Salt Lake Telegram | 1902-05-17 | Page 12 | Battle Stories of a Naval Surgeon

BATTLE BATILE STORIES OF A NAVAL SURGEON The battle of Santiago afforded a afine I fine opportunity for a display of the heroism of the Spanish officers and nd the splendid magnanimity of their American Amen Ameri can conquerors said Surgeon R. R Percy Crandall of the United St States tes naval re recruiting re re- b board ard today toda- There was the tIre most commendable the American 4 ships courage shown on ships American and especially by the apprentices he continued I was heartily sor sory y t forthe for forthe r the gallant aJ Cervera He seemed to be heart-broken heart when he was re received received received re- re on board the lowa It Is what 1 have expected from th the time I left the coast of Spain were his hig sorrowful words In a a. mom momentary burst of anguish he could not repress a acry acry acry cry of coi complaint t against his hs own Gov- Gov I ask for coil coal coal said tle the Admiral They tell me coal at Martinique I go goto goto goto to Martinique ique No coal Then I s say sy y my Government has forgotten me I must go to defeat defeat to to death Cervera said this with such a pathetically pathetically pa pa pa- doleful air that eveh every evey officer op on the Iowa from Bob Evans Evan down was touched We could not but feel feel- feela a prof profound und respect for such heroic self- self sacr That day I remember it was as my turn to serve as caterer to the officers' officers mess and a busy night I had of it I Ican Ican can assure you ou Our officers open their larder and wine chests to their prisoners prison- prison ers and what between cutting off limbs binding up wounds and directing the service in the ward room I had my hands full fuli We Ve treated ninety Spaniards In the theoper oper operating room that night One stalwart stalwart stalwart stal stal- wart young Spanish officer came aboard with his left arm hanging by a single tendon his face blanched and haggard This did not prevent him coming to at at- at as soon as-soon soon as he reached the deckand deck deckand I and bringing his right and tand up to his pallid brow in s salute lute The battle impressed me roe particularly I IThe w with th the light-hearted light courage of our apprentices boys apprentices boys of 16 and 1 17 It was amounting to an indifference e to danger reckless bravado The whistling g of shells overhead seemed to afford them the greatest amount of sport They m made de believe they were playing at baseball baseball baseball base base- ball and would vent such shouts as High Highball ban ball Get em down you rou Dago Over the plate all right but a little high Ana so on they would keep up their shouts Most of them were boys from inland towns too who were getting getting get get- ting baptism of fire