quarters for +inspection.' The signal was given simultaneously from several vessels, +'Enemy's ships escaping,' and general quarters were sounded. The men +cheered as they sprang to their guns, and fire was opened, probably within +eight minutes, by the vessels whose guns commanded the entrance. + +"The _New York_ turned about and steamed for the escaping fleet, flying +the signal, 'Close in toward harbour entrance and attack vessels,' and +gradually increasing speed until toward the end of the chase she was +making sixteen and one-half knots, and was rapidly closing on the +_Cristobal Colon_. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. OREGON.] + +"She was not, at any time, within the range of the heavy Spanish ships, +and her only part in the firing was to receive the undivided fire from the +forts in passing the harbour entrance, and to fire a few shots at one of +the destroyers, thought at the moment to be attempting to escape from the +_Gloucester_. + +"6. The Spanish vessels, upon clearing the harbour, turned to the westward +in column, increasing their speed to the full power of their engines. The +heavy blockading vessels, which had closed in toward the Morro, at the +instant of the enemy's appearance, and at their best speed, delivered a +rapid fire, well sustained and destructive, which speedily overwhelmed and +silenced the Spanish fire. + +"The initial speed of the Spaniards carried them rapidly past the +blockading vessels, and the battle developed into a chase in which the +_Brooklyn_ and _Texas_ had at the start the advantage of position. The +_Brooklyn_ maintained this lead. + +"The _Oregon_, steaming with amazing speed from the commencement of the +action, took first place. The _Iowa_ and the _Indiana_ having done good +work, and not having the speed of the other ships, were directed by me, in +succession, at about the time the _Vizcaya_ was beached, to drop out of +the chase and resume blockading stations. These vessels rescued many +prisoners. The _Vixen_, finding that the rush of the Spanish ships would +put her between two fires, ran outside of our own column and remained +there during the battle and chase. + +"7. The skilful handling and gallant firing of the _Gloucester_ excited +the admiration of every one who witnessed it, and merits the commendation +of the Navy Department. She is a fast and entirely unprotected auxiliary +vessel,--the yacht _Corsair_,--and has a good battery of light rapid-fire +guns. + +"She was lying about two miles from the harbour entrance to the southward +and eastward, and immediately steamed in, opening fire upon the large +ships. + +"Anticipating the appearance of the _Pluton_ and _Furor_, the _Gloucester_ +was slowed, thereby gaining more rapidly a high pressure of steam, and +when the destroyers came out she steamed for them at full speed and was +able to close at short range, where her fire was accurate, deadly, and of +great volume. + +"During this fight the _Gloucester_ was under the fire of the Socapa +battery. Within twenty minutes from the time they emerged from Santiago +Harbour the careers of the _Furor_ and the _Pluton_ were ended, and +two-thirds of their people killed. The _Furor_ was beached and sunk in the +surf; the _Pluton_ sank in deep water a few minutes later. The destroyer +probably suffered much injury from the fire of the secondary batteries of +the battle-ships _Iowa_, _Indiana_, and the _Texas_, yet I think a very +considerable factor in their speedy destruction was the fire, at close +range, of the _Gloucester's_ battery. + +"After rescuing the survivors of the destroyers, the _Gloucester_ did +excellent service in landing and securing the crew of the _Infanta Maria +Teresa_. + +"8. The method of escape attempted by the Spaniards--all steering in the +same direction, and in formation--removed all practical doubts or +difficulties, and made plain the duty of every United States vessel to +close in, immediately engage and pursue. This was promptly and effectively +done. + +"As already stated, the first rush of the Spanish squadron carried it past +a number of the blockading ships, which could not immediately work up to +their best speed, but they suffered heavily in passing, and the _Infanta +Maria Teresa_ and the _Oquendo_ were probably set on fire by the shells +fired during the first fifteen minutes of the engagement. It was afterward +learned that the _Infanta Maria Teresa's_ fire main had been cut by one of +our first shots, and that she was unable to extinguish the fire. + +"With large volumes of smoke rising from their lower deck aft these +vessels gave up both fight and flight, and ran in on the beach, the +_Infanta Maria Teresa_ at about 10.15 A. M., at Nima, nine and one-half +miles from Santiago Harbour entrance, and the _Almirante Oquendo_ at about +10.30 A. M., at Juan Gonzales, seven miles from the port. + +"9. The _Vizcaya_ was still under the fire of the leading vessels. The +_Cristobal Colon_ had drawn ahead, leading the chase, and soon passed +beyond the range of the guns of the leading American ships. The +_Viz__caya_ was soon set on fire, and at 11.15 she turned inshore and was +beached at Acerraderos, fifteen miles from Santiago, burning fiercely, and +with her reserves of ammunition on deck already beginning to explode. + +"When about ten miles west of Santiago the _Indiana_ had been signalled to +go back to the harbour entrance, and at Acerraderos the _Iowa_ was +signalled to 'resume blockading station.' The _Iowa_, assisted by the +_Ericsson_ and the _Hist_, took off the crew of the _Vizcaya_, while the +_Harvard_ and the _Gloucester_ rescued those of the _Infanta Maria Teresa_ +and the _Almirante Oquendo_. + +"This rescue of prisoners, including the wounded from the burning Spanish +vessels, was the occasion of some of the most daring and gallant conduct +of the day. The ships were burning fore and aft, their guns and reserve +ammunition were exploding, and it was not known at what moment the fire +would reach the main magazine. + +"In addition to this a heavy surf was running just inside of the Spanish +ships. But no risk deterred our officers and men until their work of +humanity was complete. + +"10. There remained now of the Spanish ships only the _Cristobal Colon_, +but she was their best and fastest vessel. Forced by the situation to hug +the Cuban coast, her only chance of escape was by superior and sustained +speed. + +"When the _Vizcaya_ went ashore the _Colon_ was about six miles ahead of +the _Brooklyn_ and the _Oregon_, but her spurt was finished, and the +American ships were now gaining upon her. Behind the _Brooklyn_ and the +_Oregon_ came the _Texas_, _Vixen_, and _New York_. + +"It was evident from the bridge of the _New York_ that all the American +ships were gradually overhauling the chase, and that she had no chance of +escape. At 12.50 the _Brooklyn_ and the _Oregon_ opened fire and got her +range,--the _Oregon's_ heavy shells striking beyond her,--and at 1.20 she +gave up without firing another shot, hauled down her colours and ran +ashore at Rio Tarquino, forty-eight miles from Santiago. + +"Captain Cook of the _Brooklyn_ went on board to receive the surrender. +While his boat was alongside I came up in the _New York_, receiving his +report, and placed the _Oregon_ in charge of the wreck to save her, if +possible, and directed the prisoners to be transferred to the _Resolute_, +which had followed the chase. Commodore Schley, whose chief of staff had +gone on board to receive the surrender, had directed that all their +personal effects should be retained by the officers. This order I did not +modify. + +"The _Cristobal Colon_ was not injured by our firing, and probably is not +injured by beaching, though she ran ashore at high speed. The beach was so +steep that she came off by the working of the sea. But her sea valves were +opened or broken, treacherously, I am sure, after her surrender, and +despite all efforts she sank. When it became evident that she could not be +kept afloat she was pushed by the _New York_ bodily upon the beach, the +_New York's_ stem being placed against her for this purpose, the ship +being handled by Captain Chadwick with admirable judgment, and sank in +shoal water, and may be saved. Had this not been done she would have gone +down in deep water, and would have been to a certainty a complete loss. + +"11. I regard this complete and important victory over the Spanish forces +as the successful finish of several weeks of arduous and close blockade, +so stringent and effective during the night that the enemy was deterred +from making the attempt to escape at night, and deliberately elected to +make the attempt in daylight. That this was the case I was informed by the +commanding officer of the _Cristobal Colon_. + +"12. It seems proper to briefly describe here the manner in which this was +accomplished. The harbour of Santiago is naturally easy to blockade, there +being but one entrance and that a narrow one, and the deep water extending +close up to the shore line, presenting no difficulties of navigation +outside of the entrance. At the time of my arrival before the port, June +1st, the moon was at its full, and there was sufficient light during the +night to enable any movement outside of the entrance to be detected; but +with the waning of the moon and the coming of dark nights there was +opportunity for the enemy to escape, or for his torpedo-boats to make an +attack upon the blockading vessels. + +"It was ascertained with fair conclusiveness that the _Merrimac_, so +gallantly taken into the channel on June 3d, did not obstruct it. I +therefore maintained the blockade as follows: To the battle-ships was +assigned the duty, in turn, of lighting the channel. Moving up to the +port, at a distance of from one to two miles from the Morro,--dependent +upon the condition of the atmosphere,--they threw a search-light beam +directly up the channel and held it steadily there. + +"This lighted up the entire breadth of the channel for half a mile inside +of the entrance so brilliantly that the movement of small boats could be +detected. + +"Why the batteries never opened fire upon the search-light-ship was always +a matter of surprise to me; but they never did. Stationed close to the +entrance of the port were three picket-launches, and, at a little distance +further out, three small picket-vessels--usually converted yachts--and, when +they were available, one or two of our torpedo-boats. + +"With this arrangement there was at least a certainty that nothing could +get out of the harbour undetected. + +"After the arrival of the army, when the situation forced upon the Spanish +admiral a decision, our vigilance increased. The night blockading distance +was reduced to two miles for all vessels, and a battle-ship was placed +alongside the search-light-ship, with her broadside trained upon the +channel in readiness to fire the instant a Spanish ship should appear. The +commanding officers merit great praise for the perfect manner in which +they entered into this plan, and put it into execution. The +_Massachusetts_, which, according to routine, was sent that morning to +coal at Guantanamo, like the others, had spent weary nights upon this +work, and deserved a better fate than to be absent that morning. + +"I enclose, for the information of the department, copies of orders and +memorandums issued from time to time, relating to the manner of +maintaining the blockade. When all the work was done so well, it is +difficult to discriminate in praise. + +"The object of the blockade of Cervera's squadron was fully accomplished, +and each individual bore well his part in it, the commodore in command of +the second division, the captains of ships, their officers, and men. + +"13. The fire of the battle-ships was powerful and destructive, and the +resistance of the Spanish squadron was, in great part, broken almost +before they had got beyond the range of their own force. + +"The fine speed of the _Oregon_ enabled her to take a front position in +the chase, and the _Cristobal Colon_ did not give up until the _Oregon_ +had thrown a 13-inch shell beyond her. This performance adds to the +already brilliant record of this fine battle-ship, and speaks highly of +the skill and care with which her admirable efficiency has been maintained +during a service unprecedented in the history of vessels of her class. + +"The _Brooklyn's_ westerly blockading position gave her an advantage in +the chase which she maintained to the end, and she employed her fine +battery with telling effect. + + [Illustration: U. S. S. BROOKLYN.] + +"The _Texas_ and the _New York_ were gaining on the chase during the last +hour, and, had any accident befallen the _Brooklyn_ or the _Oregon_, would +have speedily overhauled the _Cristobal Colon_. + +"From the moment the Spanish vessel exhausted her first burst of speed, +the result was never in doubt. She fell, in fact, far below what might +reasonably have been expected of her. + +"Careful measurements of time and distance give her an average speed, from +the time she cleared the harbour mouth until the time she was run on shore +at Rio Tarquino, of 13.7 knots. + +"Neither the _New York_ nor the _Brooklyn_ stopped to couple up their +forward engines, but ran out of the chase with one pair, getting steam, of +course, as rapidly as possible on all boilers. To stop to couple up the +forward engines would have meant a delay of fifteen minutes, or four miles +in the chase. + +"14. Several of the ships were struck, the _Brooklyn_ more often than the +others, but very light material injury was done, the greatest being aboard +the _Iowa_. + +"Our loss was one man killed and one wounded, both on the _Brooklyn_. It +is difficult to explain the immunity from loss of life or injury to ships +in a combat with modern vessels of the best type, but Spanish gunnery is +poor at the best, and the superior weight and accuracy of our fire +speedily drove the men from their guns and silenced their fire. + +"This is borne out by the statements of prisoners and by observation. The +Spanish vessels, as they dashed out of the harbour, were covered with the +smoke from their own guns, but this speedily diminished in volume, and +soon almost disappeared. + +"The fire from the rapid-fire batteries of the battle-ships appears to +have been remarkably destructive. An examination of the stranded vessels +shows that the _Almirante Oquendo_ especially had suffered terribly from +this fire. Her sides are everywhere pierced, and her decks were strewn +with the charred remains of those who had fallen. + +"15. The reports of Commodore W. S. Schley and the commanding officers are +enclosed. + +"16. A board, appointed by me several days ago, has made a critical +examination of the stranded vessels, both with a view of reporting upon +the result of our fire and the military features involved, and of +reporting upon the chance of saving any of them, and of wrecking the +remainder. The report of the board will be speedily forwarded. Very +respectfully, + + "W. T. SAMPSON, + "_Rear-Admiral U. S. Navy, Commander-in-Chief_ + _U. S. Naval Force, North Atlantic Station._ + +"_The Secretary of the Navy, Navy Department, Washington, D. C._" + + + + + + +A letter from Captain Chadwick of the flag-ship _New York_, to his wife, +is an entertaining addition to the story of this most marvellous sea +fight: + + + + + + + "FLAGSHIP NEW YORK, July 4, 1898. + +"Yesterday was a wonderful day, as you will know in a few hours after my +writing this. + +"We were in a rather disgruntled frame of mind on account of a little note +from Shafter. He wanted to know why the navy could not go under a +destructive fire as well as the army. It was decided to go and have a +consultation with him, explain the situation, and lay our plans before +him, which were to countermine the harbour, going in at the same time, and +also trying to carry the Morro by assault with one thousand marines landed +in Estrella cove. + +"It was arranged we were to go to Siboney about 9.30, so Sampson, +Staunton, and I put on our leggings, got some sandwiches, filled a flask, +and the ship started to go the seven miles to Siboney, where we were to +find horses and a cavalry escort. + +"We were within a mile or so of the place when a message came to me that a +ship was coming out, and by the time I was on deck I found the _New York_ +turned around, and headed back, and there they were, coming out one after +the other, and putting west as hard as they could go. + +"The situation was one which rather left us out of it. We were too far off +to shoot, but could see the rest banging away. The last to come were the +two torpedo-boat destroyers, so we headed in to cut off any attempt on +their part to return to port, and we saw Wainwright in the _Gloucester_ +firing at them for all he was worth, and soon one evidently had a hole +through her boiler, as there was a great white cloud of steam which shot +into the air. We fired two or three 4-inch shots at the other, which was +moving back toward the entrance, and then left him to Wainwright's mercy, +as it was a clear case, and stood on; in a few moments we came, first to +one and then the other, but a little way apart, the _Infanta Maria Teresa_ +and the _Oquendo_ afire and ashore. + +"As we were going past the torpedo-boats, I ought to have mentioned two +men in the water, stripped, to whom we threw life-buoys, with which they +expressed themselves satisfied. It is impossible in such a case, with two +of the enemy's ships going ahead of us, to stop. + +"We had not passed the two ships I mentioned far, until we saw the +_Vizcaya_ head in, and soon she was on the beach and aflame, at +Ascerraderos, right under the old Cuban camp. + +"There was still the _Cristobal Colon_, a good way ahead, the newest and +fastest and much more powerful. We had passed the _Iowa_ (which we left +with the burning _Vizcaya_) and the _Indiana_, which we ordered to return +off the harbour, and tailed on to the procession after the _Cristobal +Colon_, which consisted of the _Oregon_, the _Brooklyn_, and _Texas_, and +the _Vixen_. We got each of our extra boilers into operation until we were +going a good fifteen knots, and we were overhauling the advance somewhat. + +"The _Oregon_ and _Brooklyn_ kept well up, and soon the _Oregon_ began to +fire, and we could see the _Cristobal Colon_ gradually edge inshore, so +that we knew the game was up and the victory complete; soon she headed in, +and went under one of the points which come down from the mountains, which +here (some sixty miles west of Santiago) are close at the water's edge, +and are the highest (seventy-eight hundred feet) in Cuba. We hurried +forward and soon saw she had hauled her flag down, and was ashore. + +"The _Brooklyn_ had sent a boat, and Cook, who had gone in it, came +alongside on his return, and stated he had received their surrender, +stating he was not empowered to make any condition as to personal effects, +etc., as to which they seemed anxious. + +"I then went on board and arranged things, the admiral allowing them, of +course, to take with them all their personal belongings, so while we were +dividing them up among the ships (525 men) along came the _Resolute_, +reporting having been chased by a Spanish armoured ship, so we put all the +prisoners in her. This was a long job. + +"The thing was to save the _Cristobal Colon_, as she is one of the finest +modern ships of her class. We hurried a prize-crew aboard from the +_Oregon_, closed all water-tight doors, as she was evidently leaking +somewhere, but for all we could do she settled down on the beach after +floating with the rising tide. It was a great pity, but the rascally +engineers' force had opened all the valves connecting with the sea, and we +could not get at them. + +"We finally, after eight hours of hard work, left her in charge of the +_Texas_ and _Oregon_, and are now steaming back to our post off Santiago. +The failure to save the _Colon_ was too bad. It is possible to do so, of +course, with the assistance of a wrecking company, but she was practically +in an undamaged condition. She had one man killed and twenty-five wounded. + +"I am only too thankful we did not get ashore this morning. Poor +Higginson, who was down at Guantanamo coaling, will be full of grief, as +also Watson, in the _Newark_. + +"I had forgotten to mention that day before yesterday we bombarded the +forts very heavily, knocking off a good deal of the poor old Morro, and +bringing down the flagstaff and the flag which was so proudly flaunted in +our eyes for more than a month. + +"We did this at the request of the army, as a demonstration while they +attacked. They did not, however, make the attack, as it turned out. + +"These bombardments are very unsatisfactory; one reads lurid accounts of +them in the papers, but nothing really is gained unless we strike the guns +themselves, and this we have not done. + +"As we steamed by to-day in close range, our friends of the western +battery, who paid a great deal of attention to us yesterday, banged away +at us in fine style, and a number of shells burst around us. Finally, when +I had them entirely off my mind and was paying attention only to the +torpedo-boat destroyers, came a tremendous screech, and everybody on the +forecastle dodged. It was their last; it fell about two hundred yards to +our right. We did not reply as we came along. I thought it a waste of +material, and thought they might have their amusement so long as they did +no damage. + +"There--the engines have stopped and we are back at Santiago; it is 4.30, +and I shall turn in again for a final nap. The captain of the _Colon_ is +occupying my room; very nice fellow, about fifty-six, indeed, as are most +Spanish naval officers, who, as a Cuban officer said to me, are the flower +of the Spanish blood. + +"We also have a general and his aid-de-camp, whom we took in the _Colon_, +a nice old boy and very chirpy. The captain, of course, takes the loss of +his ship to heart very much, but the general and his aid seem as cheerful +as possible. I suppose they think 'it's none of their funeral.' + +"I stored the general in Staunton's room, Staunton going to Santiago in a +torpedo-boat to send the news. + +"We have got off our Spanish friends, and are now loafing. It is a great +relief to feel that there is nothing to look after to-night. + +"This goes in the _St. Louis_, so I hope you will have it before many +days, and I hope, too, it won't be long before I get to see you. I think +this terrific defeat must go far toward ending things." + + + + + + + CHAPTER XIII. + + + THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. + + +With the victory at El Caney and San Juan Hill fresh in their minds, the +American people believed that the war was well-nigh at an end. Information +that Spain had sued for peace was hourly expected. + +There was much to be done, however, before the enemy was willing to admit +himself beaten. The city of Santiago yet remained in the hands of the +Spaniards, Manila was still defiant; and until those two strongholds had +been reduced, the boys of '98 must continue to struggle in the trenches +and on the field. + +The end was not far away, however. + +_July 5._ General Shafter telegraphed to the War Department on the fifth +of July to the effect that the people of Santiago were not only +panic-stricken through fear of bombardment, but were suffering from lack +of actual necessaries of life. There was no food save rice, and the supply +of that was exceedingly limited. The belief of the war officials, however, +was that the Spaniards would fight to the last, and capitulate only when +it should become absolutely necessary. + +Meanwhile the soldiers were waiting eagerly for the close of the truce, +and, as the hour set by General Shafter drew near, every nerve was +strained to its utmost tension once more. Then a white flag was carried +down the line, and all knew the truce had been prolonged. + +General Kent, whose division was facing the hospital and barracks of +Santiago, was notified by the enemy that Assistant Naval Constructor +Hobson and his companions were confined in the extreme northern building, +over which two white flags were flying. + +The citizens of Santiago, learning that General Toral refused to consider +the question of surrender, began to leave the city,--a mournful procession. + +General Shafter cabled to the government at Washington under date of July +5th: + +"I am just in receipt of a letter from General Toral, agreeing to exchange +Hobson and men here; to make exchange in the morning. Yesterday he refused +my proposition of exchange." + +_July 7._ General Miles and staff left Washington en route for Santiago. + +Lieutenant Hobson and the other _Merrimac_ heroes were brought into the +American lines on the morning of the seventh. The exchange of prisoners +had been arranged to take place under a tree midway between the +entrenchments occupied by the Rough Riders and the first lines of the +Spanish position. Col. John Jacob Astor represented the American +commander, and took with him to the rendezvous three Spanish lieutenants +and fourteen other prisoners. Major Irles, a Spanish staff officer, acted +for the enemy. The transfer was quickly effected, and once more the brave +fellows who had set their lives as a sacrifice on the altar of their +country were free. + +_July 10._ The truce continued, with the exception of a brief time on the +tenth, when the bombardment was resumed by the fleet, until the +thirteenth, when Generals Miles, Shafter, Wheeler, and Gilmour had an +interview with General Toral and his staff at a point about halfway +between the lines. + +_July 13._ During this interview the situation was placed frankly before +General Toral, and he was offered the alternative of being sent home with +his garrison, or leaving Santiago province, the only condition imposed +being that he should not destroy the existing fortifications, and should +leave his arms behind. + +_July 15._ Not until two days later were the details arranged, and then +the Spanish commander sent the following letter: + + + + + + + "SANTIAGO DE CUBA, July 15, 1898. + +"EXCELLENCY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF +OF THE AMERICAN FORCES. + +"_Excellent Sir_:--I am now authorised by my government to capitulate. I +have the honour to so advise you, requesting you to designate hour and +place where my representatives should appear to compare with those of your +excellency, to effect that article of capitulation on the basis of what +has been agreed upon to this date. + + [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER.] + +"In due time I wish to manifest to your excellency that I desire to know +the resolution of the United States government respecting the return of +arms, so as to note on the capitulation, also the great courtesy and +gentlemanly deportment of your great grace's representatives, and return +for their generous and noble impulse for the Spanish soldiers, will allow +them to return to the peninsula with the arms that the American army do +them the honour to acknowledge as dutifully descended. + + (Signed) "JOSE TORAL, + "_Commander-in-Chief Fourth Army Corps._" + + + + + + +_July 16._ Commissioners on behalf of the United States and of Spain were +appointed, and after but little discussion an agreement between them was +arrived at. + +The agreement consists of nine articles. + +The first declared that all hostilities cease pending the agreement of +final capitulation. + +_Second_: That the capitulation includes all the Spanish forces and the +surrender of all war material within the prescribed limits. + +_Third_: The transportation of the troops to Spain at the earliest +possible moment, each force to be embarked at the nearest port. + +_Fourth_: That the Spanish officers shall retain their side-arms and the +enlisted men their personal property. + +_Fifth_: That after the final capitulation, the Spanish forces shall +assist in the removal of all obstructions to navigation in Santiago +Harbour. + +_Sixth_: That after the final capitulation the commanding officers shall +furnish a complete inventory of all arms and munitions of war, and a +roster of all the soldiers in the district. + +_Seventh_: That the Spanish general shall be permitted to take the +military archives and records with him. + +_Eighth_: That all guerrillas and Spanish regulars shall be permitted to +remain in Cuba if they so elect, giving a parole that they will not again +take up arms against the United States unless properly paroled. + +_Ninth_: That the Spanish forces shall be permitted to march out with all +the honours of war, depositing their arms to be disposed of by the United +States in the future. The American commissioners to recommend to their +government that the arms of the soldiers be returned to those "who so +bravely defended them." + +General Shafter cabled at once to Washington the cheering news: + + + + + + + "CAMP NEAR SANTIAGO, July 16. + +"The surrender has been definitely settled and the arms will be turned +over to-morrow morning, and the troops will be marched out as prisoners of +war. + +"The Spanish colours will be hauled down at nine o'clock, and the American +flag hoisted. + + "SHAFTER, _Major-General_." + + + + + + +_July 17._ The ceremony of surrendering the city was impressive, and, as +can well be imagined, thrilling for those boys of '98 who had been +standing face to face with death in the trenches. + +At six o'clock in the morning Lieutenant Cook, of General Shafter's staff, +entered the city, and all the arms in the arsenal were turned over to him. +The work of removing the mines which obstructed navigation at the entrance +of the harbour had been progressing all night. At about seven o'clock +General Toral, the Spanish commander, sent his sword to General Shafter, +as evidence of his submission, and at 8.45 A. M. all the general officers +and their staffs assembled at General Shafter's headquarters. Each +regiment was drawn up along the crest of the heights. + +Shortly after nine o'clock the Ninth Infantry entered the city. This +position of honour was given them as a reward for their heroic assault on +San Juan Hill. + +The details of the surrender are thus described by a correspondent of the +Associated Press, who accompanied General Shafter's staff: + +"General Shafter and his generals, with mounted escort of one hundred +picked men of the Second Cavalry, then rode over our trenches to the open +ground at the foot of the hill on the main road to Santiago, midway to the +then deserted Spanish works. There they were met by General Toral and his +staff, all in full uniform and mounted, and a select detachment of Spanish +troops. + +"What followed took place in full view of our troops. + +"The scene was picturesque and dramatic. General Shafter, with his +generals and their staffs grouped immediately in their rear, and with the +troops of dashing cavalrymen with drawn sabres on the left, advanced to +meet the vanquished foe. + +"After a few words of courteous greeting, General Shafter's first act was +to return General Toral's sword. The Spanish general appeared to be +touched by the complimentary words with which General Shafter accompanied +this action, and he thanked the American commander feelingly. + +"Then followed a short conversation as to the place selected for the +Spanish forces to deposit their arms, and a Spanish infantry detachment +marched forward to a position facing our cavalry, where the Spaniards were +halted. The latter were without their colours. + +"Eight Spanish trumpeters then saluted, and were saluted, in turn, by our +trumpeters, both giving flourishes for lieutenant and major-generals. + +"General Toral then personally ordered the Spanish company, which in +miniature represented the forces under his command, to ground arms. Next, +by his direction, the company wheeled and marched across our lines to the +rear, and thence to the place selected for camping them. The Spaniards +moved rapidly, to the quick notes of the Spanish march, played by the +companies; but it impressed one like the 'Dead March' from Saul. + +"Although no attempt was made to humiliate them, the Spanish soldiers +seemed to feel their disgrace keenly, and scarcely glanced at their +conquerors as they passed by. But this apparent depth of feeling was not +displayed by the other regiments. Without being sullen, the Spaniards +appeared to be utterly indifferent to the reverses suffered by the Spanish +arms, and some of them, when not under the eyes of their officers, seemed +to secretly rejoice at the prospect of food and an immediate return to +Spain. + +"General Toral, throughout the ceremony, was sorely dejected. When General +Shafter introduced him by name to each member of his staff, the Spanish +general appeared to be a very broken man. He seems to be about sixty years +of age, and of frail constitution, although stern resolution shone in +every feature. The lines are strongly marked, and his face is deep drawn, +as if with physical pain. + +"General Toral replied with an air of abstraction to the words addressed +to him, and when he accompanied General Shafter at the head of the escort +into the city, to take formal possession of Santiago, he spoke but few +words. The appealing faces of the starving refugees streaming back into +the city did not move him, nor did the groups of Spanish soldiers lining +the road and gazing curiously at the fair-skinned, stalwart-framed +conquerors. Only once did a faint shadow of a smile lurk about the corners +of his mouth. + +"This was when the cavalcade passed through a barbed-wire entanglement. No +body of infantry could ever have got through this defence alive, and +General Shafter's remark about its resisting power found the first +gratifying echo in the defeated general's heart. + +"Farther along the desperate character of the Spanish resistance, as +planned, amazed our officers. Although primitive, it was well done. Each +approach to the city was thrice barricaded and wired, and the barricades +were high enough and sufficiently strong to withstand shrapnel. The +slaughter among our troops would have been frightful had it ever become +necessary to storm the city. + +"Around the hospitals and public buildings and along the west side of the +line there were additional works and emplacements for guns, though no guns +were mounted in them. + +"The streets of Santiago are crooked, with narrow lines of one-storied +houses, most of which are very dilapidated, but every veranda of every +house was thronged by its curious inhabitants,--disarmed soldiers. These +were mostly of the lower classes. + +"Few expressions of any kind were heard along the route. Here and there +was a shout for free Cuba from some Cuban sympathiser, but as a rule there +were only low mutterings. The better class of Spaniards remained indoors, +or satisfied their curiosity from behind drawn blinds. + +"Several Spanish ladies in tumble-down carriages averted their faces as we +passed. The squalor in the streets was frightful. The bones of dead horses +and other animals were bleaching in the streets, and buzzards, as tame as +sparrows, hopped aside to let us pass. + +"The windows of the hospitals, in which there are over fifteen hundred +sick men, were crowded with invalids, who dragged themselves there to +witness our incoming. + +"The palace was reached soon after ten o'clock. There General Toral +introduced General Shafter and the other American generals to the alcalde, +Senor Feror, and to the chief of police, Senor Guiltillerrez, as well as +to the other municipal authorities. + +"Luncheon was then served at the palace. The meal consisted mainly of rum, +wine, coffee, rice, and toasted cake. This scant fare occasioned many +apologies on the part of the Spaniards, but it spoke eloquently of their +heroic resistance. The fruit supply of the city was absolutely exhausted, +and the Spaniards had nothing to live on except rice, on which the +soldiers in the trenches of Santiago have subsisted for the last twelve +days." + + + +Ten thousand people witnessed the ceremony of hoisting the stars and +stripes over the governor's palace in Santiago. + +A finer stage setting for a dramatic episode it would be difficult to +imagine. The palace, a picturesque old dwelling in the Moorish style of +architecture, faces the Plaza de la Reina, the principal public square. +Opposite rises the imposing Catholic cathedral. On one side is a quaint, +brilliantly painted building with broad verandas, the club of San Carlos; +on the other a building of much the same description, the Cafe de la +Venus. + +Across the plaza was drawn up the Ninth Infantry, headed by the Sixth +Cavalry band. In the street facing the palace stood a picked troop of the +Second Cavalry, with drawn sabres, under command of Captain Brett. Massed +on the stone flagging between the band and the line of horsemen were the +brigade commanders of General Shafter's division, with their staffs. On +the red-tiled roof of the palace stood Captain McKittrick, Lieutenant +Miles, and Lieutenant Wheeler. Immediately above them, above the +flagstaff, was the illuminated Spanish arms, and the legend, "_Vive +Alphonso XIII._" + +All about, pressing against the veranda rails, crowding to windows and +doors, and lining the roofs, were the people of the town, principally +women and non-combatants. + +As the chimes of the old cathedral rang out the hour of twelve, the +infantry and cavalry presented arms. Every American uncovered, and Captain +McKittrick hoisted the stars and stripes. As the brilliant folds unfurled +in the gentle breeze against the fleckless sky, the cavalry band broke +into the strains of "The Star Spangled Banner," making the American pulse +leap and the American heart thrill with joy. + + [Illustration: KING ALPHONSO XIII. OF SPAIN.] + +At the same instant the sound of the distant booming of Captain Capron's +battery, firing a salute of twenty-one guns, drifted in. + +When the music ceased, from all directions around our lines came flying +across the plaza the strains of the regimental bands and the muffled, +hoarse cheers of our troops. + +The infantry came to "order arms" a moment later, after the flag was up, +and the band played "Rally Round the Flag, Boys." + +Instantly General McKibben called for three cheers for General Shafter, +which were given with great enthusiasm, the band playing "The Stars and +Stripes For Ever." + +The ceremony over, General Shafter and his staff returned to the American +lines, leaving the city in the possession of the municipal authorities +subject to the control of General McKibben, who had been appointed +temporary military governor. + + + + + + CHAPTER XIV. + + + MINOR EVENTS. + + +_June 24._ The details of the bloodless capture of the principal of the +Ladrone Islands are thus told by a private letter from the naval officer +who figured in the leading role of the exploit, Lieutenant William +Braunerzruther, executive officer of the cruiser _Charleston_: + + + + + + + "U. S. S. CHARLESTON, AT SEA AND ONE + "THOUSAND MILES FROM MANILA, + "June 24, 1898. + +"We have just carried out our orders to capture the Spanish authorities at +the capital of the Ladrone Islands, Agana. I was selected by the captain +to undertake this job, and given 160 men to land as a starter. + +"I went ashore to have a talk with the governor about affairs, and the +results were that I did not lose even a single man. The matter was all +settled in one day, and we are carrying with us fifty-four soldiers +(Spanish) and six officers, besides a lot of Mauser rifles and nearly ten +thousand pounds of ammunition. + +"I had the whole to handle, and did it quickly. The captain's instructions +were to wait a half hour for his answer to our ultimatum, then use my +troops. I waited, and in just twenty-nine minutes the governor handed me +his sealed reply addressed to the captain of our ship out in the harbour +about four or five miles off. + +"I knew this was sealed with the sole object of gaining time, and hence I +broke the seal, read the contents, the governor protesting and saying that +was a letter for my captain. I replied: 'I represent him here. You are now +my prisoners, and will have to come on board ship with me.' + +"They protested and pleaded, and finally the governor said: + +"'You came on shore to talk over matters, and you make us prisoners +instead.' I replied: 'I came on shore to hand you a letter and to get your +reply; in this reply, now in my hand, you agree to surrender all under +your jurisdiction. If this means anything at all, it means that you will +accede to any demands I may deem proper to make. You will at once write an +order to your military man at Agana (the capital; this place was five +miles distant), directing him to deliver at this place at four P. M. (it +was 10.30 A. M., June 21st) all ammunition and flags in the island, each +soldier to bring his own rifle and ammunition, and all soldiers, native +and Spanish, with their officers, must witness this.' + +"They protested and demurred, saying there was not time enough to do it, +but I said: 'Senors, it must be done.' + +"The letter was written, read by me, and sent. I took all the officers +with me in a boat, and at four P. M. went ashore again and rounded in the +whole outfit. I was three miles away from my troops, and I had only four +men with me. At four P. M., when I disarmed 108 men and two officers, I +had forty-six men and three officers with me. + +"The key-note to the whole business was my breaking the seal of that +letter and acting at once. They had no time to delay or prepare any +treacherous tricks, and I got the 'drop' on the whole outfit, as they say +out West. + +"The native troops I released and allowed to return to their homes +unrestricted; they had manifested great joy in being relieved from Spanish +rule. While it is harsh, it is war, and in connection with the Spanish +treachery it was all that could be done. + +"Twenty-four hours would have--yes, I believe even four hours with a leader +such as the governor was, a lieutenant-colonel in the Spanish army--given +them a chance to hide along the road to Agana, and at intervals in the +dense tropical foliage they could have almost annihilated any force that +could land. + +"The approaches to the landing over shallow coral reefs would have made a +landing without a terrible loss of life almost an impossibility. + +"We have increased by conquest the population of the United States by +nearly twelve thousand people. The capital has a population of six +thousand people. This harbour in which we were is beautiful, easy of +access, plenty of deep water, admitting of the presence of a large number +of vessels at the same time, and is an ideal place for a coaling station. + +"If our government decided to hold the Philippines it would then come in +so well; San Francisco to Honolulu twenty-one hundred miles, Honolulu to +island of Guam thirty-three hundred, and thence to Manila sixteen hundred +miles. With a chain of supply stations like this, we could send troops the +whole year round if necessary, and any vessel with a steaming capacity of +thirty-five hundred miles could reach a base of supplies. + +"The details I have scarcely touched upon, but had the officers and +soldiers dreamed for one moment that they were to be torn from their +homes, there would, I feel sure, have been another story to tell, and I am +firmly convinced this letter would never have been written. + +"The captain, in extending to me his congratulations, remarked: +'Braunerzruther, you'll never, as long as you live, have another +experience such as this. I congratulate you on your work.' + +"All this whole affair was transacted in Spanish. I had an interpreter +with me, but forgot all about using him. I did not want them to get a +chance to think, even, before it was too late." + + + + + + +_June 25._ The _Florida_ and the _Fanita_ left Key West Saturday, June +25th, under convoy of the _Peoria_, commanded by Lieut. C. W. Rice. On +board the steamers were 650 Cubans under Gen. Emilio Nunez, fifty troopers +of the Tenth U. S. Cavalry under Lieutenants Johnson and Ahearn, and +twenty-five Rough Riders under Winthrop Chanler, brother of Col. William +Astor Chanler. + +The cargoes were enormous. There were the horses of the cavalry and 167 +sacks of oats and 216 bales of hay to feed them. Topping the list of arms +were two dynamite guns, with 50-pound projectiles to fit them, and two +full batteries of light field-pieces, ten 3-inch rifles of regular +ordnance pattern, with harnesses that go with them, and 1,500 cartridges. +In the matter of infantry rifles there were 4,000 Springfields, with +954,000 cartridges, and 200 Mausers, with 2,000 shells. + +Fifty of the Cubans aboard were armed with Mausers, and the others had +Springfields. For the insurgent officers were provided 200 army Colts and +2,700 cartridges. Two hundred books of United States cavalry and infantry +tactics, translated into Spanish, were taken along. In the expedition were +also 1,475 saddles, 950 saddle-cloths, and 450 bridles. For the Cuban +soldiers there were taken 7,663 uniforms, 5,080 pairs of shoes, 1,275 +blankets, 400 shirts, 450 hats and 250 hammocks. + +There were these commissary stores carried, calculated by pounds: Bacon, +67,275; corn-meal, 31,250; roasted coffee, 10,200; raw coffee, 3,250; +sugar, 2,425; mess pork and beef, 9,600; corned beef, 24,000; beans +18,900; hardtack, 1,250; cans of corn, 1250. + +_June 29._ The expectation was that the landing would be effected at San +Juan Point, on the south coast of Cuba, midway between Cienfuegos and +Trinidad. This place was reached Wednesday evening, June 29th. A scouting +party put off in a small boat and sculled toward shore, but had made only +half the distance when there came a lively fire from what had been taken +to be an abandoned blockhouse near the point. The men were called back and +the three ships moved to the eastward. About four o'clock the next +afternoon they arrived at Las Tunas, forty miles away. + +Four miles west of the town, at the mouth of the Tallabacoa River, stood a +large fort built of railroad iron and surrounded by earthworks. The +_Peoria_ ran boldly in and fired several shots from her 3-pounders, but +brought no response and no signs of life. Here was thought to be the +desired opportunity, and another scouting party was organised. This was +made up of fifteen volunteers under Winthrop Chanler, and as many Cubans +under Captain Nunez. + +The _Peoria_ took a position within short range of the fort to protect a +landing or cover a retreat, and the small boats headed for the shore. They +reached it five hundred yards east of the fort; the boats were beached, +and their occupants cautiously scrambled toward the brush. But at almost +the very moment they set foot on the sand, the fort and the entrenchments +around it burst into flame, and shot and shell screamed about the little +band of invaders. Captain Nunez was stepping from his boat when a shot +struck him between the eyes and he went down dead. Chanler fell with a +broken arm. The others safely gained a thicket and replied with a sharp +fire directed at the entrenchments. + +Meanwhile the _Peoria_ set all her guns at work, and rained shells upon +the fort until the enemy's fire ceased. The moment the gunboat slackened +fire, however, the Spanish fire was renewed with fury, and it became +evident that their forces were too large to allow a landing there. A +retreat was ordered, and the party on shore rushed to the boats, but +volley after volley came from the shore, and they were compelled to throw +themselves into the water, and paddle alongside the boats with only their +heads exposed, until the ships were reached. The Spaniards had the range, +however, and five Cubans were wounded, though none seriously. Returning to +the _Peoria_, the men reported that a vicious fire had come from a grove +of cocoanut palms to the eastward of the fort. The _Peoria_ opened her +guns on the place indicated, and must have killed many Spaniards, for her +shells dropped into the smoke and flash of the adversary's fire, silenced +it at once, and forced them to send up rockets for help. + +A number of volleys were sent at the _Peoria_ with a view to disabling her +gunners, but they were badly directed, and fell against her side and into +the water. When the small boats reached the ship it was dark. Then the +discovery was made that, besides Captain Nunez, whose body was left on the +beach, there were missing, Chanler, Doctors Lund and Abbott, Lieutenant +Agramonte, and two Cubans. It was reported that Chanler had been mortally +wounded, and was kept hidden in the bushes along the shore by the two +doctors. Rescue parties were immediately organised, composed of +volunteers, and no less than four were sent ashore during the night. +Toward morning Lieutenant Ahearn, in charge of one of these, found Chanler +and his companion. + +Chanler's wound proved to be in the right elbow. After sunrise Agramonte +and his Cubans were discovered and brought off. + +_July 1._ The next day the gunboat _Helena_, under Captain Swynburn, +arrived, and she and the _Peoria_ steamed in toward Las Tunas, which the +Spaniards had been vigorously fortifying. + +Tunas is connected by rail with Sancti Spiritus, a town of considerable +size, and reinforcements and artillery had been rapidly coming in. Range +buoys had been placed in the bay, but avoiding these, the ships drew in to +close range, and opened fire, the _Peoria_ at twelve hundred and the +_Helena_ at fourteen hundred yards. The Spaniards had several Krupp +field-pieces of three or four inches, mounted on earthworks along the +water-front, and they began a vigorous, but ill-directed reply with shell +and shrapnel. The fire of the American ships was most accurate and +terribly destructive. The Spanish gunners had not fired more than fifteen +or twenty shots before their guns were flying in the air, their earthworks +a mass of blood-stained dust, and their gunners running for their lives. +Both the _Peoria_ and the _Helena_ were struck several times, chiefly by +shrapnel, but no one on either ship was injured. As they withdrew, several +buildings on shore were in flames. + +That afternoon both ships again turned their attention to the fort and the +entrenchments at the mouth of the Tallabacoa River, and for half an hour +poured a wicked fire upon them. The Spaniards had been largely reinforced +during the day, and some field-pieces had been mounted near the fort. +These replied to the American fire, but without effect, and the shells of +the two ships speedily silenced them. The iron blockhouse was struck +repeatedly, and the earthworks were partially destroyed. No damage was +done to the ships, and they again withdrew. + +That night the Spaniards burned a large wharf and the adjacent buildings, +evidently expecting a landing in force the next day. + +It was learned from various sources that reinforcements were pouring into +Las Tunas from all directions; a newspaper from Sancti Spiritus stated +that two thousand men had been despatched from the nearest trocha. It was +determined to proceed during the night to Palo Alto, fifty miles to the +eastward, the _Helena_ remaining at Las Tunas to confirm the Spaniards in +the belief that an attempt was to be made to land there. + +_July 2._ At ten o'clock Saturday night, while the _Helena_ lay offshore, +making lively play with her search-lights toward shore, the _Peoria_, the +_Florida_, and the _Fanita_, with all lights out, slipped silently away. +Palo Alto was reached at daybreak. There was not a Spaniard to be seen, +and the men and cargo were put ashore without a single obstacle. + + [Illustration: GENERAL GOMEZ.] + +_July 4._ Gomez, with two thousand men, was known to be in the vicinity, +and scouts hurried into his lines. On Monday the old warrior appeared in +person at Palo Alto. + +_July 5._ A steamer was sighted about midnight by the U. S. S. _Hawk_, +formerly the yacht _Hermione_, off the north coast of Pinar del Rio, +steaming eastward, close inshore. She paid no attention to three shots +across her bow, or a signal to heave to. The _Hawk_ then opened fire and +gave chase. + +Twenty-five shots were fired, of which only three were without effect. The +vessel was soon on fire, and flew signals of distress while making full +speed head on to the beach. The _Hawk_ ceased firing, and manned a +relief-boat just as the Spaniard ran high and dry on a reef, under cover +of Fort Mariel. + +Though the Spaniard as yet had not fired a shot in response to the +_Hawk's_ attack, and was burning signals calling for help, the American +relief-boat was received with a joint volley from both the sinking steamer +and the neighbouring fort, turning her back, luckily unscathed, By this +time daylight was breaking, and another Yankee ship, the gunboat +_Castine_, hove in sight, reinforcing the _Hawk_. + +The two opened fire upon the Spanish vessel and fort. A well-directed +4-inch shell from the _Castine_ blew the steamer up. + +Most of the latter's crew and passengers by this time had, however, +escaped by rowing or swimming ashore. Just at sunrise, while the _Castine_ +and _Hawk_ were reconnoitring in the vicinity of the wreck, a big Spanish +gunboat hove in sight, training all her batteries on the two American +boats. It was an exciting moment. + +The _Castine's_ 4-inchers opened promptly, and the Spaniard returned at +full speed to cover, under Morro Castle. + +The Spanish fleet, commanded by Admiral Camara, arrived at Suez, and was +notified by the officials of the Egyptian government that it must leave +the port within twenty-four hours. + +The government also notified Admiral Camara that he would not be allowed +to coal. + +While the U. S. gunboat _Eagle_ was on the blockading route in the +vicinity of the Isle of Pines, on the south Cuban coast, about five miles +from the shore, she sighted the schooner _Gallito_, provision laden. She +immediately gave chase, and the schooner ran in until about a quarter of a +mile from the shore, when she dropped her anchor, and those aboard slipped +over her side and swam ashore. + +Ensign J. H. Roys and a crew of eight men from the _Eagle_ were sent in a +small boat to board the schooner. They found her deserted, and while +examining her were fired upon by her crew from the beach. Several +rifle-shots went through the schooner's sails, but no one was injured. The +_Eagle_ drew closer in, and sent half a dozen shots toward the beach from +her 6-pounders, whereupon the Spaniards disappeared. The _Gallito_ was +taken into Key West. + +_July 7._ Congress having passed resolutions to the effect that Hawaii be +annexed to the United States, the President added his signature, and a new +territory was thus added to the American nation. + +Secretary Long gave orders for the departure of the _Philadelphia_ from +Mare Island for Hawaii. She was to carry the flag of the United States to +those islands and include them within the Union. Admiral Miller, +commanding the Pacific station, was charged with the function of hoisting +the flag. + +_July 8._ Admiral Camara, commander of the Spanish fleet, which was bound +for the Philippines, informed the Egyptian government that he had been +ordered to return home, and would, therefore, reenter the Suez Canal. + +_July 12._ The auxiliary gunboat _Eagle_ sighted the Spanish steamer +_Santo Domingo_, fifty-five hundred tons, aground near the Cuban coast, +off Cape Francis, and opened fire with her 6-pounders, sending seventy +shots at her, nearly all of which took effect. + +While this was going on, another steamer came out of the bay and took off +the officers and crew of the _Santo Domingo_. When the men from the +_Eagle_ boarded the latter they found that she carried two 5-inch and two +12-inch guns, the latter being loaded and her magazines open. The steamer +had been drawing twenty-four feet of water and had gone aground in twenty +feet. + +The men from the _Eagle_ decided that the steamer could not be floated, +and she was set on fire after fifty head of cattle, which were on board, +had been shot. + +The _Santo Domingo_ carried a large cargo of grain, corn, etc. While the +steamer was burning, the vessel which had previously taken off the crew +emerged from the bay, and tried to get off some of the cargo, but failed. +The Spanish steamer burned for three days, and was totally destroyed. + +_July 17._ The cruiser _New Orleans_ captured the French steamer _Olinde +Rodriguez_ off San Juan de Porto Rico, as she was trying to enter the port +with passengers and a cargo of coffee and tobacco. + +The U. S. S. _Mayflower_ captured the British steamer _Newfoundland_ off +Cienfuegos while the latter was trying to run the Cuban blockade. + +The Spanish sloop _Domingo Aurello_ was captured by the U. S. S. _Maple_ +as the former was leaving the port of Sagua de Tanamo, province of +Santiago, with a cargo of tobacco. + +_July 22._ The following cablegram was received at the Navy Department: + + [Illustration: U. S. S. NEW ORLEANS.] + + + + + + + "PLAYA, July 22. + +"Expedition to Nipe has been entirely successful, although the mines have +not been removed for want of time. + +"The Spanish cruiser _Jorge Juan_, defending the place, was destroyed, +without loss on our part. + +"The _Annapolis_ and _Wasp_ afterward proceeded from Nipe to assist in the +landing of the commanding general of the army on arrival at Porto Rico. + + (Signed) "SAMPSON." + + + + + + +_July 30._ Another "jackie" achieved the reputation of a hero. He is +boatswain's mate Nevis of the gunboat _Bancroft_, and the tale of his +valour is not unmixed with humour. + +The _Bancroft_, accompanied by the converted yacht _Eagle_, which had been +covering the blockading station around the Isle of Pines, sighted a small +Spanish schooner in Sigunea Bay. + +The _Bancroft's_ steam launch, in charge of Nevis and one seaman, each +armed with a rifle, were sent in to take the schooner. This was only a +task of minutes, and the launch returned with the prize, which proved to +be the schooner _Nito_, little more than a smack, and with no cargo. + +Commander Clover sent Nevis in with her to anchor near the wreck of the +Spanish transatlantic liner _Santo Domingo_, sunk by the _Eagle_ a few +weeks ago. Then the _Bancroft_ and _Eagle_ cruised off to Mangle Point, +where they happened to be put in communication with the insurgent camp. + +Two hours later they returned. For a time nothing could be seen of the +launch or the prize. Suddenly Commander Clover, who was scanning the +waters with his glass, shouted to Captain Sutherland of the _Eagle_: "By +heavens, they have recaptured my prize." The little schooner lay near the +wrecked steamer, but the Spanish flag was flying from her mast, and, +instead of only Nevis and his companion, she was apparently filled with +men. + +Meanwhile the gunboat _Maple_ had drawn up, and Commander Clover ordered +her into the work of rescue. With guns ready she steamed toward the +schooner, but the sight that greeted her was not what was expected. + +Nevis and his companion sat at one end of the boat attempting to navigate +her out of the harbour. Each had his rifle across his knee and was keeping +a wary eye on a party of half a dozen cowering Spaniards huddled in the +other end of the boat. + +The _Maple_ asked for information, and offered Nevis a tow, but he replied +with a joke and declined the proffered assistance. Then it developed that, +in going in to anchor, he had observed two other small Spanish boats near +the wreck of the _Santo Domingo_, and had resolved to capture them, too. +He knew it was hazardous work, but "bluff" carried him through. + +He took the Spanish colours of the schooner, ran them up, and boldly +sailed in. There were six men on the two other boats, and they watched the +approach of their supposed compatriots with calmness that speedily changed +to consternation when Nevis and the other "jackie" suddenly whipped their +rifles to their shoulders, and demanded an immediate surrender. + +The scared Spanish seamen lost no time in complying, and had the unique +experience of surrendering to their own flag. Then, scorning all aid, +Nevis took them out to his ship, and in the most matter-of-fact manner +reported the adventure to his astonished commander. + +The capture was no mean one, for these six men gave important information +to the American ships. + +_August 1._ The Norwegian steamer _Franklin_, of about five hundred tons, +bound from Vera Cruz with a cargo of food supplies, was captured by the +converted yacht _Siren_ off Francis Key, near Caibarien. + +_August 6._ The Norwegian steamer _Aladdin_, sugar-laden, was captured by +the auxiliary gunboat _Hawk_ off Cadiz Light, Isle of Pines. + +_August 7._ The auxiliary gunboat _Viking_ captured the Norwegian steamer +_Bergen_ off Francis Key. + +_August 8._ General Shafter and the Spanish General Toral held a +consultation at the palace in Santiago, with regard to the embarkation of +the Spanish prisoners of war. As a result of the conference, one thousand +of the Spanish sick and wounded were taken on board the _Alicante_ next +morning, to be sent to Spain as soon as the vessel was properly loaded. + +_August 10._ The President to-day promoted Sampson and Schley to be +rear-admirals, ranking in the order named. + +A department of the army, to be known as the Department of Santiago, was +created, and Maj.-Gen. Henry W. Lawton assigned to its command. + +The Norwegian steamers _Aladdin_ and _Bergen_ were released, by orders +from Washington. + +_August 12._ The flag-ship _San Francisco_, the monitor _Miantonomah_, and +the auxiliary yacht _Sylvia_ were fired upon by the Havana batteries. One +10 or 12-inch shell struck the _San Francisco's_ stern as she turned to +get out of range, and tore a hole about a foot in diameter, completely +wrecking Commodore Howell's quarters, and smashing his book-case to +fragments. Nobody was injured, and, being under orders not to attack the +batteries, the ships retreated as fast as their engines could carry them. + +_August 13._ General Shafter, at Santiago, learned that Manzanillo had +been bombarded for twenty hours. + +General Shafter at once cabled to the Spanish commander at Manzanillo that +peace had been declared,(35) and requesting him to advise the American +commander of the fact under a flag of truce, which he did, and the +shelling of the town ceased. + +_August 16._ The following message was the first received in this country +from the territory so lately annexed: + + [Illustration: U. S. S. SAN FRANCISCO.] + + + + + + + "HONOLULU, August 16. + +"_Day, State Department_:--Flag raised Friday, the twelfth, at noon. +Ceremonies of transfer produced excellent impression. + + (Signed) "SEWALL." + + + + + + + CHAPTER XV. + + + THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. + + +_July 20._ With bands playing and thirty thousand people cheering, the +first expedition to Porto Rico left Charleston, S. C., at seven o'clock in +the evening, under command of Maj.-Gen. J. H. Wilson. The Second and Third +Wisconsin and Sixteenth Pennsylvania regiments, and two companies of the +Sixth Illinois, made up the list of troops. + +_July 21._ General Miles accompanied the expedition bound for Porto Rico, +which left Guantanamo Bay, made up of eight transports convoyed by the +_New Orleans_, _Annapolis_, _Cincinnati_, _Leyden_, and _Wasp_. + +_July 22._ An expedition under command of Brig.-Gen. Theo. Schwan left +Tampa on five transports, bound for Porto Rico. + +_July 25._ The expedition under the command of Major-General Miles landed +at Guanica de Porto Rico, the _Gloucester_, in charge of +Lieutenant-Commander Wainwright, steaming into the harbour in order to +reconnoitre the place. With the fleet waiting outside, the gallant little +fighting yacht _Gloucester_ braved the mines which were supposed to be in +this harbour, and, upon sounding, found that there were five fathoms of +water close inshore. + + [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL MILES.] + +The Spaniards were completely taken by surprise. Almost the first they +knew of the approach of the army of invasion was the firing of a gun from +the _Gloucester_, saucily demanding that the Spaniards haul down the flag +of Spain, which was floating from the flagstaff in front of a blockhouse +standing to the east of the village. + +The first 3-pounders were aimed at the hills right and left of the bay and +in order to scare the enemy, the fighting yacht purposely avoiding firing +into the town. + +The _Gloucester_ then hove to within about six hundred yards of the shore, +and lowered a launch, having on board a colt rapid-fire gun and thirty +men, under the command of Lieutenant Huse. She was sent ashore without +encountering any opposition. + +Quartermaster Beck thereupon told Yeoman Lacey to haul down the Spanish +flag, which was done, and then they raised the first United States flag to +float over Porto Rican soil. + +Suddenly about thirty Spaniards opened fire with Mauser rifles upon the +American party. Lieutenant Huse and his men responded with great +gallantry, the Colt gun doing effective work. + +Norman, who received Admiral Cervera's surrender, and Wood, a volunteer +lieutenant, shared the honours with Lieutenant Huse. + +Almost immediately after the Spaniards fired on the Americans, the +_Gloucester_ opened fire on the enemy with all her 3 and 6-pounders which +could be brought to bear, shelling the town and also dropping shells into +the hills to the west of Guanica, where a number of Spanish cavalry were +to be seen hastening toward the spot where the Americans had landed. + +Lieutenant Huse then threw up a little fort, which he named Fort +Wainwright, and laid barbed wire in the street in front of it in order to +repel the expected cavalry attack. The lieutenant also mounted the Colt +gun and signalled for reinforcements, which were sent from the +_Gloucester_. + +Presently a few of the Spanish cavalry joined those who were fighting in +the streets of Guanica, but the Colt barked to a purpose, killing four of +them. + +Soon afterward white-coated galloping cavalrymen were seen climbing the +hills to the westward, and the foot-soldiers were scurrying along the +fences from the town. + +By 9.45, with the exception of a few guerrilla shots, the town was won, +and the enemy driven out of the neighbourhood. + +The troops from the transports were landed before nightfall. + +_July 26._ Near Yauco, while the Americans were pushing toward the +mountains, the Spaniards ambushed eight companies of the Sixth +Massachusetts and Sixth Illinois regiments, but the enemy was repulsed and +driven back a mile to a ridge, where the Spanish cavalry charged and were +routed by our infantry. + +General Garretson led the fight with the men from Illinois and +Massachusetts, and the enemy retreated to Yauco, leaving three dead on the +field and thirteen wounded. None of our men were killed, and only three +were slightly wounded. + +_June 27._ The port of Ponce, Porto Rico, surrendered to Commander C. H. +Davis of the auxiliary gunboat _Dixie_. There was no resistance, and the +Americans were welcomed with enthusiasm. General Miles issued the +following proclamation: + +"In the prosecution of the war against the kingdom of Spain by the people +of the United States, in the cause of liberty, justice, and humanity, its +military forces have come to occupy the island of Porto Rico. They come +bearing the banners of freedom, inspired by a noble purpose, to seek the +enemies of our government and of yours, and to destroy or capture all in +armed resistance. + +"They bring you the fostering arms of a free people, whose greatest power +is justice and humanity to all living within their fold. Hence they +release you from your former political relations, and it is hoped your +cheerful acceptance of the government of the United States will follow. + +"The chief object of the military forces will be to overthrow the armed +authority of Spain, and give the people of your beautiful island the +largest measure of liberty consistent with this military occupation. + +"They have not come to make war on the people of the country, who for +centuries have been oppressed, but, on the contrary, they bring protection +not only to yourselves, but to your property, will promote your prosperity +and bestow upon you the immunities and blessings of our enlightened and +liberal institutions and government. + +"It is not their purpose to interfere with the existing laws and customs +which are wholesome and beneficial to the people, so long as they conform +to the rules of the military administration, order, and justice. This is +not a war of devastation and desolation, but one to give all within the +control of the military and naval forces the advantages and blessings of +enlightened civilisation." + +_July 28._ The expedition destined for Porto Rico, under command of +Major-General Brooke, left Newport News. Four transports and the auxiliary +cruisers _St. Louis_ and _St. Paul_ comprises the fleet. + +The Navy Department made public the following telegram: + + + + + + + "U. S. S. MASSACHUSETTS, PONCE, PORTO + RICO, July 28. + +"Commander Davis with _Dixie_, _Annapolis_, _Wasp_, and _Gloucester_ left +Guanica July 27th to blockade Ponce and capture lighters for United States +army. City of Ponce and Playa surrendered to Commander Davis upon demand +at 12.30 A. M., July 28th. American flag hoisted 6 A. M., 28th. + +"Spanish garrison evacuated. + +"Provisional articles of surrender until occupation by army: first, +garrison to be allowed to retire; second, civil government to remain in +force; third, police and fire brigade to be maintained without arms; +fourth, captain of port not to be made prisoner. + +"Arrived at Ponce from Guanica with _Massachusetts_ and _Cincinnati_, +General Miles and General Wilson and transport, at 6.40 A. M., 28th; +commenced landing army in captured sugar lighters. + +"No resistance. Troops welcomed by inhabitants; great enthusiasm. + +"Captured sixty lighters, twenty sailing vessels, and 120 tons of coal. + + "HIGGINSON." + + + + + + +_July 29._ The advance guard of General Henry's division, which landed at +Guanica on Tuesday, arrived at Ponce, taking en route the cities of Yauco, +Tallaboa, Sabana, Grande, and Penuelas. + +Attempts by the Spaniards to blow up bridges and otherwise destroy the +railroad between Yauco and Ponce failed, only a few flat cars being +burned. At Yauco the Americans were welcomed in an address made by the +alcalde, and a public proclamation was issued, dated "Yauco, Porto Rico, +United States of America, July 27th." + +_July 31._ In General Miles's despatches to the War Department, the +following statements are made regarding the condition of affairs on the +island: + +"Volunteers are surrendering themselves with arms and ammunition. +Four-fifths of the people are overjoyed at the arrival of the army. Two +thousand from one place have volunteered to serve with it. They are +bringing in transportation, beef, and other needed supplies. + +"The custom-house has already yielded fourteen thousand dollars. As soon +as all the troops are disembarked they will be in readiness to move." + +Colonel Hulings, with ten companies of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania, +occupied Juan Diaz, about eight miles northeast of Ponce, on the road to +San Juan. The American flag was raised, and greeted with great enthusiasm +by the populace. + +_August 1._ The American scouts were within six miles of Coamo, and the +Spanish rear guard was retiring fast. The Spanish had fled toward +Aibonito, thirty miles from Ponce, and the place was being fortified. +There the road winds around among the mountains, and the artillery +commanding it rendered the position impregnable. Detours were to be made +by the Americans from Coamo through Arroyo and Guayamo, thus avoiding the +main road, which had been mined for three miles. Captain Confields of the +engineers went ahead to kill these mines. The Fifth Signal Corps men in +advance of the Sixteenth Pennsylvania sent word to General Stone that it +had reconnoitred the road to Adjuntas. A signal-station was established, +and the stars and stripes run up at Santa Isabel amid great enthusiasm. +Yabricoa, Patillas, Arroyo, Guayanillo, Penuelas, Adjuntas, Guayamo, and +Salinas had all surrendered. + + [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL BROOKE.] + +The Spaniards hurried from these towns towards San Juan before an attack +was made. The second fleet of transports arrived safely at Fort Ponce, the +_Roumanian_ bringing the cavalry detachment, and the _Indiana_ and +_Missouri_ the batteries. Generals Brooke, Schwan, and Haines, with their +staffs, were on board. The troops carried included the Thirteenth +Illinois, Seventh Ohio, Fourth Pennsylvania, Nineteenth Regulars, and +Troops A and C of the New York volunteer cavalry. + +There were also one thousand animals, thirty days' rations for thirty +thousand men, a signal corps detachment, and an ambulance corps. The whole +force, as well as the ammunition and quartermaster's stores, was landed, +and the men were camping on the outskirts of the town. + +_August 2._ San Juan blockaded by the _New Orleans_, _Puritan_, _Prairie_, +_Dixie_, and _Gloucester_, which kept out of range of the masked batteries +ashore. + +The railroad from Ponce to Yauco in possession of U. S. troops. Spanish +volunteers continued to come into the American lines and give themselves +up. + +_August 4._ A portion of General Grant's brigade, on the transport +_Hudson_, sailed from Newport News. + +A correspondent for the Associated Press, with the invading army, thus +wrote under date of August 4th: + +"The Americans have taken peaceful possession of the eastern portion of +the island. + +"Small parties of marines have been landed, who have lighted the lamps in +the lighthouse at Cape San Juan, and in other lighthouses along the coast. +They met with no resistance. + +"Indeed, at Cape San Juan, deputations of citizens came out to meet them. + +"The war-ships now in this vicinity are the _Montgomery_, the _Annapolis_, +the _Puritan_, and the _Amphitrite_. The two former are looking for the +transports with troops which left the United States and have scattered all +about the island. + +"The _Annapolis_ rounded up the _Whitney_, the _Florida_, and the +_Raleigh_, yesterday, and they are now at Cape San Juan. There seems to +have been a serious mistake as to the rendezvous, for no two ships go to +the same place, and it will take several days to overtake them and get +them to Ponce, where General Miles is waiting. + +"Off San Juan the cruiser _New Orleans_ alone maintains the blockade. The +city is grim and silent, but back of her yellow walls there will be plenty +of determination to fight when the Americans fire. + +"Captain-General Macias has issued a proclamation, in the course of which +he says: + +"'Spain has not sued for peace, and I can drive off the American boats now +as I did Sampson's attempt before.' + +"The daughter of the captain-general is helping to drill the gunners in +the fort. Altogether there are ninety-five hundred Spanish regulars in the +city. The troops of the enemy, who are retreating from Ponce and the other +towns on the south coast occupied by the Americans, have not yet arrived." + +_August 5._ General Haines, with the Fourth Ohio and the Third Illinois, +left Arroyo for the Spanish stronghold of Guayama. The Fourth Ohio was +placed in the lead, and when only three miles from Arroyo its +skirmish-lines were attacked by the Spaniards from ambush. There was a hot +running fight from this time on until the American troops reached and +captured Guayama, which is about six miles from Arroyo. The Americans lost +three wounded, and the enemy, one killed and two wounded. + +_August 6._ The foreign consuls at San Juan de Porto Rico advised the +Spanish authorities to surrender the island to the American troops. The +Spaniards, however, in reply, announced that they had resolved to fight; +thereupon the consuls notified the Spanish commander, Captain-General +Macias, that they would establish a neutral zone between Bayamon and Rio +Piedrass, in which to gather the foreign residents and their portable +properties in order to ensure their safety in the event of a bombardment +of the place by the American forces. The consul sent a similar +notification to General Miles. + +_August 7._ A general advance of the American forces. The custom-house in +the village of Farjardo was seized. + +_August 8._ The town of Coamo was taken by the Sixteenth Pennsylvania and +the Second and Third Wisconsin. Artillery was used on an outlying +blockhouse, and under cover of this fire the advance was made. + +Two hundred Spaniards were captured and twenty killed, including the +commander, Rafael Igleseas, and three other officers. + +Five Americans were wounded. + +_August 9._ Gen. Fred Grant, his staff, and six companies of the First +Kentucky regiment sailed for Porto Rico from Newport News on the transport +_Alamo_. + + + + + + + "PONCE, August 9. + +"_Secretary of War, Washington_:--The following received from General +Wilson: + +"'General Ernst's brigade captured Coamo 8.30 this morning. Sixteenth +Pennsylvania, Colonel Hulings commanding, led by Lieutenant-Colonel +Biddle, of my staff, having made a turning movement through the mountains, +striking the Aibonito road half a mile beyond town, captured the entire +garrison of Coamo, about 150 men. + +"'Spanish commander, Igleseas, and Captain Lopez killed. Our loss reported +six wounded, only one severely. Men and officers behaving excellently.' + +"Colonel Hulings and Colonel Biddle are especially to be commended. This +is a very important capture, and well executed. Names of wounded as soon +as received here. + + (Signed) "MILES." + + + + + + +Troop C, of New York, pursued a party of fleeing Spanish engineers, after +the capture of Coamo, a distance of four miles along the road to Aibonito. + +The Americans were checked at the Cuyon River, where the Spaniards had +blown up the bridge, and were shelled from a Spanish battery on the crest +of Asoniante Mountain. The dismounted cavalry returned the fire, receiving +no damage, and holding the position. A battalion of the Third Wisconsin +Volunteers went to their support. + +_August 11._ + + + + + + + "PONCE, VIA BERMUDA, August 11. + +"_Secretary of War, Washington_:--The following message received from +Schwan: + + + + + + + "'CAMP, NEAR HORMIGUEROS, August 10. + +"'Advance guard, including cavalry of this command, while reconnoitring +northwest of Rosario River, near Hormigueros, developed strong Spanish +force, which lay concealed in hills north of Mayaguez. + +"'In general engagement that followed, Lieutenant Byron, Eighth Cavalry, +my aid-de-camp, was wounded in foot, and Private Fermberger, Company D, +Eleventh Infantry, and one other private were killed, and fourteen +enlisted men were wounded. + +"'It is reported that the most, if not the entire Spanish garrison of +Mayaguez and surrounding country, consisting of one thousand regulars and +two hundred volunteers, took part in the engagement. We drove enemy from +his position, and it is believed inflicted heavy loss. + +"'A wounded Spanish lieutenant was found in the field and brought into our +line. Conduct of officers and men was beyond all praise. I propose to +continue my march on Mayaguez at early hour to-morrow. + + "'SCHWAN.' + + + + + + + (Signed) "MILES." + + + + + + +_August 12._ General Wilson moved one Lancaster battery out to the front +for the purpose of shelling the Spanish position on the crest of the +mountain at the head of the pass through which the road winds. + +The enemy occupied a position of great natural strength, protected by +seven lines of entrenchments, and a battery of two howitzers. + +The Spaniards were eager for the fray, and early in the day had fired upon +Colonel Biddle of the engineer corps, who, with a platoon of Troop C, of +New York, was reconnoitring on their right flank. + +As the American battery rounded a curve in the road, two thousand yards +away, the enemy opened an artillery and infantry fire. Four companies of +the Third Wisconsin, which were posted on the bluff to the right of the +road, were not permitted to respond. + +The guns advanced at a gallop in the face of a terrific fire, were +unlimbered, and were soon hurling common shell and shrapnel at the enemy +at a lively rate, striking the emplacements, batteries, and entrenchments +with the rhythmic regularity of a triphammer. + + [Illustration: GENERAL BROOKE RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE PROTOCOL.] + +The enemy soon abandoned one gun, but continued to serve the other at +intervals for over an hour. They had the range, and their shrapnel burst +repeatedly over the Americans. + +In about two hours the enemy abandoned the other gun, and the men began to +flee from the entrenchments toward a banana growth near the gorge. Then +the guns shelled them as they ran. One gun was ordered to advance a +position a quarter of a mile farther on. It had just reached the new +position when Spanish infantry reinforcements filed into the trenches and +began a deadly fire upon the Americans, compelling the battery to retire +at a gallop. Then both the enemy's howitzers reopened, the shrapnel +screamed, and Mausers sang. Another gun galloped from the rear, but the +American ammunition was exhausted. + +Colonel Bliss of General Wilson's staff went forward to the enemy's lines +with a flag of truce, and explained that peace negotiations were almost +concluded, that their position was untenable, and demanded their +surrender. The Spanish had had no communication with the outside world, +and the commander asked until the next morning in order that he might +communicate with General Macias at San Juan. + +_August 13._ Twelve hours later the Spanish commander gave the following +command to one of his staff: + +"Tell the American general, if he desires to avoid further shedding of +blood, to remain where he is." + +General Miles telegraphed the War Department that he was in receipt of +Secretary Alger's order to suspend hostilities in Porto Rico. The soldiers +of the American army generally received the news of peace with delight, +although some were disappointed that there was to be no further fighting, +and many officers expressed regrets at the suspension of hostilities in +the midst of the campaign. + +_August 14._ General Schwan's column was attacked between Mayaguez and +Lares. As the Eleventh Infantry under Colonel Burke was descending the +valley of the Rio Grande they were fired upon from a hillside by a force +of fifteen hundred Spaniards, who were retreating toward the north. The +fire was returned, and the Spaniards were repulsed with, it was believed, +considerable loss. + +Colonel Soto, the commander of the Mayaguez district, was wounded and +afterward captured in a wayside cottage. He was attended by two sergeants, +who surrendered. The Americans suffered no loss. The artillery and cavalry +were not engaged. + +General Schwan had not received news of the signing of the protocol when +the action occurred, but obtained it later in the day. + + [Illustration: GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER, SECRETARY OF WAR.] + + + + + + CHAPTER XVI. + + + THE FALL OF MANILA. + + +With the opening of the month of July, affairs at Manila, so far as +concerned the American forces, were at a standstill. + +_June 30._ Admiral Dewey awaited the coming of the army, the first +transports of the fleet having arrived at Cavite, June 30th, before +beginning offensive operations. + +The situation on and around the island of Luzon was much the same as it +had been nearly all the month of June, except that the gunboat _Leite_, +which ran up a river on May 1st, the day of the battle, came out and +surrendered, having on board fifty-two army and navy officers and +ninety-four men. The _Leite_ has a battery of one 3 1-2-inch hontoria +guns, and several 2.7-inch rapid-fire guns. + +_July 1._ Aguinaldo proclaimed himself President of the Revolutionary +Republic on the first of July. The progress of the insurgents can be +readily understood by the following extract from a letter written by Mr. +E. W. Harden: + +"There are persistent rumours that it is the desire of Governor-General +Augusti to surrender Manila to the Americans, but the command of the +Spanish troops is practically held by the senior colonel of artillery, who +opposes surrender. + +"The rebels have captured the water-works beyond Santa Mesa, which +supplied Manila, and the Spanish fear that their water will be cut off. + +"The rebels have also captured the strongly fortified positions of San +Juan and Delmonte, where the Spaniards were to make their last stand if +Manila capitulated. The city is still surrounded by insurgents. + +_July 2._ "There was fierce fighting Saturday before Malate. The Spaniards +had modern guns to command the rebel trenches, and maintained a steady +fire throughout the afternoon, but found it impossible to drive the +natives out. Forty rebels were killed. The Spaniards finally were driven +back." + +_July 4._ Brigadier-General Green, in command of the second army +detachment, on the way from San Francisco to Manila, rediscovered and took +formal possession of the long lost Wake Island, in north latitude 19 deg. 15' +and east longitude 166 deg. 33'. + +_July 5._ To the Spanish consul at Singapore, Captain-General Augusti +telegraphed: + +"The situation is unchanged. My family has succeeded in miraculously +escaping from Macabora in a boat, and, having passed through the American +vessels, all arrived safely at Manila. General Monet's column is besieged +and attacked at Macabora." + +_July 15._ The steamers _City of Puebla_ and _Peru_ sailed from San +Francisco with the fourth Manila expedition, under command of +Major-General Otis. + +_July 16._ The steamer _China_, of the second Manila expedition, arrived +at Cavite, and was followed on the next day by the steamers _Zealandia_, +_Colon_, and _Senator_. + +_July 19._ The work of surrounding Manila by American forces was begun by +advancing the First California regiment to Jaubo, only two miles from the +Spanish lines. The Colorado and Utah batteries were landed at Paranaque, +directly from the transports. Over fifteen hundred men encamped between +Manila and Cavite. The Tenth Pennsylvania, with the rest of the artillery, +landed at Malabon, north of the besieged city. + +_July 23._ The transport steamer _Rio Janeiro_, bearing two battalions of +South Dakota volunteers, recruits for the Utah Light Artillery, and a +detachment of the signal corps, sailed from San Francisco for Manila. + +_July 25._ Major-General Merritt arrived at Cavite. Secretary Long +forwarded to Admiral Dewey the joint resolution of Congress, extending the +thanks of Congress for the victory achieved at Cavite. The resolution was +beautifully engrossed, and prefaced by a formal attestation of its +authenticity by Secretary of State Day, the whole being enclosed in richly +ornamented Russia covers. + +Secretary Long, in his letter of transmittal, makes reference to a letter +from the Secretary of State complimenting Admiral Dewey upon his direction +of affairs since the great naval victory, a formal evidence that the State +Department is thoroughly well satisfied with the diplomatic qualities the +admiral has exhibited. The letter of Secretary Long is as follows: + + + + + + + "NAVY DEPARTMENT, + WASHINGTON, July 25, 1898. + +"_Sir_:--The Department has received from the Secretary of State an +engrossed and certified copy of a joint resolution of Congress, tendering +the thanks of Congress to you, and the officers and men of the squadron +under your command, for transmission to you, and herewith encloses the +same. + +"Accompanying the copy of the joint resolutions, the Department received a +letter from the Secretary of State requesting that there be conveyed to +you his high appreciation of your character as a naval officer, and of the +good judgment and prudence you have shown in directing affairs since the +date of your great achievement in destroying the Spanish fleet. + +"This I take great pleasure in doing, and join most heartily on behalf of +the Navy Department, as well as personally, in the commendation of the +Secretary of State. Very respectfully, + + "JOHN D. LONG, _Secretary_. + +"_Rear-Admiral George Dewey, U. S. N., Commander-in-Chief U. S. Naval +Force, Asiatic Station._" + + + + + + +_July 29._ The transport steamer _St. Paul_, bearing the first battalion +of North Dakota volunteers, the Minnesota and Colorado recruits, sailed +from San Francisco for Manila. + +_July 31._ The transports _Indiana_, _Ohio_, _Valencia_, _Para_, and +_Morgan City_ arrived at Cavite with American troops. + +At 11.30, on the last night of July, the Spanish forces in Manila attacked +the American lines. A typhoon had set in, rain was falling in torrents, +and the blackness of the night was almost palpable. Three thousand +Spaniards made a descent upon an entrenched line of not more than nine +hundred Americans. + +The Tenth Pennsylvania bore the brunt of the attack, and checked the +Spanish advance until the Utah battery, the First California Volunteers, +and two companies of the Third Artillery, fighting as infantry, could get +up to strengthen the right of the line. + +The Spaniards had, by a rush, gone 150 yards through and beyond the +American right flank, when the regulars of the Third Artillery, armed as +infantrymen, pushed them back in confusion, the Pennsylvanians and Utah +battery aiding gallantly in the work. + +_August 1._ After the attack on the right wing had been repulsed, the +second Spanish attack at two in the morning was directed against the +American left wing. + +After thirty minutes of fighting the enemy was again beaten off, and the +rain seemed to be so heavy as to make further attack impossible. + +But at 3.50 A. M. the battle was resumed at longer range, Spanish +sharpshooters firing from the trees, and the batteries working constantly, +using brass-coated bullets. The Americans, smoked and powder-stained, +stuck to their guns for fourteen hours without relief, and shortly after +sunrise the Spanish retreated. The American loss was eight killed, ten +seriously and thirty-eight slightly wounded. + +_August 4._ The monitor _Monterey_ and the convoyed collier _Brutus_ +arrived at Cavite. + +_August 7._ Admiral Dewey demanded the surrender of Manila within +forty-eight hours. The Spanish commander replied that, the insurgents +being outside the walls, he had no safe place for the women and children +who were in the city, and asked for twenty-four hours additional delay. +This Admiral Dewey granted. + +At the expiration of the specified time Admiral Dewey and General Merritt +consulted and decided to postpone the attack. + +_August 13._ The American commanders decided to begin hostilities on the +thirteenth of August, and the navy began the action at 9.30 A. M., the +_Olympia_ opening fire, followed by the _Raleigh_, _Petrel_, and _Callao_. +The latter showed great daring, approaching within eight hundred yards of +the Malate forts and trenches, doing grand work and driving back the +Spanish forces. + +The firing from the fleet continued for one hour, the Spanish then +retreating from Malate, where the fire was centred, and the American land +forces stormed the trenches, sweeping all before them. The First Colorado +Volunteers drove the Spaniards into the second line of defence. Then the +troops swept on, driving all the Spaniards into the inner fortification. + +The fighting in the trenches was most fierce. Fifteen minutes after the +Spaniards were driven to the second line of defences, they were forced to +retreat to the walled city, where, seeing the uselessness of resistance, +they surrendered, and soon afterward a white flag was hoisted over Manila. + +The total number of killed on the American side was forty-five, and +wounded about one hundred. The Spanish losses were two hundred killed and +four hundred wounded. + +Captain-General Augusti took refuge on board the German ship _Kaiserin +Augusta_, and was conveyed to Hongkong. + +The following official reports were made by cable: + + + + + + +"MANILA, August 13, 1898. + +"_Secretary of Navy, Washington_:--Manila surrendered to-day to the +American land and naval forces, after a combined attack. + +"A division of the squadron shelled the forts and entrenchments at Malate, +on the south side of the city, driving back the enemy, our army advancing +from that side at the same time. + +"The city surrendered about five o'clock, the American flag being hoisted +by Lieutenant Brumby. + +"About seven thousand prisoners were taken. + +"The squadron had no casualties, and none of the vessels were injured. + +"August 7th, General Merritt and I formally demanded the surrender of the +city, which the Spanish governor-general refused. + + (Signed) "DEWEY." + + + + + + + "HONGKONG, August 20th. + +"_Adjutant-General, Washington_:--The following are the terms of the +capitulation: + +"The undersigned, having been appointed a commission to determine the +details of the capitulation of the city and defences of Manila and its +suburbs and the Spanish forces stationed therein, in accordance with +agreement entered into the previous day by Maj.-Gen. Wesley Merritt, +U. S. A., American commander-in-chief in the Philippines, and His +Excellency Don Fermin Jaudenes, acting general-in-chief of the Spanish +army in the Philippines, have agreed upon the following: + +"The Spanish troops, European and native, capitulate with the city and +defences, with all honours of war, depositing their arms in the places +designated by the authorities of the United States, remaining in the +quarters designated and under the orders of their officers and subject to +control of the aforesaid United States authorities, until the conclusion +of a treaty of peace between the two belligerent nations. All persons +included in the capitulation remain at liberty; the officers remaining in +their respective homes, which shall be respected as long as they observe +the regulations prescribed for their government and the laws enforced. + +"2. Officers shall retain their side-arms, horses, and private property. +All public horses and public property of all kinds shall be turned over to +staff officers designated by the United States. + +"3. Complete returns in duplicate of men by organisation, and full lists +of public property and stores shall be rendered to the United States +within ten days from this date. + +"4. All questions relating to the repatriation of the officers and men of +the Spanish forces and of their families, and of the expense which said +repatriation may occasion, shall be referred to the government of the +United States at Washington. Spanish families may leave Manila at any time +convenient to them. The return of the arms surrendered by the Spanish +forces shall take place when they evacuate the city, or when the Americans +evacuate. + +"5. Officers and men included in the capitulation shall be supplied by the +United States according to rank, with rations and necessary aid, as though +they were prisoners of war, until the conclusion of a treaty of peace +between the United States and Spain. All the funds in the Spanish treasury +and all other public funds shall be turned over to the authorities of the +United States. + +"6. This city, its inhabitants, its churches and religious worship, its +educational establishments, and its private property of all description, +are placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honour of the +American army. + + "F. V. GREENE, + "_Brigadier-General of Volunteers, U. S. A._ + "B. P. LAMBERTON, + "_Captain U. S. Navy_. + "CHARLES A. WHITTIER, + "_Lieutenant-Colonel and Inspector-General_. + "E. H. CROWDER, + "_Lieutenant-Colonel and Judge-Advocate_. + "NICHOLAS DE LA PENA, + "_Auditor-General's excts._ + "CARLOS REYEO, + "_Colonel de Ingenieros_. + "JOSE MARIA OLQUEN, + "_Felia de Estado Majors_. + (Signed) "MERRITT." + + + + + + + "HONGKONG, August 20th. + +"_Adjutant-General, Washington_:--Cablegram of the twelfth directing +operations to be suspended received afternoon of sixteenth. Spanish +commander notified. Acknowledged receipt of cablegram same date, +containing proclamation of President. + + "MERRITT." + + + + + + + [Illustration: MAJOR-GENERAL WESLEY MERRITT.] + + + + + + CHAPTER XVII. + + + PEACE. + + +On the twenty-sixth day of July, shortly after three o'clock in the +afternoon, the French ambassador, M. Cambon, accompanied by his first +secretary, called at the White House, the interview having been previously +arranged and an intimation of its purpose having been given. With the +President at the time was Secretary of State Day. + +M. Cambon stated to the President that, representing the diplomatic +interests of the kingdom of Spain, "with whom at the present time the +United States is unhappily engaged in hostilities," he had been directed +by the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs to ask on what terms the +United States would agree to a suspension of hostilities. + +The French ambassador, continuing, said that Spain, realising the +hopelessness of a conflict, knowing that she was unable to cope with the +great power of her adversary, and appreciating fully that a prolongation +of the struggle would only entail a further sacrifice of life and result +in great misery to her people, on the ground of humanity appealed to the +President to consider a proposition for peace. + +Spain, said the ambassador, had been compelled to fight to vindicate her +honour, and having vindicated it, having fought bravely and been conquered +by a more powerful nation, trusted to the magnanimity of the victor to +bring the war to an end. + +The President's reply showed that he was responsive to the appeal. He was +evidently moved by the almost pathetic position which the once proud +nation of Spain had been forced to take, but he had his feelings well +under control and behaved with great dignity. + +The President frankly admitted that he was desirous of peace, that he +would welcome a cessation of hostilities, but he delicately intimated that +if Spain were really desirous of peace she must be prepared to offer such +terms as could be accepted by the United States. The President asked the +French ambassador if he had been instructed to formally propose terms, or +make any offer. + +M. Cambon replied that he had not been so instructed, that his +instructions were to ask on what terms it would be possible to make peace. + +Mr. McKinley said the matter would be considered by the Cabinet, and a +formal answer returned at the earliest possible moment. The French +ambassador thanked the President for his courtesy, and, with expressions +of good-will on both sides, the historical interview was brought to a +close. + +On the thirtieth day of July the ultimatum of the United States was +delivered to the ambassador of France, and, in plain words, it was +substantially as follows: + +The President does not now put forward any claim for pecuniary indemnity, +but requires the relinquishment of all claim of sovereignty over or title +to the island of Cuba, as well as the immediate evacuation by Spain of the +island, the cession to the United States and immediate evacuation of Porto +Rico and other islands under Spanish sovereignty in the West Indies, and +the like cession of an island in the Ladrones. + +The United States will occupy and hold the city, bay, and harbour of +Manila, pending the conclusion of a treaty of peace, which shall determine +the control, disposition, and government of the Philippines. + +If these terms are accepted by Spain in their entirety, it is stated that +the commissioners will be named by the United States to meet commissioners +on the part of Spain for the purpose of concluding a treaty of peace on +the basis above indicated. + + + +August 12, 1898, peace negotiations were formally begun between the United +States and Spain. + +A few minutes before four o'clock, in the midst of a drenching rain, M. +Cambon, the French ambassador, attended by his secretary, entered the +White House. They were immediately ushered to the library, where the +President, Secretary of State Day, and Assistant Secretaries of State +Moore, Adee, and Cridler were awaiting them. + +The President cordially greeted the ambassador, who returned the +salutation with equal warmth, and then shook hands with Secretary Day and +the Assistant Secretaries. While the President, Judge Day, and the French +ambassador were discussing the weather,--and Washington has seldom known +such a rain-storm as that which engulfed the city while peace was being +signed,--M. Thiebaut and Assistant Secretary Moore were comparing the two +copies of the protocol to see that they corresponded, and were identical +in form. + +The protocol is on parchment, in parallel columns in French and English. +In the copy retained by the American government the English text is in the +first column; in the other copy, which was transmitted to Madrid, the +French text leads the paper. + +The two Secretaries having pronounced the protocol correct, Judge Day and +the French ambassador moved over to the table to affix their signatures. +Mr. Cridler lit a candle to melt the sealing wax to make the impression on +the protocols. + +The striking of the match caused the French ambassador to stop, feel in +his pocket, and then remember that he had come away from his embassy +without his seal. Here was a contretemps. It would never do to seal such +an important document with anything else but the ambassador's personal +seal. + +A note was hastily written, and one of the White House messengers dashed +out into the rain, and went to the French embassy. Until his return the +distinguished party in the White House library continued to discuss the +weather, and wonder when the typical Cuban rain would cease falling. In a +few minutes the messenger returned. The ambassador drew from a small box +his seal, and the two plenipotentiaries turned to the table. The American +copy of the protocol was placed before Judge Day, who signed it, and then +handed the pen to the ambassador, who quickly affixed his signature and +seal. + + [Illustration: DON CARLOS.] + +The second copy was then laid before the ambassador, who signed, and in +turn handed back the pen to Judge Day. + +Thus Judge Day signed the two documents, first and last, and with the last +stroke of his pen hostilities ceased. + + + + + BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. + + + _A PROCLAMATION._ + + +_Whereas_, by a protocol concluded and signed August 12, 1898, by Wm. R. +Day, Secretary of State of the United States, and His Excellency Jules +Cambon, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of +France, at Washington, respectively representing for this purpose the +government of the United States and the government of Spain, the +governments of the United States and Spain have formally agreed upon the +terms on which negotiations for the establishment of peace between the two +countries shall be undertaken; and, + +_Whereas_, it is in said protocol agreed that upon its conclusion and +signature hostilities between the two countries shall be suspended, and +that notice to that effect shall be given as soon as possible by each +government to the commanders of its military and naval forces; + +Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of the United States, do, +in accordance with the stipulations of the protocol, declare and proclaim +on the part of the United States a suspension of hostilities, and do +hereby command that orders be immediately given through the proper +channels to the commanders of the military and naval forces of the United +States to abstain from all acts inconsistent with this proclamation. + +In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the +United States to be affixed. + +Done at the City of Washington this twelfth day of August, in the year of +our Lord one thousand eight hundred and ninety-eight, and of the +Independence of the United States the one hundred and twenty-third. + + WILLIAM MCKINLEY. + By the President, + WILLIAM R. DAY, + SECRETARY OF STATE. + + + THE END. + + + + + + + APPENDICES + + + APPENDICES. + + + + + APPENDIX A. + + + THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. + + +The number of islands in the Philippine group are believed to be upwards +of fourteen hundred, with an aggregate land area (estimated on Domann's +map) of not less than 114,356 miles, situate in the southeast of Asia, +extending from 40 deg. 40' to 20 deg. north latitude, and from 116 deg. 40' to 126 deg. +30' east longitude. + +The archipelago was discovered by Magellan on March 12, 1521, and named by +him the St. Lazarus Islands. The discoverer was a Portuguese, who had +sought service under Charles V. of Spain because he was ignored by the +court of his own country. + +By the bull of Pope Alexander VI., of May 4, 1493, which was then +universally recognised as law, the earth was divided into two hemispheres. +All lands thereafter discovered in the Eastern Hemisphere were decreed to +belong to Portugal; all the Western to Spain. + +The St. Lazarus Islands were well within Portugal's rights, but as the use +of the log and the variation of the compass were unknown, an error of +fifty-two degrees in longitude was made, and to Spain the islands were +given on the basis of that error. + +By whom the name of Philippines was given to the archipelago it is +impossible to say. In 1567 it appears to have been used for the first +time. + +The manufactures of the islands consist of silk, cotton, and pina fibres +cloth, hats, mats, baskets, ropes, coarse pottery, and musical +instruments. + +The northern islands of the archipelago lie in the region of the typhoon, +and have three seasons,--the cold, the hot, and the wet. The first extends +from November to February or March, when the atmosphere is bracing rather +than cold. The hot season lasts from March to June, and the heat becomes +very oppressive before the beginning of the southerly monsoon. +Thunder-storms of terrific violence occur during May and June. The wet +season begins with heavy rains, known by the natives as "collas," and +until the end of October the downpour is excessive. + +"Earthquakes are sufficiently frequent and violent in the Philippines to +affect the style adopted in the erection of buildings; in 1874, for +instance, they were very numerous throughout the archipelago, and in +Manila and the adjacent provinces shocks were felt daily for several +weeks. The most violent earthquakes on record in the Philippines occurred +in July, 1880, when the destruction of property was immense, both in the +capital and in other important towns of central Luzon." + +Though situated in the equatorial region, the elevations of the mountains +give a range of climate that allows the production of a great variety of +valuable crops. Tobacco, sugar, hemp, and rice are the chief staples +produced. The swamps and rivers are infested with crocodiles, and the +dense woods with monkeys and serpents of many species. Rich deposits of +gold are known to exist, but have been little developed. + +To quote from the _Revue des Deux Mondes_ of Paris: + +In the same district are found Indians, Negritos, Manthras, Malays, +Bicols, half-breed Indians and Spaniards, Tagalas, Visayas, Sulus, and +other tribes. The Negritos (little negroes) are real negroes, blacker than +a great many of their African conquerors, with woolly hair growing in +isolated tufts. They are very diminutive, rarely attaining four feet nine +inches in height, and with small, retreating skulls. This race forms a +branch equal in importance to the Papuan. It is believed to be the first +race inhabiting the Philippines, but, as well as everywhere else, except +in the Andaman Islands, it has been more or less absorbed by the stronger +races, and the result in the archipelago has been the formation of several +tribes of half-breeds numbering considerably more than half a million. +Side by side with them, and equally poor and wretched, are the Manthras, a +cross between the Negritos and Malays and the degenerate descendants of +the Saletes, a warlike tribe conquered by the Malayan Rajah Permicuri in +1411. Then come the Malay Sulus, all Mohammedans and still governed by +their Sultan and their _datos_, feudal lords who, under the suzerainty of +the Spaniards, have possessed considerable power. + +The soil is fully sufficient--indeed, more than sufficient--to support this +population, whose wants are of the most limited character. The land is +exceedingly fertile and bears in abundance all tropical products, +particularly rice, sugar, and the abaca, a variety of the banana-tree. The +fibres of the abaca are employed in making the finest and most delicate +fabrics, of which from three to four million dollars' worth are exported +annually. The exports of sugar amount to about four millions and a half, +of gold to two millions and a half, and of coffee and tobacco close on to +a million and a quarter each. The rice is consumed at home. It forms the +staple food of the people, and nearly three million dollars' worth is +imported yearly. The husbandman cannot complain that his toil is +inadequately rewarded. A rice plantation will yield a return of at least +fifteen per cent.; if he plant his farm with sugar-cane he will realise +thirty per cent., if not more. On the other hand, the price of labour is +very low. An adult who gains a _real fuerte_ (about thirteen cents) a day, +thinks he is doing well. + +In this archipelago of the Philippines, where races, manners, and +traditions are so often in collision, the religious fanaticism of the +Spaniards has, more than once, come into conflict with a fanaticism fully +as fierce as that of the Mussulman. At a distance of six thousand leagues +from Toledo and Granada, the same ancient hatreds have brought European +Spaniards and Asiatic Saracens into the same relentless antagonism that +swayed them in the days of the Cid and Ferdinand the Catholic. The island +of Sulu, on account of its position between Mindanao and Borneo, was the +commercial, political, and religious centre of the followers of the +Prophet, the Mecca of the extreme Orient. From this centre they spread +over the neighbouring archipelago. Dreaded as merciless pirates and +unflinching fanatics, they scattered everywhere terror, ruin, and death, +sailing in their light proas up the narrow channels and animated with +implacable hatred for those conquering invaders, to whom they never gave +quarter and from whom they never expected it; constantly beaten in pitched +battle, they as constantly took again to the sea, eluding pursuit of the +heavy Spanish vessels, taking refuge in bays and creeks where no one could +follow them, pillaging isolated ships, surprising the villages, massacring +the old men, leading away the women and the adults into slavery, pushing +the audacious prows of their skiffs even up to within three hundred miles +of Manila, and seizing every year nearly four thousand captives. + +Between the Malay creese and the Castilian carronade the struggle was +unequal, but it did not last the less long on that account, nor, obscure +though it was, was it the less bloody. On both sides there was the same +bravery, the same cruelty. It required all the tenacity of Spain to purge +these seas of the pirates who infested them, and it was not until after a +conflict of several years, in 1876, that the Spanish squadron was able to +bring its broadside to bear on Tianggi, that nest of the Suluan pirates, +land a division of troops, invest all the outlets, and burn up the town +and its inhabitants as well as its harbour and all the craft within it. +The soldiers planted their flag and the engineers built a new city on the +smoking ruins. This city is protected by a strong garrison. For a time, at +least, it was all over with piracy, but not with Moslem fanaticism, which +was exasperated rather than crushed by its defeat. To the rovers of the +seas succeeded the organisation known as _juramentados_. + +One of the characteristic qualities of the Malays is their contempt of +death. They have transmitted it with their blood to the Polynesians, who +see in it only one of the multiple phenomena and not the supreme act of +existence, and witness it or submit to it with profound indifference. +Travellers have often seen a Canaque stretch his body on a mat, while in +perfect health, and without any symptom of disease whatever, and there +wait patiently for the end, convinced that it is near, and refuse all +nourishment and die without any apparent suffering. His relatives say of +him, "He feels he is going to die," and the imaginary patient dies, his +mind possessed by some illusion, some superstitious idea, some invisible +wound through which life escapes. When to this absolute indifference to +death is united Mussulman fanaticism, which gives to the believer a +glimpse of the gates of a paradise where the abnormally excited senses +revel in endless and numberless enjoyments, a longing for extinction takes +hold of him and throws him like a wild beast on his enemies; he stabs them +and gladly invites their daggers in return. The _juramentado_ kills for +the sake of killing, and being killed, and so winning, in exchange for a +life of privation and suffering, the voluptuous existence promised by +Mahomet to his followers. + +The laws of Sulu make the bankrupt debtor the slave of his creditor, and +not only the man himself, but his family also are enslaved. To free them +there is only one means left to the husband, the sacrifice of his life. +Reduced to this extremity he does not hesitate, he takes the formidable +oath. From that time forward he is enrolled in the ranks of the +_juramentados_, and has nothing to do but await the hour when the will of +his superior shall let him loose upon the Christians. Meanwhile the +_panditas_, or priests, subject him to a system of enthusiastic excitement +that will turn him into a wild beast of the most formidable kind. They +madden his already disordered brain, they make still more supple his oily +limbs, until they have the strength of steel and the nervous force of the +tiger or panther. They sing to him their rhythmic impassioned chants, +which show to his entranced vision the radiant smiles of intoxicating +houris. In the shadow of the lofty forests, broken by the gleam of the +moonlight, they evoke the burning and sensual energies of the eternally +young and beautiful companions who are calling him, opening their arms to +receive him. Thus prepared, the _juramentado_ is ready for everything. +Nothing can stop him, nothing can make him recoil. He will accomplish +prodigies of valour. Though stricken ten times he will remain on his feet, +will strike back, borne along by a buoyancy that is irresistible, until +the moment when death seizes him. He will creep with his companions into +the city that has been assigned to him; he knows that he will never leave +it, but he knows also that he will not die alone, and he has but one +aim,--to butcher as many Christians as he can. + +An eminent scientist, Doctor Montano, sent on a mission to the Philippines +by the French government, describes the entry of eleven _juramentados_ +into Tianggi. Divided into three or four bands, they managed to get +through the gates of the town bending under loads of fodder for cattle +which they pretended to have for sale, and in which they had hidden their +creeses. Quick as lightning they stabbed the guards, then, in their +frenzied course, they struck all whom they met. + +Hearing the cry of "_Los juramentados!_" the soldiers seized their arms. +The _juramentados_ rushed on them fearlessly, their creeses clutched in +their hands. The bullets fell like hail among them. They bent, crept, +glided, and struck. One of them, whose breast was pierced through and +through by a bullet, rose and flung himself on the troops. He was again +transfixed by a bayonet; he remained erect, vainly trying to reach his +enemy, who held him impaled on the weapon. Another soldier had to run up +and blow the man's brains out before he let go his prey. When the last of +the _juramentados_ had fallen, and the corpses were picked up from the +street which consternation had rendered empty, it was found that these +eleven men had, with their creeses, hacked fifteen soldiers to pieces, not +to reckon the wounded. + +"And what wounds!" exclaims Doctor Montano; "the head of one corpse is cut +off as clean as if it had been done with the sharpest razor; another +soldier is almost cut in two! The first of the wounded to come under my +hands was a soldier of the Third Regiment, who was mounting guard at the +gate through which some of the assassins entered. His left arm was +fractured in three places; his shoulder and breast were literally cut up +like mince-meat; amputation appeared to be the only chance for him; but in +that lacerated flesh there was no longer a spot from which could be cut a +shred." + +It is easily seen how precarious and nominal has been Spanish rule on most +of the islands of this vast archipelago. In the interior of the great +island of Mindanao there is no system of control, no pretence even of +maintaining order. It is a land of terror, the realm of anarchy and +cruelty. There murder is a regular institution. A _bagani_, or man of +might, is a gallant warrior who has cut off sixty heads. The number is +carefully verified by the tribal authorities, and the _bagani_ alone +possesses the right to wear a scarlet turban. All the batos, or chiefs, +are _baganis_. It is carnage organised, honoured, and consecrated; and so +the depopulation is frightful, the wretchedness unspeakable. + +The Mandayas are forced to seek a refuge from would-be _baganis_ by +perching on the tops of trees like birds, but their aerial abodes do not +always shelter them from their enemies. They build a hut on a trunk from +forty to fifty feet in height, and huddle together in it to pass the +night, and to be in sufficient numbers to repulse their assailants. The +_baganis_ generally try to take their victims by surprise, and begin their +attack with burning arrows, with which they endeavour to set on fire the +bamboo roof. Sometimes the besiegers form a _testudo_, like the ancient +Romans, with their locked shields, and advance under cover up to the +posts, which they attack with their axes, while the besieged hurl down +showers of stones upon their heads. But, once their ammunition is +exhausted, the hapless Mandayas have nothing to do but witness, as +impotent spectators, the work of destruction, until the moment comes when +their habitation topples over and falls. Then the captives are divided +among the assailants. The heads of the old men and of the wounded are cut +off, and the women and children are led away as slaves. + +The genius of destructiveness seems incarnate in this Malay race. The +missionaries alone venture to travel among these ferocious tribes. They, +too, have made the sacrifice of their lives, and, holding life worth +nothing, they have succeeded in winning the respect of these savages in +evangelising and converting them. They work for God and for their country, +and the poorest and most wretched among the natives are not unwilling to +accept the faith and to submit to Spain; but the missionaries insist on +their leaving their homes and going to another district, to which, for +many reasons, the neophytes gladly consent. After several days' journey a +pueblo is founded. These villages have multiplied for many years past, +forming oases of comparative peace and civilisation amid the barbarism by +which they are surrounded, and are open to all who choose to seek a +shelter in them. The more neophytes the pueblo holds, the less exposed it +is to hostile incursions. Doctor Montano gives a very striking account of +one of these daring missionaries, Father Saturnino Urios, of the Society +of Jesus, who, in a single year, converted and baptised fifty-two hundred +people. + +There are thirty-one islands of considerable size in the Philippine group. +Their area exceeds that of Great Britain. Pine and fir-trees are abundant. +Large areas are suitable for wheat. There are eight ports open to +commerce. The principal exports are hemp, sugar, rice, tobacco, cigars, +coffee, and cocoa. Previous to the rebellion the annual value of the sugar +output was $30,000,000. Now it is almost nothing. + +The population of the islands is about eight million, of which more than +three million are in Luzon, the insurgent stronghold. + +"Under the administration of Spain the Philippines were subject to a +governor-general with supreme powers, assisted by a 'junta of authorities' +instituted in 1850, and consisting of the archbishop, the commander of the +forces, the admiral, the president of the supreme court, etc.; a central +junta of agriculture, industry, and commerce (dating from 1866), and a +council of administration. In the provinces and districts the chief power +is in the hands of alcades mayores and civico-military governors. The +chief magistrate of a commune is known as the gobernadorcillo, or captain; +the native who is responsible for the collection of the tribute of a +certain group of families is the cabeca de barangay. Every Indian between +the ages of sixteen and sixty, subject to Spain, was forced to pay tribute +to the amount of $1.17, descendants of the first Christians of Cebu, new +converts, gobernadorcillos, etc., being exempted. Chinese were subject to +special taxes, and by a law of 1883 Europeans and Spanish half-castes were +required to pay a poll-tax of $2.50." + +The largest island in the archipelago is Luzon, with an area of 40,885 +square miles, and on which is situated the city of Manila. + +The population of Manila, as given in the consular reports for 1880, is in +the walled town 12,000, and in the suburbs from 250,000 to 300,000. + +The city was founded in 1571, and is situated on the eastern shore of a +circular bay 120 nautical miles in circumference. It looks like a fragment +of Spain transplanted to the archipelago of Asia. On its churches and +convents, even on its ruined walls, overturned in the earthquake of 1863, +time has laid the brown, sombre, dull gold colouring of the mother +country. The ancient city, silent and melancholy, stretches interminably +along its gloomy streets, bordered with convents whose flat facades are +only broken here and there by a few narrow windows. But there is also a +new city within the ramparts of Manila; it is sometimes called the +Escolta, from the name of its central quarter, and this city is alive with +its dashing teams, its noisy crowd of Tagala women, shod in high-heeled +shoes, and every nerve in their bodies quivering with excitement. They are +almost all employed in the innumerable cigar factories whose output +inundates all Asia. + +Here all sorts of nationalities elbow one another,--Europeans, Chinese, +Malays, Tagalas, Negritos, in all some 260,000 people of every known race +and of every known colour. In the afternoon, in the plain of Lunetto, +carriages and equipages of every kind drive past, and pedestrians swarm in +crowds around the military band stand in the marvellously picturesque +square, lit up by the slanting rays of the setting sun, which purples the +lofty peaks of the Sierra de Marivels in the distance, unfolds its long, +luminous train on the ocean, and tinges with a dark reddish shade the +sombre verdure of the city's sloping banks. This is the hour when all the +inhabitants hold high festival, able at length to breathe freely after the +heat of the noontide. + +The primary cause of the Philippine rebellion was excessive taxation by +Spain to raise money to carry on the war in Cuba. The islands were already +overburdened with assessments to enrich Spanish coffers and to support the +native poor. The additional money required for Cuba was the last straw. + +Extreme cruelties began when General Aguirre arrived from Spain with +reinforcements. He did not undertake to penetrate the mountains, but +massacred the native population in the towns. When he took Santa Clara del +Laguna he spared neither man, woman, nor child. The people in the +mountains heard of this. They were almost wild with fury, but they were +helpless. + +It is stated, on what seems to be good authority, that ten thousand dead +prisoners had been taken from prison in a year. + +Three years ago it cost the government a little more than half a cent to +collect every dollar of taxation. In Luzon, it now costs ninety-five +cents. The only taxes that can be profitably collected are those in +Manila. The rich islands of Leyte and Mindanao contribute practically +nothing. + +The first islands to revolt were Luzon, Mindanao, and Leyte. About one +year and a half ago, agents of the insurrectionists appealed to the +government at Washington to interfere in their behalf. The petition was +received and filed. + +In the hot season, during the greater part of the day, the heat is so +intense that Europeans frequently fall with heat apoplexy. Even the +Spaniards do their business in the early hours, whiling away the heat of +the day in sleep. Late in the afternoon Manila begins to awaken. + +The Escolta, or principal street, is crowded with loungers of all ranks +and colours, each with a segarito stuck pen-like behind his ear. +Caromattas, a species of two-wheeled hooded cabriolets peculiar to the +natives, crowd the roadway, together with the buggies and open carriages +of the foreign element. + +At sunset the various tobacco stores close, and their thousand of +employees turn out into the streets. They form a motley yet effective +feature among the wayfarers. The Malay girls are usually very pretty, with +languishing eyes, shaded by long lashes, and supple figures, whose +graceful lines are revealed by their thin clothing. In fine weather their +bare feet are thrust into light, gold-embroidered slippers. In wet weather +they raise themselves on high clogs, which necessitates a very becoming +swinging of the hips. + +There is not a bonnet to be seen. Women of the better classes affect lace +and flowers, those of the lower wear their own hair flowing down their +backs, in a long, blue-black wave. Jewelry is profusely worn. Every woman +sparkles with bracelets, earrings, and chains. Many of the males are +similarly attired. Everybody smokes. Cigarettes at fifteen for a cent are +in chief favour with the natives. Cigars at $1.50 a hundred are in favour +with the foreigners. The handful of Englishmen resident in Manila are +mostly bachelors, eager to make their pile and return to pleasanter +surroundings. These take up their quarters in a large house at Sampalog, +which is club and boarding-house combined, or in "chummeries," established +in adjacent buildings. + +The Spaniards classify all the Philippine islanders under three religious +groups,--the infidels, who have held to their ancient heathen rights, the +Moors, who retain the Mahometan religion of their first conquerors, and +the infinitely larger class of Catholics. + +An important, though numerically small, element in the population of the +larger cities are the mestizos, or half-breeds, the result of admixture +either between the Chinese or the Spanish and the natives. These mestizos +occupy about the same social position as the mulattos of the United +States. But they are the richest and most enterprising among the native +population. + +The most important personage is the cura, or parish priest. He is in most +instances a Spaniard by birth, and enrolled in one or other of the three +great religious orders, Augustinian, Franciscan, or Dominican, established +by the conquerors. At heart, however, he is usually as much, if not more, +of a native than the natives themselves. He is bound for life to the land +of his adoption. He has no social or domestic tie, no anticipated home +return, to bind him to any other place. + +Next to the church, the greatest Sunday and holiday resort in a Philippine +village is the cock-pit, usually a large building wattled like a coarse +basket and surrounded by a high paling of the same description, which +forms a sort of courtyard, where cocks are kept waiting their turn to come +upon the stage, when their owners have succeeded in arranging a +satisfactory match. It is claimed that many a respectable Malay father has +been seen escaping from amid the ruins of his burning home bearing away in +his arms his favourite bird, while wife and children were left to shift +for themselves. + +The diet of the Philippines has something to do, undoubtedly, with their +gentle and non-aggressive qualities. They eschew opium and spirituous +liquors. Their chief sustenance, morning, noon, and eve, is rice. The rice +crop seldom fails, not merely to support the population, but to leave a +large margin for export. Famine, that hideous shadow which broods over so +many a rice-subsisting population, is unknown here. Even scarcity is of +rare occurrence. In the worst of years hardly a sack of grain has to be +imported. It is this very abundance which stands in the way of what the +world calls progress. The Malay, like other children of the tropics, +limits his labour by the measure of his requirements, and that measure is +narrow indeed. Hence it is often difficult to obtain his services in the +development of the tobacco, coffee, hemp, and sugar industries, which +might make the archipelago one of the wealthiest and most prosperous +portions of the earth's face. + +Manila has been once before captured from Spain. The English were its +captors, although they held it only a few months. It was in 1762, a few +weeks after the English capture of Havana. Spain had been rash enough to +side with France in the war usually known in this country as the French +and Indian war. She was speedily punished for it. + +The expedition against Manila was the plan of Colonel William Draper; he +was made a brigadier-general for the expedition and put in command, with +Admiral Cornish as his naval ally. There were nine ships of the line and +frigates, several troop-ships, and a land force of twenty-three hundred +including one English regiment, with Sepoys and marines. + +On September 24, 1762, these forces were disembarked just south of Manila. +The Archbishop of Manila, who was also governor-general of the island, +collected and armed some ten thousand natives, as a reinforcement to the +Spanish garrison of eight hundred. During the progress of the siege some +daring attempts were made by the British to prevent the further +construction of defences, but the assailants were repulsed with great +slaughter. + +A desperate sally was made by a strong body of natives, who "ran furiously +on the ranks of the besiegers and fought with almost incredible ferocity, +and many of them died, like wild beasts, gnawing with their teeth the +bayonets by which they were transfixed." + +On October 6th a breach was effected in the Spanish works, the English +carried the city by storm, and gave it up for several hours to the ravages +of a merciless soldiery. The Archbishop and his officers had retired to +the citadel, but this could not be defended, and a capitulation was agreed +upon, by which the city and port of Manila, with several ships and the +military stores, were surrendered, while for their private property the +Spanish agreed to pay as a ransom $2,000,000 in coin, and the same in +bills on the treasury at Madrid. This last obligation was never paid. + + + + + APPENDIX B. + + + WAR-SHIPS AND SIGNALS. + + +There are ten principal classes of vessels in the United States navy, +distinguished one from another by the differences in their uses and by +their strength and speed. The general principle underlying their +construction is that a vessel which is not strong enough to fight one of +her own size must be fast enough to run away. Any vessel which is inferior +in armament, and has no compensating superiority in speed, is outclassed. +The same is true of any vessel which is equal in armament, but inferior in +speed to an adversary. + +The size of a vessel is measured by its displacement. This displacement is +the number of tons of water she will push aside to make room for herself. +A vessel of ten thousand tons will take engines of a certain weight and +power to drive her at a given speed, and the larger the engine the larger +the boilers and the greater the supply of coal required. Now, if it is +necessary to give this vessel heavy protective armour and big guns, the +additional weight of this equipment must be saved somewhere else, and +usually in the engine-room, reducing the speed of the vessel. Following +out this principle, it will be found that the fastest ships carry the +lightest armament, and that those which carry the biggest guns in their +batteries and the thickest armour on their sides are comparatively slow, +the extreme variation among vessels of the same displacement being about +eight or nine miles an hour. + +In the matter of attack and defence, vessels are distinguished by the +number and weight of the guns they carry, and by the distribution and +thickness of their armour. Protective armour is of two kinds, that which +surrounds the guns, so as to protect them from the enemy's fire, and that +which protects the motive-power of the ship, so as to prevent the engines +from being rendered useless. + +The maximum of guns and armour and the minimum of speed are to be found in +the first-class battle-ship, which is simply a floating fortress, so +constructed that she need never run away, but can stand up and fight as +long as her gun turrets revolve. The general plan of construction in a +battle-ship is to surround the engines, boilers, and magazines with a wall +of Harveyized steel armour eighteen inches or so thick, and seven or eight +feet high, which extends about four feet below the water-line and three +feet above it. This armour belt is not only on the sides of the ship, but +is carried across it fore and aft, immediately in front of and behind the +space occupied by the engines and magazines, and the whole affair is +covered with a solid steel roof three or four inches thick. Outside this +central fortress, and extending from it clear to the bow and stern at each +end, is a protective deck of steel, three inches thick, which is placed +several feet below the water-line. Everything above this deck and outside +this fortress might be shot away, and the vessel would still float and +fight. + +On the roof of the fortress are placed the turrets containing the big +guns. The largest of these guns, 13-inch calibre, weigh about sixty tons +each, and will carry a shell weighing eleven hundred pounds about twelve +miles. The turrets are circular, as a rule, large enough to hold two guns, +and are made of face-hardened steel from fifteen to eighteen inches thick. +They revolve within a barbette or ring of steel eighteen inches thick, +which protects the machinery by which the guns are trained. Farther back +on the roof of the fortress are other and lighter turrets made of 8-inch +steel and carrying 8-inch guns, and at other places are stationed +rapid-fire guns of lighter calibre, protected by thinner armour than that +of the main belt. + +If all this secondary battery is stripped off, leaving nothing but the +turrets with the big guns, and these are brought down close to the water, +and the armour belt is reduced to seven or eight inches in thickness, the +type of vessel known as the monitor is reached. It is simply a battle-ship +on a reduced scale. Such vessels are very slow and cannot stand rough +weather, on account of their low freeboard. The speed of the monitors is +seldom more than twelve or fourteen miles an hour, and they are intended +to act in coast defence, usually in connection with shore-batteries. The +best types in the navy are the _Terror_ and the _Puritan_. + +The speed of a battle-ship is about eighteen miles an hour. The best +specimen in the navy is the _Indiana_, declared by its admirers to be the +most powerful battle-ship afloat. Second-class battle-ships, like the +_Texas_, are smaller vessels, usually about seven thousand tons, and they +have a much lighter armour belt, about twelve inches, and do not carry so +heavy an armament as ships of the first class. The _Maine_ was a +second-class battle-ship. Her largest guns were of 10-inch calibre; her +armour was twelve inches thick, and her turrets were eight inches thick +only. + +The first step in reducing the armament from that of the battle-ship +proper, at the same time increasing the speed, produces the armoured +cruiser. This type of vessel may carry no guns of more than 8-inch +calibre, and the armour belt is reduced to three or four inches in +thickness. Instead of the roof over the armour belt, the protective deck +is carried all over the ship, but it is not flat, nor is it of equal +thickness, as in a battle-ship. On the top and in the middle it is three +inches thick, but the sides are six inches and they slope abruptly to +below the water-line. Between these sloping sides and the thin armour belt +coal is stored, so that a shell would have to penetrate the outer belt, +six or eight feet of coal, and a sloping belt of steel six inches thick, +the total resistance of which is calculated to be equal to a solid +horizontal armour plate fifteen inches thick. + +A cruiser is not supposed to fight with a battle-ship, because it could +not accomplish anything with its 8-inch guns against the 18-inch armour of +its heavier rival, while one well-directed shot from the 12-inch guns of a +battle-ship or monitor would probably sink any armoured cruiser afloat. +For this reason the cruiser must be faster than the battle-ship, so that +she can run away, and the weight that is saved in the armour belt and big +guns is therefore put into the engine-room. The average speed of an +armoured cruiser is about twenty-four miles an hour, and the best types of +this class in the navy are probably the _Brooklyn_ and _New York_. + +Some vessels, like the Spaniard _Vizcaya_, are about half way between a +battle-ship and a cruiser, having the heavy guns of the former and the +speed of the latter. The _Vizcaya_, although a cruiser, carried 11-inch +guns with a 12-inch armour belt, and had a speed of twenty-three miles an +hour. + +The next step in reducing armament and increasing speed, produced the +protected cruiser, which carries no armour belt, but retains the +protective deck, upon the sloping sides of which is stored the coal. The +turrets disappear altogether, and there is usually only one 8-inch gun, +the battery being principally made up of 4-inch rapid-fire guns and 6, 4, +and 1-pounders. As this class of vessel is not able to cope with the +armoured cruiser, it must be faster, for the general principle holds good +that the weaker the vessel becomes in point of offensive weapons or +defensive armour, the greater the necessity that she should be able to run +away. The best types of the protected cruiser in the navy may be found in +the _Columbia_ and _Minneapolis_, which have a speed of about twenty-seven +miles an hour. + +The weakest class of all is composed of the unprotected cruisers, which +have neither armour-belt nor protective deck, and carry only light +batteries of rapid-fire guns. When these vessels are slow, like the +_Detroit_, they are intended for long voyages and for duty in foreign +countries, and are of little use in a sea fight. The very fast unprotected +cruiser, like the American line steamers, _St. Paul_ and _St. Louis_, +attach little importance to their armament, and rely for protection upon +stowing the coal behind the place occupied by the armour belt in other +vessels. All the beautiful wood-work, which was so much admired in these +vessels, was ripped out to make room for these coal-bunkers, which are +sufficient to protect them from anything but the heaviest guns. On account +of their extreme weakness as fighters, these cruisers are necessarily the +fastest of all the large vessels, and can run away from anything. For this +reason no concern was felt for the _Paris_ by those who knew the +principles which govern the safety of modern vessels. + +The various types of cruisers are not expected to fight with any but +vessels of their own class, which they may encounter in the discharge of +similar duties, such as scouring the seas as the advance guard of the +slower line of battle-ships, preying upon or escorting merchant vessels, +blockading ports, and acting as convoys for troop-ships. Gunboats are +simply light-draught cruisers, and are intended for use in shallow waters +and rivers. + +Torpedo-boats, as their name implies, depend entirely upon the torpedo as +the weapon of attack, and they carry no guns except a very few +light-calibre rapid-fires to keep off small boats. Their success depends +on their ability to approach a vessel very rapidly, launch their torpedo, +and retreat before they are detected and sunk. Speed is their great +requisite, and a torpedo-boat like the _Porter_ can speed thirty-two miles +an hour. Naval experts consider their bark worse than their bite, because, +with the modern system of lookouts and search-lights, and the accuracy and +rapidity of the secondary batteries, it is impossible for a torpedo-boat +to get within range without exposing itself to instant destruction, and +after a torpedo-fleet has once met with a serious repulse, it is believed +that it would be almost impossible to get the crews to go into action +again. + +The torpedo-boat destroyer, contrary to general belief, does not carry any +heavy guns, but depends on its great speed and its ability to cripple a +torpedo-boat with its 6-pounders while keeping out of range of the enemy's +tubes. All torpedo-boat destroyers carry torpedo tubes themselves, so that +they can be used against the enemy's battle-ships or cruisers if the +occasion offers. The fastest boat in the United States navy is the +destroyer _Bailey_, which can steam thirty-four miles an hour. + + + +In a naval battle the success or failure of a fleet may depend on keeping +open communication between the different vessels of the squadron engaged. +Owing to the fact that the surface of the sea would often be obscured by +the smoke of battle, the difficulty of this is apparent, and naval experts +have been kept busy devising some method by which the flag-ship can +communicate with the other vessels of the squadron at all times and under +all conditions. So far nothing has been put in general service which meets +this demand, but lately there have been experiments with the telephone, +which, it is said, can be used without wires, by which signals can be +projected by a vibrator on one vessel against a receiver on another. The +Navy Department is keeping the details of this new system carefully to +itself, as it desires to have the invention for the exclusive use of our +own ships of battle. + +The present method of communication is by the use of flags representing +numerals which are displayed in the rigging; by the use of the Ardois +system of lights for night work; by the Myer code of wigwag signals, and +by the use of the heliograph. As it is of the utmost importance that the +enemy should not read the message, the signal books on board a vessel are +protected with the greatest care, and are destroyed along with the cipher +code whenever it is seen that capture is inevitable. The semaphore system +in use in the British navy was tried for a time aboard some of our +vessels, but it never became popular, and has been abandoned. + +In signalling by the navy code, the sentence to be sent is looked up in +the code-book and its corresponding number is obtained. This number is +never more than four figures, on account of the necessity of setting the +signal with the least delay. The number having been obtained, the +quartermaster in charge of the signal-chest proceeds to bend the flags +representing the numerals to the signal halliards, so as to read from the +top down. These flags represent the numerals from one to nine and cipher, +and there is a triangular pennant termed a repeater, which is used in a +combination where one or more numerals recur. The numbers refer to those +found in the general signal-book, in which are printed all the words, +phrases, and sentences necessary to frame an order, make an inquiry, +indicate a geographical position, or signal a compass course. Answering, +interrogatory, preparatory, and geographical pennants form part of this +code; also telegraph, danger, despatch, and quarantine flags. + +The signal, having been prepared, is hoisted and left flying until the +vessel to which the message has been sent signifies that it is understood +by hoisting what is called the answering pennant. If the number hoisted by +the flag-ship is a preparatory order for a fleet movement, it is left +flying until all the vessels of the fleet have answered, and then is +pulled down, the act of pulling the signal down being understood as the +command for the execution of the movement just communicated. + +It is often necessary for a man-of-war to communicate with a merchant +vessel, or with some other war-ship belonging to a foreign country. For +this purpose the international code is also carried in the signal-chest. +These signals are those in general use by all the merchant navies of the +world for communication by day at sea. There are eighteen flags and a code +pennant, corresponding to the consonants of the alphabet, omitting x and +z. The code pennant is also used with these signals. + +If a message is to be sent at night, the Ardois system of night signals, +with which all our vessels carrying an electric plant are fitted, is +employed. These signals consist essentially of five groups of double +lamps, the two lamps in each group containing incandescent electric lamps, +and showing white and red respectively. By the combination of these lights +letters can be formed, and so, letter by letter, a word, and hence an +order, can be spelled out for the guidance of the ships of the squadron. +These lamps are suspended on a stay in the rigging, and are worked by a +keyboard from the upper bridge. + +On the smaller ships of the service, those which are not fitted with +electric lighting, Very's night signals are used. This set includes the +implements for firing and recharging the signals. + +The latter show green and red stars on being projected from pistols made +for them. The combination in various ways is used to express the numbers +from one to nine and cipher, so that the numbers, to four digits, +contained in the signal-book, may be displayed. The Myer wigwag system is +employed either by day or by night. Flags and torches are employed. The +official flag is a red field with a small white square in the centre; the +unofficial flag is the same with the colours reversed. The operator, +having attracted the attention of the ship which is to be signalled by +waving the flag or torch from right to left, transmits his message by +motions right, left, and front, each motion the element of a letter of the +alphabet, the letter being made up of from one to four motions. + +When circumstances permit, the heliograph is sometimes used. The rays of +the sun are thrown by a system of mirrors to the point with which it is +desired to communicate, and then interrupted by means of a shutter, making +dots and dashes as used in the Morse telegraph code. This system is used +only when operations ashore are going on, as the rolling of the ship would +prevent the concentration of the sun's rays. + +The present systems of flag signalling are products of experience in the +past, and are the natural growth of the cruder flag system in use during +the War of 1812, and in the Civil War. There have been some changes in the +construction of flags, and the scope of communication has been enlarged, +but otherwise our forefathers talked at sea in much the same way as we do +now. Of course the Ardois light signal is something very modern. In old +times they communicated at night either with coloured lights or by +torches, and, as there was no alphabetical code in those days, the process +was by means of flashes (representing numbers in the signal book), and it +was long and tedious. + + + + + APPENDIX C. + + + SANTIAGO DE CUBA. + + +Santiago is the most easterly city on the southern coast of Cuba, second +only to Havana in its strategic and political importance, and is the +capital of the eastern department, as well as its most flourishing +seaport. + +The harbour, now become famous as a theatre of action where American +heroism was displayed, is thus described by Mr. Samuel Hazard, in his +entertaining work on Cuba: + +"Some one now remarks that we are near to Cuba; but, looking landward, +nothing is seen but the same continuous mountains which we have had for +the last twelve hours, except where, low down on the shore, there seems to +be a slight opening in the rocky coast, above which stands, apparently, +some dwelling-house. However, time tells, and in a half hour more we +discover the small opening to be the entrance to a valley, and the +dwelling-house to be the fort of the Cabanas. Still, no town and no +harbour; and yet ahead we see, high upon a rocky cliff, a queer-looking +old castle, with guns frowning from its embrasures, and its variegated +walls looking as if they were ready to fall into the waves dashing at +their base. That is the Morro Castle, which, with the battery of +Aguadores, the battery of the Estrella, and the above named Cabanas, +commands the approaches to the harbour and town of Cuba. + +"The rocky shore above and below the castle has scattered along it the +remains of several vessels, whose captains, in trying to escape from the +dangers of the storm, have vainly sought to enter the difficult harbour, +and the bleaching timbers are sad warnings to the mariner not to enter +there except in the proper kind of weather. And now we are up to the +castle, and a sharp turn to the left takes us into a narrow channel and +past the Morro and the battery adjoining, whose sentry, with a trumpet as +big as himself, hails our vessel as she goes by; and soon we find +ourselves in a gradually enlarging bay, around which the mountains are +seen in every direction. As yet we have seen no town, and no place where +there will likely be one; but now a turn to the right, and there, rising +from the water's side almost to the top of the mountains, is seen Santiago +de Cuba, with its red roofs, tall cathedral towers, and the green trees of +its pretty Paseo, lighted up by the evening sun, forming a brilliant +foreground to the hazy blue mountains that lie behind the city.... + +"Rising gradually from the bay, upon the mountainside, to the high plain +called the Campo del Marte, the city of Santiago reaches in its highest +point 160 feet above the level of the sea, and commands from almost any +portion superb views of the bay at its feet and of the majestic ranges of +mountains that surround it. With a population of about fifty thousand +inhabitants, it has regularly laid out streets and well-built houses of +stone in most portions of the city; though being built as it is on the +side of a hill, many of the streets are very steep in their ascent, and +from the constant washing of the rains, and the absence of side-walks, are +anything but an agreeable promenade. + +"The town was founded in 1515, by Diego Velasquez, considered the +conqueror of the island, who landed here in that year on his first voyage; +and it was from here that Juan de Grijalva, in 1518, started on his +expedition for the conquest of Yucatan, being followed by Hernando Cortes, +who, however, was compelled to stop at Havana (as it was called then), now +Batabano. In 1522 the distinctions of 'City' and 'Bishopric' were bestowed +upon the town, having been taken from the older town of Baracoa, where +they had been bestowed in honour of that place being the first European +settlement; and in 1527 Fr. Miguel Ramirez de Salamanca, first bishop of +the island, arrived and established here his headquarters. + +"In 1528 Panfilo de Narvaez set sail from here on his expedition for the +conquest of Florida, where he met his fate and found a tomb. + +"In 1528 Hernando de Soto arrived here with nearly one thousand men, +having been authorised, in addition to the command of his Florida +expedition, to assume that of the whole island of Cuba. + +"In 1553 the city was captured by four hundred French arquebusiers, who +took possession of it until a ransom of $80,000 was paid, the invaders +remaining nearly a month in the city, and as late as 1592, so frequent +were the attacks of pirates on this town, that it is related the place was +almost depopulated by the inhabitants taking refuge at Bayamo, some +distance in the interior. + +"In 1608, the cathedral having been ruined by an earthquake, the Bishop +Lalcedo removed his residence to Havana, and almost all the diocesans, as +well as the ecclesiastical chapter, did the same, which action created +great excitement, the superior governor and chief of the island opposing +it. + +"The Parroquial Church of Havana was about to be made into a cathedral, +through the efforts of the prelate, Armen Dariz, but these were opposed by +the captain-general, Pereda. The bishop then excommunicated said chief and +all in his vicinity, all the clergy even going in procession to curse and +stone his house. + +"In 1662 there was a serious attack made upon the place by a squadron of +fifteen vessels under Lord Winsor, whose people landed at the place now +known as the 'Aguadores,' and to the number of eight hundred men marched +without opposition on the city, of which they took possession, after +repulsing a small force sent out to meet them. The invaders, it appears, +partook freely of the church-bells, carried off the guns from the forts, +took charge of the slaves, and not finding the valuables they anticipated, +which had been carried off by the retreating inhabitants, they, in their +disappointment, blew up the Morro Castle, and destroyed the cathedral, +remaining nearly a month in possession of the city. + +"It was not until 1663, therefore, that the castle now known as the Morro +was rebuilt, by order of Philip I., and at the same time the fortresses of +Santa Catalina, La Punta, and La Estrella. + +"In July and August, 1766, a large portion of the city was ruined by +earthquakes, more than one hundred persons being killed. + +"The town has the honour of having for its first mayor, or 'alcalde,' +Hernando Cortes; and it is said that the remains of Diego Velasquez, the +first explorer and conqueror, were buried there in the old cathedral. It +is related in corroboration of this fact, that on the 26th of November, +1810, on digging in the cemetery of the new cathedral, the broken slab of +his tomb was found, seven and a half feet under ground, the inscription +upon which is illegible, with the exception of a few Latin words giving +name and date." + + + + + APPENDIX D. + + + PORTO RICO. + + +Porto Rico was discovered by Columbus in November, 1493. In 1510 Ponce de +Leon founded the town of Caparra, soon after abandoned, and now known as +Pureto Viejo, and in 1511, with more success, the city of San Juan +Bautista, or better known simply as San Juan. The native inhabitants were +soon subdued and swept away. In 1595 the capital was sacked by Drake, and +in 1598 by the Earl of Cumberland. In 1615 Baldwin Heinrich, a Dutchman, +lost his life in an attack on the Castello del Morro. The attempt of the +English, in 1678, was equally unsuccessful, and Abercrombie, in 1797, had +to retire after a three days' strife. In 1820 a movement was made toward +the declaration of independence on the part of the Porto Ricans, but +Spanish supremacy was completely reestablished by 1823. The last traces of +slavery were abolished in 1873. + +San Juan is the ideal city and spot of the whole island, saving that it is +well fortified, for it is the coolest, the healthiest port, with +thirty-eight feet of water in the harbour, and twenty-eight feet of water +alongside the coal wharves. It is the only port on the island with +fortifications. There are barracks in a few of the larger towns, but +outside of the eight thousand or ten thousand troops there are very few +fighting men on the island. + +The volunteers are not looked upon as a great factor in fighting by those +who know them, and are almost all Spaniards. The Guardia Civil is made up +of the best of the Spanish army, and commands great respect. The Porto +Rican civilians do not have to enter the army service unless they please, +and very few of them please. + +The defences of San Juan are good. San Felippe del Morro fortress is at +the entrance of the harbour. It is the principal defence from the sea, and +has three rows of batteries. It is separated by a strong wall from the +city, which lies at the back of it, but communication between the city and +fort is had by a tunnel. + +The roads of Porto Rico are, for the most part, bad. There are some +notable exceptions. There is a splendid road built by the Spanish +government from Ponce to San Juan. It is about eighty-five miles long, and +a young Porto Rican told the writer that he frequently went over it on his +bicycle, and it was splendid all the way. Another road from Guayama, +meeting the Ponce road at Cayey, has been recently finished. The scenery +is the most beautiful in the West Indies, for tropical wild flowers are +all over the island, and large tree ferns and magnificent plants +everywhere abound. There are no venomous snakes nor wild animals of any +kind in Porto Rico. Oranges and other tropical fruits thrive in Porto +Rico, but they are not specially cultivated. + +Some years ago a railway around the island was projected, but only three +sections have been built. There is one to the north from San Juan to +Camuy, one on the west from Aguadilla to Mayaguez, and one on the south +from Yauco to Ponce. Any one wishing to travel around the coast from San +Juan to Ponce would be obliged to continue their journey by stage-coaches, +one from Camuy to Aguadilla, and one from Mayaguez to Yauco. + +San Juan has about forty thousand inhabitants, and Ponce has almost thirty +thousand. There are many towns of between twelve thousand and thirty +thousand people. The buildings are low and are of wood. There are a few +three-story buildings in Ponce, and these are the latest examples of +modern construction. + + + + + APPENDIX E. + + + THE BAY OF GUANTANAMO. + + +On the extreme southeastern coast of Cuba, some distance east of Santiago, +is Guantanamo, or Cumberland Bay. It is an exceedingly beautiful sheet of +water, with a narrow entrance, guarded by high hills. It extends twelve +miles inland, with a level coast-line to the westward, and high hills on +the north and east. + +Five miles from the entrance is the little town of Caimanera, from which +runs a railroad to the town of Guantanamo, twelve miles distant, with its +terminus at the town of Jamaica. There are two and one-half square miles +of anchorage, with a depth of forty feet, so far inside as to be fully +protected from the wind. For vessels drawing twenty-four feet or less +there are about two more square miles of harbourage. + + + + + + FOOTNOTES + + + 1 See Appendix, Part A, for general description of the Philippine + Islands and their inhabitants. + + 2 See Appendix B for types of war-ships and methods of signalling + while in action. + + 3 See Chapter X. + + 4 See Chapter X. + + 5 See Chapter X. + + 6 See Chapter X. + + 7 See Chapter X. + + 8 See Chapter X. + + 9 See Chapter X. + + 10 See Chapter X. + + 11 See Chapter X. + + 12 See Chapter X. + + 13 See Chapter X. + + 14 See Chapter X. + + 15 See Chapter X. + + 16 See Chapter X. + + 17 See Chapter X. + + 18 See Chapter X. + + 19 See Chapter X. + + 20 See Chapter X. + + 21 See Appendix A for description of Manila. + + 22 See Chapter X. + + 23 See Chapter X. + + 24 See Chapter X. + + 25 See Chapter X. + + 26 See Chapter X. + + 27 See Chapter X. + + 28 See Chapter X. + + 29 See Chapter X. + + 30 See Chapter X. + + 31 See Chapter X. + + 32 See Chapter X. + + 33 For types of war-ships see Appendix B. + + 34 See Appendix C for description of Santiago Harbour. + + 35 See Chapter XVII. + + + + + + TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE + + +The illustrations, which were printed on separate pages in the original +edition, have been placed between paragraphs near the original positions, +which can be seen in the list of illustrations. + +The following changes have been made to the text: + + page 19, "last of March" changed to "last days of January" + page 22, "Viscaya" changed to "Vizcaya" + page 51, "procotol" changed to "protocol" + page 80, italics added to "Baltimore's" + page 80, "San Juan de Austria" changed to "Don Juan de Austria" + page 81, "Valasco" changed to "Velasco" + page 85, quote added before "Capt. Frank Wildes" + page 89, "flagship" changed to "flag-ship" + page 133, double "the" removed before "gunboat" + page 158, "first class" changed to "first-class" + page 166, "Albermarle" changed to "Albemarle" + page 194, "armored" changed to "armoured" + page 264, double quote removed after "dying.'" + page 270, "of" changed to "off" + page 309, "organized" changed to "organised" + page 321, "flag-staff" changed to "flagstaff" + page 370, "WARSHIPS" changed to "WAR-SHIPS" + page 383, "Mono" changed to "Morro" + +Inconsistent hyphenation and spelling of names in citations has not been +changed. + + + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE BOYS OF '98*** + + + + CREDITS + + +December 15, 2009 + + Project Gutenberg TEI edition 1 + Taavi Kalju, Stefan Cramme, and the Online Distributed + Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was + produced from images generously made available by The Internet + Archive/American Libraries.) + + + + A WORD FROM PROJECT GUTENBERG + + +This file should be named 30684.txt or 30684.zip. + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + + + http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/3/0/6/8/30684/ + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one -- the old editions will be +renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no one +owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation (and +you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without permission +and without paying copyright royalties. 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