Documentary Histories
Spanish-American War
Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet
July 4, 1898.
What ammunition do vessels of Watson’s squadron1 need to fill up. Department attaches the utmost importance to the immediate preparation of Watson’s squadron for departure.
Long
Source Note: DS, DNA, RG 45, Entry 29. Addressed before open: “ Sampson, Playa del Este, Cuba.” Document reference: “123907.”
Footnote 1: Commo. John C. Watson commanded the Eastern Squadron, whose mission was to reinforce RAdm. George Dewey in the Philippines and intimidate Spanish port cities in the Mediterranean. See: RAdm. Montgomery Sicard to Long, 1 July 1898.
