Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet
(TELEGRAM.)
Navy Department,
BUREAU OF NAVIGATION.
Washington, July 5, 1898.
The President has just issued this order to the Secretary of War and to the Secretary of the Navy:1
General Shafter and Admiral Sampson should confer at once for co-operation in taking Santiago. After the fullest exchange of views they should determine the time and manner of attack. Yoxxx2
The Department desires you carry out these instructions.
LONG.
Source Note: CDS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 29. Addressed before opening: “Sampson, Playa del Este, Cuba.” File no. below date: “124072.” Stationery in top left corner: “(official business.)/No.__________”
Footnote 1: President William McKinley; Secretary of War Russell A. Alger; and Secretary of the Navy John D. Long.
Footnote 2: RAdm. William T. Sampson and Maj. Gen. William R. Shafter could not agree on strategy regarding a final assault on Santiago de Cuba. For more information, see: Sampson to Long, 13 July 1898.
