Rensselaer Democrat, Volume 1, Number 10, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 June 1898 — HOBSON COMMENDED. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HOBSON COMMENDED.

Admiral Fampaon Telia-of Gallant Work Done By Merrimac’s Crew. The Navy Department posted the following bulletin giving an official report from Sampson upon the heroism of Lieut. Hobson and his men in sinking the Merrimac in Santiago channel: “U. S. Flagship New York, off Santiago, June 3.—Permit me to call your special attention to Assistant Naval Constructor Hobson. As stated in a telegram before coming here, I decided make the harbor entrance secure against the possibility of egress of the Spanish ships by obstructing the narrow part ol the entrance by sinking o. collier at that point. Upon calling upon. Hobson for his professional opinion as to a sure method of sinking a ship, he manifested the most lively interest in the problem. After several days of consideration he presented a solution which he considered would insure the immediate sinkipg of a 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 Hobson, who begged it might be intrusted to him. Nothing could have been more gallantly executed. “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 Hobson and his gallant crew. I venture to say that a more brave and daring thing has not been done since the Cushing blew up the Albemarle. Referring to the inspiring letter you addressed to the officers at the beginning of the war, I am sure you will offer a suitable professional reward to Hobson and his companions. “W. T. SAMPSON.” BUSHWHACKING WAR DREADED. Fighting at Guantanamo Result* in an Unpleasant Discovery. The action at Guantanamo shows that the Spanish are not afraid to charge boldly upon the United States troops, and the prospects of a bushwhacking warfare disclosed by the Spanish movements are anything but agreeable to the persons who have been hoping for a short campaign. A good deal of surprise is expressed at the failure of the report to mention any substantial aid received from the insurgents by the United States marines camped on Crest hill. Re-enforeements were sent from our own ships, but it does not appear in the reports that the marines had help from the men best calculated from their experience in jungle fighting to be of service in an encounter with Spanish guerrilas. BEARS THE SICK. Suffering Tars Brought by Ambulance ship Folace. The ambulance ship Solace, with the Red Cross flag flying at her masthead, came into port at New York, having on hoard fifty-four wounded and sick, some of whom had been transferred from the American warships in Cuban waters and others taken from the hospitals at Key West. The Solace anchored off Tompkinsville, Staten Island. She made the run to New York without incident excepting

for a gale which tumbled her about a bit and made things to some extent uncomfortable for the patients she carried. ' But the seq voyage was a tonic to the men. They had left behind the sweltering of the tropics, had exchanged suffocating and exhausting winds for refreshing breexes —many were nearing home, all at least were to rest in the heart of the great country they had been fighting for. Warship Rune Ashore in a Fog. In the dense fog that enveloped Cape Cod during the early hours of Monday OM>rning the United States cruiser San fh-ancisco.coqdnanddfl bjaCaptßichard P. Leary—the" flagship of the North Atlantic W-rot squddrou, with Com mail ore John A. Howell on board—ran adhore near. High* land light Thg Government stould Jay up the wir ship! and hire those correspondents at Cape Haytien. .They can sink a man-of-war and raise it again in the same day.— St Paul Dispatch. ,

HOSPITAL SHIP SOLACE.