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 resolutions 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.
[Illustration: U. S. S. COLUMBIA.]
“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 First the minister is withdrawn, then comes the firing.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,
whatever 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 government 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 resolution of both chambers of the United States, which denies the
legitimate sovereignty of Spain and threatens 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 existing between the two
countries, and all official communication 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:
“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 herewith appended. The United
States minister at Madrid was at the same time instructed to make a like
communication 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 government
had broken off diplomatic relations with this government.
“This course renders unnecessary any further diplomatic action on the part
of the United States.
“‘April 20, 1898.
“‘_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 pacification 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 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 control 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
satisfactory response to this demand and resolutions, whereby the ends of
peace in Cuba shall be assured, the President 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 telegram, and before I communicated the same to
the Spanish government, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs notified
me that diplomatic relations are broken between the two countries, and
that all official communication 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 ultimatum 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 Spanish
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.
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 illumination
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, property, 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
everything 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!”
[Illustration: CAPTAIN-GENERAL BLANCO.]
The people interrupted him with cries of applause, and he finished his
speech by shouting “_Viva Espana!_” “_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 material. 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_, the first of the fleet, lying close to shore,
steamed out after the _Machias_, 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 _Indiana_ 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,
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 gradually 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 standing 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_ suddenly 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 Spanish
steamer, probably believing the pursuing craft carried 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.
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 confirming his previous decree, and declaring the island to be in a
state of war.
He also annulled his former similar decrees granting 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 and
stripes in front of the residence of Señor 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 appearance,
but the French ambassador was not at home.
[Illustration: PREMIER SAGASTA.]
Correspondents at Hongkong announced that Admiral Dewey had ordered the
commanders of the vessels composing his squadron to be in readiness for an
immediate movement against the Philippine Islands.
_April 23._ The President issued a proclamation calling 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 fishing-boat _Perdito_ was sighted making for
Havana harbour, 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
Sampson 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 _Mathilde_ 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, 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 American 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 begun 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 detestable conduct have caused this great
conflict.”
The royal decree then states that Spain maintains her right to have
recourse to privateering, and announces 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 observed with the strictest
fidelity the principles of international 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 refused
to admit then was the abolition of privateering.
“The government now considers it most indispensable 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 1_: The state of war existing between Spain and the United States
annuls the treaty of peace and amity of October 27, 1795, and the protocol
of January 12, 1877, and all other agreements, treaties, or conventions 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 adhered 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.
“_Four_: 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 coöperate
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 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 judged 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 recently had with the representatives of Spain
and the United States, with the United States minister at Madrid, through
the latter with government of Spain, showing 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 from Cuba and Cuban waters, and
directing the President 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 minister 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 reasonable demands of this government as
measures of hostility, 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 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
Congress, approved April 22, 1898, to issue my proclamation, 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.
[Illustration: PRESIDENT WILLIAM MCKINLEY.]
“In view of the measures so taken, and other measures 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 international
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 conduct of a public war may be assured.
(Signed) “WILLIAM MCKINLEY.
“_Executive Mansion, Washington, April 25, 1898._”
The war bill was passed without delay, and immediately after it had been
signed the following notice was sent to the representatives of the foreign
nations:
“A joint resolution of Congress, approved April 20th, directed
intervention for the pacification and independence of the island of Cuba.
The Spanish government on April 21st informed our minister at Madrid that
it considered this resolution equivalent to a declaration of war, and that
it had accordingly withdrawn its minister 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 21st.
“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 transatlantic 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 Spaniard 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 enemy’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 Falconer and fifteen
marines.
_April 26._ The President issued a proclamation respecting the rights of
Spanish vessels then in, or 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 Matanzas 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, and the story of the
chase is thus told by an eye-witness:
[Illustration: U. S. S. PURITAN.]
“The Spanish steamer _Guido_, 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 9th.
“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 profitable 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, 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 capture 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, providing for the construction of three battle-ships, four monitors,
sixteen torpedo-boat destroyers, and twelve torpedo-boats.
The U. S. S. _Newport_ 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 completed 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-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 believed 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 considered 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_, _Marblehead_, 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 morning, 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 direction. Twenty minutes later she fired two shots across 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 passengers 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 conveying the intelligence
that she had been fired upon by Spanish boats coming out of the river. She
immediately 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-boat
destroyer. After twenty minutes of firing by the _Eagle_, during the last
five of which the _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 destroyers
_Furor_, _Terror_, and _Pluton_, bound westward, probably for Porto Rico.
_April 30._ The American schooner _Ann Louisa Lockwood_ was taken by the
Spaniards off Mole St. Nicolas.
The capture of a small Spanish schooner, the _Mascota_, 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 afternoon of April 27th.