The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-08-12
THE SITUATION AT MANILA
A. Reported Ia the London Times by IL
Correspondent-H Account OF the
Spanish Attack on Our Lines.

London, August 10.-The correspond
ent OF The Times at Cavite, with Gem
eral Greenes brigade, under date Of
August 3rd, says:
"A heavy monsoon has been blowing
since Sunday, and deluges OF rain have
greatly increased the difficulty OF
lar ling and moving the United States
troops and multiplied the discomforts
in camp which were already most un-
endurable.
"As anticipated, General Green's
brigade is the focus of the active land
campaign. Already the troops are in
constant and close touch with the en-
emy. On Friday morning a battalion
consisting OF the First Colorado under
Lieutenant Colonel Mccoy, with four
guns of the Utah battery, commanded
by Captain Young, grandson OF the
Mormon prophet. occupied the line fif-
ty yards in advance Of the insurgents
between the beach and Gala Real, and
1900 yards from a formidable earth
work situated at the southern end OF
Malate the foreign residential quar-
ter of Manila. After sixteen hours OF
continuous labor. the work of en-
not firing a shot until the Americans
INDUCED in sharp shooting
Saturday was comparatively quiet,
and SO was Sunday until nghtfail,
when the Tenth Pennsylvania, Colonel
Hawkins commanding, occupied the
trenches after some desultory picket
firing. At IL 80 o'clock y. m. the enc
my, estimated at $500 strong, opened
fire vigorously, under cover Of the
dense underground. Their movements
were further hidden by the floods OF
rain. The Pennsylvanians met the at
tack with a succession OF volleys, COW
ering their right with two companies
stationed in the swamp beyond the en-
trenchments.
After about three quarters OF an
hour, two companies of the Third reg
ular artillery, under Major O'Hara, ar
rived at double-quick to relieve the
Pennsylvanians, whose ammunition
was almost exhausted. They soon
silenced the enemy's fire. The first
California, under Colonel Smith. and
the First Colorado, under Colonel
Hale. acted as supports.
THE affair lasted two hours. But
Notwithstanding the tremendous fusil-
lade and the heavy shell fire only ten
Americans We're killed and forty-six
wounded, though there were some cas-
ualties among the supports, while dur
ing the advance or the relieving bat
talions, the only officers wounded were
Captain Richter of the First Califor-
mia, wounded seriously in the head,
and Captain Hobbs, OF the Third ar
tillery, wounded slightly in the leg
Although the engagement scarcely
attained the Importance OF a battle 1t
thoroughly tested the quality Of tho
United States troops and had an ex-
cellent effect, stimulating their zeal
and enthusiasm, and inspiring them
with confidence.
/ The Spaniards, whose losses In tho
engagement are not known, are adopt
ing tactics intended TO irritate tho
Americans Every night they main
| tain an annoying fire. They have now
| got the true range Of the earthworks
and their shell and shrapnel fire is
| very accurate.
"On Monday night the American
| losses were one killed and flve wound
ed, and on Tuesday night one killed
| and six wounded. This percentage is
heavy, considering that the men were
well entrenched and that there has
been hardly any fighting in the open"