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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet, to Major General Nelson A. Miles

 

No. 27.                      U.S.Flagship New York, 1st Rate,

Playa del Este, Cuba, July 21,1898.

Sir:

     I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your note of this morning, and I will immediately give an order to release you and all the transports from the action of the Quarantine Regulations, however necessary it may be from a sanitary point to maintain them.1

     2. I have received a telegram from the Secretary of the Navy this morning in which I am directed to add a battle-ship and cruiser to the detail of ships which had already been made to accompany you to Porto Rico.2 Several of these vessels are now ready to start, and will get underway by signal from the Senior Naval Officer of the Expedition on board the Massachusetts, Captain Higginson.3

     3. The following is a list of the vessels of this convoying Squadron; “Massachusetts” “DIXIECOLUMBIAYALEGLOUCESTERANNAPOLISWASP” and “LEYDEN”. The three latter vessels have orders to proceed direct from NipeBay to Cape San Juan, Porto Rico; and also the Cincinnati, which was ordered to come here direct from the blockade on the Northern Coast. The three Monitors “PURITAN”, “AMPHITRITE”, and “TERROR” have also been ordered to proceed direct to Cape San Juan, Porto Rico.

Very respectfully,

W.T.SAMPSON

Rear Admiral U.S.Navy

Commander in Chief,U.S.Naval Force,

North Atlantic Station.

Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 108, Entry 121, pp. 83-84.

Footnote 1: Miles’ note has not been found.

Footnote 2: See: Long to Sampson, 21 July 1898. For background on this order, see: William McKinley to Long, 20 July 1898.

Footnote 3: Capt. Francis J. Higginson.

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