When the Americans arrived at Freetown, a large force of volunteers had been concentrated, and it is hoped that the uprising will soon be at an end.
In our previous number we mentioned the name of one of the missionaries killed at the massacre as "Kane"; it should have been "Cain."
One of our subscribers has asked why the flag of Hawaii has eight stripes and three crosses. There is a very interesting story told in reference to this peculiar flag. It seems that about twenty-five years ago, when the country was still a monarchy, it was quite frequently visited by war-ships of different nations. It is said that one morning the King discovered a French war-ship anchored safely in the harbor of Honolulu, and fearing that the French were there for purpose of seizing the island, sent for his Prime Minister, who advised him to raise a flag, and in this way advise the visitors that the islands belonged to some one. But the island did not possess a flag of its own; the only one the King could find at first was an old British flag. This he had run up to the top of the highest flag-pole. The flag had hardly been raised, when one of his chief advisers came running to him, and told him he must take the flag down immediately, for a British man-of-war was expected, and would be sure to claim ownership of the islands if the British flag was seen flying over the palace. So the King started on another flag hunt. This time he found an American flag, and, with great ingenuity, took the two flags, cut them up, and made a combination. Therefore the first Hawaiian flag had thirteen red and white stripes, and the English jack in the corner. Later, it was decided that eight stripes, to represent the eight islands of the nation, would be more appropriate; therefore the extra stripes were cut off, and now the flag has eight stripes, four red and four white, and still carries the St. George's, St. Andrew's, and St. Patrick's crosses, the same as the English flag.
The superstitious natives believe that the ascendency of the white people over the colored is due to the fact that the white stripe was left uppermost on the flag. They have frequently tried to have the flag changed for this reason, for they believe that, if the red is given prominence, the natives will again have the ascendency.
On the morning of June 8th, the first definite confirmation of the news of an engagement off Santiago was published. The vessels which are reported to have taken part in the engagement were the Brooklyn, Marblehead, Texas, and Massachusetts forming the first division; the New York, New Orleans, Yankee, Iowa, and Oregon the second division. Very early on the morning of the 6th, they steamed in toward the entrance of the harbor in double column, the first division to the left, the second to the right, the vessels being in the order named above. When about three thousand yards off shore the first division turned toward the west and the second division toward the east; the little vessels Vixen and Swanee remaining far out on the left of the first division to watch the riflemen on shore, and the Dolphin and Porter occupying similar positions on the right for the same purpose. The fight was started by a 12-inch shell from the Iowa, which struck the base of the Estrella battery and tore up the works. This was a signal for all of the vessels to begin firing, and from that time until the firing ceased the bombardment was terrific. The vessels had run up in the beginning at the point where the range of the forts and batteries was known, and, in consequence, although the smoke hung so thickly about the ships that the forts could not be seen, the shots were very effective. The vessels of the first division had been instructed to concentrate their fire at the fortifications at the left or west side of the entrance to the harbor; those of the second division attacking Morro Castle and fortifications to the right, and the Spanish vessels in the harbor which were within range. The Spanish gunners on shore replied promptly, but their marksmanship was of no better quality than in previous engagements, and it is reported that practically no damage was done to our fleet. It is reported that one Spanish shell struck the military mast of the Massachusetts, but nobody was hurt. One man on the Swanee was slightly wounded, and it is said that he is the only one who was hurt on our side. As the bombardment proceeded, Commodore Schley's ships moved nearer to the shore, and the effect of their fire at such short range was tremendous: earthworks were simply blown to pieces, and the Spanish gunners soon forced to stop firing. The Estrella fortification, which was probably the strongest one there, was given particular attention by Schley's column. The fort offered great resistance, but when the vessels had moved to closer range the heavy guns of the Texas and Marblehead were turned upon it. The Spanish guns were soon silenced and the fortification set on fire. The Cayo battery was silenced by the New York and New Orleans after a terrific fire of about half an hour. Many of the American shells were wasted for the reason that the fortified points on the shore could not be accurately located in the thick weather. There was a heavy rain and fog at the time, and this made marksmanship much less accurate. Shortly after nine o'clock the firing from shore ceased, and a signal was hoisted by Admiral Sampson to cease firing. It was then seen that the earthworks and the Estrella and Catalina fortifications were so damaged that it is doubtful whether the Spaniards will be able to use them again.
CHART OF SANTIAGO HARBOR.