Cas City Forum Hall & CAS-L

Special Interests - Groups & Societies => The Barracks => Topic started by: Drydock on February 15, 2018, 05:32:54 PM

Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Spoils of War
Post by: Drydock on February 15, 2018, 05:32:54 PM
15 Febuary

Via Western Union:

To: Secretary of the Navy, United States

Maine blown up in Havana harbor at 2140 and destroyed.  Many wounded and doubtless more killed and drowned.  Wounded and others on board Spanish man-of-war and Ward line steamer.  Send lighthouse tenders from Key West for crew and few pieces of equipment still above water.  No one had other clothes than those upon him.  Public opinion should be suspended till further report.  All officers are believed to be saved.  Jenkins and Merrit not yet accounted for.  Many Spanish officers, including representitives of General Blanco, are now with me and express sympathy.

                                                                                       Charles D. Sigsbee, Captain, Maine commanding, USN.

End.
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on February 17, 2018, 10:19:01 AM
Feb 17

New York World,  Sylvester Scovel.

The cause of the blowing up of the ship will not be known until divers go down and examine the wreck.  If their investigation shows that the indentation of the hull is inward, the conclusion that the magazine was exploded by a bomb or torpedo placed beneath the vessel is inevitable.  If the indentation is outward, it will be indicated that the first explosion was in the magazine.

Western Union.

To: Secretary of the Navy, United States.

Probably the Maine destroyed by mine,  perhaps by accident.  I surmise that her berth was planted previous to her arrival, perhaps long ago.  I can only surmise this.

                                                                                              Charles D. Sigsbee, Captian, Maine commanding.
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on February 19, 2018, 05:54:13 PM
Feb 19

Memorandum

To: John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy, United States.

     Let me earnestly urge that you advise the president against our conducting any examination in conjunction with the Spaniards as to the Maine's disaster.  I myself doubt whether it will be possible to tell definatly how the disaster occured by an investigation;  still it may be possible, and it may be that we could do it as well in conjunction with the Spaniards as alone.  But I am sure we could never convince the people-at-large of this fact.  There is of course a very large body of public opinion to the effect that we some time ago reached the limit of forebearance in our conduct toward the Spaniards, and this public opinion is already very restless, and might easily be presuaded to turn hostile to the administration.

                                                                                   Theodore Roosevelt,  Asst. Secretary of the Navy,  United States.

Western Union

To: Secretary of the Navy, United States.

One hundred and twenty five coffins, containing one hundred and twenty five dead, now buried; nine ready for burial tomorrow.

                                                              Charles D. Sigsbee, Maine commanding.
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on February 21, 2018, 01:00:46 PM
Feb 21

Naval Court of Inquiry, U.S. Lighthouse tender Mangrove, Havana harbor.

Judge Advocate:  Lt. Commander Adolph Marix.

Witness:  Captain Charles D. Sigsbee.

Q: State what you heard.
A: I have been informed by Captain Stevens, who is temporarily in command of the steamer City of Washington, of the Ward Line of steamers, that he had never known in all his experience, which covers visits to Havana for five or six years, a man-of-war to be anchored there, and that it was the least used buoy in the Harbor.

. . .

Q: There is a peculiar bunker under the forward turret, abreast of the 10 inch magazine.  Do you know when it was last emptied?
A: I cannot personally recollect that particular bunker.
Q: Did you ever receive any report from the chief engineer of your ship that any coal had been too long in any bunker?
A: Never that I can recollect.
Q: Did the fire alarms in the Bunkers work?
A: They were sensitive.  They worked occasionally when there was no undue heat in the bunkers, on which occasions we invariably examined the bunkers and got a report.  
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on February 23, 2018, 07:27:47 PM
Feb 23

Naval Court of Inquiry, U.S. Lighthouse Tender Mangrove, Havana harbor.

Judge Advocate: Lt. Commander Adolph Marix.

Witness: Ensign Wilfred Van Nest Powelson, supervising divers.

Q: Had there been any important discoveries?
A: There was one sir:  Gunner Charles Morgan, while walking forward on the port side, reported falling into a deep hole in the mud.  He also reported that the hull in the vicinity of the hole seemed bent upward.
Q: What weight do you give the statement by Mr. Morgan as to his falling in the hole on the port side?
A: No weight sir.
Q: You give no weight to that!?
A: No sir.  He may have been mistaken.

It was remarked that the Ensign was a very cautious man . . .

(I interpose here:  My records are incomplete, but testimony was given earlier in the day by the Maine's Chief Engineer, Commander Charles P. Howell.  He stated that the coal in Bunker A-16 was 3 months old.  The bunker had been sealed after loading.  He also stated 2 hours prior to the explosion he had passed thru the wing passages on 3 sides of this bunker, and observed no heat, running his hand over those bulkheads.  He could not speak for the 4th bulkhead, shared with the 6" reserve magazine, but thought it unlikely given previous exprerience with coal fires.)
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on February 24, 2018, 08:56:45 PM
Feb 25

Cable

     Dewey, Hong Kong

Secret and Confidential

     Order the squadron except Monacacy to Hong Kong.  Keep full of coal.  In the event of declaration war Spain,  your duty will be to see that the Spanish squadron does not leave the Asiatic coast and then offensive operations in Philipine Islands.  Keep Olympia until further orders. 

                                                                                                                                        Roosevelt
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on February 26, 2018, 12:06:59 PM
Feb 26

Memorandum

to: Segismundo Bermejo,  Minister of Marine to their Catholic Majesty's of Spain.


Do we not owe to our country not only our life, if necessary, but the exposition of our beliefs?  I am very uneasy about this.  I ask myself if it is right for me to keep silent, make myself an accomplice in adventures which will surely cause the total ruin of Spain.  And for what purpose?  to defend an island which was ours, but belongs to us no more, because even if we did not lose it by right in the war, we have lost it in fact, and with it all our wealth and an enormous number of young men, victims of the climate and the bullets, in the defense of what is now no more than a romantic Idea.

                                                                                    Pascual Cevera, Rear Admiral, Squadron of Cape Verde, commanding.


Court of Inquiry, US Lighthouse Tender Mangrove, Havana Harbor

Judge Advocate: Lt Commander Adolph Marix.

Witness: Ensign Wilfred Van Nest Powelson, supervising divers.

Q: What do you deduce from this information?
A: I think the explosion occurred on the port side somewhere about frame 18 . . . I should say . . . between frames 16 and 18 was the center of impact, and that this was under the ship, a little on the port side.
Q: How far from the keel?
A: . . . I should say . . . fifteen feet in a horizontal line.
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on March 04, 2018, 08:02:51 PM
March 4

Memorandum

To: Rear Admiral Pascual Cevera, Squadron of Cape Verde, commanding.

 . . . the Oregon is on the west coast, and will remain there . . .American fleet manned by Mercenaries . . . any deficiencies in the fleet will be corrected by april . . .  I will close never doubting for one moment that you and all of us will fulfill the sacred duty which our country imposes upon us, and in giving you my opinions in answer to yours there is nothing that I desire more than peace.

                                                                Segismundo Bermejo, Minister of Marine to their Catholic Majesty's of Spain
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates)
Post by: Drydock on March 06, 2018, 03:48:58 AM
March 6

US President William McKinley asks Congress for a $50,000,000 appropriation, to be used for National Defense.

(todays dollars that is roughly equivalent to 130 billion.  Withdrawn from the treasury, not borrowed.)
Title: Re: 1898 (stand by for updates, post questions in seperate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 07, 2018, 07:17:19 PM
March 7

Memorandum

To: Segismundo Bermejo, Minister of Marine to their Catholic Majesty's of Spain

 . . . It would be foolish to deny that what we may reasonably expect is defeat, which may be glorious, but all the same defeat, which would cause us to lose the island in the worst possible manner . . .

Only in case we could count on some powerful ally could we aspire to obtain a satisfactory result.

                                                                         Rear Admiral Pascual Cevera, Squadron of Cape Verde, commanding.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 09, 2018, 06:37:52 PM
March 9

Letter

to: Major General C. Whitney Tillinghast II, NY National Guard.

I have been in a great quandary . . . I don't want to be in an office during the war, I want to be at the front; but I should rather be in this office than guarding a fort and no enemy within a thousand miles of it . . . Do you think the Governor would give me a chance to start in and raise that regiment in New York were war declared?

                                                                                            Theodore Roosevelt

US Senate votes unanimously for the Presidents $50,000,000 appropriation, following a unanimous vote by the house the previous day.

Cable

To: State Department, United States.

This vote (for the Appropriation) has not excited the Spaniards -- it has simply stunned them.  To appropriate fifty millions out of money in the treasury, without borrowing a cent, demonstrates wealth and power.  Even Spain can see this.

                                                                                          Stewart L. Woodford, US Ambassador to Spain.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 11, 2018, 10:23:33 AM
March 11

Letter

To: Franz-Joseph I, Emperor of Austria, King of Hungary

I have thus far carefully avoided causing His Majesty the Emperor the least concern for my affairs.  At this moment, however, the agony which presses on the heart of this mother is so great as to overcome any fear of seeming importunate.

------------

It is not at all improbable that McKinley, who, I would like to believe, maintains a properly pacific attitude, would also welcome the opprtunity to be able to point out to certian groups that my fate was not a matter of indifference to the rest of the world.
     In any event, I leave it up to the Emperor and his heart

                                                                                Maria Christina, Queen Regent of Spain.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 16, 2018, 03:28:26 PM
March 16

Memorandum

To: Segismundo Bermejo, Minister of Marine to their Most Catholic Majesty's of Spain

I am afraid there may be some ministers who, while believing that we are not in favorable conditions, may have been dazzled by the names of the vessels appearing in the general statement, and may not realize how crushing a disproportion really exists,  especially if he is not thoroughly aware of our lack of everything that is necessary for a naval war, such as supplies, ammunition, coal, provisions, etc.  We have nothing at all.

 . . . I think it is of the greatest importance that the whole council of ministers, without exception, be fully and clearly informed of our terrible position . . .

 . . . Perhaps there is nothing left for us to do but to settle the dispute though arbitration or mediation, provided the enemy accepts . . .

Perhaps it would be well for me to inform the members of the cabinet myself.  If this is deemed expedient I am ready to start at the first  intimation.

                                                                                       Rear Admiral Pascual Cevera, Squadron of Cape Verde, Commanding.

Conversation

"What the administration will ultimately do I don't know.  McKinley is bent on peace, I fear"

                                                                                        Theodore Roosevelt
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 17, 2018, 03:03:23 PM
March 17

Letter

To: Victoria, Queen of England

We should long ago have brought the war in Cuba to an end, had America remained neutral, but she continuously sent money, munitions, and weapons to the rebels; and now, when the insurrection is nearly over, the Americans intend to provoke us and bring about a war, and this I would avoid at all costs.  But there are limits to everything, and I cannot let my country be humbled by America. . .
     Until now I have not troubled anybody with my affairs, and I only do so now in order to preserve peace.  I have applied to the Emperor of Austria, who promised to approach the other powers in order that the common action be taken for the preservation of peace; but I wished to address myself to you at the same time, to beg you not to deny me your powerful protection.  I know how, with the greatest kindness, you always interest yourself in my poor fatherless son--for his sake I beg you to help me.  It would so distress me if England were not at one with the other Great Powers in this matter!

                                                                                  Maria Christina, Queen Regent of Spain (Her Niece)
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 19, 2018, 03:47:07 AM
March 19

USS Oregon departs San Francisco.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 22, 2018, 06:47:10 PM
March 20

Cable

To: Stewart L. Woodford, US ambassador to Spain

 . . . Relations will be much influenced by attitude of Spanish Government in Maine matter, but general conditions must not be lost sight of.  It is proper that you should know that, unless events otherwise indicate, the President, having exhausted diplomatic agencies to serve peace in Cuba, will lay the whole question before Congress.

                                                                           William R. Day, Assistant Secretary of State, United States.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 24, 2018, 07:26:47 PM
March 24

US Dept of the Treasury transfers 10 Revenue Cutters to the US Navy.

Lt. John Hood arrives in Washington DC at 2155.  He carries a locked canvas pouch containing the final report of the Maine inquiry board.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on March 26, 2018, 02:27:14 PM
March 26

Cable

To: Spanish ambassador to Great Britain

Your excellency should learn if Great Britain actually has made any agreement with the United States in the event of war, or if Britain's silence is due solely to the wish to keep her hands free, and not to be bound in advance by any commitment.
                                                                                     
                                                                                                            Pio Gullon, Foreign Minister of Spain

Conversation

To: Mark Hanna, United States Senator.

"Now, Senator, may we please have war?"

                                                                                                            Theodore Roosevelt

                                                                                                 
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 01, 2018, 04:17:28 PM
April 1

Memorandum

To: Victoria, Queen of England

The Spanish question is very grave, and Lord Salisbury would not like to advise your Majesty to give any undertaking to assist the Queen of Spain, without consulting his colleagues; for any communication from this country to the United States, in the way of remonstrance's, might arouse their susceptible feelings, and produce a condition of some danger, without any corresponding advantage.  At the same time, Lord Salisbury thinks that your Majesty would not refuse to join in any course taken by all the other Great Powers.  But he doubts the expediency of action by them. It is more likely to help the war party in the United States than to weaken them.
     The position of the Queen Regent of Spain is most lamentable and grievous.  It is impossible not to feel the deepest sympathy for her.

                                                                           Lord Robert Cecil Salisbury, Prime Minister of England.  

(who always addressed his queen in the third person)
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 05, 2018, 09:42:17 AM
April 4

USS Oregon arrives Callao, Peru.  She has steamed 4112 miles in 16 days, consuming 900 tons of coal.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: pony express on April 05, 2018, 10:45:49 AM
(Approximately 4.6 miles per ton. Not really an "economy ship")
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 05, 2018, 07:36:20 PM
5 April

Letter

To: Henry Cabot Lodge, US Senator, Massachusetts.

I do not know whether you especially value the friendship and sympathy of this country (writing of England)  It is the only European country whose sympathies are not openly against us.  If we wanted it - which, of course, we do not - we could have the practical assistance of the British Navy.
                                                                                 John Hay, US Ambassador to Great Britain

Cable

To: Commodore George Dewey, US Asiatic Squadron, Commanding

War may be declared.  Condition very critical.

                                                                                    John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy, United States.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 06, 2018, 07:05:30 PM
6 April

A European delegation, consisting of the ambassadors of France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Russia, and Great Britain, presents a joint note to President William McKinley, expressing the hope "that further negotiations will lead to an agreement which, while securing the maintenance of peace, will afford all necessary guaranties."

Serving as Spokesman, British Ambassador Pauncefote declares "We hope for humanity's sake that you will not go to war."

McKinley replies "We hope, if we do, you will understand that it is for humanity's sake."



Letter

To: Spanish Minister of Marine Sigesmundo Bermejo.

It is therefore absolutely necessary to decide what we are going to do.  If the case arises, we may act rapidly, and with some chance of efficiency and not be groping about in the dark, or, like Don Quixote, go out to fight windmills and come back with broken heads.

                                                                            Rear Admiral Pascual Cevera, Squadron of Cape Verde, commanding.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 07, 2018, 08:14:25 PM
7 April

Bunkered and provisioned, USS Oregon departs Callao Peru, heading magnetic 180.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 11, 2018, 08:16:18 PM
11 April

President McKinley addresses a Joint Session of Congress (Excerpt)

 . . .the war in Cuba must stop.  In view of these facts and these considerations, I ask the Congress to authorize and empower the President to take measures to secure a full and final termination of hostilities between the goverment of Spain and the people of Cuba, and to secure in the island the establishment of a stable government, and to use the military and naval forces of the United States as may be necessary for these purposes.

Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 16, 2018, 09:16:34 PM
16 April

US Senate passes the Teller amendment

 "The United States hereby disclaims any disposition or intention to exercise sovereignty, jurisdiction, or control over Cuba 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."

Spanish Foriegn minister Gullon makes a request of the Vatican.

 . . . to have the Pope suggest to the Great Powers that one of the best ways of preventing war would be for them to make a Naval Demonstration against the United States.
     Pope Leo XIII declines.

USS Oregon anchors for the night off Tamar Island, at the western end of the Straits of Magellan.

-
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 19, 2018, 07:57:11 PM
19 April

After over a week of nearly continuous debate, the United States House and Senate pass a Joint Resolution, at 3 AM.

 ". . .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 Cuban waters, and directing the President of the United States to use the land and naval forces of the United States to carry these resolutions into effect."

Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 20, 2018, 07:32:32 PM
20 April

President William Mckinley signs the Joint Resolution without comment.  The Resolution is then cabled to the US Ambassador to Spain, with instructions to demand an answer by 23 April.

The Spanish Ambassador to the United States demands his passport, and departs via train for Canada.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898 (Questions and comments in separate thread)
Post by: Drydock on April 21, 2018, 05:39:40 PM
21 April                                                  

USS Oregon departs the eastern end of the Straits of Magellan.

Before US Ambassador Woodford can present the Resolution to the Spanish Prime Minister,  He is given his passports, being told that Spain considers the Congressional Proceeding of the 19th a Declaration of War.

This marks the formal opening of the Spanish American War.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: WAR has been declared!
Post by: Trailrider on April 21, 2018, 09:09:21 PM
"And beneath the starry flag, civilize 'em with a Krag,
   and return us to our own beloved homes!"
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: WAR has been declared!
Post by: Drydock on April 22, 2018, 05:09:20 PM
22 April

Cable

to: Spanish Minister of Marine Bermejo.

Public spirit very high;  great enthusiasm among all classes.  But I must not conceal from your excellency that if people should become convinced that the Squadron is not coming, disappointment will be great, and an unpleasant reaction is possible.  Beg that your excellency will advise me whether I can give them any hope of more or less immediate arrival of Squadron.

                                                                             Ramon Blanco, Governor General of Cuba

At 3 PM a Squadron of ships does arrive off Havana:  The United States North Atlantic Squadron.  2 Battleships, 1 Armored Cruiser, 3 Protected Cruisers, 3 Monitors, 7 Torpedo boats, 5 Gunboats.  Rear Admiral William T. Sampson Commanding.

The gunboat USS Nashville takes as prize the Spanish merchantman "Buenaventura", whose captain was unaware a war was in progress.  The shot Nashville fires across her bow is the first of the war.

                                                                  
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Blockade established!
Post by: Drydock on April 23, 2018, 04:26:44 PM
23 April

Major General Wilsone Black,  Govenor of Hong Kong, reluctantly orders Commodore George Dewey, United States Asiatic Squadron Commanding, that his Squadron must depart Hong Kong within 24 hours, in accord with British Neutrality.  Dewey departs for Mirs Bay, China, leaving behind a Leutenant to await dispatchs from the United States.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

President Mckinley issues a call for 125,000 volunteers.   (1 million would attempt to enlist. 77% would be rejected.  Physically, this would be the most hand picked army in US history.)
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Blockade established!
Post by: Drydock on April 25, 2018, 06:16:26 PM
25 April

Cable

to: Commodore George Dewey, United States Asiatic Squadron, Commanding

War has commenced between the United States and Spain.   Proceed at once to Phillippine Islands.  Commence operations against the Spanish fleet.  You must capture vessels or destroy.  Use utmost endeavor.

                                                                               William Long, Secretary of the Navy, United States.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Admiral Patricio Montojo, Spanish Pacific Sqadron, Commanding, moves his 6 largest ships to Subic Bay, believing it more easily defended.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Opening moves.
Post by: Drydock on April 26, 2018, 09:43:47 PM
26 April

The senior congressman from Alabama, and Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, is invited to a private meeting with the President at the White House, 8:30 PM.  He is 61years old, 5 feet 5 inchs, not much over 100 lbs soaking wet.  He appears a frail little old man, with his shock of white hair and long white beard.

"General, I have sent for you to ask if you want to go, and if you feel able to go."  President McKinley extends the shoulder straps of a US Major General.

Joseph Wheeler, West Point class of 1859, a Confederate Luetenant General at age 28, snaps to attention "I feel quite capable, and should welcome the chance to serve my country."  

"Fighting Joe" Wheeler would prove the toughest man in Cuba, the most capable ground commander of the war.  He would put on a blue uniform for the first time since Fort Sumter.  He would keep it this time, and eventually be buried in it, one of his Pallbearers exclaiming "Jesus General, I hate to think of what old Stonewall's going to say when he see's you arriving in that uniform!"

Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Opening moves.
Post by: Drydock on April 28, 2018, 09:35:08 AM
28 April

Cable

to: Admiral Patricio Montojo, Spanish Pacific Squadron, Commanding

The enemys squadron sailed at 2 pm from Mirs Bay, and according to reliable accountst they sailed for Subic to destroy our squadron and then will go to Manila.

                                                                                          Spanish Consul, Hong Kong

Admiral Montojo finds the defences at Subic unprepared: the 5.9" guns that were to defend the narrow harbor entrance still lying on the beach, few mines planted.  He orders the ships to return to Manila, reasoning that if he is to be sunk, he would prefer it in the shallower waters off the Cavite Naval Station.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Opening moves.
Post by: Drydock on April 30, 2018, 09:45:03 PM
30 April

USS Oregon arrives Rio de Janeiro, and discovers that the United States is at War with Spain.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Manila Bay.
Post by: Drydock on May 01, 2018, 03:48:10 AM
1 May

2 AM: Batteries on El Fraile and Corrigidor report shots fired on darkened ships entering the Boca Grande channel to Manila Bay.

5 AM: Batteries fire on US Squadron opposite Manila.  The ships turn south, spotting the Spanish Squadron anchored off Cavite.

5:40 AM: "You may fire when you are Ready, Gridley."


12:30 PM: The last Spanish vessel is sunk, and a white flag breaks out over Cavite Naval Station.  Spanish casualties are 381 dead and wounded.  The American Squadron has suffered 8 wounded aboard the USS Baltimore.  Commodore Dewey sends a message to the Captain General of Manila, informing him that if the shore batteries fronting Manila fire upon him, he will bombard the city.  The Spanish agree to a cease fire.

The Spanish refuse to share the cable to Hong Kong for messaging, so Dewey orders it dredged up and cut.  The Cutter McCulloch is dispatched to Hong Kong with Dewey's report.  

That evening the Olympia's band comes on deck.  The Commodore wrote of the scene:  "They (Manila citizens) climbed on the ramparts of the very battery that had fired on us in the morning.  The Olympia's band, for their benefit, played "La Paloma" and other Spanish Airs, and while the sea breeze wafted the strains to their ears the poor colonel of artillery who had commanded the battery, feeling himself dishonored by his disgraceful failure, shot himself through the head."
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Civilized war.
Post by: Drydock on May 04, 2018, 07:15:16 PM
3 May

USS New York exchanges fire with a troop of Spanish Cavalry off shore of Cabanas.  Richard Harding Davis reports . . .

     "The ship ran up nearer to the shore, and as she did so a troop of Cavalry galloped into view and formed a cordon under a great tree.  They dismounted and began firing their rifles at the ship, which answered with 7 rounds from a 4" deck gun.
     Meanwhile from below came the strains of the string band playing for the officers mess, and the music of Scheur's "Dream of Spring" mingled with the belching of the 4 inch gun.
     This is not a touch of fiction, but the reporting of cold coincidence, for war as it is conducted at the end of the century is civilized."
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A civilized war
Post by: Drydock on May 07, 2018, 04:14:10 PM
7 May

"Dewey Dewey Dewey
is the hero of the day
and the Maine has been remembered
in the Good Old Fashioned Way!"

At 3 am local time the McCulloch's report of the battle, cabled from Hong Kong, is recieved in Washington.  Navy Secretary Long releases it that morning, and the nation,  collectively worried over the silence from Manila, celebrates.

Newly commissioned Lt. Col. Roosevelt resigns from office, to join the 1st United States Volenteer Cavalry, now forming in Texas.  He takes with him a USN M1892 .38 caliber revolver, recovered from the wreckage of the Maine by his Brother-in-Law, Lt. Commander William S. Cowles, the commanding officer of the Salvage Tug USS Fern.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A civilized war
Post by: Drydock on May 11, 2018, 04:16:05 PM
11 May

Gunboat USS Wilmington, Revenue Cutter USRCS Hudson, and Torpedo Boat USS Winslow steam into the harbor of Cardenas, to engage 3 Spanish Gunboats.  As lead ship, Winslow comes under heavy fire, and is struck several times.  Ensign Worth Bagley, Oiler John Barberes, Fireman George Meek, and Cook E. B. Tunnell are killed.  These are the first American combat casualties of the War.  Ensign Bagley will be the only US Naval Officer killed in the war.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Enlistment
Post by: Drydock on May 15, 2018, 07:31:17 PM
15 May

Letter

From: Lt. Colonel Theodore Roosevelt, Executive Officer, 1st United States Volunteer Cavalry

I wish I could take you in, but I am afraid that the chances of our being over enlisted forbid my bringing in a man from such a distance.

                                                                                  to: Edgar Rice Burroughs (in Pocatello Idaho)

Roosevelt on raising the Regiment: "The reason it takes so long to turn the average civilized man into a good infantryman or cavalryman is because it takes a long while to teach him to shoot, to ride, to march, to take care of himself in the open, to be alert, resourceful, cool, daring, and resolute, to obey quickly, as well as to be willing and to act on his own responsibility.  If he already possesses these qualities, there is little difficulty in making him a soldier.  Parade ground and barrack square manuvers are of no earthly consequence in real war."
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on May 19, 2018, 09:15:46 PM
19 May

Cable

To: The Captain General of Cuba

Have cast anchor to-day in this Harbor (Santiago de Cuba) whence whole squadron sends you greeting, desirous of cooperating in the defense of country.

                                                                                   Cevera
Message

To: White House

Send me quick any confirmation of this--five Spanish vessels arrived Santiago-de-Cuba have informed the Admiral commanding.

(The US has a source in the Havana palace telegraph office)
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on May 23, 2018, 07:22:27 PM
23 May

(An aside: the SAW holds a curious place in history. Undersea Telegraph cables have made intercontinental communications nearly instantaneous, yet with wireless still in the future, ship to ship messaging still requires flags, lights, or dispatch boats.  Thus the first stirrings of electronic warfare move at the speed of steam over the sea surface.)  

Dispatch

To: Commodore Winfield Scott Schley, United States Flying Squadron, Commanding.

Spanish squadron probably at Santiago de Cuba.  Four ships and three torpedo boat destroyers.  If you are satisfied they are not at Cienfuegos, proceed with all dispatch, but cautiously, to Santiago de Cuba, and if the enemy is there blockade him in port.

                                                                            Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, United States North Atlantic
                                                                            Squadron, Commanding.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on May 25, 2018, 07:43:37 PM
25 May

Just off the southeast tip of Cuba, the USS St Paul, Capt. Charles D. Sigsbee, commanding, takes as prize the steamer "Restormel".  She carries a cargo of Welsh Cardiff coal, paid for by the Spanish Government.  She is sent with a prize crew to Key West.

Thus Capt Sigsbee has unknowingly captured the Spanish Squadrons fuel supply.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on May 28, 2018, 07:54:59 PM
28 May

At 7:40 PM, after one of the oddest naval searches in history, ("The maneuvers of the hostile squadron were incomprehensible to us" Victor Concas, Captain, Spanish Navy, Chief of Staff to Admiral Cevera) The Spanish Squadron is finally sighted inside the Harbor of Santiago de Cuba, by lookouts aboard USS Iowa, of the Flying Squadron, Winfield Scott Schley commanding.

USS Oregon arrives off Jupiter inlet, Florida,  after 66 days and 16000 steaming miles.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on June 05, 2018, 06:20:57 PM
3 June

At 0300, Assistant Naval Constructor Richmond P. Hobson, along with 7 volunteers, attempts to sink the fleet collier Merrimac in the Santiago narrows, in order to fully trap the Spanish Squadron in the harbor, thus releasing most of the North Atlantic Squadron for operations against Spain itself.  The attempt fails, as some of the first Spanish shots disable both the rudder and most of the wiring for the scuttling charges. Merrimac does sink, but too far out of postition to block the channel.   Hobson and his crew survive, and are rescued later that morning by a Spanish Launch, with Admiral Cevera aboard.

Cevera will send an officer under white flag to the US flagship New York, to personally inform Admiral Sampson that Hobson and crew were "Honored Prisoners of War".

All 8 men will eventually be awarded the Medal of Honor. 
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on June 06, 2018, 07:40:10 PM
6 June

Desiring sheltered waters for coaling ships, 100 Marines, the on board detachments of USS Marblehead, USS Oregon, and USS New York, go ashore at Guantanamo Bay, to scout the area for enemy forces and fortifications.  This is the first US ground action of the war, under the overall command of Commander Bowman H. McCalla, commanding the protected cruiser USS Marblehead.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on June 10, 2018, 07:05:05 PM
10 June

The 1st Marine Battalion, 648 men, Lt. Col. Robert W. Huntington Commanding, comes ashore at Fishermans Point, Guantanamo Bay.  They establish Camp "McCalla", named for the operations overall commander, Navy Commander Bowman H McCalla.  They will begin to extend their lines up the bay, and make contact with the Spanish that evening.

These operations will form the baseline of the modern Marine Corp Amphibious operations doctrine.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on June 13, 2018, 09:18:09 PM
14 June

United States Army V Corp, having boarded ships 2 days prior, departs Tampa FL.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on June 19, 2018, 04:23:20 PM
16 June

The remaining heavy units of the Spanish Fleet, including Battleship Pelayo and Armored Cruiser Carlos V, departs Cadiz for the Phillipines, Admiral Manuel de la Camera commanding.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fleet in Being
Post by: Drydock on June 19, 2018, 04:28:27 PM
18 June

Cable

To: Lt William S. Sims, Naval Attaché, Paris.  (also seconded to the newly founded Office of Naval Intelligence)

Insure that Spanish Government receives information that Oregon, Iowa, and Massachusetts are being readied to attack Spanish coast.

                                                                  John D. Long, Secretary of the Navy, United States.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Somewhere in the Pacific
Post by: Drydock on June 20, 2018, 07:24:32 PM
20 June

1500 miles east of Manila, protected cruiser USS Charleston detaches from the 3 troop transports she is escorting to the Phillipines, and enters Port San Luis d'Apra, Guam, principle island of the Marianas chain.  At 0830 she opens fire on the fortifications there.  After 13 rounds, Captian Henry Glass orders the gunners to cease fire, suspecting the place may be deserted.

Shortly 2 small boats put out from shore, and approach the Charleston.  Aboard is Lt. Commander Guiterrez, Captain of the Port.  Politely allowed on board, Commander Guiterrez apologizes, but unfortunatly they are not able to return his salute.  (lack of powder and or guns it seems)  And what brings the Americans to Guam? (no dispatchs had been recieved since April 9)

Captain Glass invited the spanish officials to be seated while he brought them up to date. . .

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Capture_of_Guam
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Scramble ashore.
Post by: Drydock on June 22, 2018, 01:51:22 PM
22 June

First units of United States Army V Corp come ashore at Daiquiri, Cuba.

Dispatch: For the New York World

Outlined against the sky, we saw four tiny figures scaling the sheer face of the mountian up the narrow trail to the highest blockhouse.  for a moment they were grouped together there at the side of the Spanish fort, and then . . . The American flag was thrown out against the sky, and the sailors on the Men-of-war, the Cubans, and our soldiers in the village, the soldiers in the longboats, and those still hanging to the sides and rat-lines of the troop ships, shouted and cheered . . . and every steam whistle on the ocean for miles about shrieked and tooted and roared in a pandemonium of delight.

It was a symbol that our foot is firmly and formidably planted.

                                                                                         Richard Harding Davis
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A crossroads called Las Guasimas.
Post by: Drydock on June 24, 2018, 06:49:59 PM
24 June

Approx 0730, advance elements of Wheelers Cavalry division contact a defensive line of 1500 Spanish troops on a ridge overlooking the crossroads of Las Guasimas, under General Antaro Rubin.  It devolved into a intense 2 hour fire fight that ended with the 1st USV coming in on the Spanish right flank, whereupon General Rubin ordered his forces back to Santiago.  American losses were 16 killed and 52 wounded out of 1000 engaged.  The Spanish lost 10 killed and 18 wounded out of 1500 engaged.

Roosevelt writes: "The effect of the smokeless powder was remarkable.  The air seemed full of the rustling sound of the Mauser bullets, for the Spaniards knew the trails by which we were advancing, and opened  heavily on our position.  Moreover, as we advanced we were of course exposed, and they could see us and fire.  But they themselves were entirely invisible.  The jungle covered everything, and not the faintest trace of smoke was to be seen in any direction to indicate from whence the bullets came."

                                              - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

 "I sprang up and ordered the men to rush the buildings ahead of us.  They came forward with a will.  There was a moments heavy firing from the Spaniards, which all went over our heads, and then it ceased entirely.  When we arrived at the buildings, panting and out of breath, they contained nothing but heaps of empty cartridge shells, and two dead Spaniards, shot through the head."
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: The Charge
Post by: Drydock on July 03, 2018, 09:46:32 PM
1 July

"I have seen many illustrations and pictures of this charge on the San Juan hills, but none of them seem to show it as I remember it.  In the picture-papers the men are running up hill swiftly and gallantly, in regular formation, rank after rank, with flags flying, their eyes aflame, and their hair streaming, their bayonets fixed, in long, brilliant lines, an invincible, overpowering weight of numbers.  Instead of which I think the thing which impressed one the most, when our men started from cover, was that they were so few.  It seemed as it someone had made an awful and terrible mistake.  One's instinct was to call for them to come back."
 
                                                                          Richard Harding Davis

                                         ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1st Brigade, 8th Corp, 2400 men, Brigadier General Thomas M Anderson commanding,  Comes ashore at Cavite, Manila Bay.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fourth of July present.
Post by: Drydock on July 03, 2018, 09:51:11 PM
3 July

Cable

To: Department of the Navy, United States.

The Fleet under my command offers the Nation, as a Fourth of July present, the whole of Cevera's fleet.

                                                              Rear Admiral Willam T. Sampson, United States North Atlantic Squadron, Commanding.


 The United States Navy has fought, and won, it's first blue water fleet action, the Naval Battle of Santiago.  The Spanish have lost 4 armored cruisers and 2 destroyers, with nearly 500 casualties.  American losses were were one man killed, one man wounded.

With the stratigic objective of the Spanish Fleet now removed, the land assualt on Santiago has achieved it's objective.  V Corps mission now becomes the surrender of the Spanish Army still entrenched there, with General Shafter deciding to achieve this thru siege.  Thus begins a race between Spanish honor and Yellow Fever.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fourth of July present.
Post by: Drydock on July 08, 2018, 02:02:00 PM
6 July

Congress votes to annex the Hawaiian Islands.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fourth of July present.
Post by: Drydock on July 08, 2018, 02:06:18 PM
8 July

In response to US Navy Department orders to assemble a "Flying Squadron" to attack the Spanish Coastline, the Spanish fleet of Admiral Camera, containing the last armored ships of the Spanish Navy still afloat,  is recalled from Suez, ending any possible threat to the US Asiatic Squadron off Manila.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fourth of July present.
Post by: Drydock on July 17, 2018, 05:20:35 PM
17 July

With the assurance that his men will be transported back to Spain at United States Government expense, General Jose Toral surrenders his entire command, not only the 11,500 besieged in Santiago, but also another 12,000 scattered thru the province.

                                                 -------------------------------------------------------------------------

3500 men under Brigadier General Francis Vinton Greene land at Cavite, Manila Bay.   
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: A Fourth of July present.
Post by: Drydock on July 20, 2018, 02:38:15 PM
18 July

Paris: The Spanish ambassador request the French Government use their good offices to arange an armistice between the United States and Spain.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Spoils of War
Post by: Drydock on July 22, 2018, 03:06:02 PM
19 July

General Nelson Miles with an advance unit of 3500 men departs Guantanamo Bay for Puerto Rico.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Spoils of War
Post by: Drydock on July 26, 2018, 02:17:33 PM
25 july

First US troops come ashore at Guanica, Puerto Rico.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Spoils of War
Post by: Drydock on August 13, 2018, 02:09:42 PM
12 August

President McKinley signs an armistice agreement with Spain, and orders a cessation of active hostilities against Spanish positions.
Title: Re: Timeline 1898: Spoils of War
Post by: Drydock on August 13, 2018, 04:22:34 PM
13 August

After a "Negotiated" engagement, Manila surrenders to Admiral Dewey and forces under his command.  Though the armistice had been agreed upon in Washington the day before,  it was understood by all at this time, due to communications lag, that any gains made before the receipt of a cease fire order are recognized as pursuant to that order.  The modern assumption of an "unnecessary" engagement does not, and has never applied to these circumstances.  (a peeve of mine) 

The armistice order would be received by both sides in the Phillipines on August 16.  This marks the formal end of the combat phase of the Spanish American war.