Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Commodore John A. Howell, Commander, First Blockading Squadron
(TELEGRAM)
Navy Department
BUREAU OF NAVIGATION,
Washington,
June 25, 1898.
Proceed as soon as practicable in the San Francisco to Key West. Assemble the vessels of the Squadron under your command except the Minneapolis at Key West.1
Long.
Source Note: C, DNA, RG 45, Entry 29, p. 39. Addressed below dateline: “Howell, Provincetown, Mass.” This cable is on Bureau of Navigation stationery. In upper left corner: “(OFFICIAL BUSINESS.)/No. 122013.”
Footnote 1: Commo. John A. Howell was sent to Key West in anticipation of his taking command on 1 July, of the First Squadron of the North Atlantic Fleet, blockading northern Cuba. He relieved Commo. John C. Watson who was appointed commander of the Eastern Squadron. See: Long to Watson, 25 June 1898.
