HOBSON AND THE MERRIMAC.
_May 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 blockading 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 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 entrance 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 _Brooklyn_ 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 31._ The U. S. S. _Marblehead_, cruising inshore to relieve the
monotony of blockading duties, discovered 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 the same time discover the location of
the masked batteries. In pursuance of this plan he transferred his flag
from the _Brooklyn_ to the more heavily armed _Massachusetts_.
[Illustration: U. S. S. 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 summons which should bring them into the
fight; but none came.
The _Massachusetts_ opened fire first, taking the Spanish 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 13-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 batteries 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_.
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 1._ Rear-Admiral Sampson, with the _New York_ as his flag-ship, and
accompanied by the _Oregon_, the _Mayflower_, and the torpedo-boat
_Porter_, joined Commodore 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.
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 discerned 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, 18 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 effectiveness 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 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 Richmond 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 11._ The preliminary work of this desperate 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 _Iowa’s_ signal-yard quickly fluttered the
announcement that she had 140 volunteers, and the other ships were not far
behind. On the _New York_ the enthusiasm 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 Lieutenant 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. Lieutenant 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 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-inch improvised 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 torpedo 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
underclothing, 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 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 quartermaster at the wheel will not leave until after having put
it hard aport, and lashed it so; he will then jump overboard.
[Illustration: LIEUTENANT HOBSON.]
“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 _Merrimac_ 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 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 numbers, 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 Montague, 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 officers of the
flag-ship stood with their glasses focused on 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 moments 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,
supervising personally every little detail.
When, finally, he went on board the _Merrimac_ Thursday 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 3._ The hazardous voyage was begun at three o’clock Friday morning.
The _Merrimac_ 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,
suddenly, 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 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_.
[Illustration: U. S. S. NEW YORK.]
During an hour the anxious watchers waited for daylight. Rear-Admiral
Sampson and Captain Chadwick 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 _Merrimac’s_ masts sticking
up just where Hobson hoped to 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
inspection, 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_ steaming 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, turning
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 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 commenced 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 3._ Later in the day a boat with a white flag put 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. Lieutenant 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 Balaklava 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:
“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 obstructing 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 solution 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
prosecuted, 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 completed. After a careful inspection of the
final preparations, I was forced to relinquish the plan for that 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
persistent 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 appreciation 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 Cushing blew up the _Albemarle_.
“Referring to the inspiring letter which you addressed 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 the very greatest reluctance,
believing he should retain his command under all circumstances.
[Illustration: HOBSON AND HIS MEN ON THE RAFT.]
“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 _Merrimac’s_ steering-gear broke as she got to 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
wondering 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 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
motionless. It was splendid the way these men behaved.
[Illustration: ADMIRAL CERVERA.]
“The fire of the soldiers, the batteries and the _Vizcaya_ was awful. When
the water came up on the _Merrimac’s_ deck the catamaran floated amid the
wreckage, 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 bombardment, the shells striking and bursting around
El Morro. Then we were taken into Santiago. I had the court 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.”
[Illustration: QUEEN REGENT, MARIA CHRISTINA OF SPAIN.]