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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

Secretary of the Navy John D. Long to Cable Office, St. Nicolas Mole, Haiti

TRANSLATION                                WASHINGTON,       

May 27, 1898.

CABLE OFFICER, Mole St. Nicolas, Hayti,

                        Deliver following next American war vessel to arrive: Proceed immediately and deliver following to Schley:--1 The most absolutely urgent thing now is to know positively whether the Spanish division is in Santiago de Cuba harbor, and, if so immediate movement against it and the town will be made by the Navy and division of about 10,000 U.S.Troops, which are ready to embark. You must surmount difficulties regarding coaling by your own ingenuity and perseverance. This is a crucial time and the Department relies upon you to give quickly information as to Cervera’s2 presence and to be all ready for concerted action with the Army. Two colliers have been ordered to St. Nicolas Mole and our ships might coal singly there, or in Gonaives channel or to leeward of Cape Cruz. Sampson3 will convoy the army transports, probably coming around by the windward passage. Yankee will join you and the Minneapolis will go north. Cervera must not be allowed to escape.

LONG.

Source Note: CbCy, DNA, RG 45, Entry 28. Note: Included at the bottom of the document are “UITKOMST ATENAZANDA.” These were the original two ciphered words of the message and are included as a reference.

Footnote 1: Commo. Winfield S. Schley, Commander, Flying Squadron.

Footnote 2: Adm. Pascual Cervera y Topete.

Footnote 3: RAdm. William T. Sampson, Commander, North Atlantic Squadron.

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