The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-05-19
oOOOOoooooooooo OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
3 The Battle of Manila. 8
e One of the Greatest Naval Battles of s;
g Modern Times. q
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Observation-Disclosures 100000

cry officer was at his post and every
gunner behind his weapon, which he
had watched for hours. The word had
gone around, not by word Of mouth,
but by some subtle psychology:
Remember the Maine, Remember
the Maine" and into drawn faces there
came that look which one sees only
when man, stirred by strong and prim-
tive emotions determines to meet and
fight his enemy TO the death.
The breeze freshened up from off
Cavite and at 4:30 the enemy was in
sight, ships as well as land batteries.
AS near as could be determined at that
time eight Spanish ships were in full
view, but their identity was not ot
course known to the Yankee fleet 1t
was soon apparent, however, that two
more Spanish cruisers were close at
hand and there was other shipping, not
clearly distinguished. near by.
1t was plain that the Spanish adj
miral was taken entirely by surprise.
His feet was ready, but he did not ex-
pect the Americans 10 enter the bay.
Admiral Montejo had fully expected
the American feet TO remain in the
vicinity of Subig bay and that he would
have to go out 10 the open water 10
meet It, He thought Commodore Dew
ey would try to force an entrance past
the batteries OF Subig bay and make a
landing there and the governor general
had a force of $500 men there to pre-
vent junction between the insurgents
and the Americans. That the latter
would have the temerity to enter the
mine-Sowed bay and give him battle
in front of Manila never entered his
head.
With the rapidity for which he is
noted Admiral Montejo formed his line.
1t is not known yet what his exact for
nation was. II is a mistake, however,
to say that the Castillo was part OF the
formation. That cruiser ran aground
Friday morning and could not be dis
lodged. She was therefore impTovised
as part of the land batteries although
a good portion OF her armament, COM
prising the movable guns, was remov-
ed 10 shore Saturday. Later she was
riddled with American shells, some of
which set her on fire, and she burned
nearly TO the waters edge.
The American fleet forced the fight
ing from the first Captain Wildes of
the Boston was ordered to run out
ahead and his ship had the honor OF
firing the first shot. The effect was
not noticed, for the battle began almost
Immediately afterward on both sides.
the fire of the Spanish fleet being aug
mented by that of the Cavite batteries.
Under orders the American boats de-
ployed TO the right and left until or
dered back for the formation and sd-
vance which finally destroyed the
Spanish fleet Admiral Montejo direct
ed the movement of his fleet from the
deck OF the Reina Maria Christina dur
ing the early part of the fight, and
Commodore Dewey never left the
Olympia until il was all over.
The Boston aud Baltimore were in
advance Of the American line and the
roar of their guns was incessant. But
presently the commodore's flagship
came up as though envious Of the part
the others were playing. Her main
battery of eight-inch guns was soon
laundering away. while the cannon OF
the Concord and Raleigh were making