Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet, to Secretary of the Navy John D. Long
OFF SANTIAGO DE CUBA, JULY 19th, 1898.
IN VIEW OF THE CLOSE RELATIONS OF THE ARMY AND NAVY WHICH MUST EXIST IN SUCH OPERATIONS AS THE PRESENT AND TO AVOID FRICTION SPECIFIC REGULATIONS GOVERNING THE COMBINED ACTION OF THE TWO SERVICES ARE NECESSARY. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE ADOPTION AT ONCE OF ENGLISH REGULATIONS ON THIS SUBJECT INCLUDING TRANSPORT SERVICE WHICH EXIST IN FULL DETAIL; THEIR EXPERIENCE HAS BEEN FAR LARGER THAN ANY OTHER POWER AND I THINK THAT THEIR METHODS WOULD BE PERFECTLY ADAPTABLE TO OURSELVES. IF THEIR REGULATIONS FOR COMBINED ACTION ARE NOT IN THE DEPARTMENT WOULD SUGGEST ASKING FOR THEM AT ONCE THROUGH OUR NAVAL ATTACHE.
SAMPSON.
Source Note: CbCy, DNA, RG313, Entry 32, vol. 7, p. 463. Addressed before opening: “SECNAV,/WASHINGTON.” Identification number: “229.”
