Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-08-11
Our First Land Battle in the East.

II wasn't a great battle. but it was
rather more than skirmish. that tirst
iand encounter between Americans and
Spaniards in the Philippines. Though
1t occurred 10 days ago, we have just
received full particulars and know that
the advantage was all on the Ameri-
can side. The Spaniards were eXasper-
ated by the arrival of our third fleet OF
transports, and, under cover of a
heavy storm at night. attempted by
desperate assaults on our lines to pre-
vent our troops from completing the
investment of the city. Either the lat
ter Were not taken unawares, or If they
We're surprised Immediately recovered
their steadiness, for they poured in
such a heavy fire on the Spaniards
Spaniards, however, soon recovered
from the repulse, and rallying at once
resumed their attack, but with no bet
ter fortune, and finally retreated into
the city after sustaining heavy loss. 1t
is not known whether this affair has
been followed up by more fighting, or
whether the Spaniards, realizing that
Yankee valor is invncible, have kept
within the city awaiting our demands
for their surrender
The brunt of the attack was borne by
portions of the First California, Tenth
Pennsylvania and the batteries of the
Third United States Artillery. The ac-
ton of our men must be judged by the
result, whence it would appear that
the volunteers General Merritt has
with him are equal to the occasion
when it arises. The volunteers in the
Santiago campaign were used mainly
as reserves and to fill up gaps in the
line of regulars, as while we'll inten-
toned they were so raw that the gem
erals did not feel it safe to give them
ment AT Manila the assault appears to
have been aimed directly at volunteers
who had to fight back with equal di-
rectness. Our troops lest II killed and
about 40 wounded. The loss of the
Spaniards appears to have been very
heavy for the force engaged, some es-
Inmates putting it as high as 800 killed
and wounded. Even more significant
than the discrepancy of the losses was
the inaction of the insurgents. who
took no share in the engagement.
The engagement was something of Il
surprise in more ways than one. for it
had been generally understood that the
Spanish governor general had entered
into quasi-agreement to surrender
the city soon without a struggle to the
Americans and that he was holding out,
against Asuinaldi. Probably something
had to be done for Spanish honor and
home politics. and again it has been
demonstrated that Spanish generals
and troops can fight bravely and de-
terlninedly without a hope of success.
| There may be no more fighting at
Manila. 1t is hoped there will be no
more necessity for it, but it is crafty
ing to know that both General Merritt
and Admiral Dewey have received con-
siderable endorsements since the en-
| gagement of the 31st. Another brigade
| has reached Merritt and the monitor
Monterey has joined Dewey, giving the
latter such a prepOnderance Of naval
strength in Manila bay as to render
any further European complications
extremely improbable. Tho German
| admiral is likely to grow more conser-
Vative in his Interpretation of inter
national law in the presence of an
| American iron clad and both Spaniards
and insurgents will recognize that
Uncle Sam is master of the Philippine
| situation.