The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1898-10-04
CHEERFUL ENDURANCE
or IIARDSHIPS BY AMERICAN
VOLUNTEERS AND REGULARS.
Why MERRITT DID NOT JOIN AGUlNALDO
How Difficulty of Approach 10 Spanish LINE was
Overcome. Objections to Bombard-
Enent of Manila. Attack on
Spanish Works.

NdShlH@lon, sept. oO.-1 ne report OF
Major General Merritt. of the oDeations
about Manila was made public at the
War Department today. After giving
briefly the story of his embarkation and
arrival at Manila, and the disposition of
the troops there, he says:
Il found General Greere's command
encampcd on Il strip of sandy land run
ming parallel to the shore of the bay
and not far distant from the beach,
but owing to the great difficulties OF
landing supplies, the greater portion of
the force had shelter tents only. and
We're suffering many discomforts. the
camp being situated IN a low. fiat place
without shelter from the heat of the
tropical sun or adequate protection dur
ing the terrific downpours of rain so frc-
quent at this season. | was struck by
the spirit of cheerful endurance shown
by the officers and men under such cir
cumstances. and this admiration for the
manner in which the American soldier,
volunteer and regular alike, accept the
necessary hardships of the work they
have undertaken to do. has increased
with every phase of the difficult and try
ING campaign which the troops Of the
Philippine expedition have brought to
such a brilliant and successful conclu-
sion.
The in>urgcnt forces at war with
Spain had. prior to the arrival of the
American land forces, henn wasin% Il
desuIrory warfare with the Spaniards
for several months. and were at the
time of my arrival in considerable force,
probably not far from $4,000 men. These
ammunition and several field guns, had
obtained possession of several positions
opposite to the Spanish line of dctach-
cd works throughout their entire eX-
tent.
General Merritt then speaks of AGuin
aldo'S accomplishments previous TO his
arrival and continues:
AS General AgUinaldo did not visit
mc ON my arrival nor offer his services
aS n subordinate military leader. and as
my instructions from the President full
Iy contemplated the occupation of the
islands by the American land forces and
stated that the powers Of the military
occupant are absolute and supreme and
Immediately operate upon the political
condition Of the inhabitants I did not
consider it wise to hold any direct com
nUuication with the nsurgcnt leader I'M
tjI | should be in possession of the city
af Manila. especially as / would not
until then he in a position 10 enforce
my authority. in the event that his pre-
tensions should clash with my designs.
For these reasons the preparations for
tine attack on the city were pressed and
military operations conducted without
reference To the situation of the insur-
gent forces The wisdom Of this course
was subsequently fully established by
the fact that when the troops Of my
command carried the Spanish intrench-
mculs. extending from the sea to the
Pa-ay road on the extreme Spanish
r-ht We were under no Obligations, by
proarranged plans of mutual attack. to
'Um To- the right and clear the front
still held against the insurgents, but
were able to move forward at once and
occupy the city and suburbs.
20 return to the situation # General
t.fccu eS brigade as | found it on my ar
lA"i. The difficulty in approaching
far Spanish line lay IL my dl5lnclina-
f.ru to ask General A@uinlldo to with
oraw from the beach and the Gale
fral, 50 that General Greene could move
forward. This was overcome 10y inSrruc-
rInnS to General Greene to arrange, if
possible. with the inSurgent brigade com
.aand"r III his immediate vicinity to move
F" the right and allow the American
."l'rrs mobStructcd control of the roads
"l their immediate front. No objection
WAS made, and Gen. Grecnc's brigade
'Afr" forward Il heavy outpost line on
'H' 'alle real and :he beach and con
~''Hctcd Il trench. in which Il portion Of
.i' Guns of the Ut1h batteries were
paced.
be Spanish observing this activity
"H mr. part, made = very sharp attack
F'h infantry and artillery on the night
%: July 31St.
ii" behavior of or troops daring
ihl- night attack was all that couId
desired, Our position was extended
''I strengthened after this; and resisted
'''SStnily repeated night attacks, ON
"''> suffering, however, considerable
' IN wounded and killed while the
~'@ OF the enemy, owing to the GalE-
could not be ascertanCd"
'""efal Merritt then tells Of the diff
"'H he experienced il! rc-cnforcin1
general Greene's troops OH account Ct