Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 19 December 1901 — SCHLEY COURT HIS REPORTED [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

SCHLEY COURT HIS REPORTED

Majority Finds Him Guilty of Being Dilatory Prior to June 1. COMMODORE IS CRITICISED. An Enumeration of Thins* Which Schley Should and Should Not Hare Done —Dewey Upholds Schley in s Minority Report. The findings of the court of inquiry which inquired into the conduct of Rear Admiral Schley during the Santiago campaign were presented to Secretary Long Friday. The principal report is adverse to Admiral Schley, but Admiral Dewey presents a separate report, in which he fully upholds the hero of Santiago. Both reports are signed by Admiral Dewey and Judge Advocate Lemly, • the signatures of the other members not being necessary. But it is explained that Admiral Dewey signed the second report, a minority report, to express his qualification of or dissent from the views expressed by the court, comprising, besides himself, Admirals Benham and Ramsay, in the first report. The findings of the court, with the appended dissenting opinion of Admiral Dewey, follow: “Commodore

Schley, in command of the flying squadron, should have proceeded with utmost dispatch oft Clenfuegos and should have maintained a close blockade of that port. He should have endeavored on May 23 at Clenfuegos to obtain information regarding the Spanish squadron by communicating with the insurgents at the place designated in the memorandum delivered to him at 8:15 a. m. of that date. He should have proceeded from Clenfuegos to Santiago de Cuba with all dispatch and should have disposed his vessels with a view of intercepting the enemy in any attempt to pass the flying squadron. He should not have delayed the squadron for the Eagle. He should not have made the retrograde turn westward with his squadron. He should have endeavored to capture or destroy the Spanish vessels at anchor near the entrance of Santiago harbor on May 29 and 30. He did not do his utmost with the force under his command to capture or destroy the Colon and other vessels of the enemy which he attacked on May 31. By commencing the engagement on July 3 with the port battery and turning the Brooklyn around with port helm Commodore Schley caused her to lose distance and position with the Spanish vessels. The turn was made toward the Texas and caused that vessel to stop and back her engines to avoid possible collision. Admiral Schley did injustice to Lieutenant Commander A. C. Hodgson in publishing only a portion of the correspondence which passed between them. Commodore Schley’s conduct in connection with the events of the Santiago campaign prior to June 1, 1898, was characterized by vacillation, dilatoriness and lack of enterprise.

His official reports, regarding the oralsupply and the coaling facilities of the frying squadron were inaccurate and misleading. His conduct during the battle of July 3 was self-possessed and he encouraged in his own person Ms subordinate officers and men to fight courageously, “GEORGE DEWEY, “Admiral, U. S. N., President "SAMUEL C. LEMLY, "Judge Advocate General, U. S. N., Judge Auvocate. “In the opinion of the undersigned the passage from Key West to Clenfuegos was made by the flying squadron with all possible dispatch, Commodore Schley having in view the importance of Arriving off Cienfuegos with as much coal as possible in the ships’ bunkers. The blockade of Cienfuegos was effective. Commander Schley in permitting the Adula to enter the port of Cieufuegos expected to obtain information regarding the Spanish squadron when she came out. The passage from Cienfuegos to a point twenty-two mlleß south of Santiago was made with as much dispatch as was possible while keeping the Squadron a unit. The blockade of Santiago was effective. Commodore Schley was the senior officer of our squadron when the Spanish squadron attempted to escape on the Morning of July 3, 1898. He was in absolute command and is entitled to the credit due such commanding officer for the glorious victory which resulted in the total destruction of the Spanish ships. “GEORGE DEWEY, “Admiral, U. S. N., President, “SAMUEL C. LEMLY, "Judge Advocate General, U. S. N., Judge Advocate.”

ADMIRAL W. S. SCHLEY, CONDEM NED BY TWO MEMBERS OF THE COURT OF INQUIRY, BUT WARMLY CHAMPIONED BY ADMIRAL DEWEY.