Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Rear Admiral William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Fleet
COPY OF TRANSLATION OF CIPHER.
Washington, D.C., May 30, 1898.
Schley1 has seen and recognized two armored cruisers and two deep sea torpedo vessels the Spanish Division at Santiago de Cuba. Proceed with all possible dispatch to Santiago de Cuba with the New York and Oregon and such other vessels you may desire. Leave orders concerning army convoy Senior Officer Present .2 The Spanish destroyer Terror reported at San Juan damaged.
(Signed) Long.
Source Note: Cy, DNA, RG 313, Entry 51. Addressed before opening: “Sampson, Key West, Fla.” Note: Document is a deciphered copy of a telegram sent 30 May 1898 at 1030 AM via the International Oceanic Telegraph Co. to Sampson at Key West. The ciphered cable, which is stapled to the translated copy, begins with the words: “Gozias fleshtints curstfully...”
Footnote 1: Commo. Winfield S. Schley, Commander, Flying Squadron. See: Schley to Long, 29 May 1898.
Footnote 2: Commo. George C. Remey. The War Department was sending a convoy to assist with the capture of Santiago. See: Sampson to Commodore John C. Watson, Commander, Blockading Squadron, 28 May 1898.
