Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1898-08-20
aetiseellaneol1s Reading.
THE CAPTURE OF MANILA.

The following story of the capture
of Manila was cabled by the cores
pondent of the London Times and
published in the Associated Press dis
patches of Thursday morning:
"The capture of the town today
was not without certain melodramatic
elements. Notwithstanding the fact
that the Spanish made serious resist
ance against the advance of the right
wing of the American force, it was not
difficult to foresee that a surrender
would follow a display by the land
forces to satisfy the Spanish honor, nor
has it been a well kept secret that the
captain general practically suggested
the manner in which the American
troops should advance to prevent loss
of life on both sides. At first it was
not intended to attack the trenches,
but quietly to advance after the bonn
bardment had ceased.
"At the last moment, however, the
programme was changed, and orders
were issued for the land battery to
open fire simultaneously with the fleet,
and for an advance to be made as soon
as it was considered practicable to as
sault the Spanish trenches. The rea-
son for this change of plan is not yet
apparent, but considerable loss of life
resulted. General Anderson placed
his division, according to direction
from General Merritt. There were
eight battalions of the First brigade
under General Macarthur in fighting
line on the right, with three battalions
in reserve, while seven battalions of
the Second brigade, under General
Green, were in the trenches across the
Gale road to the seashore, three others
forming a reserve. The troops left the
camp at $50 in a heavy thunderstorm.
They carried 300 rounds of ammuni-
tion per man, and two days cooked
rations.
"Shortly after s.45 the fleet got un-
der way with flags mastheaded. At 9
o'clock the Olympia led the way, at
tended by the Raleigh and the Petrol.
While the Callao, under Lieutenant
Tappan, and the launch Barcolo crept
close in shore in the heavy breakers.
"Perfect quiet prevailed in the lines
on both sides as the great ships clear
ed for action, silently advanced, some
times hidden by rain squalls. The
Monterey, with the Baltimore, Char
lesion and Boston, formed the reserve.
"At 9.35 sudden cloud of smoke,
green and white against the stormy
sky, completely hid the Olympia. A
shell screamed across two miles of
turbulent water and burst near the
Spanish fort at Malate, San Antonia de
Abad. Then the Petrol and Raleigh
and the active little Callao opened a
rapid fire, directed toward the shore
into the entrenchments. Owing to the
heavy rain, it was difficult to get the
range, and the shots at first fell short,
but the fire soon became accurate, and
the shells rendered the fort untenable,
while the four guns of the Utah bat
terry made excellent practice on the
earthworks and swamp to the east of
the fort. The Spaniards replied feebly
with few shells.
"Less than half an hour after the
bombardment began, General Green
decided that it was possible to advance,
although the signals to cease firing
were disregarded by the fleet, being
probably invisible on account of rain.
Thereupon, six companies of the Colo
RADIO regiment leaped over their breast
works, dashed into the swamp and
opened volley, firing from the partial
shelter of low hedges within 300 yards
of the Spanish lines. A few moments
later the remaining six companies
moved along the shore, somewhat
covered by sand ridge formed by an
inlet under the outworks of the fort,
and by II o'clock occupied this form
idable stronghold without loss. Nc
Coy hauled down the Spanish flag and
raised the stars and stripes, amid wild
cheers along the line.
Meanwhile, the feet observing the
movement of troops along the beach,
withheld its fire. The bombardment
had lasted exactly an hour and half.
An hour later, General Green and his
staff proceeded along the beach, still
under hot infantry fire from the right,
where the Eighteenth regulars and the
Third regular artillery were engaging
the enemy, and directed the move
ments for an advance into Malate.
The vicinity of the fort was uncomfor-
table on account of numbers of sharp
shooters in the buildings beside, 200
ward distant. The forward movement
therefore, was fastened, and in few
minutes the outskirts of the suburb
was we'll occupied, and the sharpshoot-
ers were driven away.
GAS the Californians under Colonel
Smith came up the beach, they played
the national airs, accompanied by the
whistling of Mauser bullets, and during
the sharpshooting continued to encour-
age the men with inspiring music.
Each regiment carried its colors into
action. There was considerable street
fighting in the suburbs of Malate and
Ermitav, but the battalion of Califor-
mans pushed into Luneta, the popular
promenade, within 200 yards of the