Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1898-12-08

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Their forces invested Manila from the
northern and eastern side, but were
constrained by Admiral Dewey and
Gen. Merritt from Attempting an
assault. 1t was fitting that whatever
was to be done in the way OF decisive
operations in that harbor should be
accomplished by tho strong arm OF the
United States alone. Obeying the stern
precept OF war which enioins the over
coming of the adversary and The eX-
tinction of this power wherever assail-
able as the speedy and sure means 10
win % peace, DIVIDED victory was not
permissible, for no partition OF the
rights and responsibilities attending
| the enforcement of just and advan-
tageous peace could be Thought of
| Following the comprehensive scheme
OF general attack, powerful forces wsro
4 assembled at various points on our
coast to invade CUBA and Porto Rico.
| Meanwhile naval demonstrations were
made at several exposed points. On
May nth, the cruiser Wilmington aud
| torpedoboat Winslow were unsuccessful
in an attempt to silence the batteries
at Cardenas, u gallant ensign. Worth
Bagley, and four seamen falling
These grievous fatalities werc strangely
enough among the very few which
occurred during our naval operations
in this extraordinary conflict.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepa-
rations had been pushed with great
vigor. A powerful squadron under
Admiral Cervera, which had assembled
at the Cape Verde Islands before the
outbreak Of hostilities, had crossed the
ocean, and by its erratic movements In
| tIn JnIaxa1 f,ttr mill,
tary plans while battling the pursuits
of our fleets. For time fears were
folt lest the Oregon and Marietta, then
nearing home after their long voyage
from San Francisco of over 15,000
miles, might be surprised by Admiral
Ceryera's fleet, but their fortunate
arrival dispelled these approximations
and lent much needed reinforcements.
:. Not until Admiral Cervera took refuge
in the harhor Of Santiago dc Cuba,
about May 10th, was it practicable to
plan systematic naval and military
attack upon the Antillean possessions
of Spain.
i Several demonstrations occurred on
the coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in
preparation for the larger event. On
, May 18th the North Atlantic squadron
, shelled San Juan de Porto Rico. On
May 30th, Commodore Schley's squad
ron bombarded the forts guarding the
mouth of Santiago harbor Neither
} attack had any material result. II
was evident that well ordered land
/ operations Tere Indispensable to
+ achieve decisive advantage.
The next act in the war thrilled moi
! alone the hearts of our countrymen,
/ but the world by its exceptions
, heroism. On the night of June Sd
Lieut.. Hobson, aided by seven devoted
! volunteers, blocked the narrow Quite
. from Santiago harbor by sinking thu
D collier Merrimac in the channel, unde
g fierce fire from the shore batteries
. escaping with their lives as by /;
i miracle, but falling into the hands o
. the Spaniards. 1t is most gratifying
a incident Of the war, that the drawer,
: of this little band OF heroes was cor
I daily appreciated by the Spanish nd
3 Admiral Sampson OF their safety ant
h to compliment them on their DARN,
$ act. They were subsequently exchanged
s July 18th. "
BY June It'll. the cutting of the las
8 Cuban cable isolated the island. There
y after the invasion was vigorously prose
h cuted. On June 10th, under n heav.
0 protecting fire, landing OF 900 ma
t rines from the Oregon, Marblehead an,
i Yankee was effected in Guantanam
n Bay, where it hud been determined I
s establish a naval station.
This important and essential por
o was taken from the enemy after sever
q fighting by the marines, who were tn
" first organized force of the Unite
Q States to land in Cuba.
y THE MOVEMENTS BEFORE SANTIAGO.
y The position SO won was held despit
y desperate attempts to dislodge on
u forces. BY June 10th, additional force
u were landed and strongly intrenchet
y On June 22d, the advance of the II
~ vading army under Major Gener'
y y Shafter landed at Baiquiri, about
y miles east of Santiago This was az
- complishcd under great difficulties
~ but with marvellous dispatch. On Jur
- ~ sd, tho movement against Santiaq
!, was begun. On the oath the fir
serious engagement took place,
which the First and Tenth Cavalr
and the First United States Volunte,
is Cavalry, Gen. Young's brigade of Ger
ie Wheeler's division, participated, losin
,e heavily. By nightfall, however, groun
ut within five miles of Santiago was wor
ut The advantage was steadily increased
On July LIST, severe battle too
Mt place, our forces gaining the outworl
a of Santiago; on the I'd, lei Caney an
IN San Juan were taken after u despern
IA charge, and the investment of the eli
I'D was completed. The NAVY co operate
n by Smelling the town and the con
forts.
au scuLEY's GREAT NAVAL VICTORY.
a. On tho day following this hri
Or liant achievement OF our land force
~ the 3D. OF July, occurred the decisi'
tv naval combat Of the war. The Spani'
d fleet, attempting to leave the harbo
al was met by the American squadrC
90 under command of Commodore Sam
do son. In less than three hours ell 81
as Spanish ships We're destroyed, Il
,ot two torpedoboats being sunk, and u
w Maria Teresa, Almirante Oquend
- y Vizcaya, and Cristobol Colon driy
90 = ashore. The Spanish admiral and ov
ha 1900 men were taken prisoners, viii
~ the enemy's loss Of life was deplorah
~ large, some 600 perishing. On o
,oI side but ono man was killed, on Il
'n Brooklyn, and ono man serious
IL wounded. Although our ships we
,n repeatedly struck, not one was SCI
H. ously injured. Where all so conspic
x ously distinguished themselves, fro
"a the commanders to the gunners III
'ea the unnamed heroes in the boil
,or rooms, each and all contributing I
80 ward the achievement Of this astoun
so ing victory, for which neither ancie
"a nor modern history affords paral
AN in the completeness OF the event a