In April, 1862, when provisions were nearly used up in the mountains and the early spring supply trains from the East were about due, there came an unusual fall of snow, eighteen inches deep, extending far eastward over the plains, completely blockading teams and transportation.
"A Gold Hunter's Experience"
Chalkley J. Hambleton
The uncertainty felt by Commodore Schley, when he arrived off Cienfuegos, as to whether the Spanish division was inside or no, would not have existed had his squadron been previously blockading; and his consequent delay of over forty-eight hours-with the rare chance thus offered to Cervera-would not have occurred.
"Lessons of the war with Spain and other articles"
Alfred T. Mahan
Either of our divisions, therefore, was capable of blockading him, if caught in port; and it was no more than just to us to infer that, when once thus cornered, we should, as we actually did at Santiago, assemble both divisions, so as to render escape most improbable and the junction of a reinforcement practically impossible.
"Lessons of the war with Spain and other articles"
Alfred T. Mahan