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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 William R. Shafter

U. S. Flagship New York, 1st Rate,

Off Santiago de Cuba, Cuba,

July 13, 1898.

I  AM  NOW  PREPARED  TO  SHELL  THE  CITY  OF  SANTIAGO  WITH  THREE  OF  MY  LARGEST  IRON  CLADS  WITH  THIRTEEN  INCH  PROJECTILES. CAN  COMMENCE  AT  SHORT  NOTICE.

     WILL  AWAIT  YOUR  SIGNAL.1

              YOURS  TRULY.

                   W .  T .  SAMPSON.

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Source Note: TCy, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 234. Document reference: “No. 14.”

Footnote 1: On the same day, Sampson telegraphed Lt. Col. Edward J. McClernand inquiring if any American soldiers were “as far down as the block house.” DLC, George R. Shafter Papers.

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