The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-06-14

WASHINGTON, June is.--The navy de-
partInent today made public the follow
INK letter received from Admiral Dewey.
being las frs; mail adv.ees from hlni since
ne reached Manila:
Flagship olympia, Cass;e, May g. fsss.--
The squadron left Mrs bay ON Anri, q,
arriving OF Boiiaao og the morning Of
April %, ard finding no vessels there pro-
eeeded down the coast and arrived of the
entrance TO Manila bay on the same after
noon. The Boston aud Concord were sent
TO reconEoiter.
a thorough search OF the port side was
made by the Boston and the Concord, but
the Spanish fleet was not found
Entered south channel at 1879 p. m,
steaming in column ut eight knots.
After half The squadron had passed. .
battery on the south side OF The channel
opened FIRE. 8ane Of the shots taking ef-
feet. The Boston and McCafloch returned
the fire. The squadron proceeded across
the hay at slow speed and arrived of
Manila at daybreak. and was fired upon
at 5;i5 a. m. by three batteries at Manila.
and two near csyi,e and by the Spanish
fleet. anchored in an approximately east
and west line across the mouth Of Bakor
bay. with their left In shoai water in
ed TO the attack, the flagship Olympia,
under my personal direction. leading, fol-
lowed at a distance by the Baltimore, Ra-
leigh. Petrol. Concord and Boston In the
order named which formation was MAIN
tanned throughout the action. The squad
ron opened fire a, Sal a. m. While ad-
vancing to the attack two mines were ex-
ploded ahead Of the flagship. too far 10 be
effective. The squadron maintained a con-
t!nuous and precise fire at ranges varying
at from 5.Do TO 1900 yards, countermarch-
ing in iins approximately parable. to the
Spanish fleet.
The enemy's fire was vigorous. but gem
orally ineffective. Early in the engage
ment two launches put out toward the
Olympia for the apparen. purpose OF using
;orpedoes. One was sunk and the other
dlsabkd by our fire and beached before
an opportunity occurred TO fire torpcdoes.
At a. IN. the Spanish flagship Reina
Christina made a desperate attempt 10
leave the tine and come out to engage at
short range. but was received with srch
CALLING fire. the entire battery OF the
olympia being concentrated upon her. that
she was barely able 10 return to the shell
ter OF the point. The fires started in her
by our shells at this time were not extin-
g,isshei until she sunk
THE three batteries at Manila had kept
up a continuous fire from the beginning
OF the engagement, which fire was re-
turned by the squadron. The first OF thess
batteries was situated on the south mole
head. at the entrance 70 the Pasig river.
The second az the south bass!on OF tho
walled city Of Manila, ard the third At
Malate. about one and one-haIf miles fur
sher south AT this point sent a message
to the governor general to the effect that
is the batteries did not cease firing. the
city would be shelIed. This had the effect
Of siencing them At 30 a. m. I ceased
firing ard withdrew the squadron for
breakfast.
"At HIS A. m | returned TO the attack
BY fhis time the Spanish flagship and al
mos; the entire Spanish feet were on IRE
a: 1870 p. M. the squadron ceased firing,
the batteries being silenced and the ships
being sunk. burned ard deserted A; 1913
p. m. the squadron returned and anchored
of Manila. the Petrel being left behind
20 complete .he destruction Of the smaller
Ftlnfsoa;s which wers behind the point of
cavile. This duty was performed by Com
rnenser < r. Wood IN the mos. expeditions
and competent manner possible
The Spanish lost tne following vessels:
':sunk Eeina Christina. Castillo. Don
Antonio De UlIea.
'sBurned~Don Juan fe Austria. fsla De
I-sszon. Isla De Cuba. Gen. Lego, Marquis
Dell Duero Fl Correo. Faiesco and Is!a
de Mioaanao ltransports1.
Captured gapido and Hercules Gugs)
and several small launches.
II asa unable 10 obtain competent se-
counts os the eneTny's killed and wounded.
btss believe :iseir losses 20 be heavy. Tho
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