Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 19, Number 86, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 July 1898 — A COMPLETE ROOT [ARTICLE]

A COMPLETE ROOT

Cervera’s Much Lauded Squadron Is Most Thoroughly Wiped Out Bpanish Admiral Makes a Heroic Dash for Liberty from Santiago Harbor. A Hurricane of Shot and Shell Poured Into His Vessels by Sampson’s Fleet Cervera’i Sailors Assisted to Shore by Americans—The Admiral and 1,500 Men Prisoners, - wtr-sn Ten Miles West of the Entrance of the Harbor of Santiago de Cuba, Sunday, July 8, by the Dispatch Boat Wanda to Port Antonio, Jamaica, via Kingston, Jamaica, July 6.—Admiral Cervera’s fleet, consisting of the armored cruisers Cristobal Colon, Almlrante Oquendo, Infanta Marla Teresa and Vlscaya and two torpedo boat destroyers, the Furor and the Pluton, whl-ch had been held in the harbor of Santiago de Cuba for six weeks past by the combined squadrons of Rear Admiral Sampson and Commodore Schley, lies at the bottom of ths Caribbean sea off the southern coaat of Cuba. The Spanish admiral Is a prisoner of war on the auxiliary gunboat Gloucester (formerly Mr. J. Plerpont Morgan's yacht Corsair) Spanish officers and sailors, all who escaped the frightful carnage caused by the shells from the American warships, are also held prisoners of war by the United States navy. Only One American Killed. The American victory la complete, and, according to the best Information at this time, the American vessels were practically untouched, and only one man was killed, though the ships were subjected to the heavy Are of the Spaniards all the time the battle lasted. Cervera’a Gallant Doih. Admiral Cervera made as gallant a dash for liberty, and for the preservation of his ships Sunday morning as has ever occurred in the history of naval warfare. In the face of overwhelming odds, with qothlng before him but Inevitable destruction or surrender If he remained any longer In the trap In which the American fleet held him, he made a bold dash from the harbor at the time the Americans least expected him to do so, and, lighting every Inch of his way, even when his ship was ablaze and sinking, he tried to escape the doom which was written on the muzzle of every American gun trained upon his vessels. Americans Open Fire. The Americans saw him the moment he left the harbor and commenced their work of destruction immediately. For an hour or two they followed the flying Spaniards to the westward along the shore line, sending shot after shot into their blazing hulls, tearing great holes In their steel sides and covering their decks with the blood of the killed and woundfd.

Plnck of the Spaniards. At no time did the Spaniards show any Indication that they Intended to do -otherwise than fight to the last. They showed no signals to surrender even when their ships commenced to sink, and the great clouds of smoke pouting from their sides showed they were on fire. But they turned their heads towards the shore, less than a mile away, and ran them on the beach and rocks, where their destruction was soon completed. Aiurrloan Chivalry Displayed. The officers and men on board then escaped to the shore as well as they could, with Hhe assistance of boats sent from the American men-of-war, and then threw themselves upon the mercy of their captors, who not only extended to them the gracious hand of American chivalry, but sent them a guard to protect them from the murderous bands of Cuban soldiers hiding In the bush on the hillside, eager to rush d-own and attack the unarmed, defeated. but valorous foa. Destruction of the Fleet. One after another of the Bpant»h ships became the victims of the awful rain of shells which the American battleships poured upon them, and two hours after the first of the fleet had started out of Santiago harbor three cruisers and two torpedo boat destroyers were lying on the shore ten to fifteen miles west of Morro castle, pounding to pieces, smoke and flame pouring from every part of them and covering the entire coast line with a mist which could be seen for miles. Heavy explosions of ammunition occurred every few minutes, sending curls of dense white smoke a hundred feet In the air and causing u slioWr of broken Iron and steel to fall In the water on every side. The bluffs on the coast line echoed with the roar of ever> explosion, and the Spanish vessels sank deeper and deeper Into the sand, or else the rocks ground their hulls to pieces aa they rolled or pitched forward or aldeway* with every wave that washed upon them from the open aea. Orvers'a Surrender. Admiral Cervera escaped to the shore In a boat eent by the Gloucester Ao the assistance of the Infanta Marla Teresa, gnd as soon as he touched the beach he surrendered himself and his command to Lieut. Morton, and asked to be taken on board the Gloucester, which wee the only

American vessel near him at the time, with several of hie officer*, Including the ceptain of the flagship. The Spanish aamlral, who was wounded In the arm, was taken to the Oloucester, and whs received at her gangway by her commander, Lieutenant Commander Richard' Walnwrlglit, who grasped the hand of the gray-bearded admiral, and said to him: “1 congratulate you, sir, upon having made as gallant a • light aa was ever witnessed on the sea." Lieutenant Commander Walnwrlght then placed his cabin at the disposal of the Spanish officers. The Spaniards, when they found they would be permitted to live, adapted themselves comfortably to the situation, rolled their cigarettes and began playing cards among themselves. Cristobal Colon Chased. At that time the Spanish flagship and four other Spanish vessels had been aground and burning for two hours, and the only one of the escaping fleet which could not be seen at this point was the Cristobal Colon. But half a dosen curls o! smoke far down on the western hoiison showed the fate that was awaiting her. The Cristobal Colon was the fastest of the Spanish ships, and she soon obtained a lead over the others after leaving the harbor, and escaped the effect of the shots which destroyed the other vessels. She steamed away at great speed with the Oregon, New York. Brooklyn and several

uu.« amps in pursuit, au or tnem nri.ig at 1 her and receiving Are themselves from her after guns. “FightinK Hob’s” Prediction. There seemed no possibility whatever for her escape, and, while her fate is not definitely known-at this hour. It can be readily Imagined from the words of Capt. Rcbley D. Evans,of the lowa, who returned from the westward witn 350 prisoners with the Vizcaya just as the dls>patch boat Wanda was leaving the flagship. In answer to an Inquiry he shouteo through the megaphone: “I left the Cristobal Colon far to the westward an hour ago and the Oregon was giving her hell. s>he has undoubicuiy gone down with ihe others, and we will have a Fourth of Ju*y celebration in Santiago tomorrow.” American Vessels Unharmed. Capt. Evans, who had been in the thick of the engagement up to the time he took the Vizcaya officers and crew from the Shore, said ihat to the best of his Knowledge not ore American ship had been struck.

The torpedo boat Ericsson, which also returned'trem the westward at about the same time, maae a similar report, and It was believed r.o man was injured On beard the American ships, -though another report had it that one man was killed on board the UioOK.yn, which could not be verified as t-his dispatch was sent. Spanish Lin. «cry iiruvy. There Is no means of telling now what the Spanish loss was, but It Is believed to have been very heavy, and the prisoners In custody report their decks strewn with dead and wounded >n great numbers, and besides there is a statement that many todies could be seen fastened to the pieces of wreckage noating in the sea after the fight was over. A large number of the Spanish wounded were removed to the American ships.

Cervera’* Movement Unexpected. There can be no doubt that Admiral Cervera’s plan to escape from Santiago harbor was entirely unexpected by Admiral Sampson, and the best evidence of this Is the tact that when the Spanish vessels were seen coming out of the harbor the flagship New York was seven miles away steaming to the eastward toward Juragua, the military base, nine miles east of Morro. The New York was out of the right altogether at every stage, but she Immediately put about and followed the others. Admiral Cervera, on board the Cristobal Colon, headed his fleet In the attempt to get away at about half-past nine o’clock. So little were the Americans expecting the dash that the flagship New Ycrk was cruising up the coast to and returned only in time to see the finish of the fight and to fire a shot or two at the torpedo boat destroyers. American Vessels Engaged. The lowa, Indiana, Oregon, Massachusetts, Texas, Brooklyn and the converted yacht Gloucester, formerly the Corsair, formed In position to give battle as soon as the Cplon was sighted rounding, the wreck of the Merrimac. The American vessels did not open Are at once; they waited until Cervera's ships were out of the range of Morro’s guns before giving battle. Cervera headed to the west, the Colon In the lead, followed by the Vizcaya and Oquendo and' the destroyers, all firing rapidly. All of the American ships opened fire at once, and the Spanish were soon In a hurricane of shot and shell, but the Colon kept on bravely till when about ten miles from the westward of Morro castle, Admiral Cervera turned his vessel to the shore and beached her. She was blazing In a score of places, but her guns kept at work, and the white flag never showed until she was completely disabled.

No Match (or the Americans. The Oquendo and Vizcaya were oppozed to the lowa. Texas and Indiana and went down to defeat with fearful swiftness, covering only about half the distance made by the Colon before their captains ran them ashore. Their crews fought with desperate bravery, but their courage was no match for the courage of our men, added to their superb gunnery. The Spanish sheila went wild for the moat part, but the American gun Are was marked by merciless precision. The two cruisers, both on fire, were beached not more than one-quarter of a mile apart. Hot Work for the Gloucester. The most dramatic feature of the battle was the contest between the torpedo boat destroyers and the Gloucester. The latter was struck several times and is the only American vessel reported damaged. At first the Gloucester flred upon them with her slx-pounders. but they ran past her and engaged the battleship. Finding the tire too hot, they turned and attacked the Gloucester again until both destroyers were aflre knd had to be beached. Their crews threw themselves Into the surf to save their lives. Just before this the New York came up and assisted In giving the finishing blow to the destroyers. There was explosion after explosion from the beached vessels. IHspatcli from Watson. Washington, July 6.—At 11:25 Mondaynight the navy department posted the appended translation of a cipher cablegram received from Commodore Watson. It Is similar to that received Monday from Admiral Sagipson, but contains the additional Information that 350 Spaniards were killed or drowned. 160 wounded and 1,600 captured. Commodore W’atson's dispatch follows: "Plays del Este, July 3.—To the Secretary of the Navy: At 9:30 a. m. Sunday the Spanish squadron, seven In all, including one gunboat, came out of Santiago in column and wii totally destroyed within an hour, excepting (he Cristobal Colon, which was chased 45 miles to westward by the .commander In chief. Brooklyn, Oregon and Texas, surrendering to Brooklyn, nut was beached to prevent sinking. None of our officers or men were Injured ex :ept on board Brooklyn. Chief Yeoman Ellis was killed and one man was wounded. Admiral Cervera. all commanding officers, excepting of Oquendo, about 70 other officers and 1,800 men are prisoners. About 350 killed or drowned and 160 wounded, latter being cared for on Solace and Olivette. Have Just arrived off Santiago In Marblehead to take charge while commander In chief Is looking out for Cristobal Colon. (Signed) "WATSON.” Shatter Demands Surrender. Off Juraugua, on Board the Dispatch Boat Dandy, via Kingston, Jamaica, July 6. Gen. Shatter has demanded an Instant and unconditional surrender of Santiago de Cuba. The Spanish qommander curtly and emphatically refused. The American gen- ! •-»! In sending his demand warned all for- | , ,;n residents out of the city before ten ' o clock Monday morning, July 4, at which ' hour the bombardment would, he said, begin. The, only notice Gen. Linares took was that no Cubans would be permitted to leave. The Correspondence.

following l* the correspondence of Oen. ''Shatter, demanding the surrender of Santiago. It I* dated Sunday: "To the Commanding General of the Spanish Force*. Santiago de Cuba—Sir: I ahull be obliged, unless you surrender, to shell Santiago de Cuba. Please Inform the citizen* 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 BHAFTER, “Major General IT. 8 A.” Following Is the Spanish reply which Col. i Dorst returned: "Santiago de Cuba, 2 p. m.. July I.—His Excellency, the General Commanding Forces of United States. San Juan River.— Sir: 1 have the honor to reply to your communication of to-dav. written at 8:80 a. m . and received at one p. m.. demanding th« surrender of this olty; on the contrary case announcing to ms that you will bombard this city, and that I advise the foreign women and children that they may leave the city beforn 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 Id Chief. Fourth Corns."

Delay Is Granted. The British, Portuguese, Chinese' and Norwegian consuls cam? to Gen. Shafter’s line with Col. Dorst. They asked if noncombatants could occupy the town ol Caney and railroad points, and asked until ten o’clock of July 5 before the city be flred on. They claimed that there were between 15.000 and 20,000 people, many of them : old, who would leave. They asked If Gen. Shafter could supply them with food. The following Is Gen. Shaftar’s 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 Are 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, 1 1 have the honor to announce that I will i delay such action solely In their interest until noon of the sth, providing during the I interval your forces make no demonstra- j tlon whatever upon those of my own. I am, with great respect, your obedient servant, (Signed) “W. E. SHAFTER. "Major General, U. S. A.” Tbe Only Man Killed. Washjngton, July s.—George H. Ellis, the only man in the United States navy who ! was killed in the glorious engagement off Santiago Bunday, was chief yeoman of Commodore Schley’s flagship Brooklyn, In which office he succeeded Downing, the Spanish spy captured by secret service officers In Canada and who ended his career by suicide In the Washington barracks while awaiting trial. Ellis Is a native American, having been born at Peoria, 111., October 21, 1871. His naval career was very brief, he having enlisted on May 30, 1897, and his only cruise being that which resulted in his death. His next of kin Is his wife, Sadie Ellis, tvho lives at Bullshead, N. Y. Pando Reaches Santiago. Several messages were received by the war department Monday night from Gen. Shafter, but no information concerning their contents was made public. When the dispatch announcing the arrival of Gen. Pando and a force of 5,000 men at Santiago was exhibited at the war department it was ascertained that the department was already in possession of the fact, Indicating that the officials had received confirmation of the press dispatches. Losses In Friday’s Battle. Gen. Shafter’s Headquarters, by Dispatch Boat Dauntless, via Kingston, Jamaica, July s.—As the wounded In Friday’s battle continue to come In, It Is found that the early reports of the killed and wounded were largely underestimated. It is believed that the number will reach at least 900, and possibly 1,000. The entrenchments lay west of the hills. Without cover the Americans, In their advance up the slope, were for. fully 300 yards exposed to the volley firing of men protected to the shoulders In rifle pits. But they carried the trenches by successive rushes, pausing and huddling behind every bush or rut for temporary shelter from the rain of bullets, like stormdriven sheep. The wounded were dragged out of the death hall. After each pause, the men, undaunted, pushed on, firing as they ran. When they reached the trenches, the latter were full to the brim with the enemy’s dead. The Spaniards had fled over the summit of the hillg, but standing upon the bodies of their fallen comrades, there they remained fighting valiantly to the end. A Gallant Charge. They refused to give way, but continued the work with their Mausers, enfilading the American line as it came over the trenches. One volley which a company of the Sixth cavalry flred under the direction of Lieut. Short tumbled them forward on their faces. This was the charge in which the Sixth, Third, Ninth and Tenth cavalry and the rough riders all dismounted and in which the Twenty-sixth. Sixteenth and Twentysecond Infantry and the Seventy-first New York were engaged, led In person by Gen. Hawkins. He was almost the first man on the summit, standing there sword In hand, a target for bullets, cheering on his men. Lieut. Lyons, of the Twenty-fourth Infantry, distinguished himself by deeds of personal gallantry, and there were many others. After the trenches and redoubts were taken came a bold attempt by the Spaniards to recover them. This occasioned the fiercest fighting and the great loss of the day. When the Spaniards broke behind the hill and passed between the reserves, who came forward witn a rush upon our breathless men, striking and breaking the line In several places, their Impetuosity for several minutes well-nigh made our boys waver. Then, rallying gallantly, they staggered forward, carrying confusion Into the enemy. As the Spaniards fled toward the city they were shot down like rats. In all 19 Red Cross hospital flags floated from the buildings of Santiago during the day. From at least two the firing was continuous. New York, July 5.—A dispatch to the World from Halifax. N. S., says: Your correspondent wn3 shown a cablegram received by A. Ratuesi, from Santiago, stating that the Spaniards lost about 2,000 killed and wounded. Think Cervera Han Escaped. Madrid, July s.—Thunderstorms, very heavy and causing fatalities, have partially Interrupted telegraphic communication and only meager news Is published. There are great rejoicings over Admiral Cervera’s quitting the harbor of Santiago, but there is an undercurrent of great anxiety as to his fate. It is considered preferable that he should even succumb to Admiral Sampson's superior forces than remain to be sunk by Gen. Shafter’s artillery. Gen. Blanco cables as follows: "No derails have been received as to the naval fight, but It Is rumored that Admiral Cervera reached a port of southern Cuba." Will Continue the War. London, July 6.—A special dispatch from Madrid quotes Premier Sugasta as saying. In an interview, that he thought the Americans would “get the reenforcenients they had required which would enable them to take Santiago de Cuba " The premier Is said to have added: "Though the American warahlps may destroy our squadron in the harbor, yet we will pursue the war. There are In Cuba 100,000 men ready to die i in Its defense, but they will not yield." > Strongly Crges Peace, Barcelona, July s.—The Dlarlo publishes | a remarkable article strongly urgtng peace : between Spain and the United Slates, during the course of which It says: "The Americans are winning by strength of will and perseverance, and, while the war responds to the national feeling of all Americans, Spain was forced into the war by party politics." Then the article, after de- ■ daring that the Americans were the agj gressors and that Spain was bound to de- : fend her national honor, says: "Our honor I being satlafied, nothing compels us to oon- | tlnue such an unequal combat. We cannot compel those who have gone to the war to defend our honor to fight to the death. Those who are directing the struggle ought to put an end to the duel, when it la materially Impossible for one of tbe combatants to continue It."

spaml»li (irnrrsl Killed. Madrid. July s.—At the conclusion of Sunday's cabinet meeting the ministers announced that official confirmation had been received of thn report that Gen. Vara de Rey and two of Gen Linares' aids d# camp were among the killed in the third attack upon El Caney. The American losses are said, front Spanish sources, to have exceeded 2,000 men. It is reported that Gen. Linares has succumbed to his wounds, Out the statement Is not confirmed. The German warship Qler, It Is announced, left Havana Wednesday on her way to Santiago de Cuba, via Jamaica. Four of Garcia's men have died from overeating, and three others who went swimming after gorging themseives were found dead. it Is stated at the war'department that the United States has not purchased five vessels of the Wilson’s and Furloeaa-Ley-laijd line, as announoed from London.