The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-05-11

coal the Spaniards probably would not
have seen US at all.
On approaching Cavite, two torpedo
boats put out to menace the American
! fleet. But their attack was like that of
the false sextus at the bridge. They
looked upon the menacing squadron and
at once ran for shelter without discharg-
ing a single torpedo.
The resistance of the forts could hardly
have been called effective or desperate.
The Olympia turned a few guns on the
Cavite arsenal and its magazine explod-
ed with roar, killing over forty Span
iards and wounding many more
This practically ended the fire from
the batteries. the Spanish artillerists
fearing to face the deadly marksman-
ship Of the trained American gunners.
From the first every American was
keyed to the height Of patriotism and
bravery.
Remember the Maine" was the word
continually passing between the ships
and every officer. every tackle" every
marine was eager to make the revenge
effective and complete
There was complete faith in Admiral
Dewey, as he was colloQuially called.
though his rank was only that OF COM
modore. All felt that he would fight fast
and well when the fighting was to be
done. Before we left Subig bay, after
vain search there for any Spanish war
ships we all knew that the morrow
would bring the battle, with all its
chances of sunken mines and the sudden
death which comes from the explosion
of magazines or the bursting Of shells
inboard.
AS night came on the LuZon coast was
in full view, and we held to make the en-
trance to Manila bay about midnight. We
supposed, of course. that the Spaniards
would dispute the passage Of the bay en-
trance with all their power, and there
we really expected to do much of our
fighting.
When we steamed up and saw the
lights of Corregidor every man was call
ed to his post. and we crept along with
out a light showing and begrudging ev-
cry throb of the engines and every kick
of the screws.
But the island batteries were mute. The
flagship passed will IN range. the Balti-
more following closer inshore It seemed
as if no ships ever made so much noise
and the wind died away as II to let the
Spaniards hear everything that was go
ing on.
The eager fremen on the McCulloch
stirred their fires. and the soft coal OF the
cutter sent UP a great shower OF sparks.
Now We'll catch it, said Captain D.
B. Hodgson. with a grin. In a few min
utes off to the westward there was
sudden flare, and soon the boom OF
great gun came across the water.
We were discovered and the ong look
ed for trouble began. Undoubtedly the
McCulloch was the mark aimed at, but
we could hear no Shrek of shell nor
plunge OF solid shot as we sped along
into the further gloom.
Again and again that battery spoke /
Once there was great splash astern OF /
us. but whether 1t was merely the break
ing of a cross wave, the preaching Of a (
big fish or the swash Of a heavy shot we |
could not say.
Then TO the Ieeward OF US we saw an /
other quick fash and a sharp bark told |
that the Concord was talking back to 4
the Spaniards with four-inch rife. This /
was the first shot against Spain in the |
Pacific.
From the shore there was the echo OF /
4 dull chug and something which sounded /
ike a cry. Apparently the gunner on
he Concord hat hit home. Then the Bos-
.on cracked away with an S-inch shell, |
and, just 10 show that we were in the
ight the McCuloch sent a few shots
iurling toward where the Spanish flashes
old of the batteries which were smiling
1t our invasion Of their harbor.
II was not necessary 10 pay much at
ention to the shore forts They evident
V had enough after few shots. for they
ceased to fare and boom, and the Ameri-
an feet steamed on into Manila Bay /
Among the men II was supposed that the
would be fought in the dark
With al the horror or guessing which
vas friend and which foe. But Admiral
Dewey evidently knew hts enemy. ] con-
ess that my teeth chartered ana that
cit qualulish. Perhaps ! would rather
ave been at home.
Some OF the men were nervous One
lieutenant was surly. and another sang
oftIy to himself was told afterward
hat Howard on the Concord. was found
eading his Bible. But Dewey led right
head.
The dawn came out 81 the black sud
enly. Then we saw the old man" stand
ag on the bridge Of the Olympia with the
hips all about him cleared for action.
Right ahead OF Us lay the Spanish feet
nd the Cavite forts. Far Up the bay
'as Manila. We were in for it
Boom sounded Cavite,
"Bat-t-ti" came from the Spanish flag
hip. firing = modern gun.
But neither shot came near enough 70
brow any water on anybody. The enemy
ere close in shore and had rugged and
xed some sort OF log booFns. as well as
tone piers, outside their kazition. while
ehind them loomed the arsenal and the
sur biz batteries. To the south was an
Their battery well in range
From this On I must ten the tale as Il
as been told 20 me-. rather than as 7 ex-
erienced Il FOR the McCulioch was a. ,
.cted 70 keep out OF the rnix-up. cur !
ght armament and lack OF arnor p-otac- J
on rendering Us vulnerable and ine0ect- :
e.
! heard q great cheer and looked Up
tanning. Pickering OF TIE say from the d
Did mans" flagship was The thrilling ;
gnA: 4.