St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-08-24
WAR NEWS.
Story of Manila's Capture
Spirited Work Of Our Troops.

The capture of the town today was
not without certain melodramlc ele-
ments. Not notwithstanding the fact that
the Spanish made serious resistance
against the advance of the right wing oil
the American force it could not have been
difficult 10 foresee that surrender would
follow display by the land forces to
satisfy the Spanish honor; nor has 1t
been a welkept secret that the captain
general practically suggested the manner
in which the American troops should adj
vance to prevent loss OF life on both
sides.
At first it was nor intended to attack
the trenches, but quietly to advance after
the bombardment had ceased. At the
last moment, however, the programme
was changed and orders were issued Tor
the land batteries to open fire simulta-
neously with the feet and tor an advance
to be made as soon as it was considered
practicable to assault the Spanish trench.
es. The reason for this change Of plan is
not yet apparent, but considerable loss
Of life resulted. Gen. Anderson placed
his division according to directions from
Gen. Merritt There were eight bat
talions of the first brigade under Gen.
Macarthur in the fighting line on the
right. with three battalions in reserve,
while seven batal!ions of the I'd brigade
under Gen Green were in the trenches
across the Gale road to the seashore,
three Others forming reserve. The
troops lett the camp at 6 80 in heavy
thunderstorm, which forboded wet
day. They carried 200 rounds OF ammu-
milton per man and two days cooked
rations.
Soon after $40 the fleet got under way
with flags masthead. At 8 O'Clock the
Olympia led the way, attended by the
Raleigh and the Petrol, while the Callao
under Lieut.. Tappan and the launch Bar
cole crept close in shore in the heavy
breakers. Perfect quiet prevailed in the
lines on both sides as the great ships
cleared for action, silently advanced.
sometimes hidden by rain squalls. The
Monterey, with the Baltimore, Charles
ton and Boston, formed the reserve.
At 9 35 asudden cloud of smoke, green
and white against the stormy sky, COM
pletely hid the Olympia shell screamed
across two miles OF turbulent water and
burst near the Spanish fort at Malate
San Antonio de Abad. Then the Petrol
and Raleigh and the active little Callao
opened rapid fire directed towards the
shore end of the entertainments. In the
heavy rain it was difficult to Judge 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 battery
made excellent practice on the earth
works and swamp to the east Of the
fort. The Spaniards replied feebly with
few shells.
Less than half an hour after the bonn
bardment began Gen. 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 the rain. Thereupon six COM
panies of the Colorado regiment leaped
over their breastworks, dashed into the
swamp and opened volley firing from the
partial shelter OF low hedges within 800
yards of the Spanish lines. A few mo.
ments later the remaining six companies
moved along the seashore, somewhat
covered by sand ridge formed by an in
at IL O'Clock occupied this formidable
stronghold without loss. - Mccoy
hauled down the Spanish flag and hoist
ed the stars and stripes amid wild cheers
along the line.
Meanwhile the feet, observing the
movement of the troops along the beach,
withheld it's fire. The bombardment
had lasted an hour and half. An hour
later Gen. Green and his staff proceeded
along the beach, still under hot infant.
ry fire from the right, where the 18th
regulars and the Sd regular artillery
were engaging the enemy, and directed
the movements for an advance into Ma
late. The vicinity OF the fort was un.
comfortable on account Of numbers ot
sharpshooters in the buildings on both
sides 200 yards distant. The forward
movement was, therefore, FASTENED and
in few minutes the outskirts of the
suburb were well occupied and the sharp
shooters were driven away.
AS the Californians under Col. Smith
came up the beach their band played
the national air accompanied by the
wkistling of Mauser bullets, and during
the sharpshootin 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 Ermita, but
the battalion of Caltornians pushed into
the Luneta, a popular promenade, with
in 200 yards Of the moat of the citadel
Then the white flag was hoisted in the
southwest corner Of the walled town
Gen. Green with few members of his
staff galloped along the Luneta under a
sharp scattering fire from the houses near
the beach and parleyed with an officer
who directed him along to the gate
further east.
At this moment the Spanish forces, re-
treating from Santa Ana, came into view
fully 1000 strong, followed by insurgents
who had eluded Gen. McArthurs troops
and now opened fire for brief period
The situation was awkward il not crit,
cal, both sides being slightly suspicion.
of treachery. The Spanish troops lining
the citadel ramparts, observing the in
surgents action, opened fire on the Cali
fornians, killing one and wounding three
The confusion, however, soon ceased by
the advance OF the retreating Spanards
to the esplanade, when Gen. Green order
cd them to enter the citadel.
The conduct of the Americans officer.
and men alike, towards all is highl,
creditable. The Olympia, Raleigh ant
Petrol fired about 20 rounds each of 5 s
and eight-inch shells at a distance o
from 5000 to 1000 yards.
Soon letter was brought from tn,
captan-general requesting the command
er OF the troops to meet him for consul
iafinn Cen Ernn,, In, I'd, "a ILL. mt. rn.