The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-06-09

| IHSlps, sCCItldl1 w tiO Saplulu VI Nho
McCulloch, and j. o. Evans, gunner of
the Boston. They left Manila on May
8. DR.. Kindleberger and Gunner Evans
are going home on account of expira-
ton of their sea time. Paymaster Loud
and Mr.. Phelps are here ON business
and will return to the McCulloch. They
all speak of the valor and DISCRIMINATING
of their opponents in the battle of Ma
Mia. They say that the Spaniards
| fought bravely, even after the last vest.
| ige of hope had gone, and stayed by
their guns as long as they could be
used.
DR.. Kindleberger gives q graphic ac-
count of the terrific fight. He was on
the Olympia through it all. In the first
assault the flagship took the lead, the
other vessels following i'll her wake at
four shiplengths. The Spanish fleet WAS
approached by laps, each turn bringing
the contestants nearer together. By
this plan the American vessels fire.
! quently poured broadsides into the ene-
my, but were themselves more exposed
to fire.
At one time the smoke became SO
| dense that it was necessary to draw
aside, allowing the cloud to lift. The
vessels were examined and it was found
they had sustained no damage. Break.
| fast was served to the men and in Il few
minutes they re.entered the fight with
the greatest enthusiasm. The second
| fight was even more fierce than the first.
| 1t was in that that the Baltimore was
struck.
During the first fight the Spanish
admira's ship steamer put bravely out
of the line to meet the Olympia. The
| entire American fleet concentrated fire
ON her and she was so badly injured
that she turned around to put back.
| At this juncture the Olympia let fly an
| 8-inch shell which struck her stern and
! pierced through almost her entire
length, exploding finally in the engine
room, wrecking her machinery. This
shell killed the captain and 90 men and
set the vessel on fire.
In the heat of the fight the two tor
| pedoboats moved out to attack the feet
They were allowed to come within 500
yards, when a fusillade from the
| Olympia sent one to the bottom with all
on board and riddled the other. The
second boat was later found turned upon
the beach covered with blood.
In the second fight the Baltimore was
plunged into q cloud of smoke and
opened all her batteries on the fortifica-
tions. In a very few minutes q shell
struck in the ammunition and the fort
| blew up with deafening roar
The work of the Baltimore was glori-
Gus. After the principal ships had been
destroyed the Concord, Raleigh and
Petrol, being of light draft, were sent
close to handle the remaining vessels of
the fleet. They made quick work of
them. In taking possession Of the land
forts several hundred Spaniards fell into
the hands OF the Americans and nearly
300 dead were accounted for on the spot.
Holes in which numbers had been
hastily buried were found. The dead
were returned to relatives so far as this
could be done and the wounded were
cared for i'll the best manner by the
| American surgeons.
The Spanish loss footed up 400 killed,
600 wounded and property loss of
anywhere from So, 900, 900 to $40, 900, 900.
The day of the fight was clear and
hot. Not breath of air was stirring.
After the first battle the Americans
were greatly tagged by heat and the
rest and breakfast allowed them by the
commodore was of inestimable benefit.
When the men were atEbreakfast con-
| ference of all officers was held ON board
the Olympia, when the plan of the sec.
ond battle was made known by the
commodore.
Several shots struck the Olympia and
she was pierced a number of times.
One shell struck the side of the ship
against the hospital ward. The chap,
lain and nurses were watching the fight
through port a few inches away and
were stunned by the concussion.
Experts have figured out that the
fighting volume Of the guns of the re.
spective sides Of the battle was three for
the Americans against seven for the
Spanish. 1t is clear then that the su.
periority was in the ships and the men
Lnd ships themselves, the men having
the experience and nerve.
Gunner Evans of the Boston was one
of the men who sent the Spanish ships
down. He directed the fire of one OF
the big guns on the cruiser. AS such
officer he was at times greatly exposed
but did not receive shot. Not a mar
ON the Boston received scratch.
Paymaster Loud, who was on the Mo
Culloch during the battle, was wit
ness of events on both sides. From hi
position he could see every movement
of the American ships and could alst
see the battle plans of the Spaniards.
"For two hours" said Mr.. Loud, "th'
steady thunder Of cannon was kept up
The roar was something terrible.
"At that time / really thought w
would be beaten. This was after tn
fire had been kept up an hour. /
looked like every gun on the Spanisl
ships had turned loose on us all togethe
and the shore line was a veritable blaz
OF fire from the batteries. The din wa
simply understandable. Tons upon ton
of shot fell over our ships. There wa
| steel enough 10 have sunk our entir
feet.
sour salvation was in the bad marks
manship of the Spaniards. The,
handled their pieces like boys. Nearl,
| all of their shots went wide OF tn
mark. Most were high, flying over tn
feet and falling into the bay beyond
Some of the batteries, however, wer
{ better trained. Several guns main
tained raking fire ON the feet Nearl
oil OF our ships were struck by bot
= large and small shot. but no damage {
= consequence WAS done.
4 "We left Manila on the 9th. AZ thl
| time Comm0d0ra Dewey WAS Ia posse