Excitement in Havana.

It was nearly five o’clock in the afternoon of that lucky Friday, when the semaphore by the lighthouse in Morro Castle signaled to the people of Havana that a fleet had been sighted.  It was said to be without any colors to show its nationality.  At that time La Punta, the fort on the side of the harbor opposite Morro Castle, was crowded with curious people, including many ladies.  In addition, crowds of people could be seen at various points of vantage, many of them gathering on the roofs of houses.  At 6 p. m. the semaphore signaled that it was the United States fleet which was in sight, and at 6:15 p. m. a red flag was run up at the signal station, warning guns were fired from Morro Castle, and afterward from Cabanas fortress, adjoining it.  This caused excitement throughout the city, and was the first real note of war.  When the first signal came from the semaphore station a British schooner which was in the harbor put to sea.  She was immediately followed by the German steamer Remus.  Some time afterward the American steamer Saratoga put to sea.

The cannon shots from the fortresses stirred up the regular troops and volunteers throughout Havana and its vicinity and there was a rush to quarters.  The signal guns from the fortifications echoed to the palace and through the streets, causing people to rush from their houses, with the result that all the thoroughfares were soon crowded with excited inhabitants.  Captain General Blanco heard the shots while at the palace, to which place the generals and commanders of the volunteers promptly reported, full of excitement and warlike enthusiasm.  Some time afterward the Captain General, accompanied by his staff, the generals and others, left the palace and was warmly acclaimed by the soldiers and populace.  The General then made a brief final inspection of the fortifications and went to a spot from which he could see the approaching fleet.

There was no sign of alarm anywhere.  The Spaniards were confident that Havana was prepared for any eventuality, and they had great faith in the strength of their forts, batteries, etc., and in the effectiveness of their heavy artillery.  In fact, there was a feeling of satisfaction at the warlike tremors which spread everywhere when it was seen that the hour of battle was apparently approaching and that the Spaniards were soon to give battle to their enemies.

As the time passed, more people crowded to the spot from which the fleets could be most favorably seen.  By 8:30 p. m. there was a great movement of the masses through all the streets and on all the squares.  The coffee-houses and clubs were crowded with excited people, discussing the arrival of the American war ships.  The Spaniards expressed themselves as anxious to measure arms with the “invaders,” and there was no expression of doubt as to the result.  The civil and military authorities of Havana were in consultation at the palace, and every precaution possible to the Spaniards was taken to guard against a night surprise and to resist an attack if the bombardment commenced.