Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-10-01
MERR|TT'S REPORT,
Operations Of Our Military Forces
in the Philippines
THE CAPTURE OF MANILA,
Grsa! Improvement in The City Since
Americans Took Possession.
,rrTCT OF PEACE PROTOCOL.
Protest from Governor-Gener"i nc
cording Surrender on Receipt of
proclamation of Cessation "f HOS
,uities-The Insurgents.
rrrrcT or PEACE PROTOCOL.

vrAsHINGTON. September SO.-The re-
..,. NJ Maior-General Wesley Merritt on
., orerations about Manila was made
..trc to-day. II is dated on board the
transport China, August ast.
,rsr giving briefly the story OF his en-
t.rkation and his arrival at Manila ana
,r. disposition of the troops there Gene
I'll Merritt says:
.r found General Greere's command en-
canned on a strip of sandy land. running
rarallel to the shore Of the bay and not
l.r distant from the beach. but owing to
,ba great difficulty OF landing supplies
,5, greater portion of the force had shell
Ter tents only. and were suffering many
5iscomforts. the camp being situated IN
Low. flat place. without shelter from the
fsat of the tropical sun or adequate pro-
tection during the terrific downpours OIL
r.in so freuuent at this season. l was at
once struck with the exemplary spirit OF
ratient. even cheerful, endurance SHOWN
ly the officers and men under such CIR
cupetances. and this feeling of admira-
tion for the manner in which the Amer-
can soldier. volunteer and regular ahke'
acrept the necessary hardships OF the
,rorl, they have undertaken TO do, has
crown and increased with every phase OF
the difficult and trying conditions which
the troops Of the Philippine expedition
have brought 20 such brilliant and sue
Cessful conclusion.
"The Filipinos, or insurgent forces at
war with Spain had, prior to the aIriVai
OF the American land forces, been wasing
o. desultorv warfare with the Spanlards
for several months and were at the time
OF my arrival in considerable force va
riously estimated and never accurately
ascertained, but probably not far from
l2COO men. These troops, well supplied
with small arms with plenty Of ammuni-
lion and several feld-guns, had obtained
positions Of investment opposite to the
Spanish line of detached works through
out their entire extent
AGUINALDO
General Merritt then speaks of Aguinal-
dos accomplishments previous TO MS ar
rival. and continues
AS General Aguinaldo did not Visit me
ON nv arrival. nor offer his services as
subordinate military leader, ana as my
instructions from the President Iully con-
tannlsted the occupation OF the ISLANDS
f ,be American land forces, and stated
tbat the powers of the military occupant
are absolute and supreme. and immedi-
ately operate upon the political condition
~ the inhabitant,' 1 did not consider IL
wise 10 hold any direct communication
,,itl, tho insureent leader until j should
bs I'm possession of the city Of Manila,
especially as / would not until then be In
a position TO issue proclamation ana en-
force my authority in the event that MS
pretensions should clash with my de-
signs.
"For these reasons the preparations for
tho attack on the city We're pressed and
military operations were conducted with
out reference 10 the situation OF the IN
aurrent forces. The wisdom of this course
was subsequently fully established by the
fact that when the troops or my COM
mand carried the Spanish intrenchmehts,
extending from the sea TO the Pasay ROAD
ON the extreme Spanish right we were
uuder no obligations. by prearranged
ulans of mutual attack, TO turn TO tne
rIsht and clear the front, sun helu
against the insurgents. but were able 10
1nove forward at once and occupy the
city and suburbs.
TO return to the situation Of General
Grecne's Brigade as l found ii on my ar
rival IL will be seen that the dithculty IN
gaining an avenue Of approach 10 the
Spanish line lay in the tact OF my uisih-
,i-.tio, 10 ask General Aguinaldo 10
Withdraw from the beach ana the Cdlie
Real so that General Greene could move
forward. This was overcome by instruc-
tlons 40 General Greene TO arrange, II
ro.slble with the insurgent brigade com
r,4rdar in mis- immediate vicinity, 10 move
10 tho right and allow the American
forces unobstructed control OF the roaos
ip tbeir immediate front. No objection
WAS made and accordingly. Geherai
Creene's Brigade threw forward hedVS
o1tpost line of the Gale keaI aho the
beach. and constructed trench IN Whlch
T. portion Of the guns Of the Otah D"''e-
Ties were placed
NIGHT ATTACKS OF SPANISH.
"The Spanish. observing this ACTIVITY
o. our part made very sharP "tsaSn "H \
with Infantry and artillery on the night
Of July Slst II,
"rbe behavior OF our troops during
this night attack was all that could De
desired and | have In cablegrams 10 the
War Department taken occasion 10 com
mend b, name those who deserve specldl
mention for good conduct in the aHalr'
Our position was extended ana sir''lst,i-
eaod after this, and resisted successIuly
repeated night attacks, our forces sune',
Ing considerable loss in wounded ana
killed while the losses of the enemy
owing 10 the darkness, could not be as
oertalned."
General Merritt then tells OF the diff
Guilty ne experienced In re-enforcing Gen
eral Greene's troops, on account or ihe
Obstacles In landing.
Continuing, ne says:
TIME FOR FINAL ACTION.
Upon the assembly OF Macarthur
Brigade I'm support OF Greene's, ! had
about $500 men in position 10 attack and
deemed the time had come for final ac'
ton. During the time Of the night at
lacks ! had communicated my desire "a
Admiral Dewey that be would allow ms
ships 20 open fire on the right or the
Spanish line OF intrenchments believing
that such action would stop the ngh'
firing and the loss Of life, but the Anmira
had declined 20 order II unless we were
Ia danger of Losing our position by in'