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

A GLORIOUS FOURTH

News of Many Triumphs Adds to Its Lustre. ~ GREAT REJOICISG OVER EVERTS. How the Dispatches from Admiral Sampson and Gen. Shelf ter Were Re. oeli-ed in Wash in* ton—President’s Congratulations. Washington, July 5-—The complete annihilation of the Spanish squadron at Santiago and the capture of the Spanish admiral, Cervera. with 1,300 prisoners; the demand by Gen. Shatter for the surrender of Santiago by 1 2 o'clock to-day on pain of bombardment; word from Admiral Dewey that the Ladrone Islands have been captured;‘that a Spanish gunboat had surrendered; that a hundred or more Spanish officers and men were taken, that our first Philippine expedition had landed—this is a part of the thrilling record of such a Fourth of July as has not been known since the bells of Independence hall rang out the tidings of American freedom. It was a day when one momentous event followed another In constant and rapid succession, each hour bringing forth some new feature more startling than what had gone before. The climax came at one o'clock, when, amid the wildest cheering, which fairly shook the great war, state and navy building to Its foundation, Admiral Sampson's dispatch announcing his glorious victory and the entire destruction of the Spanish fleet was given to the public. The following message was sent to Admiral Sampson by the president: "To Admiral Sampson, Playa del Eete: You have the gratitude and congratulation of the whole American people. Convey to your noble officers ana crews through whose valor new honors have been added to the Americans the grateful thanks and appreciation of the nation. (Signed) “WILLIAM M’KINLEY.” The story of the day is best told In official dispatches, each bearing date of July 4 from Sampson, from Shafter and from Dewey. Stirring as they all are, that of Sampson was accorded the honor of chief Importance, not only for the immediate results secured, but also from the effects of this crushing defeat in weakening the defenses of the city of Santiago, and in dealing Spain such a staggering blow that she Is left practically without a navy. The admiral’s dispatch Is as follows; "Playa, via Hayti, July 4.—To Secretary of Navy ; The fleet under my command offers the nation as a Fourth of July present the destruction of the whole of Cervera’s fleet. No one escaped. It attempted to escape at 9:89 a. m. and at two p. m. the last, the Cristobal Colon, had run ashore six miles west of Santiago and had let down her colors. The Infanta Marie Teresa, Oquendo and Vlccaya were forced ashore, burned and blown up within 20 miles of Santiago; the Furor and Piuton were destroyed within four miles of the port. Loss, one killed and two wounded. Enemy’s loss, probably several hundred from gun Are, explosions and drowning. About 1,300 prisoners, including Admiral Cervera. The man killed was George H. Ellis, chief yeoman of the Brooklyn. (Signed) "SAMPSON." Although brief Admiral Sampson’s dispatch tells the story of fearful destruction. It not only disolosed the tremendous prowess of the American fleet, but it again displayed the strange immunity which the American sailor seems to have In the midst of death and carnage. That but one of our sailors, a yeoman on the Brooklyn, should have been killed in an engagement of this magnitude is without a parallel in naval annals, save In that other unparalleled record which Dewey made at Manila. War Clear for Advance on Santiago. With the Spanish fleet destroyed, the way is partially cleared for the advance of the American squadron into the harbor of Santiago. If Cervera’s armored cruisers could cross the mine Held and clear the Merrimac, at the entrance to. the harbor, the American ships can follow the same course. There are the inner fortifications and Island forts still to be reduced, but they have passed through a baptism of Are recently, and are little more than ruins. Thus, with Shafter’s guns thundering on Santiago from the land, and Sampson’s from the harbor, the fall of the city is assured beyond further question. The authorities here, military and naval, say that Santiago has already made its best fight, and that its occupation is only a question of time, and very brief time. Shatter’s Dispatches. Gen. Shafter’s strong position was shown in a series of dispatches. Most convincing of all as to his feeling of confidence and strength was that dispatch given out late la the day .in which Gen. Shafter gives the text of his demand for the surrender of the city on pain of bombardment. Gen. Shatter’s other dispatches breathe the same air of confidence and determination as shown in tfls demand on the Spanish commander. The first one made public during the day stated that his lines completely surrounded the town from the bay on the north to San Juan river on the south, leaving the city thus enveloped by a stretch of water on one side and a stretch of frowning American guns on the other. In another dispatch Oen. Shafter epitomized the strength of his position by saying: ”1 feel that I am master of the situation, and can hold the enemy for any length of time.” In another dispatch Cen. Shafter states that his demand for the surrender of Santiago la still being considered by the Spanish authorities, which indicates that the refusal of the Spanish commander to capitulate was not final. In any event, 12 o'clock on Tuesday marks the limit of Shafter’s concession, and if Santiago has not capitulated at that hour, the great siege guns now brought to the front and in position, backed by the batteries of lighter field ptftes will begin their work of destruction. Watson Will Go to Sonin. The changed naval situation will brln* no abatement in the activity of the authorities here in carrying the war directly home to Spain. There is renewed ■determination to get Commodore Watson’s eastern squadron away at the earliest moment for the double purpose of striking a blow at the coast towns of Spain and of pursuing Admiral Camara’s fleet, which has halted at the entrance of the Sues canal. Secretary Long made the official statement that the fleet would sail at the earliest possible moment, and although he did not go into details as to Its purpose It Is well understood that It will devote Its attention to the Spanish coast and to Camara. The destruction of the Spanish fleet at Santiago relieves Admiral Sampson from surveillance of this squadron, and he can readily spare the ships Intended for the attack on the Spanish coast. Release of Hobson. The release of Hobson and the other heroe* of the Merrimac incident Is likely to be another result of the events transpiring. It may now come about either by the surrender of the city, which would Include the surrender of Hobson and other American prisoners in the city, or else by the exchange of, Hobson for Admiral Cervera or some other high ranking naval official. Until now the possibility of exchanging Hobson was slight, as this government had no Spanish prisoners of high rank to offer In his place. Now, however, they have one of the foremost admirals Of Bpaln and among the 1.300 other naVal prisoners there I are many others of dlatlngulshed rank.