Skip to main content
Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Squadron, to Ensign Walter S. Crosby

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

Off Key West, Florida, 

May 2, 1898.

S I R :--

     After receiving stores, ammunition, etc., on the vessel under your command, at Key West, you will proceed to the North Coast of Cuba, at a point near Mariel, with Captain Doest1 of the United States Army, and General Nunez,2 of the Cuban Army, and such others as they desire to take with them, with horses, etc., to make a landing at the point named.

     2. You will then proceed to the Eastward, and on your way communicate with the Senior Officer present off Havana, and learn whether the Porter has returned from her expedition to the Eastward, and ask the senior Officer present to acquaint himself with the information, and bring it with you on your return to Key West.

     3. You will then proceed to the Eastward of Matanzas Bay and land another man.

     4. You will be careful in passing Havana to avoid the fire of the batteries, by being at least six miles from the coast at that point. After landing has been made at Matanzas, you will immediately return to the point at which the first man was landed near Mariel, and communicate with the vessel blockading at that point, and inform the Commanding Officer the object of your visit. You will go to the point at which you were to meet the first man landed, receive him on board, and return at once to Key West, and report to the Senior Officer present.

     5. Mr. Blanco will act as pilot. You can trust him in running from port to port.

Very respectfully,                   

(Signed) W. T. SAMPSON,          

Rear Admiral, U.S.Navy,     

Commander in Chief, U.S. Naval Force 

North Atlantic Station.             

Source Note: TCyS, DNA, AFNRC, M625, roll 229. Addressed below close: “The Commanding Officer,/U. S. S. LEYDEN,/Key West.” Document reference: “No. 2.” Docketed: “I certify the above to be a true copy of my original orders./J.W. Angus/Boatswain, U.S.N.”

Footnote 1: Capt. Joseph H. Dorst, United States Army, 4th Cavalry Regiment. Dorst was landing Cuban agents to collect intelligence on the Northern Coast of Cuba. See: Lt. Cmdr. William W. Kimball to Sampson, 6 May 1898.

Footnote 2: Gen. Emilio Núñez.

Related Content