Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-08-17
DETAILS OF MANILA's CAPTURE.
Our Commanders Humane--A Hope.
less Fight.

LONDON, August 1.-THE Manila cor
respondent OF the Daily Telegraph, tele-
graphing Saturday, says:
Nothing could be more humane than
the Americans capture of the town. Gen
eral Merritt and Admiral Dewey's plan
was TO spare every object but the armed
defences and the trenches. Apparently,
the American losses were extremely
small The Spanish entertainments varied
IN point OF distance from two to four
miles from the centre of old Manila.
A HOPELESS STRUGGLE.
Defending this long line of at least ten
miles were not over. and probably under.
5000 Spanish regular troops, volunteers.
and natives. The attacking force num-
bered from 10000 10 5000 natives, and
1000 Americans on shore and aboard the
fleet. In every respect the advantage
was on the side OF the attack. The Amer
lean field guns threw heavier metal
and had longer range than the Spanish.
the craftsmanship of the United States
gunners was much superior to that Of
the Spaniards and the men were stronger
and in better condition. The Spaniards
are small race compared with their
stalwart opponents and wornout by a
hundred days siege and disappointed by
the failure to arrive of the promised
Spanish relief squadron. they had lost
heart. 1t was hopeless struggle.
OUR SYMPATHIZERS.
Looking over the bay. it was curious
to notice the foreign fleets arranged them
selves according TO their sympathies. The
English and japanese were near the
Americans and the Germans and French
on opposite sides Of the bay north of the
Pasig river. The British cruiser Immor-
talte and her consorts kept fairly near
the American line. The attacking squa-
dron formed in line between Malate and
old Manila. with the Concord watching
the fort at the mouth of the Pasig. The
American fleet lay outside the breakwater.
THE RAPIDO'S TERRIBLE FIRE.
''The Olympia fired the first shot at s:4O
and fairly continuous but by means
furious cannonade was kept up until 1l:2O.
By that time the Malate fort was 81
fenced, and the American troops then
stormed the intrenchments. The Span
iards who were in the earthworks tell
me that the quick-fring guns of the little
gunboat Rapido, which lay close to the
shore, were far more terrible in their
effect than was the raking fire OF the
ships.
THE WHITE FLAG SOON WENT UP.
Resistance to the American attack
was impossible. The First Colorado Regi-
ment was the first to charge the Spanish,
who retired TO the second line. but were
soon outnumbered, and were forced into
the old city. A part of Malate suffered
severely from the bombardment. The
vaunted intramural defences were not
tried.
'"rhe Spanish commander. convinced
that further resistance was hopeless,
hoisted a white flag at II 30
THE INSURGENTS DREADED.
"The order to cease firing was immedi-
ately issued in the centre of the town,
but in the outskirts street firing continued
for some time afterwards between the
| rebels and Spaniards.
1.-The only fear felt in the city is In
| regard to the conduct Of insurgents AS
! write this in the house of the German
| Consul a brisk fusilade is going on be-
| tween the combatants and musketry fire
| is rafting all around.