A lT M " e V 
 
 HF 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 I I I I III II III VII 111 II Illl 
 
 3 1822 02731 1539 
 
 BY-JAMES-OTIS 
 
 *'. T-ifli-ftiCT
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 UNIVERSITY OF 
 CALIFORNIA 
 SAN DIEGO
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORN A 
 
 3 182202731 1539 
 
 Social Sciences & Humanities Library 
 
 University of California, San Diego 
 Please Note: This item is subject to recall. 
 
 Date Due 
 
 APR 23 1999 
 
 Cl 39 (5/97) 
 
 UCSD Lib.
 
 THE BOYS OF '98
 
 J. When We Destroyed the Gaspee 
 
 2. Boston Boys of J775 
 
 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) 
 
 1 1. Ezra Jordan's Escape 
 
 (The Massacre at Fort Loyall) 
 
 DANA ESTES . COMPANY 
 
 Publishers 
 Estes Press, Summer St., Boston
 
 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. 
 
 Blustratrt bg 
 
 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 i 
 
 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. 
 
 MM 
 
 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 . ' 9 . .107 
 U. S. S. CHICAGO . . . . . . . .117 
 
 THE TRAGEDY OF THE WINSLOW . ... . 119 
 
 U. S. S. AMPHITRITE . . - ., I2 3 
 THE BOMBARDMENT OF SAN JUAN, PORTO Rico . .127 
 
 vii
 
 Vlll ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 PAGE 
 
 U. S. S. MlANTONOMAH . . . . . . . ISO 
 
 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
 
 ILLUSTRATIONS. IX 
 
 PACK 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL MILES ....... 320 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL BROOKE 327 
 
 GENERAL BROOKE RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE PRO- 
 TOCOL 333 
 
 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 XI L and a German 
 school-ship. 
 
 The reverberations had hardly ceased before the
 
 2 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 captain of the port and an officer from the Spanish 
 war-vessel, each in his gaily decked launch, came along- 
 side 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 cour- 
 tesies 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 dis- 
 placement, 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 Octo- 
 ber 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 thick- 
 ness, and the walls of the turrets were eight inches 
 thick. 
 
 In her main battery were four lO-inch and six 
 6-inch breech-loading rifles ; in the secondary bat- 
 tery seven 6-pounder and eight i -pounder rapid-fire 
 guns and four Catlings. Her crew was made up of
 
 THE BATTLE -SHIP MAINE. 3 
 
 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. Chid- 
 wick, Passed Assistant Engineer F. C. Bowers, Lieu- 
 tenant 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, Sefior 
 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 govern- 
 ment 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 constructor 
 put upon the visit.
 
 4 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 i6th. 
 
 " We see now the eagerness of the Yankees to seize 
 Cuba." The Imparcial, January 2$d. 
 
 The same paper, on the 27th, declared : 
 
 " If Havana people, exasperated at American im- 
 pudence in sending the Maine, do some rash, disagree- 
 able 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 en- 
 courage the insurgents." It was announced that, 
 "following Washington's example," the Spanish gov- 
 ernment 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 BATTLE -SHIP MAINE. 5 
 
 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 
 na'fve 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 I2th 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 lead- 
 ing liberal newspaper offices, because, as alleged, of 
 Captain-General Blanco's refusal to authorise the sup- 
 pression 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
 
 6 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 appre- 
 hensive 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 appar- 
 ently 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 speci- 
 men of all : 
 
 " Spaniards : Long live Spain and honour.
 
 THE BATTLE -SHIP MAINE. 7 
 
 " 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 with- 
 drawing 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 autono- 
 mists, 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 news- 
 papers 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 pro- 
 tect 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 I5th 
 all the magazines aboard the battle-ship were closed, 
 and the keys delivered to her commander according 
 to the rules of the service.
 
 8 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 tra- 
 cery 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
 
 THE BATTLE -SHIP MAINE. 9 
 
 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 black- 
 ness lay heavy over that scene of death and destruc- 
 tion, 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."
 
 IO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 "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.
 
 THE BATTLE -SHIP MAINE. II 
 
 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. -Comman4er Wain- 
 wright 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 re- 
 ported 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
 
 12 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 con- 
 cerning 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."
 
 
 CAPTAIN SIGSBEE.
 
 THE BATTLE-SHIP MAINE. 13 
 
 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.
 
 14 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 for- 
 ward looked as if it had been thrown up from a subter- 
 ranean 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.
 
 THE BATTLE-SHIP MAINE. 15 
 
 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 ammuni- 
 tion, 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 seek- 
 ing 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
 
 1 6 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. Samp- 
 son of the U. S. S. Iowa as presiding officer, Com- 
 mander Adolph Marix as judge advocate, Capt. F. E. 
 Chad wick, and Commander W. P. Potter, all of the 
 New York, was convened, and on March 28th Presi- 
 dent McKinley sent a message to Congress, the conclu- 
 sion 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 prac-
 
 THE BATTLE -SHIP MAINE. 17 
 
 tical 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 im- 
 partial and exact determination of the causes of the 
 explosion. Its operations have been conducted with 
 the utmost deliberation and judgment, and, while inde- 
 pendently 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 ap- 
 proved 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 mem- 
 bers 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.
 
 1 8 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 "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 partic- 
 ipate in the punishment of those who were responsible 
 for the slaughter of American sailors within the shadow 
 of Morro Castle.
 
 CHAPTER II. 
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 
 
 \ \ 7"AR between two nations does not begin sud 
 * * denly. The respective governments are exceed- 
 ingly 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 int~ 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 hostili- 
 ties with another, and much of the tediousness may be 
 forgiven. 
 
 Just previous to the disaster to the Maine, during 
 the last of March or the first of February, Seflor En- 
 rique Dupuy de Lome, the Spanish minister at Wash- 
 ington, wrote a private letter to the editor of the 
 
 '9
 
 2O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Madrid Herald, Sefior Canal ej as, who was his intimate 
 friend, in which he made some uncomplimentary re- 
 marks 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. Sefior 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 imme- 
 diately 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 p. Sefior de Lome made all haste to re- 
 sign, and the resignation was accepted by his govern- 
 ment before so it was claimed by the Spanish authori- 
 ties President McKinley's demand for the recall was 
 received. 
 
 February 15. The de Lome incident was a political 
 matter which caused considerable diplomatic corre- 
 spondence ; but it was overshadowed when the bat- 
 tle-ship Maine was blown up in the harbour of 
 Havana.
 
 EX-MINISTER DE LOME.
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 21 
 
 As has already been said, the United States govern- 
 ment 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 prose- 
 cuted 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, intro- 
 duced 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. Sefior Louis Polo y Bernabe, appointed
 
 22 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 minister in the place of Sefior 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 hostil- 
 ities. An exceptionally large number of artisans were 
 at work preparing for sea battle-ships, cruisers, and tor- 
 pedo-boat destroyers. The cruisers Oqucndo and Vis- 
 caya, 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
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 23 
 
 large quantities of high explosives were shipped in 
 every direction. 
 
 During the early days of March, Seflor 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 cir- 
 cumstances, 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 hun- 
 dred 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
 
 24 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 satisfac- 
 tion. As to supplies for the relief of the Cuban 
 people, all arrangements had been made to carry con- 
 signments 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 appro- 
 priations committee introduced a resolution that fifty 
 millions of dollars be appropriated for the national de- 
 fence. 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 n. 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.
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 25 
 
 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. Seflor Bernabe was presented to Presi- 
 dent 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, Seftor 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 if. 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 sane-
 
 26 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 tioned by the President, and understood them as 
 indicating that this country should recognise the inde- 
 pendence 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 in- 
 fantry 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
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 27 
 
 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 news- 
 papers 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
 
 28 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 methods of raising funds for the carrying on of a war. 
 A joint board of the army and navy had met to formu- 
 late 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 them- 
 selves 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
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 2Q 
 
 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 dol- 
 lars 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 con- 
 nected with the seacoast fortifications. The United 
 States naval attach^ at London has purchased a 
 cruiser of eighteen hundred tons displacement, cap- 
 able 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 prop- 
 erly 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 hos- 
 tilities, and Senators Kenny, Turpie, and Turner made 
 powerful speeches in the same line, fiercely denouncing 
 Spain. General Woodford was instructed by cable to
 
 30 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 be prepared to ask of the Madrid government his 
 passports at any moment. 
 
 Marine underwriters, believing that war was inevi- 
 table, doubled their rates. The merchants and manu- 
 facturers' 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 independ- 
 ence 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 appre- 
 ciation 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
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL FITZHUGH LEE.
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 31 
 
 to proceed to his post, and he remained at New 
 York. 
 
 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 Sefior 
 Gullon, the Foreign Minister, and presented a joint 
 note in the interests of peace. 
 
 " Sefior 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-gen^ 
 eral 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 ii. The President sent a message, together
 
 32 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 hu- 
 manity, 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 hostili- 
 ties, 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.
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 33 
 
 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 
 1 00,000,000 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 ; addi- 
 tional 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 popu- 
 lar loan to be absorbed by the people. 
 
 To tide over emergencies, the Secretary of the Treas- 
 ury 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.
 
 34 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 April /j. 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, with- 
 out 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, inflict- 
 ing 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
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 35 
 
 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 n, 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 inde- 
 pendent. 
 
 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
 
 36 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 75. The United States consulate at Malaga, 
 Spain, was attacked by a mob, and the shield torn 
 down and trampled upon. 
 
 April 77. The Spanish committee of inquiry into 
 the destruction of the Maine reported that the explo- 
 sion 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 testi- 
 mony 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 ex- 
 plosion 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 acci- 
 dent inside the American vessel. 
 
 April 18. Congress passed the Senate resolution, 
 as given above, with an additional clause as follows :
 
 THE PRELIMINARIES. 
 
 37 
 
 Fourth, That the United States hereby disclaim any 
 disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, juris- 
 diction 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 resolu- 
 tions 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.
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 39 
 
 "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, what- 
 ever 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 gov-
 
 4-O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 ernment 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 resolu- 
 tion of both chambers of the United States, which 
 denies the legitimate sovereignty of Spain and threat- 
 ens 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 exist- 
 ing between the two countries, and all official commu- 
 nication 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 :
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 41 
 
 " 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 here- 
 with appended. The United States minister at Madrid 
 was at the same time instructed to make a like com- 
 munication 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 govern- 
 ment had broken off diplomatic relations with this 
 government. 
 
 "This course renders unnecessary any further dip- 
 lomatic action on the part of the United States. 
 
 " ' April 20, 1 898. 
 
 " ' 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 pacifica- 
 tion 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
 
 42 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 con- 
 trol 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 satisfac- 
 tory response to this demand and resolutions, whereby 
 the ends of peace in Cuba shall be assured, the Presi- 
 dent 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 tele- 
 gram, and before I communicated the same to the
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 43 
 
 Spanish government, the Spanish Minister for Foreign 
 Affairs notified me that diplomatic relations are broken 
 between the two countries, and that all official com- 
 munication 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 ulti- 
 matum 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 Span- 
 ish 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.
 
 44 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 illumina- 
 tion 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, prop- 
 erty, 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 every- 
 thing 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 ! " 
 
 The people interrupted him with cries of applause, 
 and he finished his speech by shouting " Viva Espana ! "
 
 CAPTAIN-GENERAL BLANCO.
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 45 
 
 " 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 ma- 
 terial. 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, {he 
 first of the fleet, lying close to shore, steamed out after 
 the Mac/iias, 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 Indi- 
 ana 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,
 
 46 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 grad- 
 ually 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 stand-
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 47 
 
 ing 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 sud- 
 denly 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 Span- 
 ish steamer, probably believing the pursuing craft car- 
 ried 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.
 
 48 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 con- 
 firming his previeus decree, and declaring the island 
 to be in a state of war. 
 
 He also annulled his former similar decrees grant- 
 ing 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
 
 PREMIER SAGASTA.
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 49 
 
 and stripes in front of the residence of Sefior 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 ap- 
 pearance, but the French ambassador was not at home. 
 
 Correspondents at Hongkong announced that Ad- 
 miral Dewey had ordered the commanders of the ves- 
 sels composing his squadron to be in readiness for an 
 immediate movement against the Philippine Islands. 
 
 April 23. The President issued a proclamation call- 
 ing 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 fish- 
 ing-boat Perdito was sighted making for Havana har- 
 bour, 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 Samp- 
 son 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 Ma- 
 thilde 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,
 
 50 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Ameri- 
 can 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 be- 
 gun 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 de- 
 testable conduct have caused this great conflict." 
 
 The royal decree then states that Spain maintains 
 her right to have recourse to privateering, and an-
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 51 
 
 nounces 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 ob- 
 served with the strictest fidelity the principles of inter- 
 national 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 re- 
 fused to admit then was the abolition of privateering. 
 
 " The government now considers it most indispen- 
 sable 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 i : The state of war existing between Spain 
 and the United States annuls the treaty of peace and 
 amity of October 27, 1795, and the procotol of January
 
 52 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 12, 1877, and all other agreements, treaties, or conven- 
 tions 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 ad- 
 hered 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. 
 
 "Fozir: 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 cooperate 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
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 53 
 
 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 j udged 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 re- 
 cently had with the representatives of Spain and the 
 United States, with the United States minister at Ma- 
 drid, through the latter with government of Spain, show- 
 ing 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
 
 54 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 from Cuba and Cuban waters, and directing the Presi- 
 dent 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 minis- 
 ter 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 reason- 
 able demands of this government as measures of hos- 
 tility, 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
 
 PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 55 
 
 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 Con- 
 gress, approved April 22, 1898, to issue my proclama- 
 tion, 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. 
 
 " In view of the measures so taken, and other meas- 
 ures 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 interna- 
 tional 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 con- 
 duct of a public war may be assured. 
 
 (Signed) " WILLIAM McKiNLEY. 
 " Executive Mansion, Washington, April 25, 1898."
 
 56 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 The war bill was passed without delay, and immedi- 
 ately after it had been signed the following notice was 
 sent to the representatives of the foreign nations : 
 
 " A joint resolution of Congress, approved April 2Oth, 
 directed intervention for the pacification and independ- 
 ence of the island of Cuba. The Spanish government 
 on April 2ist informed our minister at Madrid that it 
 considered this resolution equivalent to a declaration 
 of war, and that it had accordingly withdrawn its min- 
 ister 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 2ist. 
 
 " 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 trans-
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 57 
 
 atlantic 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 Span- 
 iard 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 en- 
 emy'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 Fal- 
 coner and fifteen marines. 
 
 April 26. The President issued a proclamation 
 respecting the rights of Spanish vessels then in, or
 
 58 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Matan- 
 zas 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,
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 59 
 
 and the story of the chase is thus told by an eye- 
 witness : 
 
 "The Spanish steamer Guide, 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 Qth. 
 
 "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 profit- 
 able 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,
 
 6O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 cap- 
 ture 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, pro- 
 viding for the construction of three battle-ships, four 
 monitors, sixteen torpedo-boat destroyers, and twelve 
 torpedo-boats. 
 
 The U. S. S. Ne^vport 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 com- 
 pleted 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-
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 6 1 
 
 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 be- 
 lieved 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 con- 
 sidered 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, Marblehcad, 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 morn- 
 ing, 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 direc- 
 tion. Twenty minutes later she fired two shots across
 
 62 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 passen- 
 gers 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 con- 
 veying the intelligence that she had been fired upon by 
 Spanish boats coming out of the river. She imme- 
 diately 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-b.oat destroyer. After twenty minutes of 
 firing by the Eagle, during' the last five of which the
 
 A DECLARATION OF WAR. 63 
 
 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 destroy- 
 ers Furor, Terror, and Pluton, bound westward, prob- 
 ably for Porto Rico. 
 
 April jo. The American schooner Ann Louisa 
 Lockwood was taken by the Spaniards off Mole St. 
 Nicolas. 
 
 The capture of a small Spanish schooner, the Mas- 
 cota, 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 after- 
 noon of April 27th.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 
 
 1\/JA Y i. " Manila, May i. The squadron arrived 
 * *-* at Manila at daybreak this morning. Imme- 
 diately engaged the enemy, and destroyed the follow- 
 ing Spanish vessels : Isla de Cuba, Isla de Luzon, Reina 
 Christina, Cast ilia, 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 prelim- 
 inaries, 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 
 
 64
 
 ADMIRAL GEORGE DEWEY.
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 65 
 
 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. 
 
 April 26. So also was it known that on the next 
 day Commodore Dewey received the following cable- 
 gram. 
 
 "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 regard- 
 ing 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 coun- 
 tries, thousands of leagues in distance, describing the 
 deeds of the heroes who had made their names famous 
 so long as history shall exist.
 
 66 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 main- 
 land, forms a most commodious and safe harbour. 
 Cavite was well fortified, and directly opposite its for*., 
 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 por- 
 tion of Limbones Point, were shore-batteries, for- 
 midable 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 
 
 'See Appendix, Part A, for general description of the Philippine 
 Islands and their inhabitants.
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 67 
 
 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 govern- 
 ment 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
 
 68 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 extin- 
 guished 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
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 69 
 
 thus a signal was given to the sleepy garrison of 
 Corregidor. 
 
 "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 sing- 
 ing 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, accord- 
 ing 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 Commo-
 
 7O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 dore 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-ad- 
 miral's flag, lay off the arsenal. Astern of her was 
 moored the Castillo., her port battery ready for action. 
 Slightly to seaward were the Don Juan de Austria, the 
 Don Antonio de Ulloa, the Is la de Cuba and Is la de
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 71 
 
 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 evolu- 
 tion, 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
 
 72 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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.
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 73 
 
 The roar and crackle of the enemy's guns still con- 
 tinued, 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 com- 
 modore 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
 
 74 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 ven- 
 geance 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 Olympias 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 hun- 
 dred 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 BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 75 
 
 the bridge. When a hundred feet away it suddenly 
 burst, its fragments continuing onward. One piece 
 struck the rigging directly over the head of Com- 
 mander Lamberton. He did not wince. 
 
 The Olympia continued on. It was evident Com- 
 modore Dewey was making straight for the centre 
 of the enemy's line, which was the big cruiser Reina 
 Christiiia, 
 
 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
 
 76 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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, emerg- 
 ing, 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
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 77 
 
 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. 
 
 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 
 Bostons 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
 
 78 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Is la 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
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 79 
 
 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 ;
 
 8O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 concen- 
 trated 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 sur- 
 face 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 San 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 BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 8 1 
 
 The cruiser Castillo, was scuttled by her crew lest 
 the fire which was raging fiercely should explode her 
 magazine. 
 
 The Valasco 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 Pet- 
 rel, 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 Depart- 
 ment, and then it was given to the public without loss 
 of time. It is copied below : 
 
 " FLAGSHIP OLYMPIA, CAVITE, May 4, 1 898. 
 "The squadron left Mirs Bay on April 27th. Ar- 
 rived off Bolinao on the morning of April 3Oth, and
 
 82 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 1 1.30 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 for- 
 mation 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
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 83 
 
 to that of the Spanish fleet. The enemy's fire was 
 vigorous, but generally ineffective. 
 
 " 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 con- 
 tinuous 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 1 1. 1 6 A.M. returned to the attack. By this
 
 84 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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, Is la de Luzon, Is la 
 de Cuba, General Lezo, Marques del Dtiero, El Correo, 
 Velasco, and Is la 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 pene- 
 trated, but the damage was of the slightest, and the
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 85 
 
 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 squad- 
 ron now under my command. 
 
 Caj>t. Frank Wildes, commanding the Boston, volun- 
 teered 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
 
 86 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Corregi- 
 dor 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 : ' 
 
 AMERICAN FLEET. 
 
 The U. S. S. Olympia, protected cruiser, 5,870 tons, 
 speed, 2 1 .6 knots. Battery : four 8-inch rifles, ten 
 5-inch rapid-fire guns, fourteen 6-pounder rapid-fire 
 guns, six i -pounder rapid-fire cannon, four Catlings, 
 with six torpedo tubes, and eight automobile tor- 
 pedoes. 
 
 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 
 
 'See Appendix B for types of war-ships and methods of signalling 
 while in action.
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 87 
 
 guns, two I -pounder rapid-fire cannon, four 37-milli- 
 metre Hotchkiss cannon, and two Catlings. 
 
 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 i -pounder rapid-fire cannon, two 47-millimetre 
 Hotchkiss cannon, and two Catlings. 
 
 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 
 i -pounder rapid-fire cannon, and two Catlings. 
 
 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 Hotch- 
 kiss cannon, and two Catlings. 
 
 The U. S. S. Petrel, gunboat, 892 tons, speed, 11.7 
 knots. Battery : four 6-inch rifles, one I -pounder rapid- 
 fire gun, two 37-millimetre Hotchkiss cannon, and two 
 Catlings. 
 
 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, seven- 
 teen knots. Battery : six 6.2-inch hontoria guns, two 
 2.7-inch and three 2. 2-inch rapid-fire rifles, six i. 4-inch, 
 and two machine guns.
 
 88 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 The Castillo., 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 Leso, 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 Is la 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 ; Com- 
 mander B. P. Lamberton, chief of staff ; Lieut. T. M.
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 89 
 
 Brumby, flag lieutenant ; Ensign H. H. Caldwell, 
 secretary. 
 
 U. S. S. Olympia, flagship : Captain, Charles V. Grid- 
 ley ; 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 Engi- 
 neers, E. H. Delaney, J. F. Marshall, Jr. ; Chaplain, 
 J. B. Frasier ; Captain of Marines, W. P. Biddle ; Gun- 
 ner, L. J. G. Kuhlwein ; Carpenter, W. McDonald ; 
 Acting Boatswain, E. J. Norcott. 
 
 U. S. S. Raleigh : Captain, J. B. Coghlan ; Lieuten- 
 ant-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 ;
 
 9O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Chief Engineer, G. B. Ransom ; Assistant Engineer, 
 L. K. James ; First Lieutenant of Marines, R. 
 McM. Button ; Gunner, J. C. Evans ; Carpenter, I. 
 H. Hilton. 
 
 U. S. S. Baltimore : Captain, N. M. Dyer ; Lieutenant- 
 Commander, G. Blocklinger ; Lieutenants, W. Brau- 
 nersreuther, 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 ; Lieu- 
 tenant-Commander, G. P. Colvocoresses ; Lieutenants, 
 T. B. Howard, P. W. Horrigan ; Ensigns, L. A. Kiser, 
 W. C. Davidson, O. S. Knepper ; Passed Assistant Sur- 
 geon, 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 ; Lieuten- 
 ants, 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
 
 THE BATTLE OF MANILA BAY. 9 1 
 
 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. 
 
 71 /fAY 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 Corregi- 
 dor, under flag of truce, to Commodore Dewey, with a 
 proposal of surrender from the commandant of the for- 
 tifications. 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 sur- 
 rendering 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 
 
 92
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 93 
 
 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 docu- 
 ment being couched in warlike language beginning : 
 
 " Whereas, as Spain finds herself at war with the
 
 94 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 i. 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 j. In article two are included offences 
 committed by those who, without special authorisa- 
 tion, 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 National, 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 com- 
 parison he sought to direct public attention to the im- 
 mense 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.
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 95 
 
 " 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 minis- 
 ters, 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 intima- 
 tion 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 defen- 
 sive 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
 
 96 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 follow- 
 ing 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, Marble- 
 head, 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 imme- 
 diate 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
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 97 
 
 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 com- 
 mand 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 can- 
 non 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 gov- 
 ernment bakeries, because the mob had looted the shops.
 
 98 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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, com- 
 mencing 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 expe- 
 dition, 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

 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 99 
 
 Spanish infantry approaching, she put to sea and 
 got safely away. 
 
 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 hun- 
 dred 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 Wilming- 
 ton back with the Leyden. 
 
 The two vessels reached the scene of the landing
 
 IOO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 on the afternoon of the fourth, and found the Span- 
 ish 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 ammu- 
 nition, 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 ap- 
 peared 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 noth- 
 ing 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 :
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. IOI 
 
 " 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 au- 
 thority 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 treas- 
 urer 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 ac- 
 knowledge the receipt of your letter under date of May
 
 IO2 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 gen- 
 eral 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
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 103 
 
 the mark. The Dufiont, after ascertaining that Point 
 Maya was being made too warm for Spanish occupa- 
 tion, steamed down to a blockhouse opposite, called 
 Garcia Red, and a prominent landmark to the eastward, 
 and turned loose her I -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 bowl- 
 ing 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
 
 IO4 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 assigned the cutter Hamilton to carry her into Key 
 West. 
 
 A few minutes afterwards the Montgomery encoun- 
 tered the Lorenzo, a Spanish bark, bound from Barce- 
 lona 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 f. Quite a sharp little affair occurred off 
 Havana, in which the Vicksburg and the cutter Mor- 
 rill 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 May- 
 flower 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
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 105 
 
 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 1 2-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.
 
 IO6 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 The Spanish gunners had the range, and their time 
 fuses were accurately set. 
 
 The crews of both ships were at their guns. Lieu- 
 tenant 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 Merrill'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 Merrill'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.
 
 JOHN D. LONG, SECRETARY OF NAVY.
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 1 07 
 
 The Newport added to the list of captures by bring- 
 ing in the Spanish schooner Padre de Dies. 
 
 May 7. The United States despatch-boat McCtilloch 
 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 rec- 
 ommend 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 gun-
 
 IO8 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 boats 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 Span- 
 iard 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 calcula- 
 tions 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 
 i -pounders, which barked viciously and dropped shot 
 in the middle of the flotilla.
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. IOQ 
 
 On plunged the Winslow to within fifteen hundred 
 yards of the gunboats, while the row raised by the 
 rapid-fire i -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 demoral- 
 ised 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 i -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, evi- 
 dently disabled, while one of her comrades went to her 
 assistance. By this time the Spanish boats had re- 
 treated nearly inside, where they could not be followed 
 because of the mines. The Lopez got under way
 
 I IO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. New- 
 port. 
 
 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 Pats, the popular republican newspaper in Madrid,
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. I I I 
 
 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 ii. Running from Cienfuegos, Cuba, at day- 
 break on the morning of May nth, were three tele- 
 graph 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 sta- 
 tion had been a quiet one, except for a few brushes 
 with some Spanish gunboats, which occasionally ven- 
 tured a very little way out of Cienfuegos Harbour.
 
 112 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 I -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
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 113 
 
 long grass, were known to be a large number of rifle- 
 pits, some masked machine guns, and i -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 off- 
 shore. 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.
 
 I 14 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 incau- 
 tious, 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.
 
 NEWS OF THE DAY. 115 
 
 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. Dur- 
 ing half an hour they laboured, but the fire from behind 
 the lighthouse was too deadly, and, reluctantly, at Lieu- 
 tenant 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 Window 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 sig- 
 nalled, "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 Lieu- 
 tenant Winslow was wounded in the hand.
 
 Il6 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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.

 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. 
 
 1 /fA V ii. The Spanish batteries in Cardenas Har- 
 * *-* hour were silenced on May I ith, 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 Wil- 
 mington, 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 Wil- 
 mington 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, 
 
 117
 
 Il8 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 
 no from her i-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 for- 
 ward and ten and a half feet aft. When the sound- 
 ings 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 any- 
 where 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
 
 THE TRAGEDY OF THE WINSLOW.
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. I 19 
 
 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. 
 
 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 Wins low 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 ? "
 
 I2O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 Span- 
 ish gunboats were lying. A shell then went hissing 
 over our heads. Then the firing began from the gun- 
 boat 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.
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. 121 
 
 " After the firing began I went below again to at- 
 tend 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 ter- 
 rible 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 feernadou. 
 
 " 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 con- 
 tinuous 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.
 
 122 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. 123 
 
 f 
 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. 
 
 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 
 1 2th. 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.
 
 124 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 inten- 
 tion 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
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. 125 
 
 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 1 3-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 injiiry. 
 
 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. Re- 
 peatedly masses of masonry were blown skyward by
 
 126 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. 127 
 
 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. 
 
 May fj. In the Spanish Cortes, Seftor Molinas, 
 deputy for Porto Rico, protested against the bombard- 
 ment 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 
 Sefior 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 be- 
 tween 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
 
 128 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 at- 
 tack, 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 bom- 
 barding Havana. Can any one imagine that the Span- 
 iards, 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
 
 CARDENAS AND SAN JUAN. 1 29 
 
 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 1 870 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 prop- 
 erty. '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 neu- 
 trals, Bismarck simply replied that no such notification 
 was required by the laws of war."
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 
 
 71 /JA Y ii. A state of siege proclaimed throughout 
 * *-* Spain. In a dozen cities or more continued riot- 
 ing and sacking of warehouses. The seacoast between 
 Cadiz and Malaga no longer lighted. The second divi- 
 sion 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 after- 
 noon, with five hundred rifles, sixty thousand rounds 
 of ammunition, and some food supplies for the insur- 
 gents, 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 Ameri- 
 cans got decidedly, the better of the battle, killing
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 
 
 twelve or more of the enemy, and on their own part 
 suffering not a wound. 
 
 " After dark last evening the old-fashioned side- 
 wheel 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, Cap- 
 tain Munger, was detailed to convoy the Gussie, and, 
 three abreast, the steamers moved along the coast. 
 
 "The Cuban guides on the Gussie took their ma- 
 chetes 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 Crof- 
 ton, 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
 
 132 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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'Con- 
 nor, 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 vol- 
 leys 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.
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 133 
 
 " ' Say,' shouted a man from Company G after them, 
 'you forgot your grindstone.' ' 
 
 May 12. On Thursday morning, May I2th, the 
 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 inva- 
 sion ; masked batteries were being planted, earthworks 
 thrown up, and blockhouses erected. There was no 
 lack of targets. 
 
 Carefully, precisely, as if at practice, the Wilming- 
 ton 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
 
 134 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 punish- 
 ment 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 con- 
 verted 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.
 
 
 ADMIRAL SCHLEY.
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 135 
 
 May ij. 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 coast- 
 ing 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 fly- 
 ing 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 I3th 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 fol- 
 lowed, and Captain Sigsbee of the St. Paul received 
 orders to get under way at midnight.
 
 136 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 May 14.. Eleven steamers, chartered by the govern- 
 ment as troop-ships, sailed from New York for Key 
 West. At San Francisco, the cruiser C/iarleston, 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 con- 
 dition 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.
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 137 
 
 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. 
 
 Seftor Bores retorted that he had received a private 
 letter from the Philippines, dated April loth, 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. 
 Seftor Bores's remarks created a profound sensation. 
 
 The cruiser Ctiarleston 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 I4th, 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 success- 
 ful, would have cleared the front of Havana of six ships 
 on that blockading station.
 
 138 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 "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 Vicks- 
 burg 's Jacob' s-ladder was cut adrift. 
 
 " Late this afternoon the ships on the Havana sta- 
 tion 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 May- 
 flower, 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 Legazpi, both of which were known 
 to be bottled up in Havana Harbour. 
 
 " At first he supposed that they were taking advan- 
 tage 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,
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 139 
 
 
 
 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 tele- 
 meters. 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, turn- 
 ing 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
 
 I4O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 bat- 
 teries 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 1 2-inch Krupp guns mounted there, 
 and an 8 5 -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 inter- 
 vals 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 McKen- 
 sie, on the bridge of the Vicksburg, watched the fall 
 of the shells, but he considered it useless to waste
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 14! 
 
 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 1 5. The Spanish cruisers Maria Teresa, Viz- 
 caya, Almirante Oguendo, and Cristobal Colon, and 
 torpedo-boat destroyers, which arrived off the port of 
 Curacoa, sailed at sunset on the I5th, 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 
 1 5th, 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 gen- 
 erally unprotected condition of the place is a cause of 
 much anxiety. 
 
 May 16. Freeman Halstead, an American news-
 
 142 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 paper 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 impor- 
 tant 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 Depart- 
 ment 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.
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 143 
 
 " 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 I5th, to take the 
 fleet tender in tow and proceed to Santiago de Cuba to 
 cut the cables at that point. The grappling imple- 
 ments were secured from the tug Wampatuck on May 
 1 6th, 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 I7th 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 - tne g uns f Morro Castle 
 opened fire, followed by the shore battery on the 
 southerly point, and also the west battery. The St.
 
 144 THE BOYS OF '98- 
 
 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 fusi- 
 lade of forty-one minutes. After firing the cable was 
 grappled, hauled on board, and cut. 
 
 May 77. 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 Commo- 
 dore 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 con- 
 densers 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
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 145 
 
 fourteen feet six inches draught. She carries in two 
 turrets, surrounded by barbettes, two 1 2-inch and 
 two lo-inch guns, while on her superstructure, be- 
 tween the turrets, are mounted six 6-pounders, four 
 i -pounders, and two Catlings. The turrets are seven 
 and one-half and eight inches thick, and the sur- 
 rounding barbettes are fourteen inches and eleven 
 and one-half inches of steel. 
 
 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, ammu- 
 nition, 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 independ- 
 ently, 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 Santi- 
 ago de Cuba. The prize is a long, low tramp collier 
 belonging to the Troy company of Cardiff, Wales. She
 
 146 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 left there on April 22d, the day before war was de- 
 clared, 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 sev- 
 enty-five thousand men.
 
 FROM ALL QUARTERS. 147 
 
 Three troop-ships, laden with soldiers, sailed from 
 San Francisco for Manila. 
 
 May 26. The battle-ship Oregon, which left San 
 Francisco March iQth, arrived at Key West. 
 
 May 27. The Spanish torpedo-boat destroyer ar- 
 rived 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 impos- 
 sible 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 com- 
 mander 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
 
 148 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 further attempt at giving the news from the various 
 parts of the world in chronological order. 
 
 Therefore such events, aside from the Santiago cam- 
 paign, 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. . 
 
 Jl/T-A Y 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 block- 
 ading 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 
 
 '49
 
 I5O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 en- 
 trance 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 Brook- 
 lyn 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 j/. The U. S. S. Marblehead, cruising inshore 
 to relieve the monotony of blockading duties, discov- 
 ered 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
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 151 
 
 the same time discover the location of the masked bat- 
 teries. In pursuance of this plan he transferred his 
 flag from the Brooklyn to the more heavily armed 
 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 sum- 
 mons which should bring them into the fight ; but 
 none came. 
 
 The Massachusetts opened fire first, taking the Span- 
 ish 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 1 3-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 bat- 
 teries 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.
 
 152 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 i, Rear-Admiral Sampson, with the New York 
 as his flag-ship, and accompanied by the Oregon, the 
 Mayflower, and the torpedo-boat Porter, joined Com- 
 modore 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.
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 153 
 
 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 dis- 
 cerned 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, 1 8 
 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 effective- 
 ness 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
 
 154 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Rich- 
 mond 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 n. The preliminary work of this desperate
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 155 
 
 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 lowas signal-yard quickly fluttered the an- 
 nouncement that she had 140 volunteers, and the other 
 ships were not far behind. On the New York the enthu- 
 siasm 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 Lieuten- 
 ant 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. Lieu- 
 tenant 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
 
 156 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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- 
 incrAmprovised 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 tor- 
 pedo 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 under- 
 clothing, 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
 
 LIEUTENANT HOBSON.
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 157 
 
 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 quar- 
 termaster at the wheel will not leave until after having 
 put it hard aport, and lashed it so ; he will then jump 
 overboard. 
 
 " 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 Mer- 
 rimac 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
 
 158 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 num- 
 bers, 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 Monta- 
 gue, 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 offi- 
 cers of the flag-ship stood with their glasses focused on
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 159 
 
 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 mo- 
 ments 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, supervis- 
 ing personally every little detail.
 
 l6o THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 When, finally, he went on board the Merrimac Thurs- 
 day 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 j. The hazardous voyage was begun at three 
 o'clock Friday morning. The Merrimdc 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, sud- 
 denly, 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
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. l6l 
 
 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. 
 
 During an hour the anxious watchers waited for 
 daylight. Rear-Admiral Sampson and Captain Chad- 
 wick 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 Merri- 
 mac s masts sticking up just where Hobson hoped to
 
 1 62 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 inspec- 
 tion, 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 steam- 
 ing 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, turn- 
 ing 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
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 163 
 
 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 com- 
 menced 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 j. Later in the day a boat with a white flag put
 
 1 64 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. Lieuten- 
 ant 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 Bala- 
 klava 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 :
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 165 
 
 " 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 obstruct- 
 ing 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 solu- 
 tion 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 prose- 
 cuted, 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 com- 
 pleted. After a careful inspection of the final prepara- 
 tions, I was forced to relinquish the plan for that
 
 1 66 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 per- 
 sistent 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 apprecia- 
 tion 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 Gushing blew up the Albermarle. 
 
 " Referring to the inspiring letter which you ad- 
 dressed 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
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 167 
 
 the very greatest reluctance, believing he should retain 
 his command under all circumstances. 
 
 " 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 Merrimacs steering-gear broke as she got to
 
 1 68 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 wonder- 
 ing 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
 
 ADMIRAL CERVERA.
 
 HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC. 169 
 
 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 motion- 
 less. It was splendid the way these men behaved. 
 
 " The fire of the soldiers, the batteries and the Viz- 
 caya was awful. When the water came up on the 
 Merrimacs deck the catamaran floated amid the wreck- 
 age, 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 bombard- 
 ment, the shells striking and bursting around El Morro. 
 Then we were taken into Santiago. I had the court
 
 I7O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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."
 
 QUEEN REGENT, MARIA CHRISTINA OF SPAIN.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 BY WIRE. 
 
 ~]\/[A Yjo. The auxiliary cruisers Leyden and Uncas 
 J-V-l made an attack on one of the outlying block- 
 houses at Cardenas, plying their 3-pounders until the 
 Spaniards deserted their batteries. 
 
 June i. 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 re- 
 garding the conduct of the war, as evinced by a news- 
 paper article to which was signed the name of Emilio 
 Castelar, the distinguished republican statesman. 
 
 Seflor Castelar attacked the queen regent, reproach- 
 ing her with being a foreigner and unpopular, and with 
 interfering unjustifiably in political affairs. He com- 
 pared 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 Sena- 
 
 171
 
 172 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 tors expressed in violent terms their indignation at 
 Seflor 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
 
 BY WIRE. 173 
 
 leave their hammocks in the nettings until they could 
 get the ship coaled and ready to sail from Sandy 
 Point." 
 
 June j. The collier Merrintac was sunk in the 
 channel of Santiago Harbour, as has already been told. 
 
 June 4. Captain Charles Vernon Gridley, com- 
 mander 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 genera- 
 tions 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 club- 
 house on Lafayette St^et, near the brigade head- 
 quarters, 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.
 
 174 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 How the fire originated is a mystery. In the store- 
 house 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 pro- 
 hibiting foreign newspaper correspondents from re- 
 maining 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 prov- 
 ince of Cavite. During the past week they have won 
 several victories, and have taken prisoners about eight- 
 een 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
 
 BY WIRE. 175 
 
 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 Bru- 
 tus 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 p. The Spanish bark Maria Dolores, laden with 
 coal and patent fuel, was captured by the cruiser Min- 
 neapolis twelve miles off San Juan de Porto Rico. 
 
 June to. A battalion of marines was landed in 
 the harbour of Guantanamo, forty miles east of 
 Santiago. 1 
 
 A blockhouse at Daiquiri shelled by the transport 
 steamer Panther. 1 
 
 June 11-12. Attack upon American marines in 
 Guantanamo Bay by Spanish regulars and guerillas. 1 
 
 June ii. 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 
 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 176 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 hos- 
 tilities, 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 squad- 
 ron 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 cap- 
 tured or destroyed : Two protected cruisers, five unpro- 
 tected cruisers, one transport, one surveying vessel, 
 both armed. The following are captured : Transport 
 
 Manila, gunboat Callao. 
 
 " DEWEY." 
 
 Advices from Honolulu report that on June ist 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 :
 
 BY WIRE. 177 
 
 "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 rela- 
 tions now existing between this country and the United 
 States, this government has not proclaimed a procla- 
 mation of neutrality having reference to the present 
 conflict between the United States and Spain, but, on 
 the contrary, has tendered to the United States privi- 
 leges and assistance, for which reason your protest can 
 receive no further consideration than to acknowledge 
 its receipt." 
 
 June rj. 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. 1 
 
 President McKinley signed the war revenue bill. 
 
 Secretary Gage issued a circular inviting subscriptions 
 to the popular loan. 
 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 178 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 The dynamite cruiser Vesuvius joined Admiral 
 Sampson's fleet. 1 
 
 While the U. S. S. Yankee was off Cienfuegos on 
 this day, a Spanish gunboat steamed out of the har- 
 bour, evidently mistaking the character of the new- 
 comer ; 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 east- 
 ern 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. 1 
 
 The heroes of Santiago Bay, who sank the Merrimac, 
 rewarded by the Navy Department. 1 
 
 First trial of the dynamite cruiser Vesuvius. 1 
 
 The war tax on beer, ale, tobacco, cigars, and ciga- 
 rettes went into effect on this date. 
 
 June 14. From Manila on June 1/j.th much of inter- 
 est 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 : 
 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 BY WIRE. 179 
 
 "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 insur- 
 gents 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 cap- 
 tured 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 ist. 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
 
 180 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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, Gen- 
 eral 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 Span- 
 iards, 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, Agui- 
 naldo stormed the old convent, and of the Spaniards 
 who remained there he killed ninety and captured 250."
 
 GENERAL GARCIA.
 
 BY WIRE. l8l 
 
 June 75. 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 sub- 
 scribed for twice over. 
 
 Bombardment of the fortifications in Guantanamo 
 Bay. 1 
 
 The House of Representatives passed the Hawaiian 
 annexation resolution. 
 
 June 16. Third bombardment of the batteries near 
 Santiago. 1 
 
 The Spanish forces in and near Cardenas had re- 
 paired the damages inflicted by the American vessels 
 when they bombarded the works, and on June i6th 
 another lesson was given those who killed Ensign Bag- 
 ley and his brave comrades. Five blockhouses were 
 completely demolished, the enemy beating a hasty 
 retreat without having fired a shot. 
 
 June ij. Fortifications in Guantanamo Bay shelled 
 by American naval force. 1 
 
 Capture of the Spanish sloop Chato in Guantanamo 
 Bay. 1 
 
 June 18. Bombardment of blockhouse in Guanta- 
 namo Bay. 1 
 
 Battery at Cabanas shelled by the U. S. S. Texas. 1 
 
 June 19. First American troops landed on Cuban soil. 1 
 
 June 20. General Shafter and Admiral Sampson 
 visit General Garcia in his camp. 1 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 fS2 THE BOYS OF 98. 
 
 June 21. Landing of General Shafter's army begun. 1 
 
 Bombardment of all the fortifications near about San- 
 tiago. ' 
 
 Captain-General Augusti cabled the Madrid govern- 
 ment that he, having been forced to take refuge in the 
 walled city, 2 would be unable to continue communica- 
 tion. 
 
 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 Dol- 
 phin remove the mines from Guantanamo Bay. 1 
 
 Bombardment of the Socapa battery near Santiago. 1 
 
 Spaniards set fire to the town of Aguadores. 1 
 
 The U. S. S. Texas engages the west battery of 
 Cabanas. 1 
 
 Captain Sigsbee of the U. S. S. St. Paul, in report- 
 ing 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 
 
 - See Chapter X. 2 See Appendix A for description of Manila.
 
 BY WIRE. 183 
 
 of the batteries, commenced edging out toward us, 
 firing at such a long range that her shots were ineffec- 
 tive. 
 
 " 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 ' com- 
 mence firing ' was made, and for several minutes we let 
 fly our starboard battery at her at from fifty-five hun- 
 dred 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
 
 184 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. 1 
 
 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. 1 
 
 Action near Juragua. 1 
 
 June 25. Skirmish near Sevilla. 
 
 The American government protested a draft drawn 
 by its consul at St. Thomas, D. W. I., under circum- 
 stances calculated to make an extremely dangerous 
 precedent. The draft was made by Consul Van Home 
 for thq 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 Home apparently did 
 the proper thing and did not exceed instructions. 
 
 June 26. General Garcia with three thousand 
 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 BY WIRE. 185 
 
 Cuban insurgents landed at Juragua by American 
 transports. 1 
 
 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 Sefior T. Estrada Palma, of the New York junta. 
 
 The U. S. dynamite cruiser Vesuvius shelled the 
 fortifications at the entrance to Santiago harbour. 1 
 
 The water-supply of Santiago cut off by the Ameri- 
 can forces. 1 
 
 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 Is/a 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. 
 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 1 86 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Torpedo-boat destroyer Osada, 
 
 Transport Covadonga, carrying no guns. 
 
 Collier San Francisco. 
 
 June 2j. 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. 1 
 
 The President sent to Congress the following mes- 
 sages : 
 
 " 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 success- 
 
 1 See Chapter X.
 
 ADMIRAL CAMARA.
 
 BY WIRE. 187 
 
 ful 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 ad- 
 dressed to the Secretary of the Navy, referring to Mr. 
 Hobson's gallant exploit, says : 
 
 " ' 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, pre- 
 sented 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 contem- 
 plated a crew of only seven men, and Mr. Hobson 
 begged that it might be entrusted to him. 
 
 " ' I cannot myself too earnestly express my appre- 
 ciation 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 Gushing 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 Secre- 
 tary 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
 
 1 88 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 after the sinking of that vessel, to be advanced in rank 
 to the grade of ensign, has been prepared and will be 
 submitted. 
 
 " Gushing, with whose gallant act in blowing up the 
 Albemarle, during the civil war, Admiral Sampson com- 
 pares 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 recom- 
 mendation 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
 
 BY WIRE. 189 
 
 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 Ser- 
 vice, 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 con- 
 stant danger of going ashore on account of the shallow 
 water, until he finally got a line made fast to the Wins- 
 low, 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
 
 190 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 nomina- 
 tion 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 num- 
 bers under the provisions of section 1,506 of the Revised 
 Statutes, and to be an ensign in the navy, for extraor- 
 dinary heroism while in charge of the steam launch 
 which accompanied the collier Merrimac, for the pur- 
 pose of rescuing her gallant force when that vessel was, 
 under the command of Naval Constructor Hobson, rim 
 into the mouth of the harbour of Santiago, Cuba, on 
 the third instant, and dexterously sunk in the channel. 
 (Signed) " WILLIAM McKiNLEY." 
 
 June 2j. 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
 
 BY WIRE. 191 
 
 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 star- 
 vation 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 proclama- 
 tion 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
 
 1 92 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Lopes, 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, deter- 
 mined 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 Ameri- 
 cans 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 main- 
 tain 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
 
 GENERAL AUGUSTI.
 
 BY WIRE. 193 
 
 of defence difficult. The number of sick among the 
 troops is increasing, making the situation very dis- 
 tressing, and causing increased desertions of the native 
 soldiers. 
 
 "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 hun- 
 dred wounded. The citadel has been invaded by the 
 suburban inhabitants, who have abandoned their homes, 
 owing to the barbarity of the rebels. These inhabi- 
 tants 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. 
 
 r I "HE campaign of Santiago, during which the Span- 
 *- ish fleet under Admiral Cervera was entirely de- 
 stroyed, 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. Samp- 
 son commanding, with Commodores J. C. Watson and 
 W. S. Schley of the first and second squadrons respec- 
 tively, which blockaded the port of Santiago, consisted 
 of the battle-ships Massachusetts, Io^va, Texas, Indiana, 
 Oregon; armored cruisers New York, Admiral Samp- 
 son's flag-ship, Brooklyn, Commodore Schley's flag-ship ; 
 protected cruisers New Orleans, Newark, Commodore 
 Watson's flag-ship ; converted yachts Vixen, Gloucester? 
 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, 
 
 1 For types of war-ships see Appendix B. 
 194
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 195 
 
 Maria Teresa, Admiral Cervera's flag-ship ; torpedo- 
 boat destroyers Furor and Pluton. 
 
 The Americans were on the alert, lest by some inad- 
 vertence 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, em- 
 barked 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 bombard- 
 ment of the batteries guarding the entrance to the har- 
 bour at six o'clock in the morning, having steamed in 
 to within three thousand yards of the shore, the Brook- 
 lyn in advance of the first column, with the Marble- 
 head, 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, 1 
 while the second was stationed off the new earthworks 
 near Morro Castle. Orders had been given that no 
 
 1 See Appendix C for description of Santiago Harbour.
 
 196 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 shots should be thrown into El Morro, because of the 
 fact that Lieutenant Hobson and his crew were impris- 
 oned there. 
 
 The fleet continued the bombardment without mov- 
 ing 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 Snwanee engaged 
 with some light inshore works, speedily reducing them 
 to ruins. Until nine o'clock the bombardment contin- 
 ued 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 lieuten- 
 ant and five seamen had been killed, and seventeen
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 197 
 
 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 Ameri- 
 can 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 fortifica- 
 tions 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 dif- 
 ferent calibres. The damage inflicted upon the batter- 
 ies 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
 
 198 THE BOYS OF 98. 
 
 truce from Admiral Sampson, to arrange for an ex- 
 change 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 pro- 
 visions 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 Ad 
 miral 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 addi- 
 tional 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
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 199 
 
 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 Guanta- 
 namo. 
 
 June ii. It was three o'clock on Saturday after- 
 noon ; 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 mus- 
 ket was heard, followed by another and another until 
 the rattle of firearms told that a skirmish of consider- 
 able 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
 
 2OO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. Twoof 
 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. Skir- 
 mishers 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
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 2OI 
 
 the camp kept careful watch, and then without warning, 
 as before, the crack of repeating rifles broke the almost 
 painful stillness. 
 
 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 Marbleliead t 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
 
 2O2 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. Ser- 
 geant 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
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 2O3 
 
 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 vicin- 
 ity 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 fj. 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 lurk- 
 ing 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
 
 2O4 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 marks- 
 men 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, hold- 
 ing 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 :
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 205 
 
 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 - Mur- 
 phy, coxswains, to be chief boatswain's mates, an in- 
 crease 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 bat- 
 tling 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
 
 2O6 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 in- 
 formation 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 har- 
 assed 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.
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 2O7 
 
 On this night of June I4th, 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 dis- 
 covery of the presence of the Spanish fleet in the 
 harbour. 
 
 " In the intense darkness of last night the Vesu- 
 vius 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.
 
 2O8 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 "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 25O-pound charges 
 of guncotton into the fortifications. This clone, the 
 fleet remained like spectres, each vessel at its respec- 
 tive station, until half-past three o'clock on the morning
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 209 
 
 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 Santi- 
 ago 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 broad- 
 side 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 mes- 
 sage 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."
 
 2IO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 While the Americans were making their presence 
 felt at Santiago, those who held Guantanamo Bay were 
 not idle. The Texas, Marblehead, and the Suwanee bom- 
 barded 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. Paid 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 77. Next day the batteries on Hicacal Point 
 and Hospital Cay were shelled, the Marble head and the 
 St. Paul attending to the first, and the Suwanee car- 
 ing 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
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 211 
 
 to be the Chato. Her crew of five were taken on 
 board the Marbleluad 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 trans- 
 ferred 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 i8th, and next morning at daylight 
 the launches of the New York and Massachusetts recon- 
 noitred 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 Harlovv, 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
 
 212 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 close under the old fort, and we were preparing to cir- 
 cumnavigate the bay at full speed when fire was opened 
 from the fort and rocks on the shore. The Massachu- 
 setts' launch was some distance ahead and about forty 
 yards off the fort. There was no room to turn, and 
 our i -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 work- 
 ing 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 com- 
 mended, as is also the coolness with which the marines 
 and sailors worked under the Spanish fire.
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 213 
 
 " Nothing was learned at Cabanas Bay, but at Guay- 
 aganaco 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 gun- 
 boat 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 dis- 
 charged 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
 
 214 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Guan- 
 tanamo. Communication by telegraph has been estab- 
 lished 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
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 215 
 
 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 har- 
 bour. 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 night- 
 fall seven mines had been removed. 
 
 The battle-ship Texas was assigned to duty off Mata- 
 moras, 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 per- 
 formed 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 Wai 
 Department :
 
 2l6 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 "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 ; land- 
 ings 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.
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 217 
 
 "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 Span- 
 iards having applied the torch to many buildings before 
 they fled. The enemy was driven back on to San- 
 tiago, 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
 
 2l8 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 five miles from Santiago. The Americans were press- 
 ing 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 move- 
 ment 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 intrench- 
 ments of stone and fallen trees. At the bottom of 
 these hills run two roads, along which Lieutenant-Col- 
 onel 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,
 
 COLONEL THEODORE ROOSEVELT.
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 219 
 
 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. 
 
 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 for- 
 ward 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 stubborn- 
 ness has seldom been equalled. The instant the 
 Hotchkiss guns were fired, from the hillside command- 
 ing 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
 
 22O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 com- 
 rades 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 ap- 
 parently 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.
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 221 
 
 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 north- 
 west 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 moun- 
 tains 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.
 
 222 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Jiine 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 har- 
 bour 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 Vestivius 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 /. 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 terri- 
 ble word which should be received telling of slaughter 
 and woeful suffering, and it came on the evening of 
 July ist, when the cablegram given below was flashed 
 over the wires to the War Department :
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 223 
 
 "PLAYA DEL ESTE, July I, 1898. 
 
 "A. G. O. t U. S. Anny, Washington: 
 
 "Siboney, July I. 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 XL 
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 
 
 w. R. SHAFTER, in his official 
 
 report of the operations around Santiago, says : 
 " On June 3Oth 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 oper- 
 ating 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 Agua- 
 dores, 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
 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL SHAFTER.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 225 
 
 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, antf, 
 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. 
 
 "Early on the morning of July ist Lawton was in 
 position around El Caney, Chaff ee'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. 1 5 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 regi- 
 ments reached my headquarters from Siboney. I di- 
 rected him to move near El Caney, to give assistance if
 
 226 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Span- 
 iards 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 di- 
 rection. 
 
 " 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 di- 
 rected 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 smoke- 
 less 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
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 227 
 
 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
 
 228 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 move- 
 ment 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 Lieu- 
 tenant-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,
 
 THE ATTACK ON SAN JUAN HILL.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 2 29 
 
 passing over a green knoll, and drove the enemy back 
 toward his trenches. 
 
 " 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, Thir- 
 teenth Infantry, and the Gatling gun detachment under 
 his command. 
 
 " The fighting continued at intervals until nightfall, but
 
 230 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 our men held resolutely to the position gained at the 
 cost of so much blood and toil. 
 
 " On the night of July ist 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, 
 
 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 pro-
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 23! 
 
 prietor 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 unpleas- 
 ant 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 thg 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
 
 232 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 be- 
 gun 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 weak- 
 ened, however. 
 
 " Through glasses our infantry could be seen advanc- 
 ing 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
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 233 
 
 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 hurry- 
 ing 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 bat- 
 tery stopped firing for fear we should hurt our own 
 men, and, dashing down into the valley, hurried across
 
 234 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 to take up a position near the infantry, who were now 
 firing on Caney from the blockhouse. The town ar- 
 tillery 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 ammu- 
 nition fired. There was a continuous roar of musketry
 
 VICE-PRESIDENT HOB ART.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 235 
 
 from four o'clock in the morning until four in the 
 afternoon. 
 
 " ' Chaffee's brigade began the fight by moving along 
 the extreme right, with Ludlow down in the low coun- 
 try 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 be- 
 fore 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
 
 236 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 wonder- 
 ing 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.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 237 
 
 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
 
 238 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 coopera- 
 tion for offensive purposes between the army and navy.

 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 239 
 
 The landing of the army at Daiquiri and Altares was 
 purely a naval affair. 
 
 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 fore- 
 noon, 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 west- 
 ward. 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
 
 240 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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, com- 
 manding 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
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 241 
 
 battlements, almost hidden by green creepers, frag- 
 ments 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 bril- 
 liantly 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.
 
 242 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Snwanee 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 
 Stiwanee 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 wit- 
 nessed at the finish of a college boat-race, or a popular 
 race between first-class thoroughbreds on some big 
 track. 
 
 The Suwanees 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 Lieu- 
 tenant-Commander Delehanty. 
 
 At 11.30 General Duffield signalled that his scouts 
 reported that no damage had been done to the Spanish
 
 ADMIRAL W. T. SAMPSON.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 243 
 
 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. 
 
 At 12. 1 8 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 im- 
 possible 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 in- 
 tending 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 ihe-$kwar&, which had not fired, 
 signalled :
 
 244 THE BOYS OF '98- 
 
 " 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 blockad- 
 ing 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 
 ist, 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 hospi- 
 tals 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.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 245 
 
 " 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 out- 
 cast 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 never- 
 theless 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 opera- 
 tions 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
 
 246 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 moon- 
 light 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.
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 247 
 
 "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
 
 248 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Chaff ee 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
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 249 
 
 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 en- 
 trenched within a compact town of stone and concrete 
 houses, some with walls several feet thick, and sup- 
 ported 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.
 
 250 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Sergeant McKinnery asked Lieutenant Wiser's per- 
 mission 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."
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 251 
 
 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, I 
 
 " ' His EXCELLENCY, THE GENERAL COMMANDING 
 
 FORCES OF UNITED STATES, San Juan River. 
 " ' Sir: I have the honour to reply to your com- 
 munication of to-day, written at 8.30 A. M. and received 
 at i P. M., demanding the surrender of this city ; on the
 
 252 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 y 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
 
 EL CANEY AND SAN JUAN HEIGHTS. 253 
 
 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, desir- 
 ing 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. 
 
 254
 
 GENERAL WEYLER.
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 255 
 
 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. 
 
 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 fight- 
 ing 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 com- 
 plete 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
 
 256 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 di- 
 rectly 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 3 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
 
 CAPTAIN R. D. EVANS.
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 257 
 
 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 1 1 -inch hontoria rifles in the direction of 
 the Texas and pulled the lanyard. The shell came 
 shrieking out to sea, but to sea only. 
 
 "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 south- 
 ward, 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 magnifi-
 
 258 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 cent 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 f<?zva), 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 1 2-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.
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 259 
 
 " And then came Wainwright of the Maine, Lieut.- 
 Commander Richard Wainwright, who for weeks con- 
 ducted the weary search for the dead bodies of ship- 
 mates 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 tor- 
 pedo her, Wainwright headed them off, and they never 
 got beyond range of the forts.
 
 26O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 "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 relent- 
 less 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 Indi- 
 ana was coming with tremendous speed to join them. 
 
 "And then came the finishing stroke. A 1 2-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 SPANISH FLEET. 26 1 
 
 "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 Viz- 
 caya, 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 Viz- 
 caya, 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 parti- 
 tion 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
 
 262 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 short- 
 est 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.
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 263 
 
 " 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 relent- 
 less 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 1 3-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.
 
 264 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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.
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 265 
 
 " 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 Colons 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 
 tastern 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, 4x7 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 for- 
 midable 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
 
 266 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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), Viz- 
 cay a, 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 In- 
 fanta 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

 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 267 
 
 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 clay 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. 
 
 " 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
 
 268 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Marble- 
 head had gone to Guantanamo to overhaul and coal, 
 and then tells of the Reina Mercedes's skirmish on that 
 day, saying :
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 269 
 
 "Just before midrught 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 gen- 
 eral. 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 ves- 
 sel 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 Erics- 
 son, 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 permis- 
 sion to continue in chase, but she was directed to pick 
 up two men in the water, which she did, and on reach- 
 ing 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 oper-
 
 27O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 ation 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 offi- 
 cial, 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 stand- 
 point. 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 of. She had been sub- 
 jected 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 every- 
 where, 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
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 271 
 
 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.
 
 272 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 en- 
 trance. 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 under- 
 standing 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,
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 273 
 
 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 Guan- 
 tanamo 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
 
 274 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 chan- 
 nel 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 ves- 
 sels, 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.

 

 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 275 
 
 " 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 pass- 
 ing 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 sus- 
 tained 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 Inditstta 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 blockad- 
 ing 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.
 
 276 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 im- 
 mediately 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 destroy- 
 ers 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 Phiton 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
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 277 
 
 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 difficul- 
 ties, 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 proba- 
 bly 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-
 
 278 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 caya was soon set on fire, and at 11.15 sne turned in- 
 shore 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 fast- 
 est 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
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 279 
 
 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. Com- 
 modore 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
 
 28O THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. 
 
 "ii. I regard this complete and important vic- 
 tory 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 Ctistobal 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 ist, 
 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
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 28 1 
 
 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 en- 
 trance 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 vigi- 
 lance 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 com- 
 manding officers merit great praise for the perfect 
 manner in which they entered into this plan, and put 
 it into execution. The Massachusetts, which, according
 
 282 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 to routine, was sent that morning to coal at Guan- 
 tanamo, 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 squad- 
 ron 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 1 3-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 unprece- 
 dented 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.

 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 283 
 
 "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
 
 284 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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. 
 
 " 1 6. 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-CJiief 
 
 U. S. Naval Force, North Atlantic Station. 
 " The Secretary of the \. Navy, Navy Department, Wash- 
 ington, 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 :
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 285 
 
 "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 counter- 
 mine 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,
 
 286 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 power- 
 ful. 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 SPANISH FLEET. 287 
 
 "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 hur- 
 ried 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 empow- 
 ered 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 some- 
 where, 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
 
 288 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 steam- 
 ing 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 Guanta- 
 namo coaling, will be full of grief, as also Watson, in 
 the Newark. 
 
 " I had forgotten to mention that day before yester- 
 day 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 dem- 
 onstration 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 atten- 
 tion to us yesterday, banged away at us in fine style, 
 and a number of shells burst around us. Finally, when
 
 THE SPANISH FLEET. 289 
 
 I had them entirely off my mind and was paying atten- 
 tion only to the torpedo-boat destroyers, came a tre- 
 mendous 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. 
 
 T T 7TTH the victory at El Caney and San Juan Hill 
 
 ^ fresh in their minds, the American people be- 
 lieved that the war was well-nigh at an end. Informa- 
 tion 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 Span- 
 iards, 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 
 
 290
 
 THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. 29! 
 
 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 com- 
 panions were confined in the extreme northern build- 
 ing, 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 Wash- 
 ington 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
 
 2Q2 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 lieutenants and fourteen other prisoners. Major Tries, 
 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 Gen- 
 erals Miles, Shafter, Wheeler, and Gilmour had an 
 interview with General Toral and his staff at a point 
 about halfway between the lines. 
 
 July /j. 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 fortifica- 
 tions, 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 15,1 898. 
 " EXCELLENCY COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF 
 
 OF THE AMERICAN FORCES. 
 
 "Excellent Sir: I am now authorised by my gov- 
 ernment 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
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOSEPH WHEELER.
 
 THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. 293 
 
 on the basis of what has been agreed upon to this 
 date. 
 
 " 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 represen- 
 tatives, 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 Span- 
 ish 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,
 
 294 E BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 com- 
 manding 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 recom- 
 mend 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.^
 
 THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. 295 
 
 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 naviga- 
 tion at the entrance of the harbour had been progress- 
 ing 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 accom- 
 panied General Shafter's staff : 
 
 "General Shafter and his generals, with mounted 
 escort of one hundred picked men of the Second Cav- 
 alry, then rode over our trenches to the open ground at 
 the foot of the hill on the main road to Santiago, mid- 
 way to the then deserted Spanish works. There they 
 were met by General Toral and his staff, all in full uni- 
 form and mounted, and a select detachment of Spanish 
 troops.
 
 296 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 dash- 
 ing 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 ac- 
 companied 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 flour- 
 ishes 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.
 
 THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. 297 
 
 "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 indif- 
 ferent 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 accom- 
 panied 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
 
 298 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 sol- 
 diers. 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
 
 THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. 299 
 
 streets was frightful. The bones of dead horses and 
 other animals were bleaching in the streets, and buz- 
 zards, 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, Seflor 
 Feror, and to the chief of police, Sefior 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 apolo- 
 gies 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.
 
 3OO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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" cle 
 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 Cap- 
 tain 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 flag- 
 staff, was the illuminated Spanish arms, and the legend, 
 " Vive Alphonso XIII" 
 
 All about, pressing against the veranda rails, crowd- 
 ing 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.
 
 KING ALPHONSO XIII. OF SPAIN.
 
 THE SURRENDER OF SANTIAGO. 301 
 
 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. 
 
 7UNE 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 Wil- 
 liam 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 
 
 302
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 303 
 
 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 gain- 
 ing 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 2ist) all am- 
 munition 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 : ' Seftors, it must be 
 done.'
 
 304 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 break- 
 ing 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 inter- 
 vals 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.
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 305 
 
 This harbour in which we were is beautiful, easy of ac- 
 cess, 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 Hono- 
 lulu twenty-one hundred miles, Honolulu to island of 
 Guam thirty-three hundred, and thence to Manila six- 
 teen 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 con- 
 gratulate 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, com- 
 manded by Lieut. C. W. Rice. On board the steamers
 
 306 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 were 650 Cubans under Gen. Emilio Nunez, fifty 
 troopers of the Tenth U. S. Cavalry under Lieu- 
 tenants 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 1 67 sacks of oats and 2 1 6 bales of 
 hay to feed them. Topping the list of arms were two 
 dynamite guns, with 5O-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 offi- 
 cers were provided 200 army Colts and 2,700 cartridges. 
 Two hundred books of United States cavalry and in- 
 fantry 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, calcu- 
 lated 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
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 307 
 
 would be effected at San Juan Point, on the south 
 coast of Cuba, midway between Cienfuegos and Trini- 
 dad. This place was reached Wednesday evening, 
 June 2Qth. 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
 
 308 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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, how- 
 ever, 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
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 309 
 
 Agramonte, and two Cubans. It was reported that 
 Chanler had been mortally wounded, and was kept hid- 
 den in the bushes along the shore by the two doctors. 
 Rescue parties were immediately organized, 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 discov- 
 ered and brought off. 
 
 July i. 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 artil- 
 lery 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 destruc- 
 tive. 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
 
 3IO THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 atten- 
 tion 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 par- 
 tially 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 reinforce- 
 ments were pouring into Las Tunas from all directions ; 
 a newspaper from Sancti Spiritus stated that two thou- 
 sand 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-
 
 GENERAL GOMEZ.
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 31 I 
 
 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. 
 
 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 un- 
 scathed, ^fty this time daylight was breaking, and 
 another Yankee ship, the gunboat Castine, hove in sight, 
 reinforcing the Hawk.
 
 312 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 The two opened fire upon the Spanish vessel and 
 fort. A well-directed 4-inch shell from the Castiw 
 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 bat- 
 teries 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 blockad- 
 ing 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
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 313 
 
 schooner. They found her deserted, and while examin- 
 ing 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
 
 314 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Santo Domingo. When the men from the Eagle 
 boarded the latter they found that she carried two 
 5-inch and two 1 2-inch guns, the latter being loaded 
 and her magazines open. The steamer had been draw- 
 ing 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 //. 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 try- 
 ing 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 :

 
 MINOR EVENTS. 315 
 
 "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 jo. Another "Jackie" achieved the reputation 
 of a hero. He is boatswain's mate Nevis of the gun- 
 boat Bancroft, and the tale of his valour is not unmixed 
 with humour. 
 
 The Bancroft, accompanied by the converted yacht 
 Eagle, \qfcich had been covering the blockading sta- 
 tion 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. Thj! 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,
 
 316 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 317 
 
 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 shoul- 
 ders, and demanded an immediate surrender. 
 
 The scared Spanish seamen lost no time in comply- 
 ing, 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 com- 
 mander. 
 
 The capture was no mean one, for these six men 
 gave important information to the American ships. 
 
 August i. 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 prison- 
 ers of war. As a result of the conference, one thou- 
 sand 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.
 
 318 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 August 10. The President to-day promoted Samp- 
 son 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 1 2-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 /j. General Shafter, at Santiago, learned 
 that Manzanillo had been Bombarded for twenty hours. 
 
 General Shafter at once cabled to the Spanish com- 
 mander at Manzanillo that peace had been declared, 1 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 1 6. The following message was the first 
 received in this country from the territory so lately 
 annexed : 
 
 1 See Chapter XVII.

 
 
 .#
 
 MINOR EVENTS. 319 
 
 " 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. 
 
 7UL Y 20. With bands playing and thirty thousand 
 people cheering, t^e first expedition to Porto Rico 
 left Charleston, S. C., ac seven o'clock in the evening, 
 under command of Maj.-Gen. J. H. Wilson. The Sec- 
 ond 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, Ley den, 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-Com- 
 mander Wainwright, steaming into the harbour in 
 order to reconnoitre the place. With the fleet wait- 
 ing outside, the gallant little fighting yacht Gloucester 
 braved the mines which were supposed to be in this 
 
 320
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL MILES.
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 321 
 
 harbour, and, upon sounding, found that there were 
 five fathoms of water close inshore. 
 
 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 
 flag-staff 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 $reat 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. 

 
 322 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 323 
 
 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, surren- 
 dered 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.
 
 324 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 theif 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 tele- 
 gram : 
 
 "U. S. S. MASSACHUSETTS, PONCE, PORTO 
 "Rico, July 28. 
 
 " Commander Davis with Dixie, Annapolis, Wasp, and 
 Gloucester left Guanica July 2/th 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.
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 325 
 
 " 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 Giijmica 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 
 1 20 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 j/. In General Miles's despatches to the War 
 Department, the following statements are made regard- 
 ing the condition of affairs on the island :
 
 326 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " Volunteers are surrendering themselves with arms 
 and ammunition. Four-fifths of the people are over- 
 joyed 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 dis- 
 embarked they will be in readiness to move." 
 
 Colonel Rulings, 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 en- 
 thusiasm by the populace. 
 
 August i. The American scouts were within six 
 miles of Coamo, and the Spanish rear guard was retir- 
 ing 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 im- 
 pregnable. Detours were to be made by the Americans 
 from Coamo through Arroyo and Guayamo, thus avoid- 
 ing 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 ad- 
 vance 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. Yabri-
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL BROOKE.
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 327 
 
 coa, Patillas, Arroyo, Guayanillo, Penuelas, Ad juntas, 
 Guayamo, and Salinas had all surrendered. 
 
 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 Rouma- 
 nian 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 detach- 
 ment, 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.
 
 328 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " 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 Montgom- 
 ery, 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 mis- 
 take 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
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 329 
 
 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 cap- 
 tured 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.
 
 33 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 August 8. The town of Coamo was taken by the 
 Sixteenth Pennsylvania and the Second and Third 
 Wisconsin. Artillery was used on an outlying block- 
 house, 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 Rulings 
 commanding, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Biddle, of my 
 staff, having made a turning movement through the 
 mountains, striking the Aibonito road half a mile be- 
 yond 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 espec- 
 ially to be commended. This is a very important
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 331 
 
 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 dis- 
 tance 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 ii. 
 
 " PONCE, VIA BERMUDA, August u. 
 
 " Secretary of War, Washington : The following 
 message received from Schwan : 
 
 "'CAMP, NEAR HORMIGUEROS, AugUSt IO. 
 
 " ' Advance guard, including cavalry of this com- 
 mand, 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
 
 332 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 Spanish garrison of Mayaguez and surrounding coun- 
 try, 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.' 
 
 i^ (Signed) " MILES." 
 . 
 
 August 12. General Wflson 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 platp^fe; of Troop C, of New York, 
 was reconnoitring on their right flank. 
 
 As the American rMtery rounded a curve in the 
 road, two thousand yards away, the enemy opened an 
 artillery and infantr^ 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
 
 GENERAL BROOKE RECEIVING THE NEWS OF THE PROTOCOL.
 
 THE PORTO RICAN CAMPAIGN. 333 
 
 terrific fire, were unlimbered, and were soon hurling 
 common shell and shrapnel at the enemy at a lively 
 rate, striking the emplacements, batteries, and entrench- 
 ments with the rhythmic regularity of a triphammer. 
 
 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, com- 
 pelling 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 sur- 
 render. 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.
 
 334 THE BOYS. OF "98. 
 
 August ij. Twelve hours later the Spanish com- 
 mander 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 In- 
 fantry 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 sign- 
 ing of the protocol when the action occurred, but 
 obtained it later in the day.
 
 GENERAL RUSSELL A. ALGER, SECRETARY OF WAR.
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 THE FALL OF MANILA. 
 
 T T 7ITH the opening of the month of July, affairs at 
 
 * Manila, so far as concerned the American forces, 
 were at a standstill. 
 
 June jo. Admiral Dewey awaited the coming of the 
 army, the first transports of the fleet having arrived 
 at Cavite, June 3Oth, 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 ist, 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 I -2-inch hontoria guns, and several 2.7-inch 
 rapid-fire guns. 
 
 July i. 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 
 
 335
 
 336 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 Span- 
 iards were to make their last stand if Manila capitu- 
 lated. 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 through- 
 out 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 Fran- 
 cisco to Manila, rediscovered and took formal posses- 
 sion of the long lost Wake Island, in north latitude 
 19 15' and east longitude 166 33'. 
 
 July 5. To the Spanish consul at Singapore, Cap- 
 tain-General Augusti telegraphed : 
 
 "The situation is unchanged. My family has suc- 
 ceeded 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
 
 THE FALL OF MANILA. 337 
 
 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 Ameri- 
 can 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, witn 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 reso- 
 lution 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 com- 
 plimenting Admiral Dewey upon his direction of affairs 
 since the great naval victory, a formal evidence that
 
 338 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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
 
 THE FALL OF MANILA. 339 
 
 Minnesota and Colorado recruits, sailed from San 
 Francisco for Manila. 
 
 July jf. The transports Indiana, Ohio, Valencia, 
 Para, and Morgan City arrived at Cavite with American 
 troops. 
 
 At 1 1.30, 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 bat- 
 tery, 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 infantry- 
 men, pushed them back in confusion, the Pennsylvanians 
 and Utah battery aiding gallantly in the work. 
 
 August /. 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
 
 34 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 com- 
 mander 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 open- 
 ing 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 Colo-
 
 THE FALL OF MANILA. 34! 
 
 rado 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. Fif- 
 teen 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 resist- 
 ance, 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 hun- 
 dred wounded. 
 
 Captain-General August! 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 sur- 
 rendered 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 Ameri- 
 can flag being hoisted by Lieutenant Brumby. 
 
 "About seven thousand prisoners were taken.
 
 342 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 " The squadron had no casualties, and none of the 
 vessels were injured. 
 
 " August 7th, General Merritt and I formally de- 
 manded the surrender of the city, which the Spanish 
 governor-general refused. 
 
 (Signed) " DEWEY." 
 
 " HONGKONG, August 2Oth. 
 
 " Adjutant-General, Washington : The following 
 are the terms of the capitulation : 
 
 " The undersigned, having been appointed a commis- 
 sion 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 Philip- 
 pines, have agreed upon the following : 
 
 "The Spanish troops, European and native, capitu- 
 late 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
 
 THE FALL OF MANILA. 343 
 
 shall be respected as long as they observe the regula- 
 tions 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 organ- 
 isation, 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 reli-
 
 344 THE BOYS OF '98- 
 
 gious 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 PfiNA, 
 
 " Auditor-General 's excts. 
 " CARLOS REYEO, 
 
 " Colonel de Ingenieros. 
 "Joss MARIA OLQUEN, 
 
 " Felia de Estado Majors. 
 
 (Signed) " MERRITT." 
 
 " HONGKONG, August 2Oth. 
 
 "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, contain- 
 ing proclamation of President. 
 
 " MERRITT."
 
 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 unhap- 
 pily 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 sus- 
 pension 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 
 345
 
 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 hostil- 
 ities, 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 in- 
 structed, 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 :
 
 PEACE. 347 
 
 The President does not now put forward any claim 
 for pecuniary indemnity, but requires the relinquish- 
 ment 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 en- 
 tirety, 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
 
 348 THE BOYS OF '98. 
 
 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 impres- 
 sion on the protocols. 
 
 The striking of the match caused the French ambas- 
 sador 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 distin- 
 guished party in the White House library continued to 
 discuss the weather, and wonder when the typical Cuban
 
 DON CARLOS.

 
 PEACE. 349 
 
 rain would cease falling. In a few minutes the mes- 
 senger 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. 
 
 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. 
 
 Wkereas, 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 repre- 
 senting 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 establish- 
 ment 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 govern- 
 ment to the commanders of its military and naval 
 forces ; 
 
 Now, therefore, I, William McKinley, President of 
 the United States, do, in accordance with the stipula- 
 tions of the protocol, declare and proclaim on the part 
 
 35
 
 PEACE. 351 
 
 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 proclama- 
 tion. 
 
 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. 
 
 number of islands in the Philippine group are 
 
 JL 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, extend- 
 ing from 40 40' to 20 north latitude, and from 116 40' 
 to 126 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 dis- 
 covered 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. 
 
 355
 
 356 APPENDIX A. 
 
 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 south- 
 erly 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 oc- 
 curred 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 Monties of Paris :
 
 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 357 
 
 In the same district are found Indians, Negritos, Man- 
 thras, 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 number- 
 ing 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 degener- 
 ate 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
 
 APPENDIX A. 
 
 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 realfuerte (about thirteen 
 cents) a day, thinks he is doing well. 
 
 In this archipelago of the Philippines, where races, man 
 ners, 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 Mussul- 
 man. At a distance of six thousand leagues from Toledo 
 and Granada, the same ancient hatreds have brought Euro- 
 pean 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 com- 
 mercial, political, and religious centre of the followers of the 
 Prophet, the Mecca of the extreme Orient. From this cen- 
 tre 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; con- 
 stantly 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 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 359 
 
 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 Span- 
 ish 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, con- 
 vinced 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 long-
 
 360 APPENDIX A. 
 
 ing 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 jurammtadoS) 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 sen- 
 sual energies of the eternally young and beautiful com- 
 panions who are calling him, opening their arms to receive 
 him. Thus prepared, the juramentado is ready for every- 
 thing. 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
 
 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 361 
 
 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 t " the soldiers 
 seized their arms. The juramentados rushed on them fear- 
 lessly, 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 re- 
 mained 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 1 " 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 ;
 
 362 APPENDIX A. 
 
 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 ammu- 
 nition is exhausted, the hapless Mandayas have nothing to 
 do but witness, as impotent spectators, the work of destruc- 
 tion, 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 PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 363 
 
 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 com- 
 parative 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 mis- 
 sionaries, Father Saturnine 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
 
 364 APPENDIX A. 
 
 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 civ- 
 ico-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 circum- 
 ference. 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 fa9ades 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
 
 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 365 
 
 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, Euro- 
 peans, 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 Lunette, carriages 
 and equipages of every kind drive past, and pedestrians 
 swarm in crowds around the military band stand in the mar- 
 vellously 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 exces- 
 sive taxation by Spain to raise money to carry on the war in 
 Cuba. The islands were already overburdened with assess- 
 ments 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 popula- 
 tion 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.
 
 366 APPENDIX A. 
 
 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 insur- 
 rectionists 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 road- 
 way, together with the buggies and open carriages of the 
 foreign element. 
 
 At sunset the various tobacco stores close, and their thou- 
 sand 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 neces- 
 sitates 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
 
 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 367 
 
 with bracelets, earrings, and chains. Many of the males 
 are similarly attired. Everybody smokes. Cigarettes at fif- 
 teen 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 bach- 
 elors, 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 com- 
 bined, or in ' chummeries," established in adjacent build- 
 ings. 
 
 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 Mahom- 
 etan 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
 
 368 APPENDIX A. 
 
 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, undoubt- 
 edly, with their gentle and non-aggressive qualities. They 
 eschew opium and spirituous liquors. Their chief suste- 
 nance, 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 require- 
 ments, and that measure is narrow indeed. Hence it is often 
 difficult to obtain his services in the development of the to- 
 bacco, 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
 
 THE PHILIPPINE ISLANDS. 369 
 
 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 assail- 
 ants 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. 
 
 WARSHIPS 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 thou- 
 sand 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 equip- 
 ment 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. 
 
 370
 
 WARSHIPS AND SIGNALS. 371 
 
 In the matter of attack and defence, vessels are distin- 
 guished 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 maga- 
 zines 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 for- 
 tress, 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. Every- 
 thing 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 contain- 
 ing 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
 
 372 APPENDIX B. 
 
 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-bat- 
 teries. 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, de- 
 clared 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 lo-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 car- 
 ried all over the ship, but it is not flat, nor is it of equal
 
 WARSHIPS AND SIGNALS. 373 
 
 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 i8-inch armour of its heavier rival, while 
 one well-directed shot from the 1 2-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 n-inch guns with a i2-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 i-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
 
 374 APPENDIX B. 
 
 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 suffi- 
 cient 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 scour- 
 ing 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
 
 WARSHIPS AND SIGNALS. 375 
 
 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 differ- 
 ent 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
 
 376 APPENDIX B. 
 
 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 rig- 
 ging ; 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 quarter- 
 master 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 nu- 
 merals 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, prepara- 
 tory, 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
 
 WARSHIPS AND SIGNALS. 377 
 
 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 under- 
 stood 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 belong- 
 ing 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 eight- 
 een flags and a code pennant, corresponding to the conso- 
 nants 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 
 niht signals, with which all our vessels carrying an electric 
 plant are fitted, is employed. These signals consist essen- 
 tially 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
 
 37$ APPENDIX B. 
 
 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 atten- 
 tion 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 sys- 
 tem 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 con- 
 struction 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 com- 
 municated 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 scat- 
 tered along it the remains of several vessels, whose caotains, 
 
 379
 
 380 APPENDIX C. 
 
 in trying to escape from the dangers of the storm, have 
 vainly sought to enter the difficult harbour, and the bleach- 
 ing 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 15 15, by Diego Velasquez, con- 
 sidered 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, how-
 
 SANTIAGO DE CUBA. 381 
 
 ever, 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 earth- 
 quake, 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-gen- 
 eral, 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
 
 382 APPENDIX C. 
 
 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 in- 
 vaders, 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 dis- 
 appointment, 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 con- 
 queror, 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. 
 
 T)ORTO RICO was discovered by Columbus in Novem- 
 JL ber, 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 Mono. 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 reestab- 
 lished 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 
 
 383
 
 384 APPENDIX D. 
 
 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 every- 
 where 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
 
 PORTO RICO. 385 
 
 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 dis- 
 tance 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. 
 
 386
 
 18 
 
 .785 
 
 University of California 
 
 SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 
 
 Return this material to the library 
 
 from which it was borrowed.
 
 A nrln "' "''' I'lllllll (III