Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-12-06

storming and capture OF the city. and
Herewith the absolute military occu-
pancy of the whole group. The insur-
cents cents. meanwhile had resumed active
pleted truce Of December 1897 Their
forces invested Manila from the northern
ard eastern sides, but were constrained
by Admiral Dewey ana General Merritt
from attempting an assault. II was fit
ting that whatever was to be done in the
way of decisive operations in that quar-
ter should be accomplished by the strong
arm of the United States alone. Obeying
the stern precept of war which enjoins
the overcoming of the adversary and the
extinction of his power, wherever assail-
win peace, divided victory was not
permissible for no partition of the rights
ana responsibilities attending the en-
Iorcement Of a Just and advantageous
peace could be thought Of"
Following the comprehensive scheme of
general attack, powerful forces We're as
sembied at various points on our coast
to invade Cuba and Porto Rico. Mean
while naval demonstrations were made at
several exposed points. On May IL the
cruiser Wilmington and torpedo boat
Winslow We're unsuccessful in an attempt
to silence the batteries at Cardenas. a
gallant ensign, Worth w. Bagley, and
tour seamen failing. These grievous ia
talities We're strangely enough among the
very few which occurred during our naval
operations in this extraordinary conflict.
Meanwhile the Spanish naval prepara-
tions had been pushed with great vigor.
powerful squadron under Admiral Ger
vera which had assembled at the Cape
Verde islands, had crossed the ocean and
by Its erratic movements in the Caribbean
sea delayed our military plans while
battling the pursuit of our fleets. For a
time fears We're felt lest the Oregon ana
Marietta, then nearing home after their
long voyage from San Francisco. over
milo he cod Inv
NeraS fleet, but their fortunate arrival
dispelled these apprehensions and lent
much needed reinforcement. Not until
Admiral Cervera took refuge in the har-
Dor of Santiago de Cuba, about May 10,
was it practicable to plan 4 systematic
naval and military attack upon the An
tillean possessions of Spain.
Several demonstrations occurred on the
coasts of Cuba and Porto Rico in prep
aration for the larger event On May IS
the North Atlantic squadron shelled San
dore Schley's squadron bombarded the
forts guarding the mouth of Santiago
harbor. Neither attack had any material
result. 1t was evident that well-ordered
land operations We're Indispensable to
achieve decisive advantage.
The next act in the war thrilled not
alone the hearts of our cOuntrymen. hut
the world by it's exceptional heroism. On
the night of June-3. Lieutenant Hobson,
aided by seven devoted volunteers, blocked
the narrow outlet from Santiago harbor
by sinking the collier Merrinlac in the
channel under a fierce fire from the shore
batteries. escaping with their lives as by
a miracle. but falling into the hands OF
the Spaniards. 1t is q most gratifying
incident of the war. that the bravery of
Tins little band OF heroes was cordially
appreciated by the Spanish admiral, VINO
sampson of their safety and to compI-
ment them their daring act. Iney
were subsequently exchanged July 1th.
By June 18th, the cutting of the last
{'nhdn Dlp isolated the island There
after the invasion was vigorously prose
cuted. OF the landing OF the advance of
the army under General Shafter at Dali
qliri ON June % the President SAYS 1t
was accomplished under great difficult
ties but with marvellous despatch on
the day following the brilliant acnleve-
Ell Caney. occurred the decisive naval
combat of the war, resulting in the de-
struction of Cerveras fleet. OF this bat
tie the President says:
Where all so conspicuously dstin-
guished themselves from the command
ers TO the Sunners and the unnamed
heroes IN the boiler rooms, each and all
contributing toward the achievement of
this astounding victory, for which neither
ancient nor modern history affords IL
parallel in the completeness of the event
ana the marvellous diSpropor;ton of cas-
ualities it would be invidious to single
any for special honor. Deserved pro-
motion has rewarded the more consplcu-
Gus actors, the nations profoundeSt graft
tudc is due to all of these brave men who
by their skill and devotion in few short
hours crushed the sea power of Spain
and wrought triumph whose decisive
ness and far-reaching consequences can
scarcely be measured. Nor can We be
unmindful of the achievements OF our
builders, mechanics and artisans for
their skill in the construction of our
Warships. The capitulation of Santiago
followed. The individual valor of officers
and soldiers was never more striklngiy
shown than in these very engagements
leading to the surrender OF Santiago.
White the prompt movement and sue
cessive Victories won instant and univer-
sal applause. To those who gained this
complete triumph, which established the
aseendency of the United States on lard
as the fight eff Santiago had fixed cur SUI
premaey on the seas, the earnest and
sparingly due. Nor should we alone re-
member the gallantry of the living; the
dead claim our tears and our losses by
battle and disease must cloud any exul-
tation at the result and teach US TO
weigh the awful cost of war, however
rishtful the cause or signal the victory
With the fall of Santiago the occupa-
ton of Porto Rico became the next
strategic necessity.
AT most of the points in the island our
troops We're enthusiastically received
Protestations of loyalty to the flag and
gratitude FOR delivery from Spanish RUE
met our commanders at every stage
The last scene of the war was enacted
at Mania, its starting place. On August
by the land forces, in which the squadron
assisted: the capital surrendered uncon-
aitionally. BY this the conquest OF the
Philippine islands virtually accomplished
when the Spanish capacity for resistance
DESTROYED by Admiral Dewey's victory OF
the first OF May was formally sealed TO
General Merritt, his officers and men tor
their accomplishing and devoted service
and FOR their gallant,y in action the ma
ton is sincerely grateful.
Their long voyage was made with sin
guar success, and the soldieriy conducs
of the men. most of whom were without
previous experience in the military ser
vice, deserves unmeasured praise
The total casualties in killed and
wounded in the army during the war with
Spain Were: Officers killed. 30: enlisted
mon. 25I; total, $50: officers wounded ll3;
enlisted men wounded, 1884, total. 1877. OF
the navy: Killed, II; wounded. e.; died as
result of wounds, l; invalided from ser
vice, 6; total, 81.
while our navy was engaged in two
great battles and in numerous perilous
undertakings in blockade and lombard
ment, ana more than 20. 900 of our troops
We're transported to distant lands and
We're engaged in assault and siege and
ba tile and many skirmishes in unfamiliar
territory. we lost in both arms of the
service total of 1868 killed and wounded
and in the entire campaign by land and
sea we did not lose q gun or a flag or a
transport or a ship and with the excep-
ton OF the crew of the Merrimac not a |
soldier or sailor WAS taken prisoner
''On August I, forty-six days from the
date of the landing of Gen. Skaters
army in Snb2 and Il days from the sur
render OF Santiago. the United States