Our ultimatum reached Madrid by cable on the 20th, but the Spaniards refused to receive it. On the morning of the 21st our Minister there, Stewart L. Woodford, was informed that "the diplomatic relations which formerly existed between the two countries" were ended, and at 11.45 the affairs of our legation were turned over to Secretary Barclay, of the British Embassy. A few hours later Woodford and all the American officials were en route from the country, and although a formal declaration of war by our Congress and the Spanish Cortes was delayed a day or two, the first gun of the war was fired at 7.02 o'clock the next morning, Friday, April 22, 1898.

CHAPTER VIII

FIRST SHOT OF THE WAR

CAPTURE OF THE SPANISH MERCHANTMAN BUENAVENTURA BY THE GUN-BOAT NASHVILLE-HIS FLAG HOISTED IN HONOR OF THE FINE AMERICAN SQUADRON BETRAYED HIM—OFFICIAL PROCLAMATION OF THE BLOCKADE OF CUBAN PORTS.

THE honor of firing the first gun in the war with Spain belongs to our gun-boat-unsurpassed in her class the Nashville, Captain Washburn Maynard in command. The circumstances in connection with the event were entirely unexpected in the squadron, but were interesting enough for record here, aside from the fact that they were connected with the first open act of hostility against the Spanish flag.

During the days between the President's message in connection with the report of the Maine Court and the signing of the Cuban joint resolutions, the men of the squadron assembled at Key West had been, as a whole, pessimists in all conversations regarding the possibility of war. If the truth be told, they wished that war might come. Doubtless there

the usual hour for going off to the ships came (5 o'clock) the pier at the naval station showed a degree of life and cheer that had not been known there since the Virginius affair.

The despatch that came to Admiral Sampson contained the definite order to sail, and along with it was the following proclamation, which the ship's printer struck off in circular form during the afternoon for distribution among the vessels of the squadron:

BLOCKADE OF CUBAN PORTS BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

A Proclamation.

Whereas, By a joint resolution passed by the Congress, and approved April 20, 1898, and communicated to the government of Spain, it was demanded that said government at once relinquish its authority and government in the Island of Cuba, and withdraw the land and naval forces from Cuba and Cuban waters, and the President of the United States was directed and empowered to use the land and naval forces of the United States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the several States to such extent as might be necessary to carry said resolution into effect; and

Whereas, In carrying into effect said resolution the President of the United States deems it necessary to set on foot and maintain a blockade of the north coast of Cuba, including ports of said coast between Cardenas and Bahia Honda, and the port of Cienfuegos on the south coast of Cuba, aforesaid, in pursuance of the laws of the United States and the laws of nations applicable to such cases.

An efficient force will be posted so as to prevent the exit of vessels from the ports aforesaid. Any neutral vessel approaching any of said ports, or attempting to leave the same without notice or knowledge of the establishments of such blockade, will